Published September 8, 2020 You’ve heard this a lot already: it’s going to be a unique fall season. These unusual times are also impacting our energy use and patterns of use. With many people spending much more time at home than what is typical, household energy use is going to increase. The tips below will…
July 2, 2020 Energy News Network Kari Lydersen Many states require utilities to help low-income customers conserve energy despite higher costs and barriers. As urgency grows to simultaneously address climate change and racial justice through proposals like the Green New Deal, low-income energy efficiency programs provide a potential example of how to merge the priorities. …
Published June 5, 2020 At a May 15 meeting, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) heard from representatives from the University of Minnesota and others exploring whether a new form of financing could help Minnesotans make energy efficiency improvements and reduce their home energy bills. The option is called tariffed on-bill financing (TOBF). It was…
Published June 3, 2020 With the passing of Memorial Day, we have officially started the Minnesota summer! Minnesotans relish our summers, and CUB recognizes this summer is going to feel a lot different due to COVID-19. Many people will be at home more than normal. More time at home will likely result in more energy…
Published April 24, 2020 A bill to update the state’s Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) law was passed by the energy committees in both the Minnesota House and Senate yesterday. The product of more than a year of work, the Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act is advancing with bipartisan support, carried by Representative Zack Stephenson…
Published February 19, 2020 Your home’s indoor environment and air quality can have a big impact on your health. Indoor pollutants like radon, mold, and chemicals from a variety of sources can result in unhealthy levels of pollutant sources if ventilation and moisture are not carefully managed. By adopting energy efficiency measures, you not only…
In August we shared information about a special project called the Energy Efficiency Peer Learning Cohort. CUB is part of a team partnering with a number of organizations including several neighborhood-based community groups to improve knowledge of existing energy efficiency programs and improve program offerings. The Cohort had a busy and productive fall. In addition…
Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and 48 public and private universities. Every year thousands of students flock to college campuses to pursue a higher education. While campuses create an atmosphere of community and is an environment for students to build relationships, they’re also significant energy users. Like many large facilities, campuses are looking for ways…
Helping individuals better understand their energy choices is a major part of CUB’s work. Because it is a big task to share information, partnerships are critically important in spreading the word about existing programs and options. Additionally, it’s important to always look for ideas to improve program offerings that will help individuals in a meaningful…
The summer’s high humidity levels can affect not only the way you feel but also the condition of your home, and could potentially increase your energy bills. High humidity can increase moisture in your home, especially when dealing with unintended leaks that allow moisture or water vapor to move in and out of homes. This…
