Environment America Research and Policy Center recently released Lighting the Way, a fascinating hard numbers–based take on the US solar energy boom, the top states that fostered it last year, and what the others are up to. The research organization finds that the top 10 solar energy states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, … [continued]
Interestingly, the US natural gas fracking scenario seems to be repeating itself right now in the United Kingdom. BBC News announced this morning that David Cameron’s Conservative-Liberal Democrat government, in power since 2010, has begun a vast bidding round for fracking permits that could cover around half of the United Kingdom. This is somewhat … [continued]
20 communities showcase climate change adaptation and mitigation leadership happening in local governments across America …
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]
Over the past three years, Minnesota’s local units of government — including municipalities, counties, and schools — have been hard at work completing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). These projects have included everything from installing … [continued]
