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lQ A <br /> RICHARGE city of <br /> Elk -�-, <br /> AMERICA River <br /> PARTICIPANT PROFILE <br /> City of Elk River The City of Elk River, MN,was named "Energy City" in 1997 by the <br /> Minnesota Environmental Initiative. It's a badge the city wears proudly, as it has <br /> successfully converted what was once the first rural nuclear power plant in the U.S.to a <br /> refuse-burning power plant run by Great River Energy. Environmental efforts take <br /> priority in the city,which has been one of the fastest-growing suburbs of the Twin Cities. <br /> The city itself takes the lead in promoting sustainability efforts for its residents. In the <br /> past several years, Elk River has achieved step 5—the highest level possible—in <br /> Minnesota's Green Step Cities certification program and held EV days at the local <br /> farmer's market.The city maintains a fleet of more than 100 vehicles,which currently <br /> includes 11 EVs, and they are actively exploring the possibility of transitioning to electric <br /> school buses. In the summer of 2023, Elk River held an ElectriFUNcation event with <br /> Recharge America,which drew hundreds of attendees and offered test drives of both <br /> e-bikes and EVs. <br /> C ( The Cityof Elk River offers manyamenities to its residents,de ts, <br /> offering a small-town feel but close enough to the Twin Cities " <br /> and St. Cloud. <br /> —Vern Iverson, Chair, Energy City Commission <br /> As Elk River continues to work toward its sustainability goals,they have already learned <br /> lessons along the way.They have installed 2 EV charging stations so far, but the cost of <br /> installation and the rapidly-changing technology for charging stations presents a <br /> challenge to further investment. <br /> The city is currently drafting sustainability building requirements for review and <br /> approval by the City Council. Demonstrating their commitment to environmental <br /> justice,the city has also been working with Elk River Municipal Utilities to facilitate <br /> access to alternative power opportunities for all residents across the city's 44 square <br /> miles. <br /> For more information,visit r <br /> Recharge-America.org 'L3 <br />