New Minnesota law aims to close pre-weatherization gap
FRANK JOSSIE of Energy News Network
July 16, 2021
FacebookTwitterEmail
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Efficiency upgrades can be a financial boost for low-income homeowners, but asbestos, mold and other issues sometimes found in older homes can keep those improvements financially out of reach, even with incentives.
A new Minnesota law aims to bridge that gap.
The state’s existing Conservation Improvement Program failed to incentivize utilities who operate programs for low-income property owners for the cost of “pre-weatherization” services such as removing asbestos or lead paint a restriction that deferred as many as a third of potential clients from receiving energy efficiency assistance. Clients in need of pre-weatherization work typically struggled or failed to complete projects since utilities could only cover expenses directly related to energy efficiency.
A new Minnesota law aims to bridge that gap.
The stateâs existing Conservation Improvement Program failed to incentivize utilities who operate programs for low-income property owners for the cost of âpre-weatherizationâ services â such as removing asbestos or lead paint â a restriction that deferred as many as a third of potential clients from receiving energy efficiency assistance. Clients in need of pre-weatherization work typically struggled or failed to complete projects since utilities could only cover expenses directly related to energy efficiency.
That will now change with the new Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act, which updates the Department of Commerceâs Conservation Improvement Program. The ECO Act, signed by Gov. Tim Walz in May, permits utilities to receive credit, for the first time, for pre-weatherization and other preparatory work.
ST. PAUL, Minn. Minnesotans will still have opportunities to tap into a program to help keep their energy bills low, while reducing their carbon footprint. .
Minnesota legislators agree on first major energy bill in years The new energy conservation act would help low-income households upgrade appliances, utilities fund alternative energy and companies make clean energy products. May 18, 2021 5:44pm Text size Copy shortlink:
The Minnesota House and Senate agreed this week on expanding the state s energy conservation program, the most significant energy legislation in recent years.
The Energy Conservation and Optimization Act should increase spending by utilities on conservation programs, particularly to low-income households. Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign the legislation. It s possibly the biggest piece of energy legislation we have passed in several years, said Rep. Jamie Long, DFL head of the House Committee on Climate and Energy Finance and Policy. This will be really meaningful.
Why Minnesota faces $800 million in extra gas bills from Texas freeze in February washingtonpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from washingtonpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.