Richfield, MN

To help promote environmentally-friendly behaviors and save local businesses money, the City of Richfield has compiled the below list of resources to assist in energy conservation and other green projects. Various organizations around the state provide loans/grants, audits and consulting services, as well as training and implementation - predominantly for free.



The CEE team will look at lighting, cooling and heating, and commercial refrigeration to identify ways to lower your energy use and a CEE consultant will guide you through the entire project. 

Projects must be completed by December 31, 2024 to qualify.
 
Find more information on the Richfield Energy Efficiency Business Rebate Program flyer and get started today by visiting the CEE website or calling 612-244-2427. 

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Hennepin County Business Recycling Grants
Hennepin County offers grants, signage, and technical assistance to help businesses reduce waste and improve recycling. The County is offering two types of grants to businesses for recycling and waste prevention in 2023. Applications for both grant programs will be accepted on an ongoing basis until mid-November 2023, or until the annual program budget is exhausted. 


MN Waste Wise
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's Waste Wise program helps businesses identify new ways to recycle, maximize reuse, and explore new waste reduction options.

Individualized services include project funding assistance, sustainability consulting, site visits, waste sorts, utility bill analysis, energy benchmarking, investment analysis, employee training, toner and inkjet printer cartridge recycling assistance, presentations and events.

For more information, visit the MN Waste Wise website,

MN Energy Smart  The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's Energy Smart program helps businesses identify ways to use less energy and save money. Services include utility bill analysis, energy efficiency recommendations, accessing rebates and grants, energy benchmarking and financial analysis.

For more information visit the MN Energy Smart website, call 651-292-3902 or check out the MN Energy Smart flyer (English) (Spanish). 



MNimize




MNimize is a partnership of Hennepin County and the Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation that helps restaurants and other food service businesses reduce or eliminate single-use plastics.  For more information, including resources and a rebate, visit the MNimize website or call 612-428-1480.

MinnPACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy)
MinnPACE provides financing to business owners who make eligible energy efficiency upgrades to their property. Payments are rolled into a special assessment made payable twice a year for up to 20 years as part of the building's property taxes. Find more information on the MinnPACE brochure and at Hennepin County's MinnPACE website.

Project Examples:

• Energy efficiency upgrades such as windows, lights, HVAC
• Renewable energy systems such as solar, wind or geothermal
• Electric vehicle charging stations

Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP)
The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program is an outreach program through the University of Minnesota that provides no-cost technical assistance that helps businesses develop and implement solutions that prevent pollution at the source, maximize efficient use of resources, and reduce energy use and costs to improve public health and the environment.

• Focus areas: Air, Energy, Waste, Water and industry-specific pages
• Resource page: includes Business Assistance Providers, Financial Assistance, 12 tips to “green” your business

Minnesota Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP)
The Minnesota Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) employs skilled, retired professionals to provide facility assessments to small businesses.  No-cost, non-regulatory energy efficiency and waste reduction assessments include an on-site visit to your facility with emphasis on finding opportunities to increase energy efficiency and water conservation, reduce waste, and reduce operating costs.

Xcel Energy

• Business Programs & Rebates

CenterPoint Energy

• Efficiency Programs & Rebates
• Analyze Your Energy Use
• Energy Saving Tips for Your Business

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE)

• One-Stop Efficiency Shop is a full-service rebate program available to small businesses in Xcel Energy's Minnesota service territory with a monthly electric demand of 400 kilowatts or less.
• Energy Savings for Non-Profits offers low interest financing for cost effective, energy efficiency retrofits in non-residential buildings owned or occupied by nonprofit organizations.
• Engineering for Energy Efficiency helps building owners and managers better understand and optimize their energy use to improve the operation of equipment and systems, reduce energy waste and manage long-term sustainability planning.

MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

• Environmental Grants and Loans  Grants and low-interest loans are available to help businesses meet or exceed environmental regulations, and to cover costs associated with projects, equipment, investigation and cleanup.
• Small Business Environmental Assistance The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program helps Minnesota businesses comply with environmental rules, reduce wastes and emissions, and reduce regulatory obligations.

Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) – A statewide partnership connecting organizations to clean energy financing tools and incentives and energy efficiency implementation.

• Community Solar Gardens Receive credit on your electricity bill by purchasing a share of the solar power produced.