Greetings!
Welcome to the May 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 email. |
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EV Experience at the Living Green Expo |
 As part of the Living Green Expo this past weekend, people were able to check out the latest in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Participants said they were impressed with the variety of EVs on hand and were eager to hop right in for a test ride. It was also a great opportunity for people to see home and public EV charging infrastructure and even options powered with renewable energy. No matter the reason - environment, gas prices or just plain curious - the EV Experience was a hit! Stay informed about Minnesota EVs and charging infrastructure through Drive Electric Minnesota - a partner with the Energy Innovation Corridor.
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New sustainable business opens in EIC |
 "Businesses are beginning to understand that environmentally smart and energy efficient technologies aren't just better for our environment, but can save them money. Thanks to businesses like Automated Logic and The Energy Innovation Corridor, these initiatives are coming to light," Mayor Coleman said. "Today, we are witnessing the fruits of 30 years of discussion about joining the Twin Cities, and because of the Central Corridor, we are going to see a lot more ribbon cuttings."
Read more and check out the video.
Mayor Chris Coleman, Louis Jambois, president of the Saint Paul Port Authority, and Fred Meyers, president of Automated Logic - Twin Cities, spoke at the grand opening and ribbon-cutting for Automated Logic. |
Feds commit to paying half of Central Corridor light rail costs | |
 Federal Transit Administration officials signed the Full Funding Grant Agreement on April 26, committing the federal government to paying $478 million, or half the cost, to build the $957 million light rail transit Central Corridor line linking St. Paul and Minneapolis. More about the FTA's Full Funding Agreement.
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum signs the Full Funding Grant Agreement as Gov. Mark Dayton, FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff, Met Council Chair Susan Haigh and others look on. |
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Beautiful U Day raises sustainability awareness | |
 On Beautiful U Day 2011 (April 20), the University of Minnesota showcased the U's sustainable transportation options and encouraged students, faculty and staff to bike, walk, ride or car pool to campus. More than 200 gently used bikes were sold with prices as low as $35 during a Sustainable Transportation Expo on Northrop Plaza. Read more. The University of Minnesota is a partner in the Energy Innovation Corridor.
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Government Buildings: Dayton's energy action plan | |
On April 8, Minnesota Gov. Dayton signed two executive orders to create a comprehensive energy conservation and sustainability action plan for state government, with a goal of generating millions in budget savings and creating thousands of new jobs.
 | | Gov. Dayton |
These include orders that direct state agencies to:
- Identify and implement cost-effective energy saving strategies in state facilities with a goal of reducing state energy consumption by 20 percent.
- - Implement new practices and policies that save money and reduce the environmental impact of state government operations.
The state currently owns over 30 million square feet of space. The implemented efficiencies will result in millions in annual savings to the state and create as many as 3,000 jobs over the next five years. Get more information. |
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BOMA Kilowatt Crackdown Implementation Resources | |
 For BOMA Kilowatt Crackdown challenge participants, now that you have submitted your 2010 ENERGY STAR benchmark it's time to begin implementing as many energy saving improvements as you can this year. There are a variety of resources to help with implementation including financing, rebates and services. Below is a list of just some of the resources available to you including special bonus rebates!
Funding Opportunities:
Rebates:
- From March 8, 2011 through March 31, 2012 Xcel Energy is offering a 50% bonus on T12 lighting rebates for T12 - T8 and T12 - T5 retrofits. Rebate cannot exceed 75% of the project cost.
- New prescriptive and custom LED rebates available.
- Be sure to contact your Xcel Energy account manager before starting a project as it may require preapproval. If you do not have an account manager, contact Sue Goldstein, sue.goldstein@xcelenergy.com or 612-630-4521.
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2011 Greening Your Business Conference | |
 The Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the Greening Your Business Conference at the Marriott City Center in Minneapolis. This year's conference included two free energy workshops, break-out sessions and a Leadership in Sustainability Awards ceremony. The conference also included an exhibit hall for businesses to share their green products and services.
This business-to-business conference presented a tremendous opportunity to reach business decision makers interested in learning about sustainable and eco-friendly products and services that can be implemented in the work place. Minneapolis currently ranks number six on Mercer LLC's Top 10 Eco Cities in the World (2010 Quality of Living Report) and during the conference participants learned about some of the great efforts that give the city such clout in the "green" world.
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Save money and energy | |
 CenterPoint Energy offers Air Sealing and Insulation
Sealing air leaks is one of the most important steps a homeowner can take to improve the efficiency of their home. Improving insulation can also reduce energy consumption by more than 10 percent. CenterPoint Energy's Air Sealing and Insulation program helps lower the cost of adding insulation and sealing air leaks by providing qualifying homeowners rebates of as much as 50 percent of the cost of improvements, up to a maximum of $350. Please note that a home energy audit by a certified auditor must be completed before an insulation contractor is hired. Get more details and complete rebate rules. CenterPoint Energy is a member of the Energy Innovation Corridor.
Xcel Energy offering a 50% bonus on T12 Lighting Rebates
Due to the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Regulations, the manufacture of nearly all inefficient T12 fluorescent lighting will be phased out in 2012 and will no longer be available for purchase. Xcel Energy has limited-time bonus rebates for T12 - T8 retrofit, T12 - T8 optimization and T12 - T5 retrofit measures. From March 8, 2011-March 31, 2012, all Xcel Energy Minnesota electric business customers are eligible for up to a 50 percent bonus rebate - above and beyond current rebate levels - for these select T12 upgrades.* Rebates cannot exceed 75 percent of cost. On April 1, 2012, the bonus rebate will be reduced to 30 percent so act now to maximize your rebate potential. Rebates for T12 upgrades will not be offered from Xcel Energy after December 31, 2012. Xcel Energy is a member of the Energy Innovation Corridor.
*For T12 - T8 retrofit, T12 - T8 optimization and T12 - T5 retrofit measures only. Rebates subject to fixture wattage and other variables. All other eligible lighting rebate levels remain unchanged. |
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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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By the numbers |
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Achieving economic vitality through carbon avoidance.
Click on the charts for our latest achievements. |
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Solar Charging for Minnesota EVs
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Check out a recent article by SolarChargedDriving.com, which reviews Drive Electric Minnesota's decision to include solar-powered charging stations as part its overall electric vehicle infrastructure plan. | |
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Kudos to MEI award finalists
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The Minneapolis and Saint Paul Solar Cities project and Target Field were among 15 projects selected as finalists for 2011 Midwest Environmental Initiative awards. A panel of fifteen independent judges evaluated almost fifty nominations in five categories, and chose fifteen innovative projects. The winner in each category will be announced at the MEI Awards dinner on Thursday, May 26. Click here to see a list of finalists. | |
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Work Green:
Finding the Green in Minnesota's Economy
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May 24, 1-5 pm
Free, open to the public
Learn about cutting-edge research about Minnesota's green jobs. Discover the latest online tools to explore green careers, training and jobs.
Talk with Minnesota businesses offering green services and products.
Location:
Wilder Foundation
451 Lexington Parkway N,
St. Paul (at University Avenue)
Event sponsors:
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and ISEEK Solutions, a partner of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
No registration required.
Questions and information: Julie.remington@so.mnscu.edu | |
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Target Field Earth Day CFL Give Away
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On April 23, in honor of Earth Day, Xcel Energy, a member of the Energy Innovation Corridor, gave every fan exiting the Twin's home game a CFL light bulb - a total of 40,000 bulbs! Did you know that only 10 percent of the electricity your traditional incandescent light bulb uses goes to create light... the rest is wasted as heat! A properly used CFL could save you up to $50 when compared to incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer.
Get your CFLs for as little as a $1 each. | |
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About
Energy Innovation Corridor
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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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| 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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