Center For Energy And Environment
The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a Minnesota-based nonprofit that administers utility-funded energy efficiency programs—including residential audits, commercial rebates, community energy planning, and statewide financing—for utility customers and 60+ partner communities across the Upper Midwest.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Center For Energy And Environment does
The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit (founded 1979; the 2025 Impact Report records its operational origin in 1986) that administers utility-funded energy efficiency programs across Minnesota and the broader Upper Midwest. It serves three primary customer segments—residential homeowners and renters, commercial businesses of all sizes, and Minnesota cities and counties—and operates as the principal program administrator for Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and Ottertail Power while maintaining 60+ community partnerships. CEE employs roughly 260 clean energy professionals across offices in Minneapolis and Roseville. Two structural milestones shaped its current scale: the 2017 merger with Neighborhood Energy Connection, which brought residential lending into the platform, and the 2023 passage of Minnesota's 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 statute, which expanded the addressable mandate for utility demand-side programs.
CEE's product portfolio spans residential services (Home Energy Squad in-home audits, Energy Advisor consultations, Energy Advisors providing cost-free consultations in English and Spanish, multifamily and new construction certification); commercial programs (the One-Stop Efficiency Shop for lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, smart thermostat, and grow lighting rebates, covering up to 75% of project costs); community consulting (Partners in Energy planning, local policy development, and the Electrify Everything MN initiative); market transformation initiatives (Efficient Technology Accelerator / ETA, ASHP Collaborative, BuildUp MN, Luminaire-Level Lighting Controls, Next Gen RTUs, and Wise Window Hub); and a statewide lending division (home improvement loans, solar financing, ASHP financing, and down payment assistance). Workforce development is delivered through Minnesota Home Energy Training (MNHET), a utility-funded paid training program that prioritizes women and BIPOC workers and produced 151 graduates in 2025. Underlying capabilities include building science research, energy modeling, emerging-technology evaluation, and policy advocacy aligned with state decarbonization mandates. Output in 2025 included 7,251 home energy visits, 1,498 Energy Advisor projects, 1,745 small-business lighting/HVAC projects, and 1,801 home improvement loans originated.
CEE's business model rests on four revenue streams: (1) program administration revenue from utilities, funded by ratepayer dollars and Energy Conservation and Optimization Act-driven demand-side management budgets; (2) federal and state grants, primarily from the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technology Office; (3) interest income from originated home improvement, solar, and ASHP loans; and (4) paid training and workforce development fees. Disclosed FY2025 revenue was approximately $40.6M against $37.1M in expenses per the 2025 Impact Report. Distribution is purely regional, executed through direct-to-homeowner visits, utility program enrollment, contractor networks, and community-government partnerships.
Center For Energy And Environment firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center For Energy And Environment
- Legal name
- Center For Energy and Environment
- Website
- https://mncee.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a Minnesota-based nonprofit that administers utility-funded energy efficiency programs—including residential audits, commercial rebates, community energy planning, and statewide financing—for utility customers and 60+ partner communities across the Upper Midwest.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center For Energy And Environment industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Energy Efficiency Program Administration Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) & Clean Energy Standards Compliance (EUAMANAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Interconnection, Permitting & Grid Services for DERs (EUAMAJAH)
Keywords
Where Center For Energy And Environment is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Center For Energy And Environment business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Program Administration Revenue: CEE administers utility-funded energy efficiency programs for Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and Ottertail Power. Revenue comes from program administration fees and delivery costs covered by utility ratepayer funding.
- Government Grants and Funding: Funding from Minnesota Department of Commerce, DOE's Building Technology Office, and other government sources for research projects and workforce development initiatives.
- Loan Program Interest: CEE operates a Lending Center offering statewide home improvement loans, solar financing, heat pump financing, and down payment assistance. Interest income generated from loan origination and servicing.
- Training and Workforce Development: Utility-funded, paid training programs that prioritize welcoming women and BIPOC workers into clean energy and energy efficiency sector. Revenue from training program delivery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Pay-as-you-go | Utility Rebate Programs - Up to 75% project cost coverage |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Home Energy Squad - Free or reduced-cost energy audits |
| Subscription | Monthly | Residential Loans - Low-interest financing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Center For Energy And Environment product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CEE administers energy efficiency programs on behalf of utilities including Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and Ottertail Power, delivering Home Energy Squad residential audits, One-Stop Efficiency Shop commercial rebates (lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, smart thermostats), statewide consumer financing (home improvement, solar, heat pump, down payment assistance), community energy planning, market transformation initiatives, and clean energy workforce training across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.
Product overview
Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of energy efficiency programs, financing products, and market transformation initiatives. The organization's portfolio includes: residential services (Home Energy Squad audits, Energy Advisors, new construction ratings, multifamily programs); commercial programs (One-Stop lighting and HVAC rebates, refrigeration rebates, smart thermostats); community consulting services; and market transformation initiatives (Efficient Technology Accelerator/ETA, ASHP Collaborative, BuildUp MN, LLLC, Next Gen RTUs, Wise Window Hub). CEE also operates a lending division offering home improvement loans, solar financing, ASHP financing, and down payment assistance. The organization delivers workforce development through Minnesota Home Energy Training (MNHET). The Electrify Everything MN initiative supports Minnesota's transition to carbon-free electricity. CEE serves homeowners, businesses, and communities throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Home Energy Squad In-home energy audit program providing energy testing, installation of efficient lightbulbs, and recommendations for home improvements. Administered by CEE for Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy customers.
- Energy Advisor Service Cost-free, pressure-free advisory service for Minnesota homeowners providing home energy guidance, connecting them to financing, rebates, and high-quality contractors.
- One-Stop Efficiency Shop (Lighting Rebates) Commercial energy efficiency rebate program offering rebates covering up to 75% of total project costs for energy-efficient lighting upgrades at small businesses.
- HVAC Rebates Commercial program providing guidance and rebates on cooling and heating system improvements for businesses.
- Refrigeration Rebates Commercial program helping companies improve refrigeration efficiency with affordable upgrade rebates.
- Free Smart Thermostats Commercial program offering free smart thermostats to eligible businesses to optimize heating and cooling efficiency.
- Grow Lighting Rebates LED grow lighting rebate program for commercial agricultural operations.
- Home Improvement Loans Statewide low-interest financing for home remodeling and energy efficiency improvements.
- Solar Financing Financing program for residential solar installations.
- Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) Financing Specialized financing for air source heat pump installations to support residential electrification.
- Down Payment Assistance Program helping first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing-cost assistance.
- New Construction Services Services helping builders construct highly efficient new housing with ENERGY STAR and Home Energy Rating System certifications.
- Multifamily Buildings Program Energy efficiency programs for multifamily residential buildings including condominiums and apartment complexes.
- Community Energy Consulting Services helping communities plan and achieve energy goals through credible data, analysis, and planning facilitation combined with CEE's perspective as program providers.
- Minnesota Home Energy Training (MNHET) Workforce development training program providing utility-funded, paid training that prioritizes welcoming women and BIPOC workers into the clean energy and energy efficiency sector.
- Electrify Everything MN Initiative supporting Minnesota's 2023 law requiring utilities to deliver 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040, providing education on transitioning from fossil fuel-based systems to electric alternatives.
- Efficient Technology Accelerator (ETA) Statewide market transformation program executed by CEE that identifies and accelerates adoption of emerging energy-efficient technologies through contractor outreach, rebate coordination, and cooperative advertising.
- ASHP Collaborative Market transformation initiative focused on accelerating adoption of air source heat pumps in cold climate regions.
- BuildUp MN Market transformation initiative working to improve commercial energy code compliance through collaboration, education, and technical assistance.
- Luminaire-Level Lighting Control (LLLC) Market transformation initiative focused on advanced lighting controls for commercial buildings.
- Next Gen Rooftop Units Market transformation initiative for increasing efficiency of commercial HVAC rooftop units.
- Wise Window Hub Market transformation initiative focused on accelerating adoption of high-performing insulating glass windows.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7,251 Home Energy visits completed in 2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Center For Energy And Environment
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Center For Energy And Environment technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Center For Energy And Environment partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- Xcel EnergycorePrimary utility partner for which CEE administers multiple energy efficiency programs including Home Energy Squad and commercial rebate programs. CEE supports Xcel Energy's Capacity*Connect virtual power plant pilot and works with Xcel on Partners in Energy community planning.
- CenterPoint EnergycoreUtility partner for which CEE administers Home Energy Squad and commercial energy efficiency programs. CEE also helps launch CenterPoint's commercial hybrid heating pilot as part of their Natural Gas Innovation Plan.
- Ottertail PowercoreUtility partner for which CEE administers commercial energy efficiency rebate programs.
- Metropolitan Airport CommissionminorCEE administers the Airport Noise Mitigation Program for the Metropolitan Airport Commission, providing energy efficiency services to affected homeowners.
- 60+ Minnesota CitiescoreCommunity partnerships with cities across Minnesota for energy planning, Home Energy Squad program delivery, and special loan and grant programs. Includes cities like Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Edina, St. Paul, and many others.
- Hennepin CountymajorPartnership on Hennepin County Residential Weatherization and Electrification Action Plan, and Efficient Buildings Collaborative which won a NACo Achievement Award.
- Minnesota Building Performance AssociationminorCEE's Director of Market Transformation Technologies, Isaac Smith, serves as President of this association advocating for high-performance building practices.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Center For Energy And Environment competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC): VEIC is the parent of Efficiency Vermont, a leading statewide energy efficiency utility program administrator; its nonprofit structure, utility contract model, and integrated services portfolio make it CEE's closest architectural analog.
- Franklin Energy: Franklin Energy delivers utility-funded energy efficiency programs, rebate processing, and field services nationwide, directly overlapping CEE's commercial One-Stop Efficiency Shop and trade-ally functions.
- Resource Innovations: Resource Innovations is a mission-driven consultancy that designs and delivers energy efficiency programs for utilities and governments, mirroring CEE's combination of program administration, evaluation, and policy support.
- Slipstream: Slipstream is a Madison, WI-based nonprofit advancing building science, energy efficiency research, and program design; it directly competes with CEE's Research and Market Transformation functions in the Upper Midwest.
- CLEAResult (an ICF company): CLEAResult, now part of ICF, is the largest national administrator of utility energy efficiency programs; it competes head-to-head with CEE for utility contracts across the U.S. and offers directly comparable program implementation services.
Regional players
- Southface Energy Institute: Southface is a nonprofit focused on sustainable buildings, energy efficiency, and green workforce in the Southeastern U.S.; it operates under the same nonprofit program-delivery model as CEE but in a different geography.
Broad incumbents
- Cadmus: Cadmus is an international consultancy offering energy efficiency, climate, and utility advisory services; it operates at broader scale and often partners with or competes against CEE on evaluation and program strategy work.
Others
- Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA): MEEA is a regional alliance promoting energy efficiency policy and programs across the Midwest; it collaborates with CEE on initiatives like the Hennepin County Efficient Buildings Collaborative and represents peer ecosystem stakeholders.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Center For Energy And Environment social profiles
Digital presenceCenter For Energy And Environment financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center For Energy And Environment leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles21 records
Center For Energy And Environment funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Center For Energy And Environment M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Center For Energy And Environment
What does Center For Energy And Environment do?
CEE administers energy efficiency programs on behalf of utilities including Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and Ottertail Power, delivering Home Energy Squad residential audits, One-Stop Efficiency Shop commercial rebates (lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, smart thermostats), statewide consumer financing (home improvement, solar, heat pump, down payment assistance), community energy planning, market transformation initiatives, and clean energy workforce training across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.
Is Center For Energy And Environment a public or private company?
Center For Energy And Environment is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Center For Energy And Environment founded?
Center For Energy And Environment was founded in 1986. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Center For Energy And Environment based?
Center For Energy And Environment is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Center For Energy And Environment make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Program Administration Revenue is the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Funding, loan Program Interest and training and Workforce Development.
Who are Center For Energy And Environment's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), Franklin Energy, Resource Innovations, Slipstream and CLEAResult (an ICF company). Southface Energy Institute is listed as a regional player. Cadmus is listed as a broad incumbent. Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is listed as an others.
Does Center For Energy And Environment have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center For Energy And Environment.
What industry is Center For Energy And Environment in?
Center For Energy And Environment's product category is Energy Efficiency Program Administration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMANAF, Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) & Clean Energy Standards Compliance, with a secondary code of EUAMAJAH, Interconnection, Permitting & Grid Services for DERs.