Community Solar Bill Credit Decision Day
Thursday February 15, 2024
10:00AM
Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place E, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101
Please share and find complete info on the Facebook event!
THE ISSUE: The PUC will decide whether or not to approve Xcel Energy’s proposal to drastically lower the bill credits they are required to pay their customers who subscribe to community solar gardens established before 2017. This would cause each household who has subscribed to lose hundreds of dollars in savings each year, transforming their participation from a net benefit to a net cost. (Note, the Second Chance and North High CSGs that MCA partners on are not affected, but it's important to act on this issue for the whole CSG program)
RSVP Here and join us for advocacy and pizza (in the hall outside the hearing room)
The Just Solar Coalition advocates for energy democracy, local benefits and a just transition for all and includes members MN Interfaith Power and Light, Community Power, Cooperative Energy Futures, Vote Solar and Minneapolis Climate Action and other Minnesota companies and organizations that support a just transition.
This is such an important issue that we need to pull out all stops. The event is public and anyone can attend. Community members won’t be able to speak, so it's important to show up to show strength in numbers. We must make it clear to Xcel and the PUC what side we are on and that there is a fierce movement to defend Community-Owned and Community Benefitting solar.
Thursday February 15, 2024
10:00AM
Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place E, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101
Please share and find complete info on the Facebook event!
THE ISSUE: The PUC will decide whether or not to approve Xcel Energy’s proposal to drastically lower the bill credits they are required to pay their customers who subscribe to community solar gardens established before 2017. This would cause each household who has subscribed to lose hundreds of dollars in savings each year, transforming their participation from a net benefit to a net cost. (Note, the Second Chance and North High CSGs that MCA partners on are not affected, but it's important to act on this issue for the whole CSG program)
RSVP Here and join us for advocacy and pizza (in the hall outside the hearing room)
The Just Solar Coalition advocates for energy democracy, local benefits and a just transition for all and includes members MN Interfaith Power and Light, Community Power, Cooperative Energy Futures, Vote Solar and Minneapolis Climate Action and other Minnesota companies and organizations that support a just transition.
This is such an important issue that we need to pull out all stops. The event is public and anyone can attend. Community members won’t be able to speak, so it's important to show up to show strength in numbers. We must make it clear to Xcel and the PUC what side we are on and that there is a fierce movement to defend Community-Owned and Community Benefitting solar.
Couldn't make it to our Threat to Community-Owned Solar webinar last week?
Check out our Links and Resources, Slide show, and video of the event.
Check out our Links and Resources, Slide show, and video of the event.
Minneapolis Climate Action, in collaboration with community members and local organizations,
aims to bring the benefits of renewable energy to every neighborhood in Minneapolis.
We address climate change and create energy democracy with community building, action, and
solutions rooted in deep systemic change to address environmental racism and climate justice.
Check out MPR's Getting to Green Series feature, "'Power to the people': Efforts to ensure equitable clean energy transition withRenewable Energy Partners, Minneapolis Climate Action and other energy equity organizations!
Minneapolis Climate Action is working with three local poets, spoken word and hiphop artists on outreach and engagement using art, Isabel Lopez, Brandyn Tulloch, and Elijah Easley. Check out the powerful video Brandyn put together about environmental justice and stay tuned, because there's more to come
Minneapolis Climate Action has an exciting announcement! Our Emerge Second Chance Community Solar Garden (CSG) was finally connected and sending renewable energy to the electric grid!
The Emerge Second Chance CSG is a powerful partnership between Emerge Second Chance Recycling, Minneapolis Climate Action, Renewable Energy Partners, Go To Solar Construction, LLC, and numerous community leaders and advocates.
Emerge Second Chance Recycling has an environmental and social justice mission and we are proud to partner with them:
"We envision a world in which all people are provided with second chances.
We develop our community by reducing the harm to our planet caused from overflowing landfills and fossil fuels, while employing people overcoming barriers to employment in an environment with additional training and support which creates pathways to self-sufficiency and reduces recidivism."
Emerge Second Chance Community Solar Garden Ribbon Cutting Ceremony June 1, 2023
We are proud that the Second Chance and North High Community Solar Gardens, prioritize equity, access, local ownership, local labor and social justice partners. While we have had deep frustrations with Xcel's handling of this process, we are working very hard with partners and legislators to make sure our next community solar garden takes less time to get connected to the grid.
Our North High CSG, sited on the roof of North High School in North Minneapolis, is another example of not just reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but centering climate justice and the democratization of our renewable energy transition. This transition is inevitable, but justice is not.
Minneapolis Climate Action and our numerous collaborators want to see more CSGs built as quickly as possible to address our climate crisis. The thing that drives our passion and commitment is the new future we are creating together. Emerge and North High CSGs are currently full, but please join our waiting list here!
Our North High CSG, sited on the roof of North High School in North Minneapolis, is another example of not just reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but centering climate justice and the democratization of our renewable energy transition. This transition is inevitable, but justice is not.
Minneapolis Climate Action and our numerous collaborators want to see more CSGs built as quickly as possible to address our climate crisis. The thing that drives our passion and commitment is the new future we are creating together. Emerge and North High CSGs are currently full, but please join our waiting list here!
Featured Climate and Energy Information
Minneapolis Climate Action collaborates with partners all over the Twin Cities
Check out current opportunities for engagement and information below
The federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will be providing unprecedented resources for community members, organizations, and businesses to save money and address climate change in our communities. CERTS created a resource page that will be updated regularly to help us all get the most of these funds.
|
People's Climate and Equity Plan
MN350 The City of Minneapolis is updating its 10 Year Climate Action Plan and we have a chance to create one of the boldest plans in the country with the People's Climate and Equity Plan. MN350 is leading on this issue and and needs all of us to engage. Check out the MN350 website for more info and how to get involved. |
|
MCA is working to bring clean, equitable energy to every community in Minneapolis. Our aim is to make our city a global leader in the fight against climate change — and the fight for environmental justice.
We believe that solar energy should benefit every member of our community, not only affluent homeowners who can afford solar panels or solar subscriptions. Our solar programs are available to all residents of Hennepin county and adjacent counties who are Xcel energy customers, and we offer subscriptions that require no money up front or credit checks, making it one of the most equitable programs ever offered in Minnesota. In 2022, MCA launched the Emerge Second Chance Community Solar Garden and North High School Community Solar Garden. These two remarkable projects will bring clean energy to hundreds of residents of our city, while reducing the energy bills of dozens of community members. We are excited about our community solar garden and resiliency hub work with Central Neighborhood and Sabathani Community Center. Our goals for 2022 and beyond are to have renewable energy options available to every Minneapolis resident that reduce electric bills, address equity and climate justice and heal our climate crisis. |
Visit our Community Solar page to learn more about these exciting projects.
Thank you for Signing Up |
Minneapolis Climate Action's Commitment to Environmental Equity
Minneapolis Climate Action is committed to addressing the intersection of climate change and economic, social, and racial disparities, and working closely with partners who understand this interface. We realize that the existing infrastructure has created systemic inequity and our programs are designed to express our understanding of this complex issue. We seek to disrupt these institutions in light of the climate emergency, and we seek to do so in a way that is equitable for all in accordance with the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice adopted at the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit.
Minneapolis Climate Action is committed to addressing the intersection of climate change and economic, social, and racial disparities, and working closely with partners who understand this interface. We realize that the existing infrastructure has created systemic inequity and our programs are designed to express our understanding of this complex issue. We seek to disrupt these institutions in light of the climate emergency, and we seek to do so in a way that is equitable for all in accordance with the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice adopted at the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit.