Greetings!
Welcome to the February 2012 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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EIC in Finance & Commerce special energy edition |
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Courtesy: Finance & Commerce |
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
The Energy Innovation Corridor garnered some press coverage in Finance & Commerce's Focus on Energy. The article reviews the collaborative efforts of the EIC's many partners to develop a clean energy and transportation future for Minnesota by focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation and smart technologies. Read the article now... and share it with all your friends and colleagues! |
Ramsey County EV rolls with recycling | |
 Ramsey County's recycling bin program will be even greener as the bins are now being delivered to locations throughout the county in its new all-electric Ford Transit Connect. The purchase of a replacement vehicle was scheduled, but the grant from Xcel Energy made the Transit Connect purchase a viable option. The vehicle will also be used for the yard waste program so Ramsey County residents will see it out at yard waste sites for nine months of the year. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in Ramsey County.
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Accepting applications: multifamily pilot project | |
 Seeking participants! EnergyScoreCards Minnesota is a two-year pilot project that implements benchmarking and tracking at multifamily buildings in Minnesota. Qualified applicants will have access to a FREE web-based energy benchmarking tool that will enable comparison of building performance with other similar buildings - all in an effort to get control of energy and water use. Spots are limited and the deadline is approaching. Check it out.
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City of Minneapolis kicks off climate action update | |
At the beginning of the month, the city of Minneapolis kicked off the process to update its Climate Action Plan, which is a road map to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution in the city. The initial public meeting was well attended and held at the Hennepin County Central Library in the Energy Innovation Corridor. A productive conversation was led by Dr. Mark Seeley, a climatologist and professor at the U of M, and Kristen Rabb, climate change director at the Minnesota Department of Health. The updated climate action plan will measure the impact of current city efforts and develop new initiatives that focus on transportation, buildings and waste. Get more information. |
SAVE MONEY & ENERGY | |
Save money and energy with programs and rebates from CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy
Home Energy Audits
A Home Energy Audit can help you create a plan that can both improve your home's energy efficiency and help you save money. CenterPoint Energy's Home Energy Audits are offered to customers at a significantly reduced price and are designed to show you the best way to plan energy-saving home improvements so you'll get the most energy and money savings for your investment. Many of the no-cost and low-cost improvements recommended can immediately impact your monthly energy bills. Plus, an audit can help uncover hidden problems such as air leaks that can contribute to ice dams and will include specific suggestions for improvement. Get information.
Home Lighting - Energy Efficient Bulbs
Save money, energy and help the environment. Using energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs really can make a difference on your long-term energy bill. They need 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs. Today, CFLs and LEDs can fit virtually all types of fixtures including floods, globes, dimmables and three-way lamps. They're not just for inside anymore. Xcel Energy offers discounts on CFL and LED bulbs in Minnesota, Colorado and New Mexico. Get CFLs for as little as $1 each (bulbs may be sold in multi-packs). Get a $10 discount on selected models of LEDs. Discounts are available while supplies last. Get discounted bulbs. |
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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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Conservation Madness | |
During the month of February, U of M students who live on-campus are competing to reduce waste, water and energy use and increase recycling rates. The competition, Conservation Madness, is organized by residence halls and the hall that conserves and recycles the most will win a party for their hall. Last year, the winning hall reduced energy usage by almost 5 percent compared to the baseline. Get more information. | |
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Parking goes solar | |
So far, the city of Minneapolis has installed 340 multi-space solar parking meters and anticipates the total to be 500 by the end of the year. Many of the solar kiosks are located within the Energy Innovation Corridor. Each 10-watt meter has a 12-volt battery for storage and can run for about a week without a solar charge. Each parking meter kiosk represents an estimated 0.01kW - so with 340 in operation - that's 3.4kW for an installed base (and that's about the size of the average residential solar installation). | |
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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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| 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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