As part of the Grow Solar Partnership, toolkits have been assembled to equip local governments in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois with information regarding solar development as it relates to planning, zoning, and permitting. The toolkits were created in 2016, then model ordinances are being updated in 2020 to reflect new best practices and lessons learned since 2016. Minnesota and Iowa are updated and Illinois and Wisconsin are in process, with ordinance for Indiana and Michigan under development. The purpose of these toolkits is to provide resources that will assist communities in addressing barriers to solar energy installations in a manner tailored to each community’s needs. Continue reading »
Minnesota Cities Charging Ahead Around Electric Vehicles
February 20, 2018 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
There has been a growing interest from cities in Minnesota to explore options for adding electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure in their communities. Continue reading »
St. Louis Park Climate Action Plan: City Lays Out Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality by 2040
February 16, 2018 in Communities Author: Abby Finis
With the adoption of the St. Louis Park Climate Action Plan in early February, the Minnesota city became a leading example of a community moving from setting ambitious energy and carbon emission goals to laying out a roadmap for implementation. Continue reading »
The February 2018 GreenStep Cities workshop focused on water quality improvements, with discussions on how Minnesota can reach its goal of a 25-percent improvement in water quality by 2025, in part by reducing water contamination through improving the way salt is used to remove ice. Continue reading »
Super Bowl LII + Minnesota + Sustainability = Win-Win-Win
February 1, 2018 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
I have been honored to serve on the sustainability committee and the energy efficiency/renewable energy workgroup for Super Bowl LII on behalf of the Great Plains Institute during the past year. Continue reading »
*This is part two of a two-part series. See part one here.*
Cities in the U.S. and around the world are increasingly tracking their energy performance and associated emissions to meet commitments to reduce their climate impact. Continue reading »
New Energy Data Project in Minnesota Will be Part of a Multi-State Utility Energy Registry Effort
January 26, 2018 in Communities Author: Lola Schoenrich
*This blog was updated with video from a January 26 webinar to introduce the project (scroll to bottom for video)*
An increasing number of communities in Minnesota are developing clean energy, climate, and resilience goals and launching projects to meet them. These projects include public building energy efficiency, new and more efficient street lighting, solar projects, PACE financing, and many other community-wide initiatives. Continue reading »
GreenStep Cities: January Workshop
January 5, 2018 in Communities, Transportation & Fuels Author: Abby Finis
The January GreenStep Cities workshop focused on electric vehicle (EV) readiness, with discussions on the benefits and adoption of EVs, electric vehicle fleets, and success stories. Continue reading »
Solar Energy & Communities: Unlocking Economic Benefits by Putting a Value on Solar Resources
December 12, 2017 in Communities Author: Brian Ross
What if communities could put an economic value on their local solar resource potential? What if local decision makers could consider this value in the same way as other local resources that drive growth and local investment? Continue reading »
The December GreenStep Cities workshop focused on benchmarking for wastewater treatment. After an introduction by GPI’s Abby Finis, the discussion covered the value of benchmarking wastewater treatment, Jon Vanyo, C.E.M., Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (23:50),and Benchmarking Wastewater Treatment Plants, Cheri Schneider (40:19). The workshop concluded with case studies on Energy Reduction Analysis at New Prague Wastewater Treatment Facility, Scott Werner, MNtap (1:11:08), and The Value of Using Benchmarking for Wastewater and City Operations, Tracy Holdel, City of St. Cloud. Continue reading »
