News

In affirming Minnesota’s commitment to a carbon-free future, Governor Tim Walz emphasized the pivotal role of the state’s clean energy sector and its substantial contributions to Minnesota’s economic landscape. This proclamation aligns with Clean Energy Business Day at the Capitol, an event dedicated to education and advocacy for individuals and entities in Minnesota’s energy efficiency and clean energy sectors.

This week, CEE researchers published results from a multiyear study of a specialized heat pump technology that uses electricity to move heat from outdoor air to indoor water. The research was funded by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, through the Conservation Applied Research and Development program, with co-funding from project partners and from CEE in support of its nonprofit mission. 

CEE's Audrey Partridge spoke recently with Midwest Energy News about CenterPoint’s wide-ranging ideas to decarbonize its natural gas business in MN. Aligned with CEE's emphasis on the high value of learning from pilots, Audrey voices support for "coming up with all the possible solutions" and testing with pilots to determine which approaches hold promise for long-term, meaningful impact.

CEE's Becky Olson spoke recently with business newspaper Finance & Commerce about the City of Minneapolis's "Climate Legacy Initiative," including CEE's lending/grant-related engagement with it — opportunities include interest-free home improvement loans, resident discounts, green zone financial support, and City grants to match utility incentives for projects like insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, & heat pump water heaters, etc. As Becky said, "It's a very comprehensive approach."

The Intercity Home Energy Squad® Challenge was formed to challenge residents to get a home energy visit through the Home Energy Squad to learn how their home uses energy and identify energy-saving opportunities.

Minnesota's Efficient Technology Accelerator has released nine foundational plans and reports that will help define and set a course for strategic efforts in coming years. The documents also provide instructive insights for a variety of energy field professionals and stakeholders across the U.S.

In this news article by Chicago Tribune, CEE Senior Researcher Josh Quinnell shared insights recently with Chicago Tribune about the transformative value and realistic expectations for heat pumps in cold climates.

CEE's Rebecca Olson was a guest on Minnesota Public Radio this morning where she talked about the importance of reducing carbon emissions and efforts that have been taken towards cleaner, more energy-efficient energy. She also answered listener questions regarding home energy efficiency and more.

CEE's Workforce Development program was recently awarded the Inspiring Efficiency EDUCATION Award at the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. This award highlights an effort to raise awareness and promote learning energy efficiency and building science principles, while also creating opportunities to train and expand the energy efficiency workforce. 

CEE's Phil Anderson spoke recently with WCCO about Hillcrest Village, a 17-unit, all electric, affordable housing community — a first-in-the-nation net zero energy community that offers emergency, transitional, and workforce housing as sustainable and accessible alternatives to homelessness.