ST. PAUL, Minn. – Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union joined political, state and University of Minnesota leaders on their second trip in three years to Germany to deepen its involvement in the Climate-Smart Municipalities group.
The delegation visited several of Germany’s award-winning, climate-smart communities. The main goal of the exchange is to develop specific strategies that allow cities to reduce their energy footprint while boosting their local economies, the credit union said.
Corey Rupp, Affinity Plus senior vice president oflLending, traveled with the delegation as the group works to find ways to bring more of Germany’s clean-energy initiatives back to Minnesota.
“Affinity Plus believes credit unions can play a vital role in developing climate-smart communities,” Rupp said. “Specifically, we want to help overcome any barriers that may exist to financing options for ‘green’ initiatives.”
The credit union is currently partnering with the Saint Paul Port Authority to provide energy-efficient financing solutions for business.
Rupp noted that Affinity Plus also is leading by example on smaller green initiatives. Among other steps:
- In upcoming new branches in Duluth and Grand Rapids, Minn., in-floor heat will allow the facilities to more easily maintain temperature and reduce electrical usage
- The new Duluth branch will include a rainwater retention system to control run off
- LED lighting is being installed in new branches and remodeled office spaces
- New exterior signage are all lit with LEDs
- Bathrooms and breakrooms in some locations are being equipped with motion-activated lights to conserve energy when not in use.
Affinity Plus said it is even is working with a landscape architect to review facilities the credit union owns in the Twin Cities. The goal is to improve appearance while increasing greenery and potentially incorporating “bee safe” elements. That could include eliminating pesticides and chemical fertilizers, Rupp said.
Minnesota’s 2007 Next Generation Energy Act set goals to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to at least 30% below 2005 levels by 2025, and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050.
At right, Corey Rupp, Affinity Plus senior vice president of Lending, (in center, third from right) joins participants in the Climate-Smart Municipalities group met in mid-July at the consumer organization Verbraucherzentrale in Duesseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.