25% by 2025 - Prospect Park's Home Energy Initiative

 

 Hi, all - I'm excited to announce that the PPA Environment Committee is kicking off our "25% by '25" initiative!  Our goal is to work with residents to bring natural gas use down by 25% by 2025.    

 Why focus on natural gas?  

1) It's the number one contributer to Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Minneapolis:

2) There are alternatives for electricity and on road transportation.  You can sign up for wind energy at Xcel Energy and you can bike, bus or take the light rail throughout the Twin Cities.  There aren't easy conversions with natural gas.  The best place to start is to make sure your home is properly insulated and energy efficient.

3) The average home in Prospect Park used almost 25% more natural gas than the state average and 14% more than the Minneapolis average in 2019:

    Note:  Data is from CenterPoint Energy and is for 1-4 unit residences only.

 If you are curious how your home measured in 2019, go to CenterPoint Energy , sign into your account and look under 'usage' for the last 2 years of data.  

What can you do?

1) Get an energy audit!  Go to MNCEE and sign up for an audit.  They will start you with a free virtual audit and then if you are comfortable with it, have a home energy audit.  It's free for households with less than a $100,000 annual income.

2) Seal around windows and doors - Visit CenterPoint Energy - DIY Home Efficiency  for free supplies!    Insulate your walls and attic - Visit CenterPoint Energy - Insulation Rebates to find out about rebates.  Get your furnace tuned up!  Have to replace your hot water heater?  Switch to an electric, tankless hot water heater!  

3) Check back  or sign up (at left) to receive information on neighborhood events and presentations.

4) Post in the comments any ideas I missed or questions you have!  

Would you like one of our groovy 25% by 25' lawn signs to show your households commitment to natural gas reduction?  Email environment@prospectparkmpls.org for information on where to pick one up.  We are asking for a $9 donation to offset the cost of the sign.

Thanks, everyone!  This is just the beginning!   

Sincerely, 

Mary K. Britton - PPA Environment Committee Chair