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Energy Innovation Corridor e-Newsletter
Minnesota's clean energy and transportation showcase  

 

February 2013
Greetings!
  
Welcome to February issue 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.
In This Issue
Kilowatt Crackdown wins MEEA award
Minneapolis passes new commercial building ordinance
RFP: Local Government Air Pollutant Emissions Reduction Projects
Understanding new bicycle markings in Minneapolis
SAVE ENERGY & MONEY
Video: Energy Efficiency to Net Zero
CERTS Community-Driven Clean Energy conference
Minneapolis encourages organizations to sign up for FREE green improvements

Kilowatt Crackdown wins MEEA award 

 

 Kilowatt Crackdown MEEA

The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance awarded Xcel Energy, BOMA Saint Paul and the Greater Minneapolis BOMA the Inspiring Efficiency Award for its partnership on the Kilowatt Crackdown program. The Kilowatt Crackdown is a year-long contest challenging Minneapolis and St. Paul commercial real estate office building owners to improve their buildings' energy efficiency. A total of 86 buildings in the Twin Cities participated in the first annual event, saving more than 13 gigawatt-hours of electricity, the equivalent of reducing more than 9,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or taking 1,800 vehicles off the road. Learn more about this and another award.

Minneapolis passes new commercial building ordinance 

 

MplsAn ordinance regarding commercial building benchmarking and disclosure ordinance was passed by the City Council's Regulatory, Energy & Environment Committee and the full council. Six other cities in the US have similar ordinances and Minneapolis will be the first in the Midwest. This ordinance requires large commercial buildings to annually benchmark the energy and water performance and report to the city. The intention of the ordinance is to drive energy efficiency improvements in the commercial building market by making performance data transparent and readily accessible to building owners, managers, tenants and the general public. The city will be conducting trainings, which will be funded by the MPCA, for building owners and managers about how to comply with the ordinance and use the reporting tool. Resources will also be available to connect building owners with financial resources to make improvements. Check out the ordinance and the news release for more.

RFP: Local Government Air Pollutant Emissions Reduction Projects 

MPCA The MPCA issued an RFP for local government air pollutant emissions reduction projects with a priority given to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, plug-in EVs, route optimization software, fuel economy fleet plan and fleet operator training. Eligible applicants are cities, counties and townships. The maximum grant is $5,000 per grantee and must commit to a match of $1 (hard or in-kind) for every $3 from the MPCA. The application deadline is March 18, 2013. Interested parties should contact Fran Crotty or Philipp Muessig.

Understanding new bicycle markings in Minneapolis

 

 In the past two years, Minneapolis has doubled the miles of on-street bikeways. Whether you're driving a car or riding a bike, it's important that all road users know what all the new markings mean. Check out the video and web page to better understand how to safely coexist on city streets.

SAVE ENERGY & MONEY 

 

 

Home Energy Audits by CenterPoint Energy

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 and inadequate insulation that can contribute to ice dams and will include specific suggestions for improvement. Learn more.

 

Monitor your energy use online with Xcel Energy

Love having choices? You can choose how you want to monitor energy use and pay your energy bills. If you're an Xcel Energy customer, you can enroll in My Account with eBill to track your energy use, participate in energy efficiency and rebate programs or pay your bill electronically. Get tips to be more efficient, and make lifestyle changes that can save you some dough. The choice is yours. Learn more.

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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  Video: Energy Efficiency to Net Zero

 

Carl Nelson, Center for Energy and Environment's manager of Residential Programs is featured on a Clean Energy Resource Teams video about net zero energy buildings and how feasible they are in Minnesota. Carl highlights some of the issues with achieving a net zero home in Minnesota's severe climate. Watch the video.

 

  CERTS Community-Driven Clean Energy conference

CERTs 2013 Conference will be an exploration and celebration of successful energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and a coming together of hundreds of amazing people who are working to create a clean energy future in their communities and beyond. Feb. 20-21. St. Cloud.

Check out the agenda and register.

 

Minneapolis encourages organizations to sign up for FREE green improvements

Check out a new pilot program to reduce pollution in Minneapolis. Organizations (businesses, schools, nonprofits, etc.) are encouraged to sign up for free energy efficiency assessments.

 

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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.

 

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LRT

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