Activists optimistic about new energy partnership in Minneapolis

There is peace in the battle over municipal energy — for now.

Environmental activists who pushed the city to consider taking over its energy and gas utilities last year didn't achieve their ultimate goal, but were optimistic Monday that a new partnership would help the city reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The partnership among the city, Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy came in conjunction with initial committee passage of a new 10-year franchise deal with the utilities. That agreement, subject to full City Council approval next week, was last negotiated 20 years ago.

The partnership creates a new public-private board with representatives from the city, Xcel and CenterPoint that will develop plans for the city to reduce its carbon footprint. Minneapolis has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in 2025 and 80 percent in 2050 — from 2006 levels — as well as making energy "reliable, local, affordable and clean."

Deputy City Coordinator Jay Stroebel told the health, environment and community engagement committee that some areas the board may address include: establishing an energy efficiency program for higher-occupancy dwellings, implementing a community solar garden program, exploring new renewable energy options for city facilities, studying underground transmission lines and installing LED streetlights.

"We are all very pleased and excited," said Tim Springer, a board member of Community Power, which grew out of the Minneapolis Energy Options campaign. "Please recognize that this is, of course, just a start. We'll be active participants in the process. And don't let us down."

Former mayoral candidate "Papa" John Kolstad said he would cautiously support the agreement.

But, he warned, "if the private utilities do not achieve our goals in a timely manner, either because they can't or because they won't, then it will be clear that we must form our own public utility and do it collectively ourselves."

George Crocker, executive director of the North American Water Office in Lake Elmo, said the partnership could break the pattern of corporations and regulators guarding the existing energy system "even when our planet dissolves while it crashes and burns."

"We know how easy it would be for this partnership to turn into a quarterly meeting for coffee," Crocker said. "We will not let that happen."

The agreement is shorter than the previous 20-year deal, lasting half that time. But it includes two optional five-year extensions, which could extend its length to 20 years.

Eric Roper • 612-673-1732