Sustainability resources for Eagan businesses.
Business Resources
General Information
Explore this page for information and resources for businesses about cost, energy, and resource savings, and learn how you and your business can support the Eagan Climate Action Plan. Click through each category above or scroll below for more information.
Transportation & Land Use Resources
Eagan businesses can contribute to lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by ensuring company vehicles are well-tuned and tires are fully inflated, by implementing fuel-efficient practices, and by replacing gas-powered vehicles and equipment with electric alternatives.
Encourage employees to walk, bike, or take public transit when possible. Share resources for the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) or MetroTransit for mass transit maps and schedules, and MVTA Connect for more options for riders in the south metro.
Stay up to speed on state and federal incentives for electric vehicles and reference the Clean Energy Resource Team’s guide to EVs in Minnesota.
Transportation & Land Use Tips
- Provide bike parking and amenities
- Offer transit passes or telework options
- Incentivize carpooling and ridesharing
- Electrify your company fleet
- Reduce idling and implement fuel-efficient policies
- Install EV charging stations
Energy Resources
Take steps to improve your business’s energy efficiency, reduce your environmental impact, and save money on your utility bills.
Know your energy utility providers! The City of Eagan is served by two electric utilities and three natural gas utilities. Connect with your utilities for information about rebates, incentives, and other programming:
- Dakota Electric customers
- CenterPoint Energy customers
- Minnesota Energy Resources customers
- Xcel Energy customers
Energy Assessments for Small Businesses
Energy Smart is a program from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce that provides free, whole-building audits to identify opportunities for energy and cost savings.
Technical Support
The Minnesota Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program and Minnesota Technical Assistance Program support businesses by improving efficiency while saving money through energy, water, and waste reduction
Evergy-Saving Tips
- Install LED lighting
- Complete an energy assessment
- Benchmark energy and water use
- Use smart thermostats and HVAC controls
- Upgrade insulation and windows
- Install solar panels or subscribe to renewable energy
- Replace old appliances with energy-efficient alternatives
- Leverage financial incentives for upgrades
Waste Resources
Use available education and resources to improve your business’s waste management practices. Connect with your waste hauler, recycling provider, Dakota Valley Recycling, Recycling Zone, and/or Dakota County to understand requirements, programming, and helpful tips.
Here are some other ideas to prevent and reduce waste:
- Attend a Dakota County Fix-It Clinic to repair what you have before you toss and replace it. Visit Dakota County Reduce & Reuse Map for shopping and donation locations.
- Food waste accounts for 40% of waste in the United States. Learn about preventing food waste and proper organics disposal on the Dakota County website and savethefood.com. Consider organics recycling through Dakota County’s recycling programming for businesses.
- Encourage reuse and avoid single-use and disposable options like plates, cups, and cutlery.
Waste Management Tips
- Implement waste reduction and recycling programs
- Eliminate single-use plastics
- Compost food and organic waste
- Donate or repair usable materials
- Purchase sustainable and bulk products
- Establish back-of-house sorting for recyclables
Water Resources
Take steps to improve your business’s water and wastewater management.
Indoors, consider switching out your faucet aerators with low-flow, water-efficient options. Often, these can be a part of an energy audit offered through your energy utilities (See Energy Resources for more information). Learn about different ways to save in your commercial space with the EPA’s WaterSense program.
For outdoor water management, install a smart irrigation meter that can help prevent overwatering or unnecessary watering and follow these WaterSmart irrigation tips. Use a rain barrel to capture rainwater and learn about smart-salting in the winter with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Connect with the City of Eagan and Dakota County to learn more about how you can save money, conserve water, and be mindful of wastewater:
Water & Wastewater Tips
- Install low-flow fixtures and leak detection systems
- Install rain barrels or irrigation controllers
Greenspace Resources
Take steps to improve your business’s natural landscape by planting trees, introducing native plantings, and replacing pavement with permeable surfaces. Visit these helpful resources depending on your landscape and needs:
- Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District
- Use a rain barrel to capture rainwater by making your own or participating in the Dakota County rain barrel sale.
Greenspace & Ecosystem Tips
- Reduce paved areas and add permeable surfaces
- Use drought-tolerant and native landscaping
- Plant trees and maintain existing trees
Safety
As the climate changes and we experience more extreme weather, be prepared and plan your business’s response in the event of an emergency.
Visit Ready.Gov for resources and tips on building an emergency preparedness kit. Sign up for the Dakota County Emergency Alert Program, a free program from the Dakota Communications Center that calls you in the event of an emergency.
Health & Safety Tips
- Develop an emergency preparedness plan
- Install backup power sources
- Opt-in for emergency notifications
- Provide shelter options during extreme weather
There are many ways that you and your business can contribute to the implementation of the Eagan Climate Action Plan. Reach out to us any time at