Utilities Project Planning Resources
This page starts out by showing you the most recent content from across the CERTs website. Jump to detailed resources.
Browse the links below to learn more about the utilities that serve Minnesota and the programs they offer. You should contact your utility to find out more about their programs and how they apply to your needs.
Utilities Blog Posts
Joel Haskard
Tue, 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...
Brittney Bray
Thu, 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...
Brittney Bray
Mon, 01/09/2012 - 2:47pm
This Midwest Energy News article was originally posted by on January 6, 2012 by Dan Haugen.
After a slow spring and summer, Dan Williams was busy this fall. The solar installer climbed rooftops across the Twin Cities in response to demand from a...
Utilities Case Studies
Keeping costs low is a constant concern for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Nonprofits might be excluded from having to pay taxes, but they don’t escape energy costs just like every other business. In fact, since nonprofits tend to struggle with cashflow, investing in energy efficiency can be more difficult for them than for their for-profit...
Minnesota Power’s Solar Sense program has not only participated in 13 solar installations since May 2004. They also have created a training program for installing and inspecting grid-connected solar photovoltaic electric systems.
Upcoming Utilities Events
in St. Paul
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Utilities 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 Utilities
Getting Started
Conservation Improvement Program (CIP): Each electric and natural gas utility in Minnesota is required to develop its own Conservation Improvement Plan to raise awareness about energy conservation, to reduce residential and business utility bills, to generate research and development of efficient technologies, and to promote new energy resource development. Learn more by reading our CIP FAQ and by visiting the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Info Center.
Energy Data & Statistics: The Minnesota Department of Commerce collects information from a wide variety of sources. Learn more here.
Green Pricing refers to an option that all Minnesota utilities must offer their customers who want to purchase power from renewable sources. Learn more here.
MN Regulation: To learn more about the regulation of Minnesota electric and gas utilities, visit the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
Residential Energy Use Behavior Change Pilot – Franklin Energy, April 2009
This project was funded through an applied conservation research and development grant from the Minnesota Office of Energy Security (OES). The objective of this research study is to gather, analyze, and present the information necessary for OES and state utilities to move forward with a solid plan for piloting residential energy use behavior change programs as part of their Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) efforts. The end goal of this effort is to help Minnesota utilities better understand how to accelerate energy savings from changes in residential energy-use behavior. This goal includes recognizing the implementation challenges of these programs as well as their cost effectiveness on a dollar per kWh saved basis. By evaluating published studies on energy-use behavior change interventions and in conversations with industry participants, the research team was able to identify evidence as to the variety and effectiveness of behavior change programs and pilots. Also see the accompanying presentation >>
National and Regional Associations
American Public Power Association
American Public Gas Association
Midwest Independent System Operator
Municipal Utilities and Power Agencies
Heartland Consumers Power District
Minnesota Municipal Power Agency
Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association
Minnesota Rural Electricity Association
Missouri River Energy Services (Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency)
Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency
Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency – A project by the Missouri River Energy Services.
Cooperative Utilities
Basin Electric Power Association
East River Electric Power Co-op
Investor-Owned Utilities
Alliant Energy – Interstate Power
Natural Gas Utilities
Alliant Energy – Interstate Power
Great Plains Natural Gas Company
Minnesota Energy Resources (formerly Aquila Inc dba Peoples Natural Gas – MN & Northern MN Utilities)
Clean Energy Resource Teams