Originally published on The ECO Report. As part of the economic stimulus package five years ago, Congress allotted $2.7 billion for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) to be spent by local governments. Over 200 mayors filled out questionnaires explaining how that money was spent in their cities. This was recently published … [continued]
Original post published on CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org In 2009, when the City of Saint Paul received a substantial Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from the U.S. Department of Energy, city leaders wanted to implement high-profile projects that demonstrated the potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy across the state of … [continued]
This post originally published on CleanEnergyResourceTeams As the market for electric vehicles (EVs) grows and local dealerships begin stocking more of them, consumers will be thinking about where to find charging stations. While most EV owners charge their vehicles at home, drivers looking for a charge around town may struggle with … [continued]
Restaurants use more energy per square foot than any other commercial business. However, saving energy is possible, as Trish Appleby has demonstrated in her restaurant Donatelli’s Homemade Italian in White Bear Lake, MN. Appleby started thinking about energy improvements because of rising energy costs. “It was easy to see that … [continued]
From the 1960s to the 1980s many affordable housing projects were developed. As these units have begun to age, they require frequent repair and upgrades to address health, safety, and energy efficiency concerns. The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP) found that incorporating energy efficiency measures into its housing accommodations … [continued]
Minnesota is not known for mild winters, which makes keeping heat in buildings a top priority. Weatherization is the prime approach to do just that. Weatherization techniques, such as air sealing and envelope improvements, provide relatively low-cost energy savings and warmer buildings for occupants in wintertime. Air sealing steps … [continued]
Randy Washburn has a knack for how things operate. Although he has only been Supervisor of Itasca County’s Facilities Management Office for five years, he has made a huge impact. Washburn has a good understanding of the constraints of the county’s energy budget. This is why he started asking … [continued]
In the small town of Gonvick, Minnesota, the Clear Waters Life Center has revitalized an old building and, with it, a community. When the schools of Gonvick and Clearbrook were combined in 1992, a new school building opened north of Clearbrook in 2004 to accommodate the influx of students, … [continued]
The riverside city of Oak Park Heights knows when to take advantage of a good opportunity. The city received an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) in 2009 through the U. S. Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Oak Park Heights used the … [continued]
What’s an efficiency project that most anyone can do? Lighting! Did you know that $1 invested in efficient lighting can pay back $6 in energy savings? CFLs & LEDs use less electricity, last longer. Be it in your home, your business, your school, or your government office, lighting uses … [continued]
