CERTs Blog
Bringing you news about clean energy projects and opportunities happening across the state
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Matt Kazinka - LEDC
02/03/2012 - 4:33pm
For restaurant owners like Lorenzo Ariza, energy costs can make the difference between profit and loss any given month. “Every time I looked at my expenses, I wondered how I could reduce them,” says Ariza, who has owned Salsa a la Salsa Restaurant in Minneapolis since 2002. “I thought that energy expenses were impossible to lower.”
Now, Ariza is one of the first Latino business owners using the services of the new Green Initiative of the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), where he is learning about ways to operate his business more efficiently and ecologically-friendly. LEDC has identified a high demand among business owners for information about how they can make their businesses more “green” and save energy and money. With support from the City of Minneapolis’s Great Streets Program, the staff of LEDC has been conducting a survey of...
Abby Finis
01/27/2012 - 11:08am
Construction workers from Raymond, Willmar and the surrounding area have benefited from steady work provided through a partnership with the Heartland Community Action Agency. Using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the agency recruited construction workers for jobs with Minnesota’s Weatherization Assistance Program. The result has increased the quality and scope of weatherization work in the area while giving it an economic boost.
Click here to download the case study >>
This case study was created by the Minnesota Division of Energy Resources, Department of Commerce. Click here to see other success stories.
Joel Haskard
01/24/2012 - 5:26pm
As we kick off 2012, we are excited to announce the projects awarded CERTs seed grants in each of the seven Minnesota CERTs regions. Each region awarded $10,000 worth of seed grants, catalyzing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state. The funding is provided by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.
There were 27 seed grants awarded in total, across a broad spectrum of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Many projects also include components of education, outreach and community building, and research. Read on for all of the details! Thanks to everyone who submitted a proposal. To learn more about past funded projects, our CERTs-Supported Projects page.
Download a PDF with all projects >>...
Dan Thiede
01/23/2012 - 12:58pm
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.
The REAP program is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and meet the nation’s critical energy needs. For 2012, USDA has approximately $25.4 million in budget authority available to fund REAP activities, which will support at least $12.5 million in grants and approximately $48.5 million in guaranteed loans.
USDA is accepting the following applications:
Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and...
Brittney Bray
01/23/2012 - 10:31am
Throughout Minnesota, schools are making a conscious effort to promote energy efficiency – both in the classroom and in practice. Now, the Minnesota Department of Education is partnering with the U.S. Department of Education to recognize these schools with the newly launched Green Ribbon Schools program.
The program seeks to highlight schools across the nation who are working every day to set a great example by saving energy and reducing operating costs, creating environmentally friendly learning spaces, promoting student health and providing environmental education to incorporate sustainability into the curriculum.
To be considered for the program, a school will have achieved or made considerable progress toward the three pillars established in the program:
energy efficient buildings;
healthy students and school environment; and
environmental literacy of all graduates....
Brittney Bray
01/19/2012 - 1:19pm
This Fairmont Sentinel Article was originally posted by Jodelle Greiner, staff writer on December 30 2011.
Sites are being prepared for 18 turbines between Guckeen and Blue Earth, which will make up the The Big Blue Wind Farm. The work is set to be completed in 2012. Fagan Inc. already has been hard at it to make it happen.
When you’re building wind turbines, you have to do a lot to prepare the ground to hold those large structures, says Dustin Shively, project engineer with Exergy Development Group of Idaho.
The Big Blue Wind Farm will have 18 turbines between Guckeen and Blue Earth, north of County Road 16. The work is set to be completed in 2012. Fagan Inc. already has been hard at it to make it happen.
Already done is grading roads...
Julia Eagles
01/18/2012 - 8:04am
Want to save energy in your multifamily building but need some tools and support? Look no further! EnergyScoreCards Minnesota is a two-year effort to implement energy benchmarking and monitoring at hundreds of multifamily buildings in Minnesota. And did we mention participation is free?
This pilot project is taking place in Xcel Energy and CenterPoint service territories in the Twin Cities, as well as in the cities of Austin, Mankato, Owatonna, Rochester, and St. Cloud.
The project aims to demonstrate the benefits of energy tracking to multifamily owners, property managers and tenants in reducing utility spending, energy and water consumption and carbon emissions. Participants will receive up to two years of free access to the EnergyScoreCards tool—a premier online service to help multifamily building owners reduce utility...
Dan Thiede
01/17/2012 - 6:29pm
On January 11, 2012 CERTs was joined by over 150 Minnesotans to tour Silicon Energy’s new solar PV manufacturing facility in Mt. Iron.
Several educational speakers filled us in on the rising importance and presence of solar energy on the Iron Range and across the state, followed by a presentation and tour from president Gary Shaver and lots of networking time.
Here’s what the agenda looked like:
Welcome & Introductions – Joel Haskard & Bill Mittlefehldt, CERTs
Commissioner’s Remarks – Commissioner Tony Sertich, IRRRB
Local Utility Incentives for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy – Tina Koecher, Minnesota Power; Tanuj Gulati & Tyler Barrell, Energy Management Solutions/Mt. Iron Municipal Utility; Leo Wilenius, Lake Country Power
Senator’s Remarks – Senator David J. Tomassoni, Minnesota Senate
Mayor’s...
Lissa Pawlisch
01/17/2012 - 1:58pm
Local Government PBEEEP is a program offered through the Department Of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources. PBEEEP, which stands for Public Buildings Enhanced Energy Efficiency Program, addresses energy efficiency in public buildings across Minnesota through a targeted recommissioning/ retrocommissioning (RCx) and retrofit project focus.
Energy affecting and energy consuming equipment, systems, and operations practices are evaluated to identify energy conservation opportunities that result in cost savings for the Local Government Unit (LGU). The majority of projects will follow a 4-phase project process: screening, investigation, implementation, and verification. A key component of PBEEEP is that the program provides LGUs access to project funding through a combination of co-funding and lease-purchase financing without the need...
Joel Haskard
01/17/2012 - 10:00am
States and communities are increasingly investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy to achieve their air quality, economic, and energy goals. In doing so, they have found that the up-front costs of improving energy efficiency and increasing renewable energy generation can be a barrier for many homeowners, building owners, and businesses. One way to address these barriers is by adopting clean energy financing programs that can make efficiency and renewable energy more affordable for these sectors.
EPA’s State and Local Climate and Clean Energy Program is supporting these efforts with the launch of a new online Financing Program Decision Tool and a Financing Program Decision Guide.
Here are the details:
The Financing Program Decision Tool is designed for state and local staff in the early...
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