The Guaranteed Energy Savings Program is a procurement and financing mechanism that assists state agencies, local units of government, school districts and institutions of higher education with the development, implementation and ongoing measurement & verification of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects. Participants gain access to technical assistance from Commerce, pre-qualified Energy Services Companies, Master Contract, selection and procurement documents, and GESP staff oversight for each phase of the project that can last up to 25 years. The intent of the program is to maximize job creation and operational cost savings through investment in public facilities.
The Local Energy Efficiency Program helps local units of government and school districts identify, study, implement, and finance energy efficiency and recommissioning projects. LEEP makes it easy to identify site-specific goals, find high-quality firms to perform an investment grade audit, and gain access to low-interest lease-purchase financing. Participants gain access to Commerce’s technical assistance through each stage of the process, ensuring a comprehensive, cost-effective, quality project.
Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. This free continuous improvement program, managed by a public-private partnership, is based on 29 best practices. Each best practice can be implemented by completing one or more actions at a 1, 2, or 3-star level, from a list of four to eight actions. These actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage civic innovation.
