An Earth Day to Remember: Making Real Progress for Climate Justice
Sabathani Community Center celebrated Earth Day in a very meaningful way this year. We welcomed U.S. Senator Tina Smith and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar for a tour of our facilities and shared our plans to revamp our building with a geothermal heating and cooling system. This initiative not only promises enhanced air quality for South Minneapolis but also significant energy savings and the creation of green job training opportunities.
The tour garnered considerable attention from the press, resulting in extensive coverage of our sustainability endeavors. You can explore the highlights and links to the articles here:
Minnesota Spokesman Recorder: “Sabathani Community Center Receives Congressional Praise for Green Effort”
“Sen. Tina Smith and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar were on hand to celebrate the center’s sustainability progress and cutting-edge green initiatives, as plans call for it to be powered by solar-arrayed rooftops and microgrids. It will also draw energy from a renewable energy geothermal heat pump system, making the nearly century-old building energy-efficient and self-sustainable…” READ MORE
MPR News: “Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis Celebrates Sustainability Projects”
“The geothermal system will replace two 50-year-old boilers known as ‘Thelma and Louise,’ which Redd, Omar and Smith visited in the basement of the building. Redd said this will cut energy costs by tens of thousands of dollars a year and reduce the building’s pollution output…the center, which services around 150,000 community members a year, will also set up a geothermal workforce training program…” READ MORE
Sahan Journal: “Ilhan Omar, Tina Smith Celebrate Earth Day Touring Green Initiatives at Sabathani Community Center”
“Sabathani hopes that its planned geothermal energy system can eventually become part of a broader energy district for the neighborhood. Omar said the project is an example of the projects that can be funded through federal grants. Her office is working to connect cities and organizations across the district to federal dollars to reduce emissions and save money, she said…” READ MORE
KARE 11: “Omar, Smith Meet with Black Environmental Leaders on Earth Day”
We invite you to join us in supporting Sabathani’s Community Energy Project. Our $5 million geothermal funding bill (HF1926 and SF1698) is currently under review in the Minnesota State Legislature. Please reach out to your Minnesota state legislators and specifically urge the Chairs of the Capital Investment Committee, Senator Sandra L. Pappas (District 65) at 651-296-1802 and Rep. Fue Lee (District 59A) at 651-296-4262, to endorse this vital project.
Thank you for championing sustainability and for all the ways that you take action for our planet every day.