Busy Agenda Awaits St. Cloud City Council at First Meeting of 2024

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud City Council’s first meeting of the year is going to be a big one.

The city is looking to approve a deal with the United States Department of Energy for $3,675,000 for a Green Hydrogen Project at the wastewater plant. The St. Cloud Green Hydrogen Project will be the first of its kind in the world. It will use renewable energy to separate water molecules to generate green hydrogen, oxygen, and excess heat. Hydrogen can be used on-site to generate electricity and in the facility’s heating system. Hydrogen can also be used in the community as a vehicle fuel or as a potential heating source. The oxygen will be used in the facility’s aeration system. The waste heat will be recovered and used on-site to reduce natural gas demands.

In August 2023, the city was notified of the award, pending negotiations.

It will also review a resolution to install an electric vehicle charging station at the Stearns History Museum. The city is looking at a Carbon Reduction Program grant of $200,000 with a $50,000 local share match.

Mayor Dave Kleis will recognize the St. Cloud Area AmeriCorps Retired Senior Volunteer Program with this year’s Reflections of the Year Award. The organization has been serving the city for 50 years. The RSVP champions positive aging and community needs for people 55 and older.

The meeting gets underway at 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

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