Designing efficiency at Duluth conference

by Stephanie Hemphill, Minnesota Public Radio

More than 1,000 builders, architects, and homeowners are learning about energy-efficient design at the Energy Design Conference in Duluth this week.

St. Paul, Minn. — Rachel Wagner, an architect in Duluth who helped organize the conference, said as fuel prices rise, more and more people want to learn about energy efficiency.

"A lot more interest in sustainability, climate change, how buildings contribute to carbon emissions and overall energy consumption," Wagner said.

The conference features workshops, lectures, and product demonstrations.

Forty percent of our energy use goes to heat and power our homes, businesses, and stores.

Approximately 200 utility officials attended a special session on how to meet a legislative mandate that utilities cut demand by 1.5 percent a year.