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

 

 

January 2014

  
Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2014 issue of the Energy Innovation Corridor e-Newsletter. Thanks for your continued interest in how we're partnering to develop a cleaner energy and transportation future for Minnesota. Questions or comments? Send us an email.
In This Issue
The Green Button challenge
Green housing along the Green Line in St. Paul
HOURCAR goes on-street in Minneapolis
Next Gen environmental leaders
SAVE ENERGY & MONEY
Accepting nominations: Sustainable Saint Paul awards
Accepting applications: MiM solar

The Green Button challenge

The White House issued a challenge and Xcel Energy is doing it. The Green Button is now available through Xcel Energy's online My Account feature. Through the Green Button, customers can access and download up to 13 months of their personal electricity and natural gas usage data. The download puts the information in a standardized and easy to use format. Xcel Energy took it a step further and also offers My Energy, which pairs the data with relevant and actionable energy saving recommendations, making it easier for customers to reach their energy saving goals. Check out what the White House is saying and the Green Button adoptersXcel Energy customers can check out the Green Button by logging into My Account.

Green housing along the Green Line in St. Paul

Nine new housing projects along the Green Line in St. Paul are complying with the Saint Paul Sustainable Building Policy. This means that each project will consume 60 percent less energy and 30 percent less potable water than an average building; divert 75 percent of its construction waste from landfills; provide healthy and comfortable living environments for its residents; and manage storm water responsibly. These nine projects, consisting of more than 650 residential units, represent more than $150 million in development costs and more than $30 million in public investment. The Saint Paul Sustainable Building Policy applies to all new construction projects undertaken by the city of St. Paul, as well as all private development projects that receive more than $200,000 in public investment from the city and/or St. Paul Housing Redevelopment Authority. The policy was developed by the city in cooperation with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and is intended to serve as a model that other municipalities can borrow. Learn more.

HOURCAR goes on-street in Minneapolis

HOURCAR now offers five on-street locations in Minneapolis as part of the city's car-sharing pilot. The on-street hubs showcase the convenience and benefits of car-sharing, which include saving money and reducing emissions. The city supports a variety of alternative transportation solutions as part of its sustainability efforts, including use of bikes, trains, buses and walking. HOURCAR has a total of 65 vehicles in its fleet throughout St. Paul and Minneapolis. Check out the on-street locations.

Next Gen environmental leaders

University of Minnesota students were nationally recognized when they received the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Student Sustainability Leadership Award. These 'Next Generation Environmental Leaders' organized the student voice across the state and participated in Gov. Mark Dayton's 2013 Environmental Congress where they encouraged long term policy changes in energy efficient transportation, sustainable building practices, renewable energy, along with sustainable agriculture practices. Check out the news release and meet the student leaders.

SAVE ENERGY & MONEY 

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CenterPoint Energy offers 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.

 

Xcel Energy offers home insulation rebate

If your home doesn't have adequate insulation, you may be losing up to 25 percent of your heating or cooling energy. Installing or upgrading your home's insulation is one of the best investments you can make to lower your energy bill. Include air sealing and weather stripping in your project to increase the benefits. Find out 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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Accepting nominations:
Sustainable
Saint Paul awards
  

St. Paul 

Nominations for the 2014 Sustainable Saint Paul Awards are now being accepted. Awards are given to honor outstanding achievements, in several categories, of individuals, businesses and organizations that are protecting and restoring the environment in St. Paul. Nominations will be accepted through Thursday, March 27, 2014. The award ceremony will take place late-April.

 

Accepting applications:

MiM solar

  

Get the scoop on Made in Minnesota solar incentives for consumers who install photovoltaic and solar thermal systems using solar modules and collectors certified as manufactured in Minnesota.  Applications must be accepted Jan.1 through Feb. 28 each year and are selected by lottery. Learn more.

 

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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.  

 

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