City Of Golden Valley: Energy Action Plan Guides City's Environmental Efforts

Press release from the City of Golden Valley:

September 23, 2021

In 2020, the City of Golden Valley joined Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy program to move forward in achieving its energy goals from the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and assist residents and local businesses in reducing energy bills and carbon footprints. Through the partnership, the City, and a team made up of community members representing a variety of sectors, developed an Energy Action Plan to help accomplish these goals.

Why An Energy Action Plan?

While Golden Valley’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan established a clear vision for the City’s future, it set no specific numerical targets or goals for energy.

By partnering with Xcel Energy, the City has developed objectives and has access to expertise and resources to implement energy initiatives and engage with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders in the community. The knowledge, tools, and assistance from partners like Xcel Energy will help meet these goals.

Goals

The City’s plan focuses on reducing high energy cost burden, improving energy efficiency, and supporting clean energy. The plan also includes metrics to measure success.

• Eliminate 65,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions through electricity and natural gas savings in the next 10 years.
• With savings residents and businesses will see from more efficient energy use, add an estimated $8.8 million in first-year energy savings to Golden Valley’s economy in 10 years.
• Assist Golden Valley households most severely impacted by energy costs by making them aware that help is available and helping them navigate the necessary steps.

Golden Valley’s two-year participation in Partners in Energy consists of two phases. The first phase was dedicated to developing the Energy Action Plan. The second phase will focus on implementing the plan. Throughout the process, the City has been working with a dedicated Partners in Energy team that provides guidance, education, and resources for City staff, businesses, and residents as they work to achieve energy goals.

Read more about the Partners in Energy program and the City’s Energy Action Plan on the City website.

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