DULUTH — City officials learned Tuesday they will receive $1 million in federal funding to evaluate the potential for solar energy installations that could make the local power grid more resilient, especially as severe weather events increase in frequency and strength.Mayor Emily Larson said the support could help hilly Duluth reduce its reliance on fossil fuels to power the pumps that move water around the city.“You know, pumping water is our largest energy cost. And if there is a way that we can use solar power and decrease what it costs for us to deliver fresh water to people, that would be an incredible investment for us that would yield incredible savings for taxpayers and utility customers. And it will help us meet our carbon-reduction goals,” she said.
In fact, moving water accounts for 53% of Duluth’s annual municipal electrical…