Richfield Joins Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy Initiative

Press release from the City of Richfield:

September 2, 2020

The City of Richfield is the latest community to join Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy initiative to help the city achieve its energy goals and assist local residents and businesses in reducing their energy bills and carbon footprints. Partners in Energy will work with Richfield to put the city’s energy goals into action and provide the community with an energy efficient future.

Partners in Energy is designed to provide communities with the tools and resources necessary to develop and implement an energy action plan that reflects the community’s vision for shaping energy use and supply in its future. The program lasts for two years with the initial six to eight months dedicated to developing a strategic energy action plan and the remaining time focused on the implementing that plan.

“Cities across the state are taking a much closer look at how they use energy and are seeking innovative ways to become more resilient through energy efficiency,” said John Marshall, community relations director, Xcel Energy. “We’re pleased the City of Richfield is joining the Partners in Energy initiative and we look forward to collaborating on a unique plan that will help them achieve their energy goals.”

“Elected officials, residents, municipal staff, and business leaders are all eager to undertake new environmental initiatives including energy efficiency practices” said Richfield’s Sustainability Specialist Rachel Lindholm. “Partners in Energy will be a great process to help jump start Richfield's larger scale sustainability efforts by focusing on the role that energy consumption, reduction and efficiency plays in our lives and activities in Richfield.”

Communities accepted into the Partners in Energy initiative work with a dedicated Xcel Energy team that provides guidance, education, and resources for city staff, businesses and residents as they work to achieve measurable energy goals by a specified target date. While each community’s energy action plan is unique, all plans identify strategies to meet specific goals. For example, they could include an education plan on energy conservation, finding ways to finance renewable energy sources such as wind and solar for city buildings, or promoting green technologies to businesses and residents.

Partners in Energy launched in 2014 for communities seeking guidance as they generate formal energy programs. In addition to Richfield, other Partners in Energy communities in Minnesota include Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Faribault, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, La Crescent, Mahtomedi, Maplewood, Midtown Community Works, Minnetonka, Northfield, Ramsey County, Red Wing, Rosemount, Roseville, Saint Paul, Saint Paul Public Schools, Shorewood, St. Cloud, St. Louis Park, Wayzata and Winona.

This press release was produced by the City of Richfield. The views expressed here are the author’s own.