Pilot project continues with measurable success

Community Energy Services is a full service, one-stop energy program designed to help Minneapolis homeowners save energy and money. More than 3,800 Minneapolis homeowners have participated, including 160 University District Alliance homeowners. The first step is to attend a free workshop and then schedule a $30 customized home energy visit. The home visit includes a blower door test and the installation of energy-saving materials. Take the first step by attending the next workshop:

Thursday, June 9th at 6:30 PM

Lake Harriet Community School Upper Campus-4912 Vincent Ave S
Thursday, June 16th at 6:30 PM

Lake Nokomis Community School Keewaydin Campus-5209 30th Ave S

For more information or to RSVP contact Ashley Robertson at 612-335-5869 or visit www.mnces.org.

Community Energy Services is a partnership between the Center for Energy and Environment, City of Minneapolis, CenterPoint Energy, Xcel Energy, Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, with some funding provided by Minneapolis Block Grants. 

Discover Central Corridor is an initiative started by the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and expanded on in partnership with the Midway Chamber of Commerce and other business associations. This program aims to strengthen support and patronage for businesses along the Central Corridor Construction Route. The initiative, through a mix of social media messaging and events, hopes to inform Twin Cities area residents about different events, news, unique stories and specials to encourage the broader community to discover businesses along the future LRT route. This business community led initiative hosts a series of informal gatherings centered around highlighting area businesses and neighborhoods. In the coming summer months and throughout the rest of the year various events will be held to highlight these unique businesses who've made Washington Avenue, University Avenue and Downtown Saint Paul a great place to visit, shop, eat and play.

June

6/16 - Celebration of Frogtown Square opening

6/27- Nice Ride introduction to Saint Paul

July

7/7 - Saint Paul Saints host University Avenue It's Alive! Zombie Crawl

August

8/18 - Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine and FM107 host a Discover Central Corridor progressive dinner

September

9/10 - Discover Central Corridor partnership with Gopher Football to Highlight Washington Avenue & Stadium Village

Check back often and find out about new places where you can Discover Central Corridor. Visit Discover Central Corridor, Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter @DiscoverCCLRT

Xcel Energy recognized 110 Minnesota businesses and trade partners for their outstanding efforts to save energy. The Efficiency Partner Award honors businesses and trade partners for participating in Xcel Energy 2010 energy efficiency programs. Collectively, the businesses saved 37,132,395 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 756,050 therms of natural gas in the last year - enough to power more than 4,200 homes. And some of those results can be attributed to the 15 award winners in the Energy Innovation Corridor.

Kudos and thanks goes to the 15 award recipients who call the EIC home:

Nice Ride expands

The Nice Ride bike sharing program is in its second year and is continuing efforts to secure public and private funding for expansion into downtown St. Paul and completion of the Phase 2 Plan in 2012. Currently, there are 73 stations and 700 bikes already on the street, with 2,500 1-year subscribers - almost double the 2010 subscriber base. There are additional new stations on the U of M campus and numerous sites downtown Minneapolis too. Check out the expansion map.

Bulb Blasters, an iPhone app with a mission

Bulb Blasters is part of an Xcel Energy campaign to increase awareness about the energy efficiency benefits of compact florescent lights (CFLs) and encourage consumers to install them in their homes. Players fire a CFL bulb cannon to blast energy-wasting incandescent light bulbs out of the sky. As players progress to more difficult levels, they receive an efficiency message about saving energy, money and the universe. They also can post their scores and challenge friends. Bulb Blasters is free and can be downloaded at bulbblasters.com and the Apple store.

Energy efficiency loans for Minneapolis businesses 

The City of Minneapolis Energy Efficiency Business Loan Program has been updated with new and improved loan terms, making the financing even more attractive for Minneapolis businesses.

Program highlights:

• Fixed 0% interest rate
• 20% of the project costs can be claimed as a forgivable rebate, up to $5,000 (double the previous rebate amount)
• $75,000 maximum loan amount, up to 10-yr term

Businesses can use the loan funds to finance lighting upgrades, HVAC equipment/controls, insulation, refrigeration equipment/controls, and more.