Rochester residents will soon have even more support in creating safer, more energy-efficient homes thanks to the City’s new Healthy Home Helpers program.

Designed and led by the City of Rochester Sustainability Division, Healthy Home Helpers connects households with FREE Healthy Home kits (More than $120 Value) and practical resources to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality. The program focuses on simple, cost-effective steps that help residents lower utility bills, increase home comfort, and reduce environmental impacts. From guidance on air sealing and insulation basics to everyday energy-saving habits, Healthy Home Helpers empowers community members to make smart improvements that benefit both their families and the planet.

The program recently received a boost through a 2026 CERT SEED grant from Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), a statewide initiative that funds innovative local clean energy and efficiency projects. SEED grants are designed to spark community-led efforts that demonstrate measurable clean energy benefits and expand access to sustainability tools across Minnesota.

Healthy Home Helpers also aligns with Rochester’s broader sustainability goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing equitable access to clean energy solutions. By focusing on education, connection, and achievable home improvements, the program strengthens community resilience while helping households take meaningful action.

To learn more about the program and sign up for an in-home assessment, visit the Healthy Home Helpers page or fill out our interest form directly here!

A Litter Bit Better is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! For two decades, Rochester neighbors have come together each spring to help keep our community clean, healthy, and beautiful. Since the first event, volunteers have removed more than 177 tons of litter from Rochester’s streets, parks, and waterways.

Residents are encouraged to gather friends, family, or coworkers and help clean up the community from April 25-May 3. Participants can sign up for a cleanup site and pick up free green trash and blue recycling bags at designated locations.

Register by April 23 at Spring 2026 Litter Bit Better — RNeighbors.

Preparing a home’s cooling system before summer arrives can help improve energy efficiency, lower energy costs, and prevent unexpected breakdowns. Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) encourages residents to schedule routine maintenance through its Central AC & Air Source Heat Pump Tune-Up Rebate.

Regular maintenance helps air conditioners and air-source heat pumps operate efficiently and extend equipment life. To support proactive care, RPU offers rebates when customers schedule a professional tune-up with a qualified contractor: $20 for coil cleaning and filter service, $40 for refrigerant charge and airflow adjustment, or $60 for a comprehensive tune-up that includes both.

Scheduling maintenance before peak summer temperatures ensures systems run reliably when they are needed most. Customers should see the rebate application for complete terms and conditions.

Learn more and download a rebate application at rpu.org.

Olmsted County's third Fix-It Clinic was held on Saturday, February 7, 2025, at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester.  26 people brought in 50 items. Of those, 40 items were fixed or would later be fixed by the attendee. That's a fix rate of 80%!

The next Fix-It Clinic will be held at St. Mary’s University – Rochester Campus Cascade Meadow on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm during the EarthFest Expo. Participating is simple. Residents can bring in two items per household and will be matched with a mender/fixer. There is no charge.

Interested in volunteering? Sign up here! For more information about the event, visit our website.

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: St. Mary’s University – Rochester Campus Cascade Meadow | 2900 19th Street, NW Rochester, MN (during EarthFest Expo)

In 1926, a water quality study of the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities found only three fish in a 42-mile stretch, revealing severe pollution from industrial waste, sewage, and runoff. Once a thriving ecosystem, the river had become dangerously degraded.

Over the next 100 years, stronger environmental laws, improved wastewater treatment, and community advocacy helped reverse the damage. Investments in sewage treatment infrastructure, pollution controls, habitat restoration, and river monitoring played a critical role in the recovery. Fish populations rebounded, bald eagles returned, and water quality improved, showing that meaningful environmental recovery is possible.

But the story isn’t over. Today, stormwater runoff, climate change, and habitat loss continue to threaten the river. The past century offers a clear lesson: recovery takes long-term commitment. Protecting the Mississippi means reducing pollution, restoring natural areas, and staying engaged to ensure its health for the next 100 years.

Learn more about the Mississippi River’s environmental evolution at their website.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States is on track to add a record 86 gigawatts of new electric generating capacity in 2026, led by solar, battery storage, and wind, continuing a major shift toward cleaner energy. This national growth has local implications for Rochester, Minnesota, where increased renewable energy on the grid makes energy efficiency at home even more impactful, especially in a cold climate where heating drives much of residential energy use. For community members, this means everyday actions like improving home efficiency can have a bigger impact on both energy bills and environmental outcomes.

These trends strengthen the value of local programs that help residents reduce energy use and costs, such as home efficiency initiatives that improve comfort while lowering emissions. As renewable energy and storage expand, Rochester can benefit by continuing to invest in conservation and efficiency strategies that support both economic savings and long-term environmental goals.