Center For Energy And Environment

Research: Primarily funded by government grants, CEE's research team conducts technology and market assessments to identify tomorrow's best clean energy strategies. Through their efforts, CEE informs the development of innovative technologies to support the advancement of energy efficiency and public health. For nearly four decades, CEE's researchers have pursued field research into building science, mechanical system performance, and program policy design. From homes to high-rises, CEE's data-driven field research assesses savings and performance characteristics of specific energy approaches including building envelopes, air leakage, HVAC design and retrofits, indoor air quality, and energy feedback and behavior. CEE performs field research to identify various optimization techniques and to gather data that informs the organization and allows for better program design. During the filing year, CEE researchers maintained active projects on subjects such as commercial energy recovery ventilation systems, duct leakage reduction, data centers, sustainable building design, commercial energy code, and commercial building leakage. Individual research projects are co-funded by CEE and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the Conservation Applied Research and Development grant program; the U.S. Department of Energy; and private funders such as utility companies.

Community Rehab Services: CEE has provided over $367 million in energy improvement loans since the early 1980s which are funded through designated CEE funds as well as various state and city programs. In partnership with many cities, utilities, and Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's Fix-Up program, the Lending Center offers financing to residential property owners for rehabilitation and energy efficiency projects, and to businesses for energy-related improvements. Homeowners and landlords may receive loans, often income-targeted, to make improvements to their properties. Low-interest and no-interest loan programs are also available to nonprofits and small businesses for energy efficiency improvements. The Lending Center partners with local governments and neighborhood groups to provide targeted low-interest, zero-interest, or even forgivable loans to lower income Minnesotans. CEE also offers financing for residential solar projects, helping homeowners to choose renewable energy options for their homes, as well as partner-funded remodeling advisory services to assist homeowners in reviewing bids and prioritizing improvements. In the filing year, CEE's Lending Center originated 2,169 loans totaling $34.5 million. Within that total, we issued more than 380 residential solar loans totaling $13.5 million , leading to the installation of 4,600 kilowatts solar capacity. CEE also administers the Metropolitan Airports Commission's residential noise mitigation program, providing noise mitigation improvements to homes located in and around the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport.

Policy and Community Education: CEE advances effective clean energy policies for a healthy, low-carbon economy. Driven by a longstanding focus on community, consumer protection and the environment, while operating at local, state, and national levels, CEE works across sectors and interests to achieve broad support for clean energy policies. CEE emphasizes energy efficiency as the lowest cost way to meet energy needs and reduce harmful emissions. CEE is mission-driven to share its staff's knowledge with energy community stakeholders and offers reports and resources for practitioners and experts to share best practices and new ideas and discover the next generation of energy solutions. Findings are disseminated to the public through technical reports, trainings, workshops, webinars, and conference presentations. During the filing year, CEE shared its findings and analysis with more than 238,000 unique website visitors viewing more than 820,000 web pages and disseminated energy efficiency best practices through 51 blog posts and news releases, and more than 23 earned media stories about our programs and related social or policy issues. CEE staff have provided local learning opportunities for state leaders to better understand the positive impacts of Minnesota's Energy Conservation and Optimization policy. Also, in Minnesota, CEE implements Xcel Energy's Partners in Energy program, which provides free services to help entire communities develop an energy plan. Additionally, CEE's community energy consulting connects communities of all sizes to energy efficiency resources, planning and facilitation support, and meaningful stakeholder engagement. And in collaboration with utility funders, government agencies, and community partners, CEE's workforce development programs trained more than 126 women and people of color in 2024 to pursue clean energy careers.