Innovation and Future Focus
As an independent, mission-driven nonprofit, CEE has devoted nearly 40 years of specialized experience to understanding and improving energy efficiency in cold climates.
COLLABORATION & VISION
Center for Energy and Environment helps households, businesses, and entire communities use energy wisely, saving money and cutting carbon in the process.
We spent much of the past year exploring community needs, our own mission and vision, and the wealth of skills and earned experience of our growing team. Pairing what we learned with opportunities to increase CEE’s impact, we ultimately arrived at a new organizational strategic plan, which we recently announced. To keep pace as a learning organization, we prioritize inviting diverse perspectives, listening to customers and clients before we speak, and constantly seeking creative approaches to reach more people in pursuit of equitable electrification and decarbonization.
As always, CEE’s strategies require collaboration and a practical, shared vision. We are grateful for our longtime partnerships as we seek and build new relationships for an even brighter future.
PEOPLE-POWERED INNOVATION
Our research drives every move we make.
A science-based foundation underlies everything we do, including our lab-to-field research that allows us to design innovative programs based directly on what we’re learning.
Working solo and with other industry experts, CEE’s researchers investigate new energy efficiency technologies and potential strategies for utility programs, advancing efficiency as well as public health. Our niche lies at the intersection of building science and the practical realities of running utility-funded programs. We have a clear line of sight to emerging technologies because we develop and participate in some of the most essential and groundbreaking building science research projects in the country.
We design and deliver equitable solutions.
Guided by our mission and tailored to meet clients’ goals, we undertake research, create programs, and advance public policies to ensure the clean energy transition works for everyone.
For example, in 2023 CEE was part of a Native Sun-led, collaborative U.S. Department of Energy grant to expand EV charging for Tribal Nations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. And CEE’s leadership of the state-sponsored Minnesota Advanced Energy Codes Partnership is informed by a broad-based Advisory Council that includes labor unions and Tribal Nations. With an eye on the future, in recent years our clean energy workforce programs have trained more than 90 participants with a 98% certification credential pass rate, and more than 15 former participants are already gainfully employed in the sector.
Our impact
We test small before we go big.
Thanks to CEE’s comprehensive market thinking, our pilot programs focus on everything from testing new technologies to enhancing program outreach and engagement.
For example, last year CEE worked on a St. Paul decarbonization pilot funded by Xcel Energy in affordable rental properties with electric resistance heat. In Michigan, our building benchmarking pilot with Consumers Energy engaged more than 50 participating buildings by the time CEE’s work on the pilot concluded. And CEE concluded a two-year Community Code Support pilot funded by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy focused on supporting communities to improve code compliance.
Minneapolis 1–4 Unit Residential Weatherization and Electrification Roadmap
CEE benchmarking pilot takes root in Southwest Michigan
Lessons learned from the Save to Give Challenge Pilot Program
We achieve successful research and program delivery across the country.
Wherever you are, tailoring programs for your local stakeholders to achieve success is what we do.
In recent years, we have expanded our efforts and established CEE's presence in Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Building and strengthening consulting or program management partnerships with ComEd, Consumers Energy, Xcel Energy, and others, we're bringing our strategic vision, diverse skillsets, and decades of experience to reach new audiences and ensure a more equitable energy future for more people throughout the cold climate, upper Midwest.
Variable Speed Heat Pumps, summary report for ComEd, Illinois
Our areas of work
Programs
We cut energy waste while improving comfort in homes and buildings.
Research
We explore energy advances through field analysis, modeling, and engagement.
Policy
We strive for high-impact, pragmatic solutions built to serve public interests.
Consulting
We work toward long-term, energy-saving solutions in buildings and communities.
Lending
We empower Minnesotans to upgrade efficiency and comfort at home and at work.
Market Transformation
We smooth the way for broader adoption of promising technologies.
Our people bring innovation to life.
CEE’s staff combine energy field expertise with mission-driven passion.
Our offices in Minneapolis and St. Paul now house a combined staff of more than 200 professionals from energy auditors to program managers, energy advisors, research engineers, home performance experts, programmers, construction managers, community energy planners, loan officers, and policy analysts. In addition to our Minnesota-based employees, we're increasingly deploying satellite teams to take on important work in other states such as Colorado and Illinois. CEE’s great culture has resulted in being named one of Minnesota's Top 200 Workplaces.
ANNUAL ESTIMATED SAVINGS
LEADERSHIP
Tom Garry, Chairperson
Amanda Novak, Vice Chair
Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Treasurer
LisaBeth Barajas
Ralph Dickinson
Julia Donaldson
Jimmy Loyd
Non-voting Officers of the Corporation
Chris Duffrin, President
Stephanie Haddad, Corporate Secretary
Shonda Biddle, Director of Commercial and Industrial Energy Development
Dave Bohac, PE, Senior Director of Research
Chris Duffrin, President
Ryan Ellis, General Counsel
Kristen Funk, Senior Director of Commercial and Industrial Energy
Cindy Greenwood, Director of Human Resources
Stephanie Haddad, Chief Operating Officer
Tim Hanrahan, Director of Communications
Jim Hasnik, Director of Lending Services
Carl Nelson, Senior Director of Program Development
Rebecca Olson, Senior Director of Residential and Community Energy
Audrey Partridge, Director of Policy
Tom Spielman, Director of Information Technologies
Judy Thommes, Director of Operations
Doug Will, Chief Financial Officer