Civic Organizations Project Planning Resources
This page starts out by showing you the most recent content from across the CERTs website. Jump to detailed resources.
Communities across Minnesota are recognizing the importance of adopting community-wide energy conservation and renewable energy programs. These programs can help manage energy costs, as well as reduce the production of emissions. A program designed by your community, specifically for your community’s needs, will receive wide support and provide benefits across all sectors, strengthening your local economy and creating jobs. You are the people you’ve been waiting for, so get started!
Civic Organizations Blog Posts
Dan Thiede
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 9:24am
CERTs is pleased to announce that next Monday, May 21st we will open a request for proposals (RFP) for technical assistance to catalyze community energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. So stay tuned for that announcement, or sign up for...
Dan Thiede
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 8:04am
Before your calendar starts filling up for February 2013, we want to make sure you mark off February 20-21, 2013 (a Wednesday and Thursday) so that you can join us for the fifth biennial Clean Energy Resource Teams statewide conference!
What can...
Julia Eagles
Thu, 05/10/2012 - 1:54pm
Over 100 community members from around the Metro region gathered for Metro CERT’s fifth annual spring resource and networking event on Wednesday, April 18th, 2012! Click here to see the full agenda.
Kicking Things Off: City Councilmember Gary...
Civic Organizations Case Studies
Plenty of us have imagined the ideal sustainable community: Greenhouses attached to every house, growing your own fruits and vegetables, knowing our neighbors, and being able to take a short walk to shops and entertainment. Hunt Utilities Group (HUG) in Pine River, MN is trying to make the idea of resilient living a reality with a number of research...
With a vast agricultural industry and resources spread over fields and acres, how do you measure the true renewable energy resources of Minnesota? The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and partners in Southern MN have been working on populating a template to capture the renewable energy potential of their communities.
The Bakken, Minneapolis’ museum of Electricity in Life, is devoted to educating the public about the role of electricity in our lives. Their exhibits cover every aspect of electricity from our own brain function to the inner workings or our televisions. Since its founding in the 1970s the mission has been to “inspire a passion for science and its...
Upcoming Civic Organizations Events
Civic Organizations Event Highlights
Funding & Financing Opportunities
There are various opportunities for funding and financing any clean energy project. CERTs offers a list of funding opportunities currently available in the fields of energy and the environment. Start exploring now! Learn more
Looking for technology resources?
If you’re looking to learn more about a specific technology, like energy efficiency, solar, or wind, we have what you’re looking for. Our technology resources include everything from basic introductions and frequently asked questions to CERTs case studies to recent reports and organizations that can help you go deeper. Learn more
CERTs Supported Projects
CERTs awards mini-grants to community groups for energy efficiency and clean energy projects across Minnesota. We awarded grants in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. The average amount is $5,000. We have descriptions and maps of all of the projects that we’ve funded. Check them out to see what folks are doing! See projects
Detailed Resources for Civic Organizations
Community Strategy
The Clean Energy-Environment Municipal Network – US EPA
The Network is an informational resource network that supports local governments’ efforts to use clean energy strategies to advance community priorities.
Smart Communities Network: Creating Energy Smart Communities – Nat’l Center for Appropriate Technology
Resources and information to help communities get started with energy planning and community-wide energy conservation. Focuses on energy conservation programs, benchmarking and reducing greenhouse gases, and community involvement in energy management. Includes studies of successful community projects.
Under Development: Helpful Tools and Techniques for Local Planning – Minnesota Planning
This report provides information on local planning and includes several sections on energy.
Guide to Developing a Community Energy Program – Rocky Mountain Institute
Provides a systematic approach to community involvement in building a sustainable energy future.
Clean Energy Projects You Can Do Now! – CERTs
Organizations
Community Energy Association
This British Columbia-based organization provides information and tools for local governments to facilitate community energy planning. Includes background on basic concepts, outlines strategies, and demonstrates case studies.
Rural Minnesota Energy Board
RMEB is a Joint Powers of 17 counties in southern Minnesota; formed to provide policy guidance on issues surrounding energy development in rural Minnesota.
Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED)
C-BED works toward renewable energy development in a way that optimizes local economic development and environmental benefits.
Tools
Step-by-Step Project Planning Guide – Northwest Community Energy
This guide runs the gambit of community energy project development: (1) Project scope & plan, (2) Typical project phases, (3) Cost management, (4) Risk management, (5) Procurement, and (6) Professional Assistance. They also have a nice primer on community energy for community groups.
Community Energy Planning Toolkit – Community Energy Association
Though this resource is focused on British Columbia, it provides many helpful models for practical community-based energy development.
Residential Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Incentives in Minnesota – Office of Energy Security
This one-page document is a handy overview of all incentives offered by the state of Minnesota for residential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. It includes links to more information.
Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) fact sheet – CERTs
Duluth Green House Gas Inventory & Forecast Report – City of Duluth
Recommendations of Duluth’s Local Action Plan, October 2001. Details the Cities for Climate Protection program goal-setting and inventory process.
Clean Energy Resource Teams