CERTs Monthly Update - February 2009
Hello CERT members and friends, and welcome to the February 2009 edition of our Monthly Update!
Last month we did things a little differently by focusing on the Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon website kick-off (www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org).
This month we are going to fiddle with our format once again by focusing on the presentations that were given at our CERTs 2009 Conference, Harnessing Resources & Teamwork for Minnesota’s Future.
We had over 500 people attend the conference in St. Cloud February 10-11th, from as far away as Washington state and Maine, and we hope that some of the presentations and audio now published on the site will give you the resources and inspiration you need to implement clean energy chnges in your community. Click here to explore the presentations and audio from the event >>
Also, please note the link of the month, which focuses on the Stimulus Bill and the incentives available for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades that you can do in your home now.
Regional Highlights & Activities
Statewide
CERTs 2009 Conference a Huge Success! Thanks to the more than 500 people who attended the two-day event. We now have our more than 36 hours of audio and 70 presentations streaming and available for download on the Web site! Click here to explore >>
Central Region
No updates this month.
Metro Region
Energy Efficiency for Landlords & Renters: On February 17, Diana gave a presentation for Landlords and Renters at an event hosted by the Lowry Hills East Neighborhood Association (LHENA). Diana focused on no and low cost weatherization and encouraged a dialogue between renters and landlords about ways to share in the energy savings depending on their specific situations.
Update on “Beat Betty” contest in Shoreview: We have 10 residents of SummerHouse Senior Living Center participating to reduce their energy use in the month of February lower than that of fellow resident Betty. A project of the Shoreview Green Community, a local Sierra Club group, the winners of the competition will be announced at an awards ceremony and potluck in March.
District 10 Home Energy Savings Forum: On February 5, the District 10 Environment Committee in St. Paul held a forum on how to save energy in your home. Steve Youlan, an energy auditor with the Neighborhood Energy Connection, gave a talk on the best measures to save energy in your home. Diana McKeown from Metro CERTs gave a short presentation on how to organize around home energy efficiency. District 0 environment committee members Betti Iwanski and Jess Roberts talked about organizing a pilot project in the Como neighborhood, CHEAP, Como Home Energy Assistance Program. If you would like more info on the Como energy project, please email Betti at biwanski@energyconservatory.com.
Northeast Region
Look for Wind Turbines: Thomas Kurhajetz of Kurhajetz wrote in to remind folks driving on I-35 to check out their two Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) at mile marker 206.05 east side of the north bound lane of Interstate 35.
Duluth Businesses Test Sustainable Approach: Read or listen to this great report from Minnesota Public Radio. Click here >>
Update from NE CERT Coordinator Bill Mittlefehldt:
- Bill presented at the University of Wisconsin Superior campus event, National Teach-In on Climate and Energy Issues. The presentation and discussion focused on solutions to our climate, energy and economic challenges. Students and community leaders shared ideas and processes for responding to these unprecedented challenges.
- Bill was asked to present at the Living Green Conference sponsored by Lake Superior College and EAGLE. Conference presentation was focused on how we can reduce climate harm, increase jobs and decrease the loss of capital by investing in conservation, efficiency and renewables.
- Bill journeyed to Grand Marais and Silver Bay to support local teams engaged in sustainable learning processes. There are a number of exciting projects unfolding in the NE. We hope to design quarterly meetings in these regions to increase the show and tell. The urgency of our climate, energy and economic challenges, make the timing of President Obama’s economic stimulus plan very exciting to local teams with visions and teamwork on the ground.
Northwest Region
No updates this month.
Southeast Region
No updates this month.
Southwest Region
Dan Juhl Keeps up the Good Work: A great article on Dan Juhl’s continued work pioneering community-owned wind in the Star Tribune. Read full article >>
West Central Region
Kandiyohi County gives wind energy a vote of support: The article in the West Central Tribune written by Anne Polta highlighted that a local wind energy group has received a resolution of support from the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners, a move that will allow it to go forward as a community-based energy development project. The County Board adopted the resolution Tuesday on behalf of Lake Country Wind Energy. The project already has 64 landowners in eastern Kandiyohi County and western Meeker County who have committed 16,500 acres for wind towers, said Steve Bergo, chairman of the Lake Country Wind Energy advisory board and a rural Grove City farmer. Community investors and supporters also have pledged nearly $1.4 million worth of capital for developing the project, Bergo told the County Board on Tuesday. “The response has been tremendous,” he said. “Roughly, we’ve been estimating a two- to three-year development time frame,” Bergo said. The plan calls for about 170 wind turbines that will power up to 340 megawatts of energy.
Link of the Month
Stimulus Bill Clean Energy savings!
With expanded and enhanced tax credits and other incentives from the recent federal stimulus bill, NOW is the time to do energy efficiency upgrades on your home and install the renewable energy system of your dreams!
With deals like 30% off the cost of your residential solar (PV & hot water) and wind turbine or $1500 for energy efficiency upgrades, how could you go wrong?
Action Alerts
Check out CERTs 2009 Conference presentations & audio!
We have just finished posting over 36 hours of audio and 70 expert presentations to the CERTs Web site, all available for you to stream or download! This will be a good chance to look back on what you learned at the event, and find out what you missed.
Clean Energy Resource Teams