MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Minnesota Credit Union Network’s solar lending initiative, CU Green, has been honored with an Environmental Initiative Award.
Environmental Initiative is a nonprofit organization that works with business, nonprofit and government leaders to develop collaborative solutions to Minnesota’s environmental problems.
As CUToday.info reported here, Minnesota’s credit unions
launched the website for CU Green in 2018, which is a clean energy lending platform developed to make clean energy accessible to more Minnesotans through educational resources to provide consumers with clean energy information.
CU Green was honored for its collaborative approach in addressing environmental challenges and promoting economic and community vitality.
“As not-for profit, member-owned financial institutions, Minnesota’s credit unions are committed to improving their communities,” said MnCUN President and CEO Mark Cummins. “The Minnesota Credit Union Network is pleased to be recognized for CU Green with Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union and Hiway Federal Credit Union for our efforts to move Minnesota towards a more efficient energy footprint.”
Origins of Program
According to the Minnesota CU Network, the partnership behind CU Green originated in 2016 when leaders from Affinity Plus, Hiway, and First Alliance engaged with the University of Minnesota’s Climate Smart Municipalities exchange.
“Inspired by innovative programs and practices in Germany, these leaders committed to expanding clean energy progress in Minnesota,” the association said. “Using funding from a grant from the Caroline Foundation, the Minnesota Credit Union Network, Hiway Federal and Affinity Plus Federal Credit Unions worked cooperatively to build cu-green.org. These credit unions are also offering solar loans to help members make the investment in using solar energy.”