Clean Energy Resource Teams

In April 2008, the Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) received over 90 submissions for this year’s Request for Proposals to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. This represents nearly a twofold increase in the amount of proposals submitted for spring of 2008, and attests to the tremendous wealth of clean energy projects happening in communities across the state.

Each of the six greater Minnesota steering committees (NE, NW, Central, WC, SW, SE) reviewed the proposals submitted in their region, and through a rigorous process selected 37 projects that highlight a variety of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. CERTs staff wish to commend our steering committee members for all the hard work and many hours of volunteer time they put into this effort.

Dan Thiede live-blogs this session at the Minnesota Green Communities third annual statewide GREEN BY DESIGN Conference

R.T. Rybak highlights Minneapolis and Minnesota steps toward green development, and gets us all fired up, Ellen Anderson discusses legislative intiatives and the merging of economic and social justice issues with energy issues, and Van Jones talks about building a green economy for all.

Dan Thiede live-blogs this session at the Minnesota Green Communities third annual statewide GREEN BY DESIGN Conference. View all conference presentations here.

Facilitator: Dane Smith, Growth & Justice, former Star Tribune writer
Panelists: Ellen Anderson, Senator, State of Minnesota | Edward A. Garvey, MN Office of Energy Security, Department of Commerce | Barb Thoman, Transit for Livable Communities

The panel will review the recommendations of the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group, provide updates on policy actions responding to those recommendations, and discuss their implementation. There will be plenty of time for discussion!

Dan Thiede live-blogs this session at the Minnesota Green Communities third annual statewide GREEN BY DESIGN Conference. View all conference presentations here.

Presenters: Russ Adams, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability | John Bailey, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund | Michael Haynes, Green Broker & Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota | Lynn Hinkle, Retired UAW leader, Ford Plant Green Redevelopment | Karen Monahan, Sierra Club & EJAM

How can Minnesota Communities continue to grow and develop while maintaining a low carbon footprint?

Dan Thiede live-blogs this session at the Minnesota Green Communities third annual statewide GREEN BY DESIGN Conference. View all conference presentations here.

Facilitator: William Weber, UMN Center for Sustainable Building Research
Panelists: Kim Bretheim, LHB | William Freitag, Wilcon Construction | Rick Goodemann, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership | Matthew Hendricks, Aeon | Rick Klun, Center City Housing Corporation

Dan Thiede live-blogs this session at the Minnesota Green Communities third annual statewide GREEN BY DESIGN Conference. View all conference presentations here.

Presenters: Brad Kruse, Weis Builders (Contractor) | Gretchen Camp, BKV Group (Architect) | Heather Gay, Kandiyohi Development Partners (Consultant) | Joel Salzer, Lutheran Social Service of MN (Owner)

Phil Smith, Energy Specialist at the Minnesota Office of Energy Security, MN Department of Commerce, answers a question from a Southeastern Minnesota resident preparing to re-shingle her roof

The Question

“I’m adding insulation to the attic of an older farmhouse and am getting conflicting advise regarding the need to insure adequate ventilation in the attic or develop an envelope in the attic that supposedly removes the need to provide adequate ventilation. I will be re-shingling the roof next year and read that the shingle warranties require adequate attic ventilation. What do you recommend? Thanks for whatever help you can provide.”

The Answer

The very first measure that should be presented to you really is one of air sealing the attic.

 
The Metro CERTs Network Kick-off on April 15th was attended by over 200 people, from elected officials to community members—and everyone in between! It was held at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul, where the main room was buzzing with conversation.

There was good energy, and many great connections made. “It was a very well done get together and I think very beneficial to everyone. You did a great job,” said Ruth Keely. Brian Flanagan felt much the same way: “Great venue last night. Good group of people—excellent for networking. The Food was outstanding; I hope you have more get togethers!” We even dubbed the King and Queen of networking, Beth Bennett and John Dunlop.

The Duluth Energy Design Conference held February 26 and 27, 2008, at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, offered 27 sessions per day for conference attendees to learn a vast array of green building techniques, small business practices, alternative energy technologies, construction financing methods, and storm water management principles. One speaker told audience members how to calculate their carbon footprints, and then once the footprint is known, how to reduce it.