News

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.

Minneapolis is stepping up its game in the fight against climate change, with Mayor Jacob Frey spearheading the Minneapolis Climate Legacy Initiative. The project, touted as a historic step towards sustainability, aims to slash utility bills, boost green job opportunities, and push the city to carbon neutrality by 2050. In this article by  Hoodline, CEE's Chris Duffrin believes The Climate Legacy Initiative creates potential to reduce carbon emissions while increasing energy affordability,

In this article by Minnesota Public Radio, CEE's Rabi Vandergon speaks on behalf of the Minnesota Air Source Heat Pump Collaborative about the increasing popularity of heat pumps thanks to additional state and federal incentives and rebates from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Multifamily passive home development remains a small market in Minnesota but has gained more traction in other parts of the country. In this article, CEE's Tony Beres spoke with Finance & Commerce about the standards and requirements that multifamily passive home projects have to meet to qualify for the Phius certification.

On Nov 30, Senior White House Advisor Tom Perez met with young adults living in Ramsey County to hear first-hand the employment and training barriers they experienced during and since the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining Perez for the roundtable discussion were leaders from Ramsey County and the city of Saint Paul along with workforce partners offering the new Learn and Earn training programs including CEE.

On November 10, Northfield's Hillcrest Village hosted a legislative tour of the 17-unit, all electric, affordable housing community — a first-in-the-nation "net-zero" housing community that offers a combination of emergency housing, transitional housing, and workforce housing as sustainable and accessible solutions to homelessness.

On November 10, Northfield's Hillcrest Village hosted a legislative tour of the 17-unit, all electric, affordable housing community — a first-in-the-nation "net-zero" housing community that offers a combination of emergency housing, transitional housing, and workforce housing as sustainable and accessible solutions to homelessness. CEE's Brian Halloran and  Aly Eilers were in attendance. 

Simple efficiency-boosting upgrades can lower utility bills. Even when those savings show up on the renter’s bill, property owners benefit when affordable utilities encourage residents to stick around. This article by Story by J.P. Morgan featuring CEE's Grant Carlson highlights eight ideas for lower-cost ways to save energy and water and operate more sustainably.