It’s Summer 2012 and the Minneapolis Energy Options team has been at work finding friends and partners who care about Minneapolis’s energy future. As the City of Lakes enters the August lull, we’d like to take a minute to you on some changes in our energy scene.

Recently, our electric utility (Xcel Energy) proposed cutting rebate monies for the installation of solar panels in Minneapolis. This isn’t the first time Xcel tried to cut solar rebates. Last summer, Xcel proposed cuts to a rebate program for Minnesota-made solar panels, a program that supports solar manufacturers in the state like tenKsolar in Bloomington, and Silicon Energy in Mountain Iron.

Fortunately, a lot of organizations are working with Xcel and state leaders to try and preserve programs that support local clean energy generation.   And there are some great places around the country like Long Island or San Antonio that are keeping their local solar programs strong!  More detail to come in a future update!

We are always looking for allies to help further affordable and clean energy in our city.  Please tell your friends and neighbors so they can learn more about our city’s energy options!