In an attempt to reduce its environmental footprint, the city of St. Louis Park has joined forces with an initiative to increase sustainability, according to PACE Planning and Development Assistant Julie Grove.

The PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) program is partnered with the St. Paul Port authority and provides funding for energy efficient and renewable energy upgrades for buildings around St. Louis Park and statewide.

In 2010, the State of Minnesota authorized local governments to establish financing programs allowing property owners to borrow money to pay for energy upgrades.

According to Grove, the upgrades include solar power systems, lighting, mechanical and window upgrades and electric vehicle charging systems.

Established last December, the program has been working with several properties around SLP that are interested in the program.

“By the end of the year we hope to have successfully implemented PACE on several properties in the city,” Grove said.

According to junior Roop Narais the program is a great step towards making the community more environmentally friendly and cost effective.

“The PACE program is a great way to use natural resources and will benefit SLP economically,” Narais said.

Grove said PACE is a tool that helps building owners make these investments in their property and as a result, cut their utility bills.

“Many building owners either lack the necessary capital or have found it challenging to secure financing for energy improvements, especially for renewable energy projects,” Grove said.

According to Grove there has been some interest in the program, but to date it has not been implemented in SLP.

“Minneapolis and Edina both have approved projects under PACE. Salut Bar Americain used PACE to finance a number of energy efficient improvements to their building and Grandview Tire & Auto was the first business in Minnesota to take advantage of PACE financed to pay for a solar installation,” Grove said.

As of now there are not any school districts or restaurants around St. Louis Park that are partnering with the PACE Program.

“PACE would be great way for those types of businesses to implement “green” clean energy projects,” Grove said.

Grove said, one of SLP’s visions is that the city is committed to being a leader in environmental stewardship.

“St. Louis Park believes this is an incredible tool for properties who want to make energy improvements to their buildings and there are few programs that fund these improvements,” Grove said.

Junior Danny Campos said the PACE program is a great opportunity to start advancing efficient energy use.

“I think it’s a step towards making the world more sustainable for future generations,” Campos said.