Clean Energy Resource Teams

Introduction to Renewable Energy Options & Opportunities
Saturday, July 18, 2009
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (check in after 8:00 a.m.) at Flannery Construction, 1375 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul, MN

Course Description
Introduction to Renewable Energy (RE) technology alternatives and options, including solar PV (electric), solar hot water and space heating, passive solar and active solar hot air heating, wind energy, energy efficiency, RE environmental issues, RE costs, rebates and incentives, finance options, and green and RE career opportunities.

Learn about energy efficiency and why it is important.
Learn how RE impacts the environment.
Learn basics about RE technologies and options, including solar PV (electric), solar hot water and space heating, passive solar and active solar hot air heating, and wind energy systems.
Learn about RE costs; environmental issues; rebates, incentives, and financing options; and RE resources.
Learn about RE installations in Minnesota: lessons learned and success stories.
Explore RE careers and opportunities.

• Cost: $55.00 MRES members; $75.00 non-members
  Click here for more information on joining MRES.

 
Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies

WASHINGTON, DC – June 24, 2009 – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $204 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in ten states. Under DOE’s State Energy Program, states have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is part of the Obama Administration’s national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

“This funding will provide an important boost for state economies, help to put Americans back to work and move us toward energy independence,” said Secretary Chu. “It reflects our commitment to support innovative state and local strategies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while insisting that taxpayer dollars be spent responsibly.”

The following states are receiving 40 percent of their total State Energy Program (SEP) funding authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington.

With today’s announcement, these states will now have received 50 percent of their total Recovery Act SEP funding. The initial 10% of total funding was previously available to states to support planning activities; the remaining 50% of funds will be released once states meet reporting, oversight, and accountability milestones required by the Recovery Act.

Under the Recovery Act, DOE expanded the types of activities eligible for State Energy Program funding, which include energy audits, building retrofits, education and training efforts, transportation programs to increase the use of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles, and new financing mechanisms to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.

The Recovery Act appropriated $3.1 billion to the State Energy Program to help achieve national energy independence goals and promote local economic recovery. States use these grants at the state and local level to create green jobs, address state energy priorities, and adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Transparency and accountability are important priorities for SEP and all Recovery Act projects. Throughout the program’s implementation, DOE will provide strong oversight at the local, state, and national level, while emphasizing with states the need to quickly award funds to help create new jobs and stimulate local economies.

MINNESOTA – $21.7 million awarded today

Minnesota will put its Recovery Act funds to use improving energy efficiency in residential, commercial and government buildings, as well as increasing the amount of renewable energy produced in state. Minnesota will award grants to small, medium, and large businesses to help provide for the design, financing and installation of various energy efficiency improvements and retrofits. The state will also administer grants to work with utilities to develop programs that leverage Recovery Act funds to promote energy efficiency with customers, such as low-interest loans and grants.

Minnesota is also prioritizing community outreach and trainings for energy professionals to ensure broad participation in its SEP programs. For example, the State Energy Information Center will organize Clean Energy Resource Teams comprised of local organizations and citizens to perform outreach and communications about the programs.

After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the state will receive more than $27 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $54 million.

Click here to read the full press release >>

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

 
Two new and helpful publications from the folks at Green For All and the Center on Wisconsin Strategy have just been released.

A Short Guide to Setting Up a City-Scale Retrofit Program provides a model for designing and implementing energy efficiency retrofitting programs on a citywide scale, with a goal of making these retrofits available to more households and providing good, entry-level jobs with career pathways that are accessible to low-income communities and communities of color.

Energy efficiency retrofits of our homes, schools, and workplaces are the first steps to building an inclusive clean energy economy by addressing climate change, putting people in careers, and reducing working families’ energy bills. This guide is a tool for local organizations, business leaders, entrepreneurs, elected officials, and others in cities to use to promote energy efficiency in their communities.

Green for All also produced a helpful pamphlet, Understanding the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, to help advocates influence equitable and successful implementation of the EECBG program.

 
The Minnesota Office of Energy Security is providing periodic updates regarding the federal stimulus in Minnesota. We will be posting these updates on the CERTs blog.

June/July News:

• Cities, counties and Indian tribes eligible for direct formula grants through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program must apply directly to the U.S. Department of Energy no later than June 25, 2009. Our office has partnered with the League of Minnesota Cities, Association of Minnesota Counties and other organizations to help these governments understand the program requirements and process.

• A competitive grant process through the EECBG Program for units of local governments not eligible for direct formula grants is being developed by our office. We expect to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) by September. Our state plan for this program must be submitted to USDOE for this program by June 25, 2009. For additional information visit the EECBG Program section of our website.

• The Office of Energy Security (OES) is currently designing the multiple grant programs that will be funded through the State Energy Program as required by Chapter 138 – Federal Stimulus for Energy Programs. Grant opportunities will begin to be posted on our website in July 2009.

• Approval of the Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program ARRA Draft Plans and the dispersal of the first set of funds are expected in July 2009.

• Stimulus related jobs are now available at OES. The job postings are accessible at the Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) website. Multiple jobs will be available over the next several weeks. Be sure to check often since these jobs will only be posted for a short period of time. To search for jobs at our office, take the following steps:
  • Point your browser to http://www.careers.state.mn.us
  • Click on “search for a job”
  • Under the Department category select “Commerce”
  • At the bottom of the page click on “search”
  • If the search returns no results, there are currently no positions available. Check back frequently as new openings will become available.

May Summary:

• Senate File 657 was passed by the Legislature, and signed by the Governor. Chapter 138 – Federal Stimulus for Energy Programs appropriates stimulus funds to the Office of Energy Security, Minnesota Department of Commerce and directs us to spend stimulus funds on specific programs.

• The State Energy Program ARRA Draft Plan was submitted to USDOE for approval on May 12, 2009. The plan is available on our website.

• The Weatherization Assistance Program ARRA Draft Plan was submitted to USDOE for approval on May 12, 2009. The plan is available on our website.

More information on the stimulus for energy can be found at http://www.energy.mn.gov. If you have questions, please contact us at energy.info@state.mn.us or 800-657-3710.

 

 

CERTs TV

is a new resource where you can view CERTs video clips and news sightings, as well as informative videos and full documentaries produced by CERTs partners! Click here to watch now >>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) contains over $18 billion in energy efficiency funding that qualifying entities (primarily states, cities, and counties) can pursue. The primary objectives of this funding are to build jobs, save energy, and build energy efficiency infrastructure for the longer-term. To accomplish these objectives, the Administration and Congress have placed heavy emphasis on transparency and accountability in the use of ARRA funds.

At the same time, funds must be obligated and expended rapidly, to have a significant effect on economic recovery in the near future. The Rapid Deployment Energy Efficiency (RDEE) Toolkit is being provided to help recipients of ARRA funding meet these objectives and challenges. The RDEE Toolkit provides detailed program design and implementation guides for 10 broadly applicable energy efficiency programs.

We here at CERTs have been posting as often as possible with updates on recovery news and opportunities in Minnesota to try to assist folks—you can click here to see all blog posts related to the recovery. We have the Rapid Deployment Energy Efficiency Toolkit as one of the posts there, and a good first step for folks to take. To go directly to the EPA’s site, click here.

If you are concerned with the allocation of dollars for larger cities and counties in Minnesota, who will deal directly with the Department Of Energy, you can find that information by clicking here. These larger cities and counties will need to be signed up via grants.gov or fed.connect by June 25th.

If you have questions regarding the EECBG program, please contact the EERE Information Center via toll-free phone at 1-877-EERE-INFO (1-877-337-3463). These two links will also prove helpful for larger cities and counties, here and here.

We called the number above to confirm that the smaller towns and counties do not have to sign up—they will deal directly with Minnesota Department Of Commerce, Office of Energy Security through a competitive grant process. Click here to learn more >>.

If you start digging into the RDEET information now and identifying some decent projects using those guidelines, that may be the best way to get ready for the competitive grants coming soon. And keep watching the Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security website for further updates at http://www.energy.mn.gov.

 
Overview: The Executive Committee of the ‘Renewable Energy Marketplace – An Alliance for Talent Development’ (MNREM) is requesting Proposals from businesses and organizations in the 36-county MNREM region. Proposals should present innovative concepts for addressing the talent development needs to transform the region from primarily agriculture-dependent to a knowledge and innovation-based economy that capitalizes on the region’s strength in agriculture and renewable/alternative energy. The ‘Renewable Energy Marketplace – An Alliance for Talent Development’ initiative is one of thirty-nine regional projects throughout the country funded through the United States Department of Labor WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) Initiative. Proposals must address Talent Development or Entrepreneurship/Innovation/Business Growth goals, and one or more outcomes.

Who is eligible to apply? Any legitimate business or organization may apply. Applicants must be based in one of the 36 MNREM counties: Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Waseca, Watonwan, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine.

What can funds be used for?

• Provide job training and related activities to assist workers (including unemployed and employed workers) in gaining skills and competencies needed to obtain or upgrade career ladder employment positions in high growth industries and economic sectors
• Assist in the development and implementation of model activities (such as develop curricula to build core competencies and train workers, identify and disseminate career and skill information, and increase the integration of the education system with activities of business and the public workforce investment system).

Match Requirement: There is no required or prescribed percentage of matching funds for this round of MNREM investments. However, the inclusion of match and/or leveraged resources is required. Match can be in-kind, leveraged resources and/or cash. (See Allowable Use of Funds)

Project Timeline: Full proposals should include starting and ending dates for the project (one-year maximum; to be completed by or before June 30, 2010). Extensions may be considered pending a MNREM-WIRED grant extension from the Department of Labor.

Due Date: Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009.

Click here for full details >>

 
So you’re convinced that NOW is the time to make energy efficiency and renewbale energy improvements and you’ve visited ENERGY STAR to learn about it. But questions still remain, like:

• Can I get a rebate for improvements and purchases in 2008?
• What is included in the $1,500 rebate limit?
• Is there a separate limit for 2009 and 2010, or is it for 2009-2010?

Luckily there is the Tax Incentives Assistance Program, which provides detailed information for consumers, businesses, builders, and manufacturers, including an extremely helpful Frequently Asked Questions page.

Visit http://energytaxincentives.org to dig up answers to your questions on tax incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy today!

CERTs partner The Minnesota Project welcomes you to join us for a 90-Minute Introduction to the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. The webinar is free and will be held on June 25th, 2009 from 1:30-3:00pm CDT. Continue reading to learn more and register to participate on the web or in person.

Agenda

1:30-1:35 – Introduction & Overview: Ryan Stockwell, Clean Energy Program Manager, The Minnesota Project

1:35-1:50 – Implications for Biomass Crop Growers & Users: Joel Tallaksen, Gasification Project Coordinator, University of Minnesota Morris

1:50-2:15 – A State’s Perspective on BCAP: Gary Radloff, Director of Policy and Strategic Communications, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection

2:15-2:30 – Federal Policy & Implementation Issues: Kelly S. Novak, Planning and Analysis, USDA Farm Service Agency

2:30-3:00 – Question & Response Time

Click here to download a flyer and help us spread the word.

About the Biomass Crop Assistance Program

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), created as a key provision in the 2008 Farm Bill, looks to promote the cultivation of perennial bioenergy crops that show exceptional promise for producing highly energy-efficient bioenergy crops that preserve natural resources and that are not primarily grown for food or animal feed.

BCAP will provide financial assistance to any biomass conversion facility or group of producers that contribute to the production of renewable biomass to use as an energy source. BCAP aims to relieve the dependency on commodity crops as an energy source and shift to less strained biomass materials.

The program is currently in the process of environmental assessment and rulemaking, and is projected to begin no earlier than spring 2010. However, the main structure of the statute remains intact and many want to see the program begin sooner—including President Obama—even if just in pilot form. This May, Obama formed an Interagency Biofuels Working Group and issued a directive to USDA Secretary Vilsack to accelerate investment in biofuels.

Register Now!

Space is limited to 200 participants, so register as soon as possible. Click here to register now. Once your registration has been accepted, all of the information you need to participate will be sent to you in a confirmation email.

 
Via Mankato Free Press (Prairie grass slated for biofuel use)

For years, there has been talk and plans for converting grass to energy. Beginning this fall, several groups plan to actually do it. “We wanted to do something on the ground. We already have the fuel and we have an end user in place,” said Neal Feeken, renewable energy coordinator for The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota.

The fuel is on about 300 acres of native or restored prairies in Nicollet, Le Sueur, Sibley and Rice counties, mostly on Department of Natural Resources or U.S. Fish and Wildlife land.

The user is a new biomass power plant in Shakopee being opened by the Mdewakanton Sioux and Rahr Malting. The plant is designed to use a biproduct from the barley malting process, steam and other biomass to produce electricity.

Feeken said their project, being funded with a $20,000 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, will determine the cost of harvesting and delivering the biomass to the plant. By determining what a custom-harvesting business will need to charge per acre and how much a landowner would need to make per acre, Koda will be able to calculate what it will need to charge for the electricity.

But Christopher Anderson, senior media relations manager with the conservancy, said the project is more than just finding ways to help economic activity in rural areas. The conservancy sees it as a way to protect a nearly extinct ecosystem—tallgrass prairies. “Tallgrass prairie are the most endangered ecosystems on earth. Minnesota is down to less than 1 percent of what it had,” Anderson said.

Click here to read the full article >>