Rapidly rising fuel prices may result in Minneapolis homeowners having to pay as much as 30 percent more to heat their homes this winter than they did last winter according to the Energy Information Administration. In response, the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is hosting free workshops in various Minneapolis locations to provide homeowners with practical energy-saving information and tips that they can use to combat rising energy costs.

A Department of Commerce representative will open each of the workshops by providing homeowners with information about rising fuel prices. A housing specialist from CEE will then present common housing problems and energy-saving solutions. Workshop attendees will receive free weatherization materials and will also have the opportunity to meet with housing specialists, a financial representative from CEE, heating and window contractors, and weatherization professionals to learn more about specific products and materials they can use to prepare their homes for the winter.

Workshops are from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:

September 25, 2003 - Hiawatha Neighborhood Center, E. 42nd Street and 44th Ave South

October 1, 2003 - Windom Park Neighborhood Center, 2251 Hayes Street NE

October 16, 2003 - Shingle Creek Commons, 4600 Humboldt Avenue North

October 23, 2003 - Martin Luther King Park, 41st and Nicollet Avenues South - This workshop is offered in partnership with the Kingfield Neighborhood Association

For more information about the workshops or CEE programs and services, please call CEE at 612-335-5881 or visit the CEE Web site.

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