The Energy Initiative, established in 2003, is a group of Wisconsin utilities, public advocacy organizations, environmental groups, and local stakeholders who are called upon on an ad hoc basis to collaboratively evaluate the need for new electric transmission line and the feasibility of alternatives, including energy efficiency, demand management, distributed generation (small power plants), large power plants, and renewable energy.

Because new electric transmission lines have landowner, community, environmental, economic, and aesthetic impacts, the need for new transmission lines must be established before the routing and siting process begins. The EI provides a needs-review in a collaborative format before proposals are introduced to the the public and prior to the regulatory review process. This review allows for an examination of electric system shortcomings and potential solutions.

The Energy Initiative of Dane County issued its Report on Electric System Reliability in Dane County in January, 2005.

The Energy Initiative of Southeast Wisconsin issued its preliminary conclusions on its southeastern Wisconsin energy study spring 2006.