Energy CENTS Coalition

About Us

Why We Need a New Website

ECC's website was originally designed over seven years ago. The site is dark, difficult to update and uninspiring. ECC needs additional resources to build a site that reflects the urgent need for more affordable energy costs. In the third coldest state in the nation, too many Minnesota households struggle to maintain essential energy service.

The Coalition's work blends policy and regulatory advocacy with direct utility bill payment and conservation assistance. Over 11,000 households participate in the Coalition's electric and gas affordability programs. Under these programs, households pay no more than 3% of household income for electric bills and no more than 6% of income for natural gas bills. An updated website will help households access these program applications.

The website can also provide links to information about MN utilities and energy suppliers, national resources, program referrals and information about elected and appointed energy policy makers.

Energy issues affect all of us but the impact of energy decisions disproportionately affect those who do not have a voice in shaping energy policy, particularly low and fixed income people.

A new website will allow ECC to more regularly inform Minnesotans about important energy issues--prices, consumer protections, costs associated with various policies--so that they can participate in creating a sustainable and affordable energy future.





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Messages From Supporters

When the judges choose which non-profits will be selected to participate in this year's F1 Challenge they will take into account testimonials from beneficiaries, donors, volunteers, board members and other

Energy CENTS Coalition was a huge blessing in my life. I am a single mother running a non-profit and I've been in my home for 28 years. I've worked very hard to constantly keep my home in good condition but I knew my utility bills were higher than they should be. I also had the original furnace and it was nearly dead. Energy CENTS Coalition came into my home and did a very thorough energy analysis. They determined that my insulation was insufficient and that I needed a new furnace. They also made other suggested changes like switching all of my light bulbs to the energy efficient kind, turning down the thermastat, and sealing a leak by my dryer. Energy CENTS decided to replace my furnace and put in more insulation!! I was amazed at how wonderful this program was and have recommended it to my clients at the food shelf. My energy bills since then have been lower, and I will always be grateful to this amazing organization for their services.
Michelle R. (beneficiary)
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Energy CENTS Coalition
823 E. 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55106

Our Mission

The mission of the Energy CENTS Coalition (ECC) is to promote more affordable energy service for low and fixed income Minnesotans and to encourage public participation in energy-related decision making.

Twenty five percent of Minnesota’s population qualifies for the federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the largest single source of utility bill payment assistance. Because of limited funds, however, only about one-third of income eligible households receive LIHEAP to maintain essential heat and electric service. Over one-half of the 121,000 households that received LIHEAP in 2006-2007 live on annual incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. These households devote between 14.3% and 49.4% of their income just for energy costs.

Over the last 18 years, the Energy CENTS Coalition (ECC) has built an impressive record of advocacy on behalf of low and fixed income energy consumers. The Coalition’s work to increase energy bill-payment and conservation resources (over $116 million in non-federal funds) is accompanied by developing policies and programs to best target those resources to consumers with the most unaffordable energy bills.