Minneapolis comes in eighth in an energy nonprofit's ranking of energy-efficiency efforts in large American cities.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy looked at how 34 cities around the country are working to reduce energy use in five key areas: buildings; transportation; energy and water utility efforts; local government operations; and community-wide initiatives.
The top 11 in the study were:
Boston
Portland, Ore.
New York City
San Francisco
Seattle
Austin, Texas
Washington, D.C.
Minneapolis
Chicago
Philadelphia
Denver
Good things Minneapolis is doing, according to the report:
Strong energy-savings goals in place for local government and entire city through its Climate Action Plan.
High levels of investment in and savings from energy and water utility efficiency programs.
Strong transportation policies, including combined transportation and land use planning, car and bike sharing and alternatives to car trips.
Areas of improvement:
Expand energy use rating and reporting policy to large multifamily buildings.
Develop energy-saving requirements or incentives for private buildings.
ACEEE says it is a nonprofit that "acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. We believe that the United States can harness the full potential of energy efficiency to achieve greater economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection for all its people."