Greetings!
Welcome to August 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. |
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Take me out to the greenpark...take me out to the game... |
 Have you been to a Twins game at Target Field yet? It's the greenest ballpark in America - and it's right here in the Energy Innovation Corridor (EIC)! EIC partners had a hand in reducing energy use at the park and improving accessibility to public transportation, which make this ball park LEEDŽ Silver Certified.
Energy use reduction was achieved through high efficiency field and interior lighting, as well as heating/cooling and ventilation equipment. The foodservice equipment qualified for rebates from CenterPoint Energy through a prescriptive energy saving program that will save the stadium about 6,570 dekatherms, which is equivalent to the annual energy usage of 70 residential homes. The stadium also benefited from Xcel Energy's Energy Design Assistance program and incentives, which will save the stadium more than 2,780,000 kWh annually - more than Minnesota state requirements.
Target Field includes a public transportation hub, which includes access to commuter and light rail lines, a major bus station and bike parking.
And, what's really exciting?! Target Field also provides hands-on opportunities to educate people about how efficiency and sustainability can be woven into their lives. Learn more about Target Field - LEED Silver Certified. |
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One-Stop Efficiency Shop boosts lighting rebate potential for qualifying facilities | |
 Did you know that a typical small business spends $6,000-$25,000 annually on energy? And, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nearly a quarter of that amount pays for lighting. Improving your business's lighting is one of the most cost-effective steps that you can take because it saves money on energy bills while boosting lighting quality.
Businesses within the Energy Innovation Corridor are encouraged to participate in the One-Stop Efficiency Shop for lighting upgrades. This program offers enhanced rebates and special services for businesses with peak demand of 400 kW or less. Your business can earn significant rebates while lowering its lighting costs and take advantage of financing opportunities offered through the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) for the One-Stop Efficiency Shop.
Call 612-335-3487 for help determining the best approach for you or visit CEE's One-Stop Efficiency Shop. |
| Saint Paul Mayor Coleman announces Energy Challenge Grant recipients |
 With a focus on sustainability, Mayor Chris Coleman announced the 10 recipients of the 2010 Energy Challenge Grants, five of which are within the Energy Innovation Corridor (EIC). The non-profit organizations will receive grants averaging $5,000 to provide Saint Paul residents with training and education on reducing their energy use and green house gas emissions.
"These grants allow non-profits to help residents save money and conserve energy. I am proud of the steps we have taken in recent years to improve building efficiency, energy production and our environment, and this initiative furthers Saint Paul as a national leader in environmental sustainability," Mayor Coleman said.
To fund these initiatives, the City is utilizing $50,000 in federal stimulus funds provided through the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.
The Sustainable Saint Paul Energy Challenge Grant recipients are (organizations within the EIC are bolded): ˇ Daytons Bluff Community Council; ˇ District 2 Community Council; ˇ District 6 Community Council; ˇ East Side Neighborhood Development Company; ˇ Hamline-Midway Coalition; ˇ Payne Phalen District Five Planning Council; ˇ St. Anthony Park Community Council; ˇ Summit-University Planning Council; ˇ Union Park District Council; and ˇ West SideCitizens Organization
The grant-funded projects are expected to begin immediately and must be completed by June 30, 2011.
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| Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair features NEW Green Streets exhibit |
 Both familiar and futuristic, Green Street is a mini-version of a walkable neighborhood with community space, renewable energy and carbon footprint-reducing transportation options. The model street includes a community garden, play area, rain garden, public performance space and "distributed" energy sources including a carport and electric car charging station.
You'll have the opportunity to check out two electric vehicles, the Mitsubishi i MiEV and Tesla, and Coulomb Technology's charging stations. The solar car port will feature Silicon Energy's PV panels (Silicon Energy is bringing green jobs to the Iron Range). Learn about electric vehicles and recharging at the Eco Experience located in the Progress Center on Randall Avenue. Presented by the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. |
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Rebates, Money & Energy Savings Programs | |
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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 website.
Please forward this e-newletter to other interested parties and encourage them to join our mailing list! | |
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Power Check Meters now in libraries located in the Energy Innovation Corridor |  | |
Learning more about individual home energy use is as easy as checking out a library book! This program is expanding and coming to libraries located in the Energy Innovation Corridor (EIC). Power Check is a program in which Xcel Energy provides portable power meters to public libraries. Patrons can check out the meters to determine energy consumption and costs of using individual appliances and electronic devices in their own homes.
The Power Check meters come with easy-to-read instructions and can be used with most home appliances and electronics. The meters will record electrical usage in watts, capture surge readings, and display the cost of energy use in dollars. Patrons can also use the meter to interface with a home computer to graph energy use and determine what changes they can make to save the most energy.
Power Check meters are now available for check-out at 13 library districts throughout Minnesota - including those in the EIC! Check out a complete list of libraries and details about Power Check. |
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Ready for Rail |  | |
The Business Resources Collaborative, a coalition of nonprofits and government agencies, held a press conference to announce the "Ready for Rail" initiative put in place to help businesses prepare before, survive during and thrive after construction of the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line. The key announcement made at the press event, held in front of Shuang Hur Supermarket on University Ave. in Saint Paul, was the availability of $1.5 million in zero-interest loans for small businesses affected by the construction. Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman made note that the loan fund is part of an overall strategy that brings together public, private and nonprofit groups who have offered to provide resources to businesses along the Central Corridor during construction. Mayor R. T. Rybak praised business owners along University, who have able to realize the American Dream and will prove an even brighter example of opportunity once Central Corridor light rail is actively serving the businesses and people along the avenue. For more information check out ReadyForRail.net. |
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| Interested in LRT progress? |  | |
Sign up with the Metropolitan Council for updates about the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project construction. |
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CenterPoint Energy - Natural Gas Equipment Rebate
