The City has a new Energy Action Plan to outline how Coon Rapids can improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy into the future. The plan identifies energy-saving actions that Coon Rapids residents, businesses and institutions can take to save money and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. If enough people take action, the community can reach our goal of reducing citywide greenhouse gas emissions by least 35% by 2030.
The creation of the Energy Action Plan was a collaborative effort between the City, community organizations and businesses. It outlines specific actions that Coon Rapids will take to reduce energy consumption, promote clean energy and improve overall sustainability.
Key Elements of the Plan
- Energy efficiency upgrades: incentivize and promote energy efficient upgrades in homes and buildings, such as insulation, weatherization and energy efficient appliances. These upgrades will help reduce energy waste and lower energy bills for residents and businesses.
- Renewable energy adoption: encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. This will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and promote cleaner energy options.
- Education and outreach: provide educational resources and outreach efforts to help residents and businesses better understand the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. This will encourage more people to take action and make sustainable choices in their daily lives.
The plan was developed after months of collaboration by the Coon Rapids energy action team. The team includes community stakeholders, members of the Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission, elected officials, City staff and representatives from both Xcel Energy and Connexus Energy. Over the past year, the energy action team worked closely with Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy to develop the plan. Xcel launched Partners in Energy in 2014 to support communities as they generate formal energy programs. Coon Rapids is one of over 30 Minnesota communities to join the initiative.
The Coon Rapids City Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Xcel Energy at its Feb. 21 Council Meeting to support the first 18 months of implementation of the plan. During the next several months, the City will launch a variety of outreach opportunities to encourage residents and business owners to use the Energy Action Plan as a guide for improving energy efficiency and promoting clean energy in Coon Rapids.
Links: EAP Document | EAP Website | Press Release
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