FAQs • Edina, MN • CivicEngage

Does Edina have a Community Solar Garden?: Yes! The City of Edina opened a Community Solar Garden on the roof of its Public Works Building in 2018. The Garden is fully subscribed and supports around 70 Edina homes. Learn more by visiting https://solsmart.org/communities/edina/ or by reading the Case Study: Edina Community Solar Garden.

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Sustainability

Sustainability in Edina is encompassed in the City Council’s Values Statement: “As the Edina City Council, we are dedicated to building a sustainable environment where current and future generations benefit from clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, and access to nature.

We recognize that the City’s natural environment, and the health and quality of life of its residents are just as, or even more, important, than the financial factors. We will ensure that our policies, decisions and future plans have a positive impact on people and the planet, in addition to profit.”

2. How does sustainability fit in with existing City plans?

Edina’s Comprehensive Plan is updated every 10 years and represents the full list of City priorities and commitments. Read the Environment chapter of City of Edina’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan to learn about Edina’s history of sustainable commitments, existing conditions and challenges, and recommendations for the future.

The City Council approved Edina's first Climate Action Plan in December 2021. The plan includes 200 actions that can be taken in Edina to meet goals by 2030. The City’s greenhouse gas emission goals target a reduction in City operations and communitywide emissions by 45 percent below 2019 levels and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the 2015 global Paris Agreement.

Goals are arranged under the categories: Transportation & Land Use, Water & Wastewater, Buildings & Energy, Local Food & Agriculture, Green Space & Trees, Climate Health & Safety and Climate Economy.

Click here to read the plan!

3. What else has Edina done in terms of sustainability?

The City has existing plans and programs that incorporate sustainability principles:

4. Does Edina have a Community Solar Garden?: Yes! The City of Edina opened a Community Solar Garden on the roof of its Public Works Building in 2018. The Garden is fully subscribed and supports around 70 Edina homes. Learn more by visiting https://solsmart.org/communities/edina/ or by reading the Case Study: Edina Community Solar Garden.

5. How can I make my yard and outdoor community greener?: Visit the Forestry Division’s website here to learn more about invasive species and resources on lawn management. Watch this page for opportunities for natural area cleanups and tree giveaways. The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources also offers resources for supporting pollinators and adding biodiversity to your yard. Hennepin County offers examples and additional tips for pollinator protection.

6. How does Edina support local renewable energy use?

Edina has been a SolSmart Gold Community since 2018. This means that the City has completed a review of its processes, codes, regulations so that residents and businesses have a streamlined process for going solar.

Edina also has a Community Solar Garden, on the roof of the Public Works building, with a total of 70 households subscribed to the array. This was possible in collaboration with Cooperative Energy Futures (an energy co-op) to manage the solar array and subscriptions. Visit the SolSmart site to read the case study and learn more!

7. Where do I sign up for renewable energy subscriptions or install a solar array on my property?: Visit the ‘For Residents’ section in the Buildings and Energy tab to see your options for renewable energy and how to be more energy efficient.

8. Does Edina have any electric vehicle chargers?: Edina has a growing network of electric vehicle charging stations. View the Plugshare map to see stations near you! The City additionally has a Green Fleet Policy that sets goals and metrics for city fleet replacements. This includes plans to increase municipal electric vehicles and corresponding charging infrastructure.

9. Does Edina have any Organics Collection?: Edina implemented an organics recycling program in 2020. If you are interested in getting a bin and joining the program or want to learn more about recycling, click here!

10. How is Edina managing water resources?: The Public Works Department works with water, sewer, and stormwater to effectively coordinate water systems. Visit this link to learn more! Additionally, the Engineering Department manages flood protection, runoff management, and clean water services, visit their page here to learn more and see what water resources are available.

11. How can I get involved?

Visit VolunteerEdina to see what volunteer opportunities are open!

Consider hosting a community meeting to introduce Edina's CAP and agree on actions your community can take.

The “CAP-in-a-Box” toolbox is designed to help any community member introduce Edina’s Climate Action Plan to a small group and lead a discussion of ideas for strategies and activities they can do to help fight climate change. Community groups in Edina and community members interested in spreading the word and taking action on climate change should use this toolbox. Community groups may include interest groups like garden clubs, recreation leagues, youth groups, faith communities, civic groups or neighborhood groups.

Click here to check out the Resource box on the right-hand side of the site, called “Host a CAP-in-a-box at your next community meeting!”