Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corp. has been involved in the Focus on Energy program since it was launched. Founded in 1980, the group is headed by Mary Schlaefer, a top staffer in the administration of former Gov. Jim Doyle. Schlaefer did not return a phone call for comment Thursday about Shaw's selection.

The committee that made the selection is called the Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Administration (SEERA). It was created in 2005 under Wisconsin Act 141, which required utilities to competitively bid for the Focus on Energy administrator. Act 141 also allowed for-profit groups to bid on managing the program.

During meetings that concluded on Dec. 9, the administration made significant changes to the Focus on Energy program that were included in a request for proposals.

"SEERA wants to use this competitive bidding process to build upon the successes to date of the Focus on Energy program," Jean Derfus, an Xcel Energy executive and president of SEERA said at the time, according to wisbusiness.com. "We look forward to being part of this process for the first time."

Derfus declined to comment for this report until after the PSC votes. If Shaw is selected, the PSC would approve the contract details at a later date.