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Trump will name more conservative judges. He may even pick a majority of the Supreme Court; Both sides react as Missouri reverses near-total abortion ban Literacy initiative to implement 250 new early-education activations in PA.

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President Biden asks Americans to turn down the temperature, House Speaker Mike Johnson promises an aggressive first 100 day agenda and Democratic governors vow to push back on Trump's plan for mass deportations.

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Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

With help of federal aid, MN 'green building' projects take flight

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Friday, August 23, 2024   

The federal Inflation Reduction Act just turned two years old. Those tracking its implementation said when you peel back the layers, a lot is taking shape to help Minnesotans make their buildings and homes more energy-efficient.

Tax credits in the act are designed to incentivize property owners to reduce their structure's carbon footprint but policy experts said there is still not enough awareness of the law's rollout and the available cost-sharing aid.

Willow Nichols, partner and senior electrical engineer for Victus Engineering, one of the companies involved with the projects, said the policies are resulting in some intrigue among clients rethinking their heating and cooling systems.

"Some of the things happening to make that transition easier are driving our clients to look at systems that might be more sustainable, but that have traditionally had a higher upfront cost," Nichols explained.

The law's funding helps offset costs. One example is the Anderson Center in Red Wing, where the nonprofit is adding a geothermal energy system with hopes of a tax credit of at least 30%. Nichols pointed out the region needs more excavating firms to meet demand for those specific projects. Critics of the act have said its lack of spending caps mean it could cost taxpayers more than previously estimated.

Ben Evans, federal legislative director for the U.S. Green Building Council, said the measure is not focused only on businesses and public sites. He added the versatility of the financial incentives allows homeowners to maximize their savings.

"The beauty of the Inflation Reduction Act is that you can combine a lot of these," Evans emphasized. "It's not like you have to just pick one. You can get a couple of different tax incentives for the same project. Let's say you're renovating a building and you're also adding some rooftop solar; you can get tax incentives for each of those."

The Inflation Reduction Act is made up of multiple programs. Specific rebates for homeowners, such as upgrading appliances to newer electric models, are in the process of rolling out in each state. The rebates will be offered at the point of sale as opposed to the tax credits. Minnesota officials said they hope to launch their version in early 2025 and have it run through 2031 or until all funds are used.


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