Energy Updates

Riverside Park Electric Vehicle Chargers

St. Cloud has installed 2 new Level 2 charging stations at Riverside Park (1725 Kilian Boulevard, St. Cloud, MN 56304).

The installation of these new level 2 charging stations is the start of St. Cloud’s vision to vastly increase public electric vehicle   charging access for the community. More accessible charging can ease range anxiety and make the community more familiar with electric vehicles. 

St. Cloud’s municipal fleet is also working on long-term plans to convert to the use of electric vehicles. 

Pilot Projects and Research

St. Cloud is the site of a Tri-County Solid Waste Commission ‘Food Waste-to-Energy’ pilot project, reducing food waste in landfills and creating clean energy.

 During the Food Waste to Energy Pilot Project, food waste is collected from local sources, de-packaged and removed of contaminants using technology from a Minnesota based company. The waste is processed through  St. Cloud’s anaerobic digesters.

Reducing the amount of food waste in landfills presents an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, increase landfill capacity, generate renewable energy from previously wasted food and beneficially reuse the food’s nutrients.

Other upcoming pilots include Renewable Natural Gas and Green Hydrogen projects to more fully recover valuable, renewable resources from treated water and generate clean energy.  

Mayor Dave Kleis Celebrates St. Cloud’s Energy Work and Announces New Energy Goals

In 2015, the City of St. Cloud launched their energy efficiency and renewable energy work. The program allowed St. Cloud to meet their energy goals. Over 100% of the electrical demand required to provide City services is powered by renewable energy.  In 2021, the City utilized renewable energy sources for all 30 million kilowatt-hours of energy needed annually to provide city services. 

Since 2015, the City has saved over $6 million in reduced energy costs and over 94,000 metric tons of carbon emissions reductions due to energy efficiency work, renewable energy generation and community solar garden subscriptions. Annual energy savings are at $1.5 million and growing.  Reduced energy costs for city services provided keeps user rates and taxes low.

St. Cloud is now expanding our energy goals to cover the entire St. Cloud community. By 2028, the goal is to have all St. Cloud electrical energy use be carbon neutral, and by 2038, we aim to be carbon neutral for energy use and transportation. 

For more information on St. Cloud’s energy work and goals please contact Tracy Hodel, Public Services Director at 320-255-7225.  

St. Cloud in the News

• 2022 Community, green energy focal point of 2022 St. Cloud State of the City address - St. Cloud Times 
• 2022 Mayor says State of St. Cloud is Solid, Proposes Going Carbon Neutral by 2038 - KNSI
• 2022 "Kleis Wants City of St. Cloud to Be Carbon Neutral by 2028" - WJON
• 2021 "This Minnesota City Casts a Wide Net in Capturing Efficiencies and Sustainable Practices" - Treatment Plant Operator Magazine
• 2020 "EPA recognizes excellence and innovation in clean water and drinking water infrastructure projects" - WaterWorld 
• 2020 "St Cloud Undertakes Extensive Renewable Energy Efforts" -  Clean Energy Resource Team
• 2019 "GREATER Innovative, Improvement, and Excellence in St. Cloud" - Central States Water Environment Association Magazine
• 2019 "St. Cloud Wastewater Plant Model for State" - KNSI Radio
• 2019 "Sen. Tina Smith visits St. Cloud to tour wastewater facility, promote Clean Energy Standard Act" - St. Cloud Times
• 2018 "Getting more than a buzz: St. Cloud uses beer, byproducts to fuel wastewater plant" - St. Cloud Times