Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition

06/08/2026

Midwest BDC Lunch & Learn Series Tenant Rights: From Redlining, Equity to Energy Justice coming up this Thursday, June 11, 2026 at noon We will trace how historic redlining and discriminatory housing policies created.

Today’s unequal energy burdens, utility insecurity, and environmental health risks.

While acknowledging the foundation of injustice on which our current decarbonization tenant advocacy work is built, we’ll connect past harms to present‑day tenant challenges and highlight the tenant‑centered solutions emerging across the Midwest.

Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how housing justice, energy justice and decarbonization intersect — and what meaningful action looks like in 2026.

06/08/2026

While the Minnesota PUC delays action, Minnesota families don't get to delay their utility bills. If the PUC had acted, it would have reduced utility costs by $34 million a year that would otherwise be paid for by existing gas utility customers, while also helping the state more rapidly transition to clean heating and cooling and achieve its climate goals.

06/08/2026

Minnesota families can’t delay paying their utility bills, yet the Minnesota PUC delayed action that could have saved customers $34 million annually, reduced gas system expansion, and advanced the state’s clean energy goals. Minnesotans deserve affordable energy, utility accountability, and an energy future that puts people before corporate profits.

06/08/2026

The Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition (Midwest BDC) is bringing together leaders, practitioners, advocates, policymakers, utilities, building owners, workforce partners, and community organizations to accelerate equitable building decarbonization across the Midwest. Through collaborative working groups and strategic partnerships, we are advancing solutions that reduce emissions, improve building performance, lower energy costs, and create healthier communities.

We invite you to connect with the coalition through our recurring virtual working groups and onboarding sessions. Rather than a single general monthly meeting, Midwest BDC organizes its engagement through specialized working groups focused on key areas of building decarbonization, including policy, workforce development, affordable housing, financing, community engagement, and technical implementation. Whether you are new to building decarbonization or an experienced practitioner, there is a place for your voice and expertise. Join us to learn, collaborate, and help shape a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future for communities throughout the Midwest.

06/07/2026

Minnesota families can’t delay their utility bills—but the Minnesota PUC continues to delay action. Ending gas line extension allowances could save customers $34 million annually, reduce unfair subsidies for gas expansion, and support Minnesota’s clean energy and climate goals. It’s time to put people over utility profits. COPAL MN Clean Heat Minnesota

Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission moved to maintain the line extension allowance policy for gas utilities. The policy allows utilities to profit by charging existing Minnesota customers an estimated $34 million every year to extend gas pipes to add new customers while also delivering a return to shareholders.

“The Future of Gas proceeding is a critical opportunity to reimagine and build an affordable, clean energy system, which is why I’m disappointed the Commission chose not to end the unfair policy of line extension allowances," said Natalie Cook, coalition manager, Clean Heat Minnesota. "A future continuing to invest in both a gas and electric system is an expensive future and keeps communities hooked on the volatile cost of fossil fuels and growing utility charges."

https://cleanheatmn.org/press-releases/

06/05/2026

Upcoming Training- Tenants Rights: From Redlining, Equity to Energy Justice This session traces how historic redlining and discriminatory housing policies created today’s unequal energy burdens, utility insecurity, and environmental health risks. We’ll connect past harms to present‑day tenant challenges and highlight the tenant‑centered solutions emerging across the Midwest. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how housing justice and decarbonization intersect — and what meaningful action looks like in 2026.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3ECgWwa_RlaNNkzyri2ilw #/registration
Learning Outcomes
Understand how redlining and housing discrimination shaped current energy inequities and environmental health disparities.
Identify key tenant rights and protections relevant to electrification, healthy housing, and energy justice.
Learn concrete actions advocates and tenants can take to advance equitable housing and energy policy in 2026.

06/05/2026

🌎 World Environment Day and Equitable Building Decarbonization

World Environment Day reminds us that environmental sustainability and social equity must go hand in hand. Buildings account for nearly 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions, making building decarbonization one of the most effective ways to address climate change. However, the transition to cleaner, healthier buildings must be equitable to ensure that all communities benefit—not just those with the greatest resources.

Here's how World Environment Day connects to equitable building decarbonization:

🏘️ Reducing Environmental and Health Burdens
Low-income communities, communities of color, seniors, and other historically marginalized groups are more likely to live in older buildings with poor insulation, inefficient heating systems, mold, and indoor air pollution. Equitable decarbonization upgrades—such as heat pumps, weatherization, and electrification—improve indoor air quality, reduce respiratory illnesses, and create healthier living environments.

💡 Lowering Energy Costs
Many households experience a disproportionate energy burden, spending a larger share of their income on utility bills. Energy-efficient building improvements reduce energy consumption and lower monthly costs, helping families achieve greater financial stability while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

🌡️ Building Climate Resilience
As extreme heat, cold, flooding, and severe weather events become more common, energy-efficient and resilient buildings help protect vulnerable populations. Decarbonized buildings with improved insulation, efficient cooling, and backup energy solutions can better withstand climate-related challenges.

⚖️ Advancing Environmental Justice
World Environment Day emphasizes that environmental solutions should benefit everyone. Equitable building decarbonization prioritizes investments in underserved neighborhoods, affordable housing, schools, and community facilities to ensure that the benefits of clean energy are shared broadly rather than concentrated in wealthier communities.

👷 Creating Inclusive Green Workforce Opportunities
The clean energy transition is generating demand for skilled workers in construction, energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy. Equitable workforce development programs can create pathways into family-sustaining careers for residents of historically excluded communities.

🌱 Protecting Both People and the Planet
Building decarbonization is not only about reducing carbon emissions—it's about creating healthier homes, lowering costs, strengthening communities, and ensuring that climate solutions improve quality of life for everyone.

Reflection: This World Environment Day, let's commit to a future where every person—regardless of income, race, age, disability, or ZIP code—has access to safe, healthy, affordable, and energy-efficient buildings. Environmental progress is most meaningful when it advances both sustainability and equity.

🌎🏢🌱

06/03/2026

🌻😎 We proudly celebrate Board Member Paula Carey-Moore, Regional Vice President of Housing & Economic Empowerment at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, whose leadership continues to advance housing justice, economic mobility, and community resilience. A seasoned nonprofit executive, HUD-Certified Housing Counselor, licensed Real Estate Broker, and graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a Master of Nonprofit Management, Paula has dedicated her career to helping individuals and families build lasting financial security. Through innovative programs focused on matched savings, homeownership, financial education, and asset building, she creates pathways for families to achieve long-term stability and generational wealth.

Paula’s work is rooted in the belief that economic opportunity, affordable housing, and climate resilience must go hand in hand. Her leadership in preserving affordable housing while advancing energy-efficient upgrades demonstrates how community development and decarbonization can work together to strengthen neighborhoods and improve quality of life. Recognized locally and nationally for her impact—including honors from the City of St. Louis, the National Urban League, and Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.—Paula continues to be a powerful advocate for equity, dignity, and opportunity. We are honored to have her leadership, expertise, and vision guiding our Board and helping shape a more sustainable and equitable future for all.