Last week the House Higher Education Committee heard a presentation on a bill to appropriate money to advance campus sustainability at the University of Minnesota
Representative Todd Lippert is the co-author of the bill. He said the “U” has been doing great work on reducing their carbon footprint overall. The next step in that process is to replace aging and obsolete infrastructure across the system, and within the St. Paul campus in particular.
The bill calls for the university to use the funds to implement more on-campus solar electricity generation, install and implement geothermal heating and cooling infrastructure, and convert from steam to hot water systems. Lippert said the University is looking to take advantage of some innovative new geothermal technology that is both more cost effective and extremely efficient.
He said this type of project also fits perfectly into the original mission that the University was given at its inception.
“This is a good way for a Land Grant University to do what it’s supposed to do,” he said, “which is help us face challenges and show innovative technologies. [We want them to] be kind of a showcase to the rest of the nation, and even the world. This is a good opportunity for that.”
And he said, they are taking inspiration from an ambitious project that was recently concluded on the Carleton campus when that school transitioned to geothermal heating and cooling last spring.
“And Carleton’s work in geothermal has come up many times at the Capitol in the Climate Energy Committee. I know the University of Minnesota was noticing what Carelton was doing and was wanting to do the same. Northfield is often leading in many different ways in this space. But it was great to be working with the University of Minnesota, and hopefully we can move it forward.”
Other provisions of the bill, he said, would be used to continue the conversion of the university’s fleet to electric vehicles.
Lippert said he feels this is a good proposal, and he felt it was well received by the Higher Education Committee. He is hopeful it will be included in the Higher Education Budget which is due to be released this week.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Representative Todd Lippert can be heard here
Library offering Spanish conversation, Latin dance lessons
The Northfield Public Library is offering a pair of programs for those who enjoy – or want to learn more – about different facets of
Latin culture.
Director of Library Services Natalie Draper said beginning this month, the library will offer a weekly Spanish Language conversation event. She for those interested in learning how to speak Spanish, the library offers Transparent Language online. The app is free and available to anyone who has a library card. Those interested can login and find core skill-building activities focusing on listening, speaking, reading and writing. The app offers practice activities and will review with the student what has been learned.
But Draper pointed out that the conversation component is missing from the lessons, so the library will enhance that, she said with the Spanish Conversation Table program.
“It’s a short program, but it’s a chance for people to stop in and practice with other people who are also learning the language. You can only get so far when you’re using the app without actually talking to people, so this is a chance to come in and [do that.] I think you have to have it go back and forth, maybe, to make those connections form in your brain.”
Later this month, the library will also offer Latin Dance Workshops on April 19th and April 26th. Presented by Natalie Guitierez, this will be a class for beginners who want to learn Salsa and Merengue. The classes will be held in the library atrium from 6:30 – 7:30pm. Draper said the classes are open to one and all, and it is not necessary to bring a partner.
There are other upcoming events of interest as well. On Wednesday, May 4th, the library will host a Star Wars party for teens, featuring games, trivia, snacks and more. On May 14th, Circus Manduhai will return to Central Park. The 4-person troupe will perform traditional Mongolian circus acts featuring feats of balance and flexibility, contortion, and foot juggling. And Northfield’s Second Annual Pride in the Park Festival will be June 4th in Central Park. Draper said Twin Cities weather personality Sven Sundgaard will return to host the festivities, and Congresswoman Angie Craig will speak at the event as well.
The Spanish Conversation Table will begin April 15th, from 10-10:45 am, and will run on Fridays through May. For more information on all the library’s programs, visit mynpl.org.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Director of Library Services Natalie Draper can be heard here
Council to meet tomorrow night
And the Northfield City Council will meet tomorrow night in the Council Chambers in City Hall. 
Among the items on the agenda are a pair of resolutions regarding money the city has received from the American Rescue Plan Act; one accepting the money itself, and another authorizing its use. Another resolution will accept the recent water system study and its related recommendations, which will almost certainly include discussion of a new drinking water treatment plant. There will also be a pair of resolutions regarding commercial development along the I-35 corridor.
As always, the city and the council are asking to hear opinions and comments from the public. Anyone who wishes to do so is invited to come to the meeting and address the council on any topic they see fit. Those wishing to voice their opinions without addressing the council should email their councilors directly or post a comment through the eComment button on the “Agendas” section of the City Council website.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
[recent_post_carousel slides_to_show=”1″ limit=”5″ slides_to_scroll=”1″ category=”10″ media_size=”medium” dots=”false” show_read_more=”false”]
