EIC Masthead 72

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

 

December 2013
  
Welcome to the December 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 celebrates big savers
Minneapolis disclosing public building energy use
Sustainable St. Paul award - calling for nominations
Union Depot seeks LEED Gold
University of Minnesota adds up the stars
Minneapolis and Xcel Energy join federal challenge
Federal tax credits for energy efficiency
SAVE ENERGY & MONEY
Give the gift of energy efficiency
Holiday light recycling
Green line update

Kilowatt Crackdown celebrates big savers

Kilowatt CrackdownParticipants in the 2013 Kilowatt Crackdown have already saved nearly eight million kWh of electricity and the year's not over yet! Using the Environmental Protection Agency's equivalency tool, the savings equate to taking 1,176 vehicles off the road. It's also enough electricity to power more than 282 homes for a year. The annual energy conservation contest challenges Twin Cities building owners to improve their buildings' efficiency by upgrading their lighting, motors, or heating and cooling equipment or conducting building tune ups. If you haven't yet submitted your projects to add to this tally, time is running out. Learn more

Minneapolis disclosing public building energy use

Minneapolis city hallThe energy used by more than 90 public buildings in Minneapolis is now published in the first of yearly reports. The city will use this information to prioritize investments in its buildings to save energy and money. The reporting is called for by a new ordinance requiring large commercial buildings to annually measure and disclose their energy use. For transparency and to set an example, the city of Minneapolis and other public entities are the first to report. Private building reporting deadlines begin in 2014. Learn more. Buildings in the Energy Innovation Corridor are among the top performers - see page three of the 2012 benchmarking report.

Sustainable St. Paul award - calling for nominations 

St. Paul

 

Nominations for the 2014 Sustainable Saint Paul Awards will be opening on December 23, 2013. Awards are given to honor outstanding achievements of individuals, businesses and organization that are protecting and restoring the environment in St. Paul. Check out past winners and get the scoop on 2014 nominations.

Union Depot seeks LEED Gold

Union Depot logoHistoric Union Depot in downtown St. Paul has been revitalized as a multi-modal transportation hub of regional and national significance. Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority is seeking LEED� Gold certification for Union Depot to recognize the utilization of innovative environmental and energy efficient techniques in the renovation and operation of the majestic building and expansive grounds. Read more about the use of environmentally preferable elements in renovation and operation.

University of Minnesota adds up the stars

UM Energy StarOne by one, two by two, or four by four, the University of Minnesota is committed to increasing energy efficiency in campus buildings. Four new buildings have recently been certified, bringing the institutional total to seven ENERGY STAR certifications. "Our hope is that when the folks who work in a building, and those who maintain it, walk by the Energy Star plaque each morning, it will remind them to continue to do the little things that add up to big energy savings. It all adds up," said Jeff Davis, assistant director of Energy Management. Check out it out on Facebook and the news release.

Minneapolis and Xcel Energy join federal challenge

american-flag-building.jpgThe city of Minneapolis and Xcel Energy have been selected to join 19 city-utility pairs for the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Energy Data Accelerator initiative launched to build a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. The initiative is part of President Obama's Climate Action Plan to engage leaders in state and local governments, utilities and industry to demonstrate innovative policies and programs that will transform the energy efficiency market and cut building energy waste. Learn more.

Federal tax credits for energy efficiency

piggy_bank_money.jpg

 

December = cold + snowy. So what does the equation look like when you add in energy efficiency improvements? Saving energy = saving money + tax credits. Take advantage of federal tax incentives when you make energy efficient upgrades in 2013 or plan for next year. Find out how with the NEC.

SAVE ENERGY & MONEY 

money_grass.jpg

CenterPoint Energy wants you to save energy and money with a natural gas fireplace with electronic ignition. Electronic ignition conserves natural gas by not having a standing pilot light/flame on in the warmer months of the year when the fireplace is rarely used. CenterPoint Energy offers a $75 rebate for the installation of a direct vent fireplace, insert or free-standing stove with electronic ignition. Get more details. 

 

Xcel Energy offers rebates ranging from $100 to $1,000 on qualifying foodservice equipment. Rebates are available on a range of natural gas and electric foodservice equipment. You must be an Xcel Energy natural gas business customer to qualify for natural gas rebates and an Xcel Energy electric business customer to qualify for electric rebates. Get more details

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
Join Our Mailing List
Give the gift
of energy efficiency 

Connect blog 

You survived Black Friday. December arrived before you knew what happened... So now you really have to get serious about finding that perfect gift. Why not give the practical gift of energy efficiency? It'll reap benefits long after the ribbons and paper are torn away (and recycled). 

 and one-up the jolly fellow dressed in red.

 

  Holiday light recycling

Recycle holidays  

Recycle Your Holidays™ provides more than 450 drop-off locations for old, broken light strands. Find out where you can recycle your holiday lights with an interactive map of drop-off sites.

Get started.

 

 

 Green line update

LRT  

The Green Line (Central Corridor LRT), an energy efficient way to travel between the downtowns of St. Paul and Minneapolis, anticipates welcoming riders in mid-2014. Improvements are being made to nearby roadways and bus routes too. For example, bike signs and boxes have been added to Washington Avenue to increase visibility of bikes and enhance overall safety. Whether you're a bicyclist or motorist there are important rules of the road with these new features.

Learn more.

 

Quick Links  

Join Our Mailing List

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
 eNewsletter to other interested parties and encourage them to join our mailing list!

 

Interested in LRT progress?
LRT

Sign up with the Metropolitan Council for updates about the

METRO Green Line

Light Rail project.

EIC Mast Foot url