An estimated 82 clean energy projects in Wisconsin — totaling $18 billion in expected investment — could be eligible for labor-related tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a new national report.
The report, released by the Climate Jobs National Resource Center, looked at how the Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, could boost the clean energy sector while creating union jobs.
Nationally, the report identified 6,285 utility-scale clean energy projects that are either planned, under construction or have been completed recently that may be eligible for incentives from the IRA. Those projects, the report says, account for $2 trillion in investment, nearly 1.1 million megawatts of power and roughly 3.9 million jobs.
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According to the report, the 82 utility-scale clean energy projects identified in Wisconsin — either planned, being built or recently completed — account for an estimated 42,000 jobs and 11,833 megawatts of power. Those are broken down into 48 solar projects, 26 battery projects, five wind projects and three hydro projects.
Amy Barrilleaux, a spokesperson for Clean Wisconsin, said it’s an exciting time for the clean energy industry in Wisconsin, fueled by the IRA.
“When you look at these 82 clean energy projects in the pipeline, that’s a huge deal. That’s changing how Wisconsin gets its energy,” she said. “Right now, we import most of our energy. We pay a lot of money to do that, but this is a change to a homegrown clean energy future for us.”
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The state’s trade unions are playing a major role in that clean energy transition — due to labor standards tax credits for things like paying workers prevailing wages and using registered apprentices, said Barrilleaux.
This table shows the breakdown of Wisconsin clean energy projects in various stages of development and their economic impact. Graphic courtesy of the Climate Jobs National Resource Center
Emily Pritzkow, executive director of the Wisconsin Building Trades Council, said those labor standards tax credits help tie industrial expansion to pro-worker policies, helping to lift the pay and the quality of jobs and training throughout that clean energy industry.
“Over the past four decades, we’ve seen workers’ wages stagnate and economic inequality deepen, and we’ve also been watching this climate crisis that has a disproportionate impact on working class neighborhoods, communities of color and so forth,” she said. “This policy really aims to go right at that. It means the opportunity to create millions of good jobs, but also to advance that equity.”
Earlier this year, Wisconsin’s four major utilities made a pledge to hire union workers for all solar, wind and battery projects moving forward. At the time, the utilities said the move would help ensure they meet competitive labor standards.
Pritzkow called the agreement between the utilities and trades unions historic, saying it provides more certainty to union workers.
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“We’ve had a long relationship with the state’s major utilities, and are very often working on their projects,” she said. “That is not a new development, but the commitment to enshrine this in a partnership moving forward on renewable projects is a new one, and I think it really is a reflection of the quality of work our members provide.”
Windmill turbines in rural Wisconsin farm land northeast of Madison near Baraboo are pictured in an early morning aerial taken from a helicopter on Oct. 23, 2018. Bryce Richter /UW-Madison
The report pointed to a few case studies, including two in the Badger State.
One of those is the Apple River Solar Project in Polk County, which is a 100-megawatt solar project being built by union laborers. The report said the project broke ground this summer and will offset an estimated almost 150,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Another project listed is the Menasha Joint School District’s Maplewood Middle School construction project in the Fox Cities.
According to the report, the school will have rooftop solar panels, battery storage and other energy-efficient features that are estimated to save the district $135,000 annually on energy costs. The district is also expected to utilize direct payments included in the IRA for nonprofits and local governments.
Barrilleaux said the Inflation Reduction Act incentives in the law — for businesses, nonprofits, local governments and homeowners — help build clean energy projects, boost electric electric transportation and assist families to weatherize their homes and save energy.
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She called the law “the most ambitious investment to fight the climate crisis” in American history.
“It’s really hard to overstate the impact that the IRA is having in Wisconsin right now, and it’s only been here for a couple of years,” she said. “I think everybody understands that big action needs to happen because we’re in a really critical situation. We need to cut greenhouse gas emissions from every sector of society, and the IRA is helping us do that.”
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
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Here’s a look at July 15, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 15 drawing
02-07-18-29-38, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 0-6-9
Evening: 8-6-6
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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 9-3-8-0
Evening: 4-5-2-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 01-04-05-07-09-11-12-17-18-21-22
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Evening: 05-06-10-11-12-13-14-16-17-19-21
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from July 15 drawing
05-06-23-28-31
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from July 15 drawing
04-08-15-16-21-33, Doubler: N
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Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks numbers from July 15 drawing
10-19-25-31-37-40
Check Megabucks payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
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WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
(WLUK) — Northeast Wisconsin community groups that helped during historic spring flooding can now apply for relief.
Applications for the United Way Fox Cities and Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Flood Relief fund are now open.
The grants are available to local nonprofits and churches serving residents in Outagamie, Calumet, Shawano, Waupaca, and the Neenah/Menasha area of Winnebago counties who are engaging in relief efforts both short-term and long-term.
Grants are available to:
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501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Groups fiscally sponsored by a qualified 501(c)(3)
Churches and other public entities able to receive tax-deductible contributions
These grants are not available to private foundations, individuals or businesses directly, labor unions, or 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c)(6) organizations.
The funding provided to these community organizations will help with housing and safe shelter, food, health and well-being, and financial assistance.
For individual homeowners and renters seeking relief, you can apply for FEMA assistance.
President Trump recently approved $22.6 million in federal aid for Northeast Wisconsin. The request made earlier this year asked for $27 million.