News

On those summer days that are particularly hot and sticky, the use of a ceiling fan in conjunction with air conditioning or natural ventilation may be your best choice to cool things down. The wind chill effect that increased air movement creates on skin means that turning on a ceiling fan will allow you to raise your home thermostat setting about 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort.

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz recently highlighted the continued growth of electric vehicle sales—doubling in the first 6 months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012—as the Energy Department released its most recent pricing data showing the low cost of fueling on electricity. The eGallon, a quick and simple way for consumers to compare the costs of fueling electric vehicles vs.

A new report has been published that offers guidance to building officials and solar installers regarding the need for structural review of planned residential solar installations.

Renewable energy will be prominently featured at this year’s Home Energy exhibit at the 2013 Minnesota State Fair, with several displays dedicated to solar and wind energy.

The RFP for the CERTs 2014 Seed Grants will open in late August. To prepare, we’re providing some information so that you can become familiar with the application process and start thinking about your projects! The Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams will be seeking proposals for seed grant funds.

A

Many refrigerators and freezers will continue to operate for 15-20 years or even longer. But whether or not these appliances are really working efficiently is another question. It is probably time to replace your old energy-hog refrigerator when it becomes too expensive to operate.

A lot of energy goes into powering parking garages, street lamps, traffic signals, and vehicles. Minnesotans have begun to take notice, and in 2009 several communities were given a great opportunity to try out transportation efficiency ideas with Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding. The hubs of transportation in Minnesota, St.

The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) has commissioned Minneapolis sculptor James Brenner to create an energy efficiency-themed public art piece within the Holland neighborhood to encourage and educate the community about energy conservation.

Minnesota utilities and statewide public benefits organizations were well represented in the recently released American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Third National Review of Exemplary Energy Efficiency Programs. The Review recognizes and profiles best program practices and outstanding energy efficiency programs that serve electric and natural gas utility customers.

Last week the City of Minneapolis launched an aggressive new Climate Action Plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas pollution. The plan provides a roadmap to reduce citywide greenhouse gases 15 percent by 2015 and 30 percent by 2025 from a 2006 baseline, which are goals adopted by the City Council in 2012.

According to the EPA in 2012, “drinking water and wastewater systems account for approximately 3-4 percent of energy use in the United States, resulting in the emissions of more than 45 million tons of Greenhouse Gases annually” (Energy Efficiency in Water and Wastewater Facilities 2013).

Tuesday, May 21, 2013, the Southeast Clean Energy Team (SE CERT) held an event highlighting four past seed grant recipients and their projects. The goal of the event was to get to know a little more about their experiences, what kind of lessons they learned, and what connections they made.

56 cities were recognized last week for participation in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program, a free and voluntary program designed to help Minnesota cities achieve their environmental sustainability goals through implementation of 28 best practices.

On June 24, 2013 the Solar Energy and Energy Efficiency Seminar in Slayton, Minn. went off without a hitch. The event, held in two two-hour blocks at the Pizza Ranch located within Slayton, was an informative seminar about both solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies. Curt Shellum, owner of Solar Connection Inc.

Making sure your home has adequate insulation in walls and attics, as well as being air-sealed, is a great way to reduce energy use and save money in the long run.

What is air sealing? Air sealing is filling holes, cracks, and gaps in the air barrier between the interior and exterior of your home.

The University of Minnesota, Morris will be hosting a youth camp and renewable energy tours again this summer. University Green Summer staff have designed hands-on experiences that will help people of all ages to develop a deeper understanding of renewable energy technologies and sustainability practices. Registration for these activities is now open.

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) is taking steps toward resource conservation with their car fleets! The UMD Business Office and UMD Admissions Office each recently added a 2013 Ford Fusion hybrid to their collection.

The new hybrids get an EPA-estimated 47 miles per gallon (combined city/highway) and look good doing it (see photo to right).

You’ve seen those huge, white, and twirling wind turbines on the horizon before, but have you ever wondered how they actually work? Let’s break it down! What is wind energy? Wind energy is electricity created from a wind turbine. (Side note: a common mistake is to call them windmills; however, the proper name is wind turbine.