Waite Park Community Council supports sustained commitment to city climate funding

The Waite Park Community Council’s board of directors unanimously voted Nov. 30 to sign-on to a letter encouraging city leaders to invest in and support the implementation of the Minneapolis Climate Equity Plan.

The Climate Equity Plan was unanimously passed by City Council on July 20 and signed by Mayor Frey on July 25. The city has yet to commit long-term funding to achieve all of the plan’s goals, however.

A coalition of local climate, environmental and labor groups including MN350, ISAIAH, UNIDOS MN, SEIU Local 26, and Sierra Club is asking neighborhood associations to endorse the open letter, which call for “city leaders to use every necessary tool to guide Minneapolis forward as we transition our homes and businesses to electric and other cleaner energy sources.”

You can read the full letter here.

The board’s vote followed a 30-minute neighborhood forum on the Climate Equity Plan and letter. Just Transition Fund Coalition representative Jonathan Harms explained that the coalition is most focused on eliminating emissions from buildings, including weatherization and electrification of homes in the city.

City of Minneapolis partnership aims to make it easier go solar

The city of Minneapolis recently announced a new partnership with EnergySage, a one-stop shop for consumers to find reputable solar installation companies.

One of the city’s goals in the Climate Equity Plan is to increase the use of solar in our communities. Since 2017, more than 1,700 homes have gone solar in Minneapolis. The city hopes to increase that number to 15,000 by 2032.

To help community members explore solar options and compare companies, the city has partnered with EnergySage to make the process easier for homeowners looking to make the move to solar.

—Submitted by City of Minneapolis Health Department

Should we take a position on the city's new Climate Equity Plan?

The Waite Park Community Council has been asked to sign-on to a letter encouraging city leaders to invest in and support the implementation of the newly adopted Minneapolis Climate Equity Plan.

A coalition of local climate, environmental and labor groups including MN350, ISAIAH, UNIDOS MN, SEIU Local 26, and Sierra Club is asking neighborhood associations to endorse the open letter, which call for “city leaders to use every necessary tool to guide Minneapolis forward as we transition our homes and businesses to electric and other cleaner energy sources.”

You can read the full letter here.

The WPCC board of directors plans to consider the request at its next regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 30. Before deciding whether to take a position, the board will host a neighborhood forum from 6:30-7:00pm at the Waite Park Recreation Center, 1810 34th Ave. NE. (Zoom link). A representative of the campaign will share a brief presentation, followed by Q&A and community input.

The board regular meeting will follow at 7 p.m.

If you would like to share your opinion with the WPCC board but are unable to attend the meeting, you may email your thoughts to board@waiteparkcc.org or leave a voicemail at (612) 470-0861.

⚡️ Event: How electricity can help your health, wallet and the climate

It’s Waite Park Wednesday! Join the Waite Park Community Council on the first Wednesday of April for an informational presentation and discussion on how the latest generation of electric appliances for heating and cooking can benefit your health, wallet, and the climate.

Electrify Everything will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, in-person at the Waite Park Recreation Center, 1810 34th Ave. NE.

This free program will be facilitated by staff at the Center for Energy and Environment and is co-presented by the Waite Park Community Council and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation.

Questions? Contact the community council at info@waiteparkcc.org.