MINNEAPOLIS, MN – On Thursday, Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina (COPAL) and Electrify Everything MN hosted a dynamic, hands-on workshop to help community members take control of their energy future by transitioning to clean electric energy in their homes.
“At this workshop held in Spanish, we presented the key steps to electrifying your home, and the resources, incentives, contractors, and programs available to make upgrading possible. Residents came with questions about an old water heater that’s about to break, or the desire to replace an old gas stove for example. We were thrilled to inform participants about the electric options available so they can make the best choice for their family’s energy bills, health, and comfort.”, said Matthew Douglas-May, Community Program Manager at the Center for Energy and Environment which manages Electrify Everything MN.
Participants explored how to replace fossil fuel-based appliances with clean electric alternatives, developing practical, personalized plans for achieving their home energy goals on a realistic timeline. Highlights of the workshop included:
- An educational presentation on the core components of home electrification, including insulation and air sealing, heat pumps, heat pump hybrid water heaters, clothes dryers, induction stoves, and electrical service upgrades.
- Interactive activities that allowed attendees to ask questions about specific technologies and steps in the electrification process.
- An overview of financial incentives and resources, including federal, state, and local programs, as well as planning assistance and connections to preferred contractors.
The incentives include funding from the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the State of Minnesota, local energy utilities, and city governments which together offer thousands of dollars in rebates and tax credits for home electrification improvements.
The workshop served as a valuable opportunity for residents looking to reduce their environmental impact, improve home health and safety, lower upfront costs, or prepare for appliance upgrades. By the end of the session, participants left with a tailored plan of action to move forward with electrifying their homes.
“Workshops like these are crucial for helping our communities understand their options for reducing energy costs and improving home safety. They provide practical resources and guidance to make the transition to clean energy more accessible,” said Carolina Ortiz, Associate Executive Director at COPAL MN.
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About COPAL
Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina (COPAL) is a member-based organization established in 2018 to improve the quality of life of Latine families. Over the past six years, COPAL has evolved to become a well-known, grassroots power-building, and visionary transnational organization.
About Electrify Everything MN
Electrify Everything is managed by the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) and supported by Hennepin County and the cities of Eden Prairie, Edina, Minneapolis, and St. Louis Park. The program makes home electrification accessible and achievable for everyone, providing practical tools, guidance, and connections to financing and contractors.