Brian Martucci
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Articles by Brian Martucci
On the Market: Twin Cities properties with value-add potential
Listen to this article The Blueprint The Kellogg Center in St. Paul is a 56,200-square-foot historic office building listed for $3 million. A Hopkins property combines 12,648 square feet of office and warehouse space with outdoor storage and three drive-in doors. A Savage office and light industrial property offers nearly 19,000 square feet and 2.2 acres of land.
Google bankrolls PG&E virtual power plant Original
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is teaming up with Google, Rewiring America and other partners to enroll tens of thousands of existing and new distributed energy assets in two Northern California counties to support what it says is a new kind of virtual power plant.
Google to buy energy from solar-storage project at former coal mine
Google will purchase the energy, capacity and clean energy attributes of a solar-and-storage project planned on the site of a former coal mine in West Virginia, the tech giant and its partners announced • The Mammoth Solar project, part of the PJM Interconnection system, will consist of 86 MW of utility-scale solar, 10 MW/100 MWh of zinc-based long-duration energy storage and 70 MW/280 MWh of lithium-ion energy storage.
Front-of-meter solar, storage could serve 32% of California’s 2032 peak load: study
This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Front-of-meter solar and storage could serve approximately 17.5 GW of summer peak load on the distribution substations owned by California's three large investor-owned utilities, according to an August study commissioned by the Coalition for Community Solar Access and conducted by Kevala, a grid analytics firm.
Google backs solar-storage project at former West Virginia coal mine Original
Google will purchase the energy, capacity and clean energy attributes of a solar-and-storage project planned on the site of a former coal mine in West Virginia, the tech giant and its partners announced last week.
Trane makes data center reference kits available in Autodesk Revit and Forma platforms
available in Autodesk’s Revit building information management and Forma site design platforms, effective immediately, the companies • to support engineering and design activities for a wide range of commercial building types. • “Making Trane’s Data Center Reference Kits available in Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Forma brings thermal strategy into the workflows where key design decisions are made,” Oakley Roberts, Trane’s president of data centers, said in a statement.
Large-load tariffs increasingly rely on upfront payments, exit fees, ramp schedules Original
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. More utilities are asking prospective large-load customers to pay upfront for system impact studies, ramp up to full load within a set number of months and pay an exit fee if they stop or significantly reduce service before their contract expires, according to a recent technical brief prepared by researchers with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Brattle Group.
Big Tech wants to build a data center in your city. Worth it?
Community opposition to data centers is rising fast, but big computing facilities still have at least one influential fan. "If I were the mayor of a town or the governor of a state and I had a chance to get a big … AI plant or data center, I would absolutely want it because the jobs are enormous and the money paid, the taxes paid, are just enormous," President Donald Trump told reporters last month. He returned to the subject again recently, in harsher form.
Upper Harbor Terminal amphitheater takes shape
After breaking ground on the Upper Harbor Terminal’s 8,000-seat amphitheater complex known as the Community Performing Arts Center in early May, crews spent the summer grading, laying foundations and raising steel at the site. (Photo: Brian Martucci/Special to Finance & Commerce) Listen to this article The Blueprint Construction is advancing on the 8,000-seat Community Performing Arts Center at Minneapolis’ Upper Harbor Terminal.
On the Market: Roseville, Greenfield commercial properties
The Rosewood Office Plaza at 1711 W. County Road B in Roseville consists of two Class B office buildings, both built in 1981, connected by a ground-level hall and entryway. (Photo: Catylist) Listen to this article The Blueprint Rosewood Office Plaza in Roseville is asking $5.8 million for its 63,432 square feet of office space. The two-building Roseville property is about 86% leased and sits on five acres near Rosedale Mall and Highway 36.
Trump says mail-in ballots boost Democrats, but some of MN’s reddest counties rely most on remote voting
Mail-in voting has been a largely drama-free affair in Le Sueur County, where 1 in 5 voters cast mail ballots in the 2024 general election. “Some [voters] choose to mail their ballot and some choose to drop it off. It has been kind of the same through the years,” Carol Blaschko, the county’s election administrator, told MinnPost.
AI-enabled building systems avoid reactive fixes: Carrier executive
A major medical services provider achieved near-perfect internal temperature policy compliance, solved 78% of HVAC issues without a technician visit and cut its monthly energy costs by about 6.5% in a large-scale pilot of AI-enabled building controls, a Carrier sales representative said at a healthcare facilities conference.
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Customers participating in Pacific Gas & Electric’s flexible interconnection pilot, which offers expedited hookups for agreeing to have the utility limit their capacity when the system is constrained, have been able to tap the distribution grid for their needed capacity in 90% of hours during its first two years, the program manager told Utility Dive this month.
Some of Minnesota’s reddest counties rely most on mail-in voting
Mail-in voting has been a largely drama-free affair in Le Sueur County, where 1 in 5 voters cast mail ballots in the 2024 general election. “Some [voters] choose to mail their ballot and some choose to drop it off. It has been kind of the same through the years,” Carol Blaschko, the county’s election administrator, told MinnPost.
Trump says mail-in ballots boost Democrats, but some of Minnesota’s reddest counties rely most on remote voting
Mail-in voting has been a largely drama-free affair in Le Sueur County, where 1 in 5 voters cast mail ballots in the 2024 general election. “Some [voters] choose to mail their ballot and some choose to drop it off. It has been kind of the same through the years,” Carol Blaschko, the county’s election administrator, told MinnPost.
Trump grid order likely to cause energy storage delays, cancellations: BloombergNEF Original
The U.S. battery energy storage sector faces more near-term risk than other industries from President Donald Trump’s executive order last week restricting foreign-produced bulk power components, BloombergNEF analysts said in a note Friday. Deployment delays are likely for many grid-scale battery projects as developers await additional guidance from the administration, seek alternative suppliers or redesign projects, according to the BNEF note.
On the Market: Richfield, West St. Paul retail properties
Listen to this article The Blueprint Cedar Point Commons in Richfield is a 9,906-square-foot strip center listed for $4.93 million. The six-unit property is shadow-anchored by a high-performing Target and includes tenants such as Great Clips, Noodles & Company and Xfinity. Doddway Shopping Center in West St. Paul spans 37,984 square feet and is about 10% occupied. The Doddway site offers potential for retail lease-up, repositioning or redevelopment that could incorporate multifamily housing.
Nevada ‘misses an opportunity’ in performance-based DER tariffs: advocate
Nevada utility regulators cleared the way earlier this month for NV Energy to develop two performance-based credit programs for distributed energy resources that provide energy or capacity services during load flexibility events. Under the Energy Grid Services and Capacity Grid Services riders approved Aug.
New Jersey seeks 150 MW of behind-the-meter storage to support VPP
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Eligible customers of Atlantic City Electric, Jersey Central Power & Light, Public Service Electric & Gas and Rockland Electric could receive up to $200/kW per year over a 10-year term to dispatch energy stored in small-scale batteries during periods of grid stress under a procurement proposed last week by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
New Jersey seeks 150 MW of behind-the-meter storage to support VPP
New Jersey seeks 150 MW of behind-the-meter storage to support VPP Tue, August 25, 2026 at 7:35 AM EDT Homes with solar panels in a housing development on April 7, 2026, in Santa Clarita, California. This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter.
Can New York’s biggest electrical utility handle the heat?
On July 2, temperatures in Central Park topped 100 degrees for the first time since 2012, kicking millions of rooftop and window air conditioners into overdrive across the five boroughs. More than 80,000 Con Edison customers lost power during what turned out to be a multi-day stretch of extreme heat, mostly in Queens and the Bronx.
How New York’s biggest electrical utility is responding to high heat, high demand
On July 2, temperatures in Central Park topped 100 degrees for the first time since 2012, kicking millions of rooftop and window air conditioners into overdrive across the five boroughs. More than 80,000 Con Edison customers lost power during what turned out to be a multi-day stretch of extreme heat, mostly in Queens and the Bronx.
Removing emissions-related addenda from Standard 90.1 reflects input, committee members say Original
The next version of the ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1 standard for energy efficiency in new commercial buildings won’t have greenhouse gas-related addenda that were added last year, reflecting a shift among the standards-writing organizations to refocus the standard on its core mission. “Standard 90.1 will maintain its primary focus on energy efficiency and energy cost justified requirements,” AHRAE said in announcing the change last month.
Why Minnesota officials are fighting Xcel electric rate hikes
Ratepayer advocates are urging Minnesota regulators to reconsider allowing Xcel Energy to raise electricity rates over the next two years. They say the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission improperly increased the company's return on equity this summer after a rate case proceeding that began in November 2024. Xcel was among the 40 most profitable publicly listed utilities in 2024 and 2025, according to the Energy and Policy Institute.
Consumer advocates urge state board to reconsider Xcel’s hefty increase Original
Two utility ratepayer advocates urged state regulators to reconsider a June order allowing Xcel Energy to raise its Minnesota electric customers’ rates by about $210 million over the next two years. The average residential customer would see their bill increase by about $5.60 per month.
On the Market: Industrial properties in Inver Grove, St. Cloud
Inverpoint Building 3 features 2,000 amps of electrical power, a 6-inch polished concrete slab, 17 total loading doors (including four drive-ins) and “an open and expansive floorplate” that can accommodate a single or multiple tenancy. (Rendering: Catylist) Listen to this article The Blueprint A 108,000-square-foot light industrial building in Inver Grove Heights is listed near highways 55 and 52. Inverpoint Building 3 features 17 loading doors, 2,000 amps of power and a flexible warehouse layout.
VPP value proposition expands to affordability, reliability and resilience
Successful virtual power plants are reliable distributed resource aggregations that deliver targeted, predictable benefits for distribution or bulk power grids, a group of experts said Tuesday during a webinar organized by the Regulatory Assistance Project. Utilities increasingly see VPPs as affordability levers, too, said Kevin Brehm, who manages RMI’s carbon-free electricity practice.
Occupancy needs, thermal efficiency boost CRE and building system companies: Q2 earnings roundup
The commercial real estate market is performing well under stress due to deep structural demand for well-performing assets across the built environment and the need for comprehensive thermal and electrical management solutions, executives at top service providers and building system manufacturers said during their second-quarter 2026 earnings calls this summer. Two key areas of strength underpinning the commercial real estate market are prime office assets and data centers.
Project Veritas founder dresses in ‘traditional Muslim attire’ in video attacking Minnesota election law
Right-wing political activist James O’Keefe, who stirred controversy in 2020 with allegations of fraud leveled against Minneapolis’ absentee voting process, was back in town last week in time for Minnesota’s primary election. This time, the Project Veritas founder’s target was a more than 50-year-old Minnesota law that allows registered voters to vouch for prospective voters in the same precinct who might otherwise be unable to prove their residency.
2026 Q2 roundup: Utilities emphasize project execution and ratepayer protections
Utilities are still touting their data center pipelines, according to a Utility Dive review of more than two dozen earnings calls, but they are also contending with growing equipment backlogs and public backlash that has analysts questioning their ability to execute on all their projects and recover costs. “Growth remains intact, but affordability is emerging as key constraint,” Shelby Tucker, a U.S. power and utility sector analyst with TD Cowen, wrote in a note last week.
Absent a national standard, Mayo Clinic creates its own safety policy for lithium batteries Original
Faced with an “exponential increase” in lithium battery use at its facilities and limited guidance from national standards-setting organizations, Mayo Clinic developed its own full-lifecycle battery safety protocols that balanced risk and function, four representatives for the nonprofit medical system said at a healthcare facilities conference this month.
Healthcare facility code updates reflect evidence-based findings: life safety expert Original
New requirements for internal communication networks, smoke and carbon monoxide detection equipment, fire alarms, sprinkler systems and lithium-ion batteries are included in the most recent updates to the for healthcare facilities, a Honeywell life safety expert said at a healthcare facilities conference in Minneapolis last week.
On the Market: St. Cloud, Blaine and Minneapolis properties
Listen to this article The Blueprint A four-building St. Cloud office and specialty portfolio is fully occupied by three tenants, with 66% of the space leased through 2033. National Sports Village Building 2 in Blaine offers a 16,998-square-foot, multi-tenant retail opportunity near I-35W. A historic 14-unit multifamily building on Grand Avenue in south Minneapolis features distinctive architecture and off-street parking. This week’s On the Market has something for everyone.
Video gamers give 110-MW Texas solar project a financing boost
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Players of popular video games like NBA 2K26 and PGA Tour 2K25 are providing some of the offtake for a 110-megawatt standalone solar project that recently began commercial operations in Hill County, Texas, two of the companies behind the arrangement said in a July 30 release.
Software-based initiative could unlock up to 20% more bulk capacity: OATI
The company behind 95% of U.S. bulk power transactions is seeking federal funding for PowerNow, an initiative it says could unlock 10% to 20% more transmission capacity without building any new infrastructure. Minnesota-based OATI applied earlier this summer for a portion of the U.S. Department of Energy’s $1.9 billion SPARK program, which aims to fund line reconductoring and other advanced transmission technologies to boost headroom on the bulk grid.
Software-based initiative could unlock up to 20% more bulk capacity: OATI
This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter. The company behind 95% of U.S. bulk power transactions is seeking federal funding for PowerNow, an initiative it says could unlock 10% to 20% more transmission capacity without building any new infrastructure.
ConEd plans 28 new substations by 2035
This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter. Second-quarter electricity sales revenue rose more than 10% year over year at Consolidated Edison Company of New York and Orange & Rockland Utilities, the two electric utility subsidiaries owned by Consolidated Edison, Inc., the New York-based energy firm said on Thursday.
ConEd plans 28 new substations by 2035
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Second-quarter electricity sales revenue rose more than 10% year over year at Consolidated Edison Company of New York and Orange & Rockland Utilities, the two electric utility subsidiaries owned by Consolidated Edison, Inc., the New York-based energy firm said on Thursday.
Pay-as-you-go batteries: ‘One weird trick’ for the distribution grid? Original
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Until about 10 years ago, homeowners seeking reliable backup power had little choice but to shell out thousands of dollars for a professionally installed standby generator. Stationary batteries added a cleaner, fuel-free choice to the mix, but they can be even more expensive to purchase outright than diesel or natural gas generators, putting them out of reach for most middle-class homeowners.
What Minnesota 2026 primary voters are saying at the polls Original
This article will be updated throughout the day with additional voter interviews. A record number of Minnesotans — more than 240,00, by early Tuesday, according to the secretary of state — have already voted, which could propel Minnesota to a turnout record in a non-presidential year.
What Minnesota 2026 primary voters are saying at the polls
This article will be updated throughout the day with additional voter interviews. A record number of Minnesotans — more than 240,000, by early Tuesday, according to the secretary of state — have already voted, which could propel Minnesota to a turnout record in a nonpresidential year.
Experts detail 2027 updates to NFPA Health Care Facilities Code
Experts detail 2027 updates to NFPA Health Care Facilities Code Tue, August 11, 2026 at 6:35 AM EDT Fire fighting equipment in a building. Updates to the National Fire Protection Association's code for hospitals and clinics take effect in 2027. This story was originally published on Facilities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Facilities Dive newsletter.
Minnesota election experts: SAVE America Act would disrupt voting to fix ‘a problem that doesn’t exist’
The set of voter registration reforms known as the SAVE America Act that has become a top political priority of President Donald Trump would impose massive burdens on the people and systems that ensure Minnesota elections operate securely and smoothly – and for unclear benefits – state election officials and experts say.
Sunrun pursues direct-sales transition amid industry headwinds Original
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Sunrun, the United States’ largest provider of third-party-owned residential solar and storage systems, said Wednesday that it saw significant declines in subscriber and capacity additions in the second quarter despite a year-over-year increase in battery attachments. Sunrun’s stock sold off more than 10% after its second-quarter earnings announcement.
On the Market: East metro office and retail properties
Listen to this article The Blueprint A mixed-use office and retail property in St. Paul’s Midway offers below-market office rents and sits within a Qualified Opportunity Zone. Hawthorne Ridge Center in Eagan is a fully leased neighborhood retail center with long-term tenants and a negotiable investment opportunity. Birch Lake Professional Building in White Bear Lake is nearly 90% occupied and includes a seller leaseback to provide stable cash flow.
Video gamers give 110-MW Texas solar project a financing boost
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Players of popular video games like NBA 2K26 and PGA Tour 2K25 are providing some of the offtake for a 110-MW standalone solar project that recently began commercial operations in Hill County, Texas, two of the companies behind the arrangement said last week.
NRG nears 1.2-GW hyperscaler deal amid Texas data center pause
NRG is “aligned on principal commercial terms” with an unnamed “global cloud and AI hyperscaler” for the development of a 1.2-GW combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plant in Texas, the Houston-based independent power producer said Tuesday. The announcement came as NRG reported second-quarter earnings and held a Tuesday call with investors and analysts. NRG President and CEO Robert Gaudette did not go into detail about whether or how the data center interconnection pause announced by Texas Gov.
California DER wholesale market participation could grow 2+ GW from CAISO ‘accounting change’: advocate
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. A revised demand response framework expected from the California Independent System Operator on Aug. 19 could incentivize upwards of 2 GW of behind-the-meter energy resources to participate in the ISO’s wholesale power market, according to Advanced Energy United’s lead regulatory official for the western United States.
Dominion offshore wind project cost rises nearly $300M
This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Dominion Energy estimates its 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project will cost about $11.7 billion when all is said and done, up nearly $300 million from its most recent cost estimate in April, the company said Friday.
Battery-eligible New Jersey VPP program begins to take shape
This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Customer-sited energy storage devices will be among the assets cleared to participate in a two-year, technology-neutral virtual power plant program administered by electric distribution companies in New Jersey beginning next year, the state Board of Public Utilities said in a straw proposal released on July 15.
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