Take the MN Energy Challenge

April 7th, 2009 by Peter Schmelzer

mnenergy-challenge

Take the challenge!

The challenge is to reduce your energy footprint. The benefits are cost savings, a more comfortable home, a cleaner environment, and possibly improved physical fitness, to name a few.

The challenge begins with simply bench-marking your current energy usage. Your home mechanical systems, your plumbing, your composting practices, and your vehicle usage all come together in your benchmark carbon dioxide emissions.

The next step is to look at suggested ways to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. From a list, pick those ideas that seem most readily achievable to you and commit to them. Come back in a year and check your progress. As you select a strategy to employ, the online Member Dashboard will reflect the money and emissions you have saved. Mine says I’ll save $683 per year and reduce my emissions by over 18,000 pounds of CO2.

You can also join an Energy Challenge Team, to see how quickly your individual actions compound into big results. For example, 315 Northfield residents are currently on the Northfield team, saving over $283,000 and 2.4 million pounds of CO2 per year. That is a big impact!

Team Northfield is currently eighth in the rankings, but within easy reach of Fridley, Plymouth, Bloomington, and Prior Lake. Join the MN Energy Challenge and help pull Northfield to the top!

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