At last month’s joint meeting with the Longfellow Business Association and the West of the Rail Business Association, a panel of experts presented on a variety of new opportunities that could allow your business to save money on energy expenses. The following organizations presented on energy efficiency assessments, upgrades, and financing options for businesses:
Based in the Longfellow neighborhood, Affordable Energy Solutions (AES) provides energy efficiency consulting, utility bill analysis, and diagnostic testing with the goal of helping businesses reduce their energy costs.
Applied Energy Innovations (AEI), also based in Longfellow, is an organization that provides a variety of energy efficiency services for your business. AEI can design, engineer, manage, install, and help finance energy efficiency upgrade, providing vertically integrated services regardless of your needs.
Another option for energy upgrades is Emerald Electric, run by electrician Buzz Buskirk. Recently, Emerald Electric was able to save Fun City Dogs near $7,000 annually through the implementation of lighting upgrades, which means that the project should pay for itself in about 4 months. Buzz can be contacted at emeraldelectricmn[at]gmail.com.
The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) was also at the November meeting. CEE is a non-profit that provides research, program development, service delivery, and public policy initiatives aimed at promoting responsible and efficient use of natural and economic resources. Staff members at CEE have expertise in engineering, architecture, construction, finance, and public policy, and together they have provided rehabilitation services for a variety of for-profit, not-for-profit, and government entities for 25 years.
The City of Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) is also getting involved in energy efficiency initiatives. CPED has offered low-interest loans for energy upgrades and equipment purchases, and is working on some additional programs to provide technical assistance and energy assessments for businesses. One example of this is their pilot RETAP program, in which retired engineers provide their expertise on a volunteer basis to assess businesses energy efficiency. They are currently looking for businesses to participate, so move fast if you would be interested in learning more! To learn more, you can contact Emily Stern at CPED at emily.stern[at]minneapolismn.gov.
