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In Twin Cities and beyond, district energy systems see pressure to cut carbon emissions
The operators of the decades-old energy systems that heat and cool buildings in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul have ambitious plans underway to reduce emissions. The mostly hidden networks of insulated pipes connected to centralized heating and cooling equipment are known as district energy systems. They’ve long been championed as an energy efficient way to […]
Minnesota ‘innovation plans’ call on gas utilities to imagine their clean energy future
Climate and clean energy advocates weighing in on CenterPoint Energy’s ideas to decarbonize its natural gas business in Minnesota applaud the effort but say it falls short of what’s needed to meet the moment. The state’s largest gas utility submitted an “innovation plan” last summer to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which is taking public […]
Minnesota coalition seeks to remove barriers to building power lines along highways
A coalition of labor and environmental groups is putting its support behind perennial Minnesota legislation meant to lift a barrier to building power lines in the rights-of-way of federal highways in the state. NextGen Highways is a national collaboration that promotes co-location of utility infrastructure in existing highway corridors as a way to accelerate expansion […]
Minneapolis solar nonprofit is proving patience can bring results to lower-income residents
One installation at a time, a solar nonprofit that matches socially conscious investors’ cash with lower-income homeowners is spreading the benefits of solar in North Minneapolis. Solstar was formed three years ago by solar entrepreneur Ralph Jacobson following his retirement from IPS Solar, the pioneering Twin Cities’ solar company he founded three decades ago earlier. […]
Xcel Energy proposes time-of-use rates as the default option for Minnesota customers
Xcel Energy customers in Minnesota will likely soon have good reason to hold off on running dishwashers or charging vehicles until bedtime. The state’s largest utility is asking regulators to approve a major change to how residential customers have paid for their electricity for decades. In December, the company proposed moving away from the standard, […]
Minnesota agency in hiring mode as it prepares to roll out new energy programs
One of the primary state agencies that oversees Minnesota’s climate and clean energy programs is expanding its staff by nearly two-thirds, fueled by new state and federal funding opportunities. The Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Division of Energy Resources, which plays a central role in Minnesota’s clean energy transition, has added 64 positions to its roughly […]
Minnesota adjusts solar incentives to prioritize low-income households
Xcel Energy is dedicating a bigger share of its Minnesota solar incentives to lower-income customers in response to a new state law. Since launching in 2014, Solar Rewards has provided financial incentives to help thousands of Minnesota homeowners pay for small solar installations. Over the past five years, state lawmakers, regulators, and the utility have […]
New Minnesota law aims to lower barrier for participating in public utility cases
Arguing against a utility before state regulators can feel like a David and Goliath battle. Utilities routinely spend millions on experts, attorneys, and computer modeling to support their requests to raise rates, upgrade equipment, or try out new programs. Consumer or environmental groups that lack the resources to dissect complicated testimony or follow cases for […]
State, federal funding fuels expansion of Minnesota microgrid research center
A Minnesota college’s microgrid research center is preparing to expand after securing significant new state and federal funding. The University of St. Thomas’ Center for Microgrid Research plans to triple its three-person staff and enroll more students thanks to money from a $7.5 million state legislative appropriation and $11 million in federal defense bill earmarks […]
Minnesota program helps manufacturers train their teams for an all-electric future
Bloomington-based Thermo King has for decades manufactured diesel-powered refrigeration and heating units for use in semi-trailers, trains, ships and buses. The company’s logo can be seen on ubiquitous “reefer” trailers being pulled along highways across the country. As Thermo King has begun a massive transition to electrify its product lines, training employees has been a […]
Minnesota electric co-ops seek $970M in federal clean energy funds
A consortium of Minnesota electric cooperatives is preparing to apply for $970 million in federal funding that could help propel rural utilities toward the state’s 100% clean electricity target. The state’s largest generation and transmission cooperative, Great River Energy, convened the group, which so far includes more than half of its members. The utilities are […]
Minnesota community solar projects are about to get bigger and more far-flung
Minnesota community solar developers will be able to build bigger projects, farther from subscribers, under a recent law aimed at reinvigorating the state’s shared solar program and making sure more lower-income customers are able to participate. State lawmakers this spring approved several changes to the state’s decade-old community solar law, which lets Xcel Energy customers […]