Greetings!
Welcome to another edition of the Energy Innovation Corridor e-Newsletter. Thank you for your continued interest in how we are partnering to develop a cleaner energy and transportation future for Minnesota. Questions or comments? Send us an e-mail. |
| Home Energy Squad visits 1,000th home |
Originally started in homes along the Energy Innovation Corridor (EIC) in January, the Home Energy Squad has now completed energy efficiency and conservation upgrades in its 1,000th home! These conservation measures represent enough savings to supply approximately 130 homes with energy needs for an entire year. The Home Energy Squad is all about helping people achieve energy efficiency one home at a time with easy, tangible improvements.
Here's how it works. It starts with a visit by an energy expert who reviews the home's energy efficiency prior to making energy-saving recommendations. The homeowner then chooses which improvements to make and the squad installs them on the spot. Some of the recommendations include installing weather stripping on exterior doors, "smart" power strips, programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent lighting, water-saving shower heads and faucet aerators. The homeowner pays for the materials, but installation is free.
The Home Energy Squad's goal this year is to provide improvements to 1,300 homes within the EIC. This goal would represent enough savings to supply approximately 170 homes with energy needs for an entire year.
The program is a partnership with the Neighborhood Energy Connection, the Center for Energy and Environment, CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy. For eligibility and more information, please visit the Home Energy Squad. |
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Additional energy-efficiency resource for Cedar Riverside, Marcy-Holmes and Prospect Park |
Are you a homeowner in Cedar Riverside, Marcy-Holmes, or Prospect Park? The Center for Energy and Environment is partnering with CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy to provide Community Energy Services, a full-service residential energy program for these and other selected Minneapolis neighborhoods. Homeowners have the opportunity to attend free community energy workshops and receive the latest information about energy efficiency for their homes, materials and services valued at up to $400, and information on financing, incentives and rebates for those wishing to complete larger projects. Check out CEE or contact Ashley Robertson / 612-335-5869 or Kyle Boehm / 612-219-7334.
Corridor residents who are not in the above-listed neighborhoods can access home energy efficiency services through the Home Energy Squad. |
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J&J Distribution secures $1.3 million loan for energy efficiency |  J&J Distributing,a wholesale produce company located at 653 Rice Street in Saint Paul, situated on the eastern side of the Energy Innovation Corridor, reports a $1.3 million energy-conservation loan authorized by the Saint Paul Port Authority from its Trillion BTU Fund is the first step toward creating an "urban farm" in Frogtown. "The loan is for the energy-conservation phase of a three-part project," owner Hannigan explained. Savings from new high-tech energy systems will be used to repay the loan in seven years.
The Trillion BTU Fund by the Saint Paul Port Authority uses $5.5 million from a Federal stimulus grant for energy conservation projects, which includes $500,000 from the City of Saint Paul. The program creates a financial reservoir for companies to draw upon for energy-conservation improvements. In turn, the energy savings are used by the companies to repay the loans and replenish the funding reservoir.
The savings will be huge for J&J. Its 100,000-square-foot facility is described by Hannigan as an "energy hog" filled with highly perishable fruits and vegetables. The building's climate system currently has 44 rooftop units that roar like locomotives on hot summer days. "Depending on designs that are still being worked out, those 44 units will be replaced by one to six units that are more powerful and efficient," Hannigan said. "They have the same capacity, but use about half the energy. And they will capture the heat produced as a byproduct of the chillers and use it to heat office space in the building and, eventually, a 20,000-square-foot greenhouse."
To learn more about the Trillion BTU program and eligibility requirements, contact Pete Klein at 651-204-6211/800-328-8417 or e-mail. |
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Rebates, Money & Energy Savings Programs | 
CenterPoint Energy - Water Heater Rebates
After home heating, hot water is the second largest user of energy in your home - accounting for 15 percent of your total energy use. Upgrading your water heater before it leaks will save you time and money. Look for Energy Star® qualified models, and remember, the more efficient the equipment, the greater the energy savings and the bigger the rebate! Please contact the dealer, plumber or retailer of your choice, or visit CenterPoint Energy for more information.
Xcel Energy - Saver's Switch ®
Take 15% off your electric energy and fuel cost charges from June through September each year you participate in Saver's Switch. It's free, simple, convenient and cool! Xcel Energy electricity customers can enroll online for the Saver's Switch program or simply call Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999. Check out the Saver's Switch demo.
Check out all the money and energy savings programs and rebates available to you through CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy. |
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Thanks for your continued interest and support of the Energy Innovation Corridor - Minnesota's showcase area - making energy-efficiency, renewable energy, smart technologies and transportation a reality.
Sincerely,
The Energy Innovation Corridor Communications Team | |
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| About
Energy Innovation Corridor | |
Located within one of the most unique urban communities in the country, the Energy Innovation Corridor was formed to create a sustainable energy and transportation showcase. The first-of-its-kind, this clean energy and transportation model extends along the 11-mile Central Corridor light rail transit project route, from downtown Saint Paul to Target Field in downtown Minneapolis, along Washington and University avenues, via the Minnesota State Capitol and entire University of Minnesota-Minneapolis campus.
Visit our Web site: energyinnovationcorridor.com.
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Two NEW financing programs from the City of Minneapolis |  | |
Energy Efficiency Business Loan and Grant program
The City of Minneapolis recently rolled out its Energy Efficiency Business Loan and Grants program, which provides financing to Minneapolis businesses for facility improvements, decreasing the overall impact on the environment. The City of Minneapolis works in cooperation with the Center for Energy and Environment.
To learn more about program details, eligibility requirements and how it works, go to the City of Minneapolis' Web site or contact Becky Shaw 612-673-5066 or Jessica Green 612-673-5232.
Multi-Family Housing Energy Efficiency Loan program
The City of Minneapolis is in the final stages of launching a new Multi-Family Housing Energy Efficiency Loan program. Beginning in July, the City will be accepting applications from large (4 or more stories with 10 or more dwelling units) multi-family property owners looking to finance energy efficiency improvements. Improvements must be recommended by a certified auditor, produce verifiable energy savings and be eligible for a CenterPoint rebate. To learn more about program details and eligibility requirements, please contact Jessica Green at 612-672-5232. |
| Bike Sharing now available in the Energy Innovation Corridor |  |
Nice Ride Minnesota is a new non-profit created to bring public bike sharing to Minneapolis. And anyone can become a subscriber. Simply take a bike when you need one, and return it to any station in the system when you arrive at your destination. It's quick, easy and affordable. Check out Nice Ride. |
| Interested in LRT progress? |
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Sign up with the Metropolitan Council for updates about the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project construction. | |
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