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 »
How Carbon Disclosure Platforms Can Help Cities Translate Commitments into Action
November 28, 2017 in Communities Author: Abby Finis
Note: This blog is the first installment of a two-part series on carbon disclosure.
Carbon disclosure is the practice of reporting and managing emissions through credible reporting platforms, consistent with global standards and protocols. Cities around the globe have committed to reducing their impact on climate change and are using these entities to monitor and demonstrate their progress. Established disclosure platforms are available to cities to measure their impact while providing insights into their energy use that can be used to identify opportunities for more effective practices and policies. Continue reading »
Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. For the past seven years, cities have been recognized at three step levels for taking and reporting action. In 2016, the program introduced Steps 4 and 5, which allow cities to measure and track the impact of their actions. The following includes highlights of what we have learned so far. Continue reading »
Getting a Good Deal: Solar Garden Subscriptions for Local Governments
November 15, 2017 in Communities Author: Trevor Drake
Since its launch in 2014, Xcel Energy’s solar garden program in Minnesota has driven a growing conversation about solar energy options and opportunities, especially among local government staff and elected officials. Local governments are sought after as solar garden subscribers for their large and often stable electric loads, excellent credit scores, and interest in opportunities to reduce energy costs and meet public goals on clean energy. Continue reading »
The November GreenStep Cities workshop focused on energy and climate data and action planning. After introductions by Great Plains Institute’s Abby Finis, Brian Ross, and Becky Alexander of LHB, covered Tools and Best Practices for Local Energy Planning (11:04).Then Alexis Troschinetz of Clean Energy Resource Team shared insights on community led bulk buys and opportunities in her presentation, Saving Watts and Drops Bulk Buys (1:14:15). The workshop concluded with a discussion of solar financing, by Peter Lindstrom (1:36:00). Continue reading »
Leaders Gather in Saint Paul to Discuss “Solutions from the Ground Up”
October 26, 2017 in Communities Author: Lola Schoenrich
Last month, leaders from local governments, businesses, and other organizations came together at GPI’s third annual Energy Innovation Celebration to discuss energy and climate “Solutions from the Ground Up.” Continue reading »
October’s GreenStep Cities workshop focuses on waste management and reduction. The workshop began with introductions by Phillipp Muessig, GreenStep Cities, who then moved on to provide an overview of recent changes to best practice 22: Solid Waste Prevention and Reduction. Continue reading »
Q&A With UMN Energy Transition Lab’s Ellen Anderson on the Local Government Project for Energy Planning
September 26, 2017 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
GPI’s Diana McKeown, who directs the Metro region of Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resource Teams, interviews Ellen Anderson, Executive Director of the University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab, about an important new project to help communities reach and measure progress toward emission reduction goals. Continue reading »
Minnesota’s Stearns County Provides a Unique National Example of a ‘Solar-Ready’ Community
September 26, 2017 in Communities Author: Brian Ross
As solar development expands across the Midwest, and the country, local governments are facing new challenges that go along with the significant opportunities and benefits of developing their solar resources. Continue reading »
