La Crescent powers more than half of its city with clean energy

The journey started in 2015 when La Crescent joined the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program (GreenStep is free and open for any city or Tribal nation who wants to join). Leading by example, the city set an environmental stewardship goal in its 2016 Comprehensive Plan, giving itself a mandate to experiment with clean energy.

But policy on paper only works if you have locals behind it. To turn the mandate into reality, the city relied heavily on the energy of local residents. Former Greenstep committee member Reid Smith was one of those eager to step up. “I had worked hard on reducing the carbon footprint of my own home and had learned a lot during the process,” says Smith. “After that, I was motivated to help the town reduce their carbon footprint and joined the Greenstep Committee.” 

Alongside Smith, Ludwigson and other residents led the city’s efforts to improve sustainability and reduce the cost of living. 

Still, the town was cautious about spending taxpayer money on new technology, so they outsourced the funding and installation of the solar panels using power purchase agreements.

The city council first developed a taste for clean energy because it saved them money. “Now, the council expects it. If we built something today and didn't include a heat pump, they’d ask why,” says Ludwigson. 

Hooked on clean energy savings, the city selected an all-electric design for their new pavilion at Wieser Park. Instead of a traditional furnace, the pavilion uses cold-climate heat pumps, and instead of paying for energy from the grid, the city saves with solar panels (also funded by the state grant). As the city’s first net-zero building, the pavilion is already a huge success operating entirely on clean energy while serving as a community hub for weddings and service groups.

That momentum is now heading toward the local schools. This summer, La Crescent-Hokah Elementary is scheduled to install its own 124-kilowatt solar system funded by the state’s Solar for Schools program. By partnering with Clean Energy Resource Teams for technical assistance and curriculum development, the school successfully installed a solar system that will not only save the district money, but also become a classroom tool. As kids in town play at the pool on a summer day or study the photoelectric effect at school, they aren't just seeing solar panels, but a community that promises to set them up for success.

As Lindstrom says, “La Crescent is the little city that can.” 

It’s not just the city council working to cut costs and lower electricity bills but the whole town. Whether it’s electric police cruisers or an electric Zamboni, La Crescent is proving that sustainability isn’t just for big cities; it’s a practical, cost-saving strategy for small towns.

With two-thirds of city operations running on clean energy, they’ve shown that all you need is a south-facing roof, a little persistence, and the belief that a cleaner and brighter future is worth the energy.