How can I participate in the Climate Action Plan at home?

The Environment and Sustainability Commission created a tip sheet on how to participate and support the Climate Action Plan at home. Below are resources from the city, local organizations and utilities that will help you get involved.

Make your home energy efficient

• The  Home Energy Guide from the Minnesota Department of Commerce provides practical tips to decrease energy use and achieve energy efficiency.
  
  
• Request a Home Energy Squad visit to understand your home’s energy use. For $50 (or free for income-qualified homes), a team of trusted energy consultants will come to your home, identify energy inefficiencies and install materials to help you start saving.
  
  
• Xcel Energy programs and rebates and CenterPoint Energy programs and rebates offer a variety of rebate options for homeowners, including for heating, cooling and efficient appliances.
  
  
• The city offers matching energy efficiency rebates! Find out more about resources to make your home energy efficient on the home remodeling page.

Invest in renewable energy

• Through their Windsource® program, Xcel Energy allows customers to pay a little extra every month to get some or all of their energy from renewable resources.
  
  
• Explore your home’s potential for solar energy on our solar opportunities page.

Choose alternative or electric transportation

• Use public transit, bike, walk or carpool.
  
  
• Consider purchasing an electric vehicle. Xcel Energy provides resources on learning the basics of having an electric vehicle and how to charge. A quiz is also available to help determine what model of electric vehicle model would best fit your lifestyle.

Reduce waste

• Participate in the city’s organics program
  
  
• Donate clothes and used goods through the Simple Recycling Program. You can also donate clothes to local thrift shops or a local community swap.
  
  
• Learn more about waste reduction opportunities and events on the waste reduction page.

The city has also created a Ready and Resilient Guide that provides residents with information on how climate change can affect the community and tips to be ready and resilient.

View resources, rebates and programs designed to help businesses reduce energy consumption, increase efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Rebates and financing

Xcel Energy programs and rebates

Xcel Energy offers a number of programs and rebate options to business customers.

CenterPoint Energy programs and rebates

CenterPoint Energy offers a number of programs and rebates for businesses, as well as on site energy analysis to help businesses lower natural gas usage and save money.

CEE business programs

The City of St. Louis Park has partnered with the Center for Energy and Environment to offer a number of energy financing resources.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

Through a partnership with the St. Paul Port Authority, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) provides funding to commercial, industrial and multifamily residential property owners for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to buildings.

Technical assistance

Minnesota Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP)

No cost, non-regulatory energy efficiency and waste reduction assessments are available to small businesses and public and private institutions through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP)

MnTap is an outreach and assistance program helping Minnesota businesses develop and implement industry-tailored solutions that prevent pollution at the source, increase energy efficiency and reduce overall energy use and costs to improve the environment.

Multifamily housing resources

Affordable Housing Multifamily Bonus Rebate Program

CenterPoint Energy offers the affordable housing segment a 25 percent affordable housing bonus rebate on top of its standard rebates.

Multifamily Building Energy Program

CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy have teamed up to offer multifamily building owners a streamlined approach to finding and addressing energy savings.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

Through a partnership with the St. Paul Port Authority, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) provides funding to commercial, industrial and multifamily residential property owners for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to buildings.

There are many types of assistance available to public-sector and nonprofit organizations to help reduce energy use, increase energy efficiency and save money.

Programs

Xcel Energy’s programs

In addition to offering foundation dollars through focus area grants, Xcel Energy can help nonprofits reduce energy use, which helps offset rising energy costs and frees up budget dollars for serving your mission.

Minnesota Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP)

No cost, non-regulatory energy efficiency and waste reduction assessments are available to small businesses and public and private institutions through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Guaranteed Energy Savings Program

The program provides technical and financial assistance to state agencies, local government units, school districts and institutions of higher learning.

Energy savings funds for nonprofits

Nonprofits interested in reducing energy use can apply for funds that the Center for Energy and Environment and the Minnesota Division of Energy Resources have allocated to help finance energy efficient projects on properties owned or occupied by nonprofit organizations.

Solar opportunities

Interested in installing solar at your organization? Explore your property’s potential for solar energy on the solar opportunities page.