A lot of energy goes into powering parking garages, street lamps, traffic signals, and vehicles. Minnesotans have begun to take notice, and in 2009 several communities were given a great opportunity to try out transportation efficiency ideas with Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding.
The hubs of transportation in Minnesota, St. Paul and Minneapolis, led the way in the arena of transportation infrastructure, developing projects such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the City of St. Paul and the Energy Innovation Corridor in Minneapolis and St. Paul along the new Central Corridor light rail line.
In addition to the Twin Cities, Crookston and Golden Valley also upgraded street lighting and traffic signals. LED traffic signals, like the ones installed in Golden Valley, use approximately 80% less energy than standard incandescent fixtures and last six times longer. And with the retrofit of 165 street light heads with high pressure sodium lights in Crookston, the city has seen $21,000 in savings in a single year!
From the lighting retrofit of St. Paul’s RiverCentre parking garage to the implementation of an intercity Energy Innovation Corridor, Minnesota is on the cutting edge of smart and efficient transportation infrastructure and technology.
Other Local Government Energy Action Transportation and Infrastructure Stories:
- A Bright Idea: New LED streetlights in Crookston, Minnesota
- What’s happenin’ in Hennepin? Hennepin County’s HVAC and lighting efficiency projects
- Saint Paul gets charged up for electric vehicles with solar-powered EV stations
About the Local Government Energy Action Series:
This year-long effort tells the stories of nearly 50 Minnesota municipalities, counties, and schools and the tangible results of their energy-saving efforts to inspire others to take their own actions.
Local Government Energy Action is brought to you by the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.
