By KYLE SAMEJIMA
Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF), a local energy cooperative based out of Sabathani Community Center at 310 E 38th St, is actively partnering with East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) on energy justice and community-owned renewable energy. EPNI and CEF recently won a Department of Energy Community Energy Innovation Prize for a proposal to develop the “largest urban solar array within two miles of a downtown in the United States.” The array would provide an estimated $9.4 million to the East Phillips community over a 25 year period, while contributing to a more cyclical and just localized economy. It would power an estimated 200 homes, and offset carbon emissions from the proposed indoor urban farm operations by 50%. The project is in the planning stages, and CEF is honored and thrilled to be an active partner with EPNI.
The good news is that community members do not have to wait for the completion of this project to participate in the benefits of a community solar garden, which include Xcel bill savings and energy ownership. By joining the Midtown Community Solar Garden cooperative, which costs $25 for life to join, you will pay for the energy you own only after you save, so there is no out of pocket money needed. If you pay an Xcel bill, you are eligible. Both renters and homeowners can participate, since there are no panels put on your roof. Instead, you will share in energy produced at the Midtown Community Solar Garden, located on a parking canopy on the roof of Abbott Northwestern Hospital at 28th and Chicago. Midtown Community Solar Garden is projected to start producing solar energy that you can own in May.
Spots are truly limited and it will be about a year and a half before our other community solar gardens are ready to produce energy. We would love for every Phillips community member to collectively own and benefit from renewable energy, so join us! To join, fill out the form at cooperativeenergyfutures.com/allina, and a CEF Outreach Representatives will follow up with you.
And don’t forget to sign up for CEF’s newsletter at cooperativeenergyfutures.com to stay in the loop on collaboration between EPNI and CEF!
For more information, contact: kyle@cooperativeenergyfutures.com, 612-568-2334
