minnesota_cpp_letter_3.2.16-50c50e4182b91643.pdf

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota advocating for the maximization of energy efficiency investments to meet Clean Power Plan compliance goals. The authors argue that energy efficiency is the lowest-cost demand-side resource and can provide significant economic and environmental benefits, potentially saving Minnesotans $549 million and avoiding 13 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

• Energy efficiency is identified as the most affordable demand-side energy resource, costing less than renewables or electric and gas generation. It allows for rapid, local emissions reductions and is the only option that simultaneously reduces emissions, creates sustained local jobs, and lowers the cost of implementing the Clean Power Plan.
• Beyond traditional utility-administered programs, the document highlights non-utility efficiency opportunities in Minnesota, including combined heat and power (CHP), green building certifications via building energy codes, residential retrofit financing, and energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs). The U.S. ESPC market specifically generates over $5 billion in new annual investments.
• The implementation of specific energy-efficiency policies—such as updated building energy codes, energy-savings targets, and increased CHP use—could enable Minnesota to exceed 100 percent of its 2030 Clean Power Plan compliance goal. This approach is estimated to save residents $549 million and prevent more than 13 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.
• The authors recommend that Minnesota opt into the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP) to maximize cost-effective emissions reductions under the Clean Power Plan.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2016). minnesota_cpp_letter_3.2.16-50c50e4182b91643.pdf. https://www.eesi.org/files/Minnesota_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. minnesota_cpp_letter_3.2.16-50c50e4182b91643.pdf. 2016. https://www.eesi.org/files/Minnesota_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=minnesota_cpp_letter_3.2.16-50c50e4182b91643.pdf |date=2 March 2016 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/Minnesota_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2016minnesotacppletter321650c50e4182b91643pdf, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{minnesota\_cpp\_letter\_3.2.16-50c50e4182b91643.pdf}}, publisher = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2016}, month = mar, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/Minnesota_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }