Mission & Focus Areas

OUR MISSION

The Clean Energy Resource Teams connect individuals and communities in Minnesota to the resources they need to identify and implement community-based clean energy projects.

We define clean energy as energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy. Clean energy also includes better transportation, economic development, innovations to our energy system, the energy we don't use, and it's about community. See what we mean when we say "clean energy."

HOW WE WORK

We meet people where they are

No matter where they live and work in Minnesota or where they are along their clean energy journey.

Filling bags with energy efficiency resources

We convert learning into doing

Our pragmatic, cooperative, and unbiased approach gets people up to speed, connected, and ready to act.

We strive toward inclusive access

We work to create opportunities for engagement and participation in clean energy for everyone.

OUR IMPACT

$1.98+ MILLION

awards in CERTs Seed Grants to 509 clean energy projects since 2006.

1.6 MILLION

people impacted through grants, events, and programs since 2009.

769 BILLION

BTUs of energy savings, which is nearly $9.4 million in energy costs since 2010.

More highlights from CERTs work

Spotlight on 2025

7 MINNESOTA REGIONS

CERTs staff and steering committee members work and live across the seven regions of Minnesota. They engage communities within their regions and inform our statewide work with their findings.

Central Region

Staff:

Heidi Auel
Central CERT Coordinator
[email protected]

Steering Committee:

BJ Allen, JBJ World
Maren Butenhoff, Crosslake community member
Amy Collins, Missouri River Energy Services
Jane Eastes, Lakes Country Service Cooperative
Jon Fabre, Otter Tail Power Company
Gwe Gasco, 8th Fire Solar
Bridget Guiza, White Earth Tribal College
Steve Jorgenson, Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership board
Mark Kaelke, West Central Initiative Foundation
Charlie Lippert, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Molly Zins, U of M Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership

Metro Region

Staff:

Diana McKeown
Metro CERT Director
612-278-7158
[email protected]

Steering Committee:

Kessa Andrews, Center for Energy and Environment; MPA Student in Sustainability
Melody Arteaga, Community Organizer
Sally Bauer, Hennepin County
Jamila Boudlali, City of Bloomington
Carmen Carruthers, Citizens Utility Board
Olivia Dorow Hovland, City of Coon Rapids
Emma Ingebretsen, CenterPoint Energy
Denise Lindom, MN Department of Commerce
Annie Pottorff, City of St. Louis Park
Gerardo Roca, Center for Energy and Environment
Bill Sierks, Retired Environmental Manager & Attorney
Sofia Troutman, Xcel Energy
Kerry Wang, Nextera Analytics
Billy Weber, William Weber Consulting, LLC
Say Yang, Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy

Northeast Region

Staff:

Nik Allen
Northeast CERT Coordinator
218-726-6480
[email protected]

Steering Committee:

David Abazs, U of M Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
Karola Dalen, St. Louis County Administration
Sam Friesen, owner, sustainable design+build company
Brad Gawboy, Pulsar Helium/ Yobwag Energy
Emily Heiken, Minnesota Power/ALLETE
Barbara Jones, Ely Climate Group
Cameron Kadlubowski, Ecolibrium3
Chris O’Brien, Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP)

Northwest Region

Staff:

Anna Peterson
Northwest CERT Coordinator
218-281-8697
[email protected]

Steering Committee:

Chet Bodin, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Sami Holm, Headwaters Regional Development Commission
Dan Juhl, Hybrid Renewables; SolarBank
Jordan Lutz, Bemidji State University
Aaron Sigette, Otter Tail Power Company
Shannon Stassen, UMN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
Cedar Walters, West Central Initiative
Taylor Wyum, Crookston Housing Development Authority

Southeast Region

Staff:

Jennifer Lindahl
Southeast CERT Coordinator
507-258-8771
[email protected]

Steering Committee:

Jennyffer Barrientos, Growing Up Healthy (Northfield)
Sabri Fair, Region Nine Development Commission
Melissa Feine, Semcac
Brian Hammarsten, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA)
Lauren Jensen, Destination Medical Center (DMC)
Annie Jurrens, Refill Goods
Michelle Marotzke, Cities of Preston and Lanesboro
Mark Oeltjenbruns, AgriSun Energy and Repair
Briana Parr-Baker, Minnesota Valley Action Council
Andi Sutton, UMN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships

Southwest Region

Staff:

Nadya Bucklin
Southwest CERT Coordinator
[email protected]

Steering Committee:

John DeCramer, retired engineer
Todd Draper, Lyon County Commissioner, Rural Minnesota Energy Board (RMEB)
Cora Hoffer, Center for Rural Affairs
Gene Metz, Nobles County Commissioner, Rural Minnesota Energy Board (RMEB)
Vince Robinson, Development Services, Inc.
Brianna Sanders, City of St. James
Logan Schrader, Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence
Harold Stanislawski, Agriculture Utilization and Research Institute (AURI)

West Central Region

Staff:

Imani Emenyonu
West Central CERT Coordinator
320-203-6050
[email protected]

Steering Committee:

Talitha Anderson, City of Morris and The Morris Model
Syd Bauer, Morris Transit, Stevens County Organics, West-Central MN Climate Network, Mask Up Morris
Clovis Curl, Clean Up the River Environment (CURE)
Pete Kennedy, West Central Research and Outreach Center
Richard B. Kenfack Metangmo, Tri-County Action Program (Tri-CAP)
Rachel Mitchell, Center for Energy and Environment
Griffin Peck, West Central Initiative
Kalley Pratt, Youth Eco Solutions (YES!)
Chris Toenjes, Missouri River Energy Services

WE PROVIDE

Hands-on support

For cities, counties, utilities, farmers, businesses, and organizations looking to make a change. We offer unbiased technical assistance with the right staff expertise and connections to help you.

Practical steps to clean energy

Resources to get started, move forward, and complete projects.

Learning opportunities

To help others participate in the clean energy transition with the Community Energy Ambassadors program.

WE SUPPORT

your community-led clean energy ideas with CERTs Seed Grants, technical assistance for PACE and other financing opportunities, and tools to help you find the right incentives to pay for the projects your ideas produce.

Pay for Your Projects

WE ENGAGE

Stories
Discover the people across Minnesota who are solving problems with clean energy solutions.
Events
Find webinars, conferences, and gatherings where you can learn more about clean energy and connect with others.
Job Board
Explore the ongoing opportunities you could pursue in a clean energy energy career.