On April 8th 2015, a sense of urgency moved me to speak on behalf of Community Power at a public hearing on the MN State House Energy Omnibus Bill HF843.

The alarming provisions of the bill I chose to speak about include halting new applications for the Made-In-Minnesota Solar and Solar Rewards incentive programs, repealing the value of solar tariff for community solar gardens, and changing net metering programs in a way that so that people making huge private investments in solar energy can be denied adequate compensation for the electricity they provide to the grid which benefits all customers.  

Mayor Betsy Hodges’ announced a new initiative called the Minneapolis Climate Champs Challenge at her second State of the City Address at the American Swedish Institute in south Minneapolis on Thursday. For the remainder of 2015, the Minneapolis Climate Champs Challenge will announce one new challenge each month for residents to reduce their carbon footprint through easy, practical, everyday activities. The challenge will engage residents adopting new habits that help the city meet its environmental goals. This level of committed willingness from city leadership will be useful for helping eventual clean energy partnership programs be successful in accomplishing significant change.  

For April, the first month of the challenge, Mayor Hodges is asking residents to increase their recycling rates and encouraging sign ups for the city's new organics recycling program. 

“Each one of us can do something here to stop the progress of climate change,” Mayor Hodges declared during her speech. “Each one of us has a gift to offer the process. Each one of us has something we can do, that we choose to do, to make sure we have a healthy planet and people...We cannot leave anyone’s genius on the table.”

"Wealth inequality has reached obscene levels just as the planet is choking on carbon.”

               - Terry Hokenson co-leader of MNIPL's Solar Team

Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL) has held a press conference Wednesday March 18^th on their statement of values for community solar project development to be done in an inclusive and egalitarian manner both socially and economically.

Community solar gardens (CSGs) present an ideal vehicle for MNIPL, a coalition of faith groups that value our fundamental interconnectedness with the natural world.    

One of the specific values mentioned is for CSGs to help increase congregational involvement in the climate movement and the development of renewables and energy efficiency.

We are thrilled to announce yet another milestone where our city councilors have taken courageous action for climate justice!

A big mission for Community Power/ Minneapolis Energy Options is to spread awareness about accessible programs and opportunities for communities to save money by saving energy while elevating public conversations about our energy future.

We invite people all over Minneapolis and beyond to attend the most exciting Longfellow Energy Fair on Saturday, Feb. 7, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church • 2730 E 31st Street, Minneapolis. The more people who can help spread the word, the better.    

You can Register for the event Here (There is a $10 lunch from Gandhi Mahal and Fire Roast Café included) Click here for a program overview.