Large greenhouse gas reduction and geothermal funding

Eligible applicants

This funding is open to:

• For profits
• Nonprofits
• Minneapolis Public Housing Authority
• Minneapolis Public Schools
• Public utilities (including Cordia Energy)
• Other public entities

Read the full funding rules for more information

Eligible projects 

To qualify for funding, the proposal must:

• Reduce a building's scope 1 and/or scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions
• Meet the minimum estimated annual carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) reduction requirement:
  • Geothermal projects must reduce at least 15 metric tons of emissions
  • All other projects must reduce at least 100 metric tons of emissions

We give preference to projects that can be completed by Dec. 31, 2027.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions definition

Scope 1

Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions that occur on-site from sources that are controlled or owned by the applicant.

An example of scope 1 emissions is fuel combustion from a furnace or boiler.

Scope 2

Scope 2 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the purchase of electricity, steam, heating or cooling.

An example of reducing scope 2 emissions is a rooftop solar array that reduces the total electricity purchased from the grid.

Example 1: Steel products manufacturer

What was done

A steel products manufacturer installed new:

• Variable speed air compressors with heat recovery
• Building management system to control heaters and rooftop units
• Transformer to allow modulating use of manufacturing equipment

Funding

• Total project cost: $475,000
• City award: $360,000
• Other rebates: $95,000

Emissions reductions

The project had an estimated reduction of 576 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year.

This breaks down to:

• 45,000 therms of natural gas 
• 1,084,000 kilowatt hours of electricity

Example 2: Community center and nonprofit

What was done

A local community center and nonprofit installed:

• Solar and battery storage
• Geothermal heating and cooling to replace large boilers

Funding

• Total project cost: $20,500,000
• City award: $500,000
• Other rebates: $718,000

Emissions reductions

The project had an estimated reduction of 694 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year.

This breaks down to:

• 106,000 therms of natural gas 
• 179,000 kilowatt hours of electricity