Efficiency
Increasing energy efficiency in the home, farm or business is an effective way to lessen environmental impact and save money. There are programs underway in North Dakota to increase energy efficiency in the state:
- North Dakota Department of Commerce administers Energy Conservation Grants program, which is funded by a one-half of 1 percent of the oil extraction tax deposited in the Resources Trust Fund. Grants can be used for energy efficiency projects in public buildings. To date, 52 completed projects have received funding, at an average project cost of $32,599.
- The eFargo program was formed to enter Fargo into the Georgetown University Energy Prize (GUEP) competition in which 50 cities across the United States are taking innovative actions in the way they understand, use, and plan energy use reduction. eFargo’s goals are to reduce overall energy use in Fargo by 5 percent, increase renewable energy use by 5 percent, and reduce the utility bills of Fargo customers by 5 percent. According to calculations from the GUEP, the city of Fargo and its residents have saved $4,823,316 since the program’s inception. Program partners are North Dakota Department of Commerce, City of Fargo, North Dakota State University, Cass County Electric Cooperative, and Xcel Energy.
- Xcel Energy announced in 2016 a multi-year effort to install energy-efficient LED streetlights in cities and municipalities it serves. This has the potential to cut general street lighting costs by nearly 50 percent by 2030. Photo above shows original street lighting on the left and the newer LED lamps on the right.
In addition, several North Dakota buildings and businesses have received the ENERGY STAR label from the Environmental Protection Agency. Click here for statistics on the ENERGY STAR program in North Dakota.
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Department of Energy “Energy Savers”
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Network
Fast Facts on Energy Use by ENERGY STAR
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
North Dakota Office of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
North Dakota State University Extension Service Home Energy Program
The North Dakota Department of Commerce Division of Community Services provides state-related energy programs and information. Their energy efficiency programming includes:
- Weatherization Assistance Program, aimed at increasing the efficiency of homes occupied by low-income individuals and families
- State Energy Program, which provides several efficiency-related programs including energy education, energy codes and transportation
North Dakota State University energy website offers consumer and agricultural education in the area of energy efficiency. Programs include: