Release Date:
02/04/2010
MinnPost.com: Story by Mark Neuzil
More than $200,000 in state grants will be given away to 23 high schools, colleges and universities as part of a plan to reduce carbon output in schools.
The awards, for 19 projects, come from the Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon (MnSCC) Project and are provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
According to a press release from MnSCC, projects range from making energy improvements such as energy efficient lighting and motion sensors; installing renewable energy projects including solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems; increasing recycling and composting; reducing paper use and food waste; supporting community greenhouse production of local foods; and increasing sustainable transportation options by encouraging walking, biking, carpooling and bus riding to school. Schools from all across the state are involved.
Student teams do the work, led by teachers and building operators. A complete list of the awards and schools is here.
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The Clean Energy Resource Teams are a joint program of the University of Minnesota Regional
Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Southwest Regional Development Commission, the Minnesota
Project, Minnesota Department of Commerce, and the Green Institute. The CERTs program brings together
team members from diverse backgrounds including farmers, utility representatives, state and federal
government staff, educators and academics, small business owners, members of non-profit and environmental
groups as well as individuals interested in energy issues. Together they work to identify and implement
community-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state. Major funding is
provided by Minnesota Department of Commerce, The Blandin Foundation, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
University of Minnesota Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment, University of Minnesota
Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, and U.S. Department of Energy.
