HomeMy WebLinkAboutEEP Environmental Initiative Awards
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: David Katz, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9522 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina’s Emerald Energy Program Wins State Sustainability Award
Edina, Minn., May 31, 2011 – Environment Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to the facilitation of
sustainability initiatives in Minnesota, recently recognized the City of Edina for its trailblazing role in
encouraging local businesses to embrace clean energy. The new Edina Emerald Energy Program (EEEP) is the
2012 recipient of the organization’s annual Environmental Initiative Award in the Energy and Climate
Protection category.
The announcement came Thursday, May 24 during the organization’s annual banquet in Minneapolis.
EEEP has its origins in a piece of state legislation approved in 2010 that allows municipal governments to assist
property owners with the costs of energy-related building improvements through what are called Property-
Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) partnerships. In essence, the City acts as an intermediary in the financing of
these improvements and allows the property owner to repay the loan through a series of yearly “special
assessments” paid alongside regular property taxes.
Edina’s City Council formally adopted the Edina Emerald Energy Program in November 2011, making Edina
the first city in the state to take advantage of PACE legislation.
The Grandview Tire & Auto location on 70th Street has the distinction of being the City’s first Emerald
Energy Program partner. A newly installed 27-kilowatt solar panel system made possible only by EEEP funding
makes Grandview one of the most energy-efficient auto repair facilities in the Midwest.
“This partnership is significant because it demonstrates the power of a committed partnership to achieve a
groundbreaking result, and it demonstrates the positive economic impact of the PACE model for commercial
projects,” said Andrea Robbins, Manager of Environmental Projects at Environmental Initiatives.
Environmental Initiative Award category finalists and winners are selected by a judging panel of subject matter
experts from diverse fields. Edina’s Emerald Energy Program stood out over other contenders in the Energy
and Climate Protection category due in large part to the pioneering nature of the project.
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City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
In addition to the Energy and Climate Protection category prize, Environmental
Initiatives acknowledged the above-average environmental accountability of residents
in Edina and 43 other Minnesota communities by granting its “Partnership of the Year”
honor to GreenStep Cities, a voluntary association dedicated to promoting sustainable practices.
To learn more about the Environmental Initiative Awards and other Environmental Initiative programs, visit
environmental-initiative.org.
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