Government officials representing Minnesota cities, counties, school districts and townships will meet in St. Cloud Thursday to explore strategies for reducing energy costs, according to a press release.
 
Speakers will address how to successfully reduce energy bills, and attendees will get the chance to talk with representatives from organizations that can help local governments reduce costs. 
 
The topic comes at a time when the state’s local governments are facing economic obstacles, and reducing energy costs could save much needed cash. 
 
The city of Minneapolis is currently piloting a program utilizing LED bulbs in the streetlights along Washington Avenue.
 
LED light bulbs use only 2-10 watts of electricity, and last about 10 times longer than compact fluorescents, according to the eartheasy website.
 
If the pilot program is successful, LED bulbs could be placed in all streetlights in the city. Streetlight costs make up 40 percent of Minneapolis’s energy bill, according to Second Ward Council member Cam Gordon’s blog.