Clean Energy Resource Teams

Our Mission

 
Southwest CERT is staffed by the Southwest Regional Development Commission, and many who participate in the SW CERT do so through the Rural Minnesota Energy Board. The Board came together to address issues surrounding the development of wind and other renewable energy development in Rural Minnesota.

Southwest CERT serves these counties:

• Brown
• Cottonwood
• Jackson
• Lincoln
• Lyon
• Martin
• Murray
• Nobles
• Pipestone
• Redwood
• Rock
• Watonwan

Case Studies

 
Past projects in the Southwest Region

Meeting Notes

 
Visit the Rural Minnesota Energy Board’s Web site for past meeting minutes.

View the meeting notes and presentations from the last SW CERT meeting on Wind Development and Roads, Bridges & Land Use on February 11, 2008 in Windom, MN.

Redwood Falls Wind Development & Land Use Workshop – April 26, 2010

• Meeting Notes
• Introduction & Overview (1.3mb pdf) — Annette Bair, Physical Development Director, SRDC & Southwest CERT Coordinator
• Minnesota State Permitting Process for Large Wind Energy Conversion Systems (1mb pdf) — Larry Hartman & Ingrid Bjorklund, Energy Facility Planning, Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security

Get Involved

 
Meet our staff, attend a meeting, keep up to date, or take action!

• Regional CERT contacts
• Community organizations
• Find events
• Get email updates
• Blog & Press
• See testimonials
• Action campaigns

Project Focus

 
► See list of current funded projects >>

The Southwest Region’s overall goal is to export more renewable energy than energy it imports and consumes—this includes conservation measures to reduce consumption as well as use of renewable energy generated and used locally. The result will be less dependence on foreign sources of energy, a potential for adding value to base resources available in the SW CERT region, and implementing more environmentally friendly energy technologies. This will be accomplished through focus on three objectives:

• Encouraging energy conservation measures, beginning with energy audits.
• Increasing use of biofuels.
• Encourage the development of renewable energy projects.

Presentations

 
Regional Presentations

Publications

Strategic Energy Plan: Each regional team spent considerable time mapping regional energy use and identifying clean energy opportunities in its Regional Strategic Energy Plan. Read all the details on the Regional Plans page.

Other Publications:

• Community Wind Development Handbook
• Model Wind Ordinance and Companion Document
• Renewable Energy & Energy Conservation Guide