It’s Energy Awareness Month - Let’s talk about energy

Published September 27, 2022

Fall is here, and so is Energy Awareness Month. During October, we invite all Minnesotans to observe Energy Awareness Month by taking a closer look at their relationship with energy. Whether you’re turning on the heat, charging your phone, or cooking a meal, energy plays a major role in our lives.

At CUB, we are asking how we make sure the benefits of the clean energy transition reach everyone as the field of energy accelerates at a rapid pace. Over the last couple of years, CUB has spoken with hundreds of people who struggle to afford electricity and gas for their homes, and this continues to be a concern as we head into another potentially tough heating season. Historically, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), seniors, disabled persons, renters, and low-income communities are underserved and struggle to see the benefits of the clean energy transition. Our recent work to map energy burdened households in Minnesota highlights communities that are particularly burdened and where we and others should prioritize efforts. 

Additionally, CUB’s study, Strategies for Equitable Energy Efficiency Program Design, prepared for the Department of Commerce, highlighted how important it is that programs be targeted to the particular needs and desires of underserved communities. This report will be available soon and it contains specific recommendations for outreach, marketing, processes, costs, and financing, to meet the expressed needs of two specific communities. 

Energy Awareness Month is a good time to highlight energy issues important to Minnesotans, but for CUB it’s a year-long effort. We invite you to engage in these topics during Energy Awareness Month and beyond and hope you will join us in our efforts to ensure all Minnesotans have equitable access to clean, affordable energy.

This Energy Awareness Month, we are excited to have Energy BINGO for the whole family to participate in, with prizes awarded to winners!

To be eligible, you must submit your bingo card to hannahh@cubminnesota.org. We are on an honor system, and you can submit up to one card each week of the contest.

For the next four weeks, those who submit their bingo cards will have their names added to a drawing. We will randomly select a winner each week. Please email your cards to hannahh@cubminnesota.org. All entries must be received by the dates below.

We will announce the winner the following Monday.

• October 10: Four corners – Window insulation kit
• October 17: Straight line (could be across or down) – Kensington Power Strip
• October 24: ‘X’ –  Inflatable Solar Lamp
• October 31: Full Card – Free Home Energy Squad Visit (Must be an Xcel or CenterPoint customer) or a $50 gift certificate to Hope Breakfast Bar