February continued momentum in a very active early session for clean energy. Hot topics include improvements to commercial clean energy financing options, continuing discussions on community solar gardens in the Senate, a bill proposing requiring customers have access to their energy usage data, proposals for solar on schools, and changes to energy efficiency policies.
There are many ways to arrive at the same conclusion: energy efficiency is just a smart business decision.
There are many ways to tell the story of one of Minnesota’s most successful energy programs, called the Conservation Improvement Program or CIP. CEEM convened a recent legislator educational tour in Duluth. We were there to highlight that it’s cheaper to save energy (1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour) than buy energy (8 cents per kilowatt-hour). That little fact is at the heart of the CIP program, which works as a rebate program facilitated by our state’s utilities – like Minnesota Power or Xcel Energy, through the work provided by efficiency installers or design firms like LHB.
When most people hear the words ‘energy efficiency’ they might think of swapping out their light bulbs, or purchasing low-flow showerheads, little things they can do around their home or office to help lower their electricity bill.
Did you know that by 2030, Americans are expected to have saved around $2 trillion in energy efficiency measures alone? Yes, that’s trillion – with a T. And in Minnesota – of the more than 57,000 clean energy jobs located across our state – a staggering 86 percent of those are in the energy efficiency sector. Energy efficiency is the cheapest, cleanest energy resource we have in Minnesota: it costs significantly less to save a unit of energy than to buy one.
From how Minnesota is addressing solar panel recycling, to guest blogs about recent technological innovations or interesting partnerships with tribal communities, we bring you the latest on all things energy efficiency and clean energy in Minnesota.
View BlogClean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) has three newsletters. We publish a monthly update with clean energy stories, news and events. We also have a legislative update during the Minnesota legislative session to keep you informed of clean energy news at the Capitol. Finally, we publish a quarterly regulatory newsletter to keep you up to date on how clean energy policy is being enacted across the state and country.
View NewslettersFind all of the latest news about what Clean Energy Economy MN is involved in, projects and policy we’re focused on, as well as influential editorials and letters to the editor.
View CEEM in the NewsFrom breaking news to clean energy report releases and reactions to policy at the legislature, you can find the most up-to-date official press releases and statements from Clean Energy Economy MN here.
View Press ReleasesOur monthly newsletter includes updates from the Capitol, the latest clean energy news and blogs and important information about upcoming events!