West Central

West Central CERT Region

Our Mission

 
West Central CERT wants to fundamentally change the way energy is produced and consumed in its region’s communities and across the state. Its overarching vision is to use local resources to make both the region and the state energy self-sufficient. Much of the team’s efforts have focused on how to provide better education to the general public on each of their project priorities. This approach has led the team to develop projects that focus on demonstration, applied research and educational initiatives within each focal area.

Read the current West Central Update >>

“CERTs is a tool for all of our communities to actually start implementing renewable systems and discussion.”
Michael Reese, Renewable Energy Coordinator,
UofM West Central Outreach Center

“Renewable energy is a rapidly developing field. It is hard for the average school administrator or engineer to keep up to speed on what is available in the way of grants and other financial initiatives. CERTs knew that we were looking at biomass as an option. They informed us of the grant and encouraged us to apply. We still have a lot of work to do to get the system installed. As we progress, it is good to know that CERTs will be there as an informational resource.”
Stan Simon, Engineer,Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Public Schools—recently awareded $343,000 by MN DEED to install a wood chip and corn cob burning school heating system

West Central CERT serves these counties:

Case Studies

 
Past projects in the West Central Region

Meeting Notes

Get Involved

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

Project Focus

 
► See list of current funded projects >>

WC CERT is working primarily to implement projects in wind and biomass coordination linked to education; education on hydrogen, geothermal and solar technologies; conservation coordination and demonstration; and biogas coordination of pilot projects coupled with education.

Presentations

 
Regional Presentations

Renewable Energy Basics
West Central CERT Renewable Energy Basics Presntation
1.4 mb
PowerPoint | PDF

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.

WC Wind Resource Maps:

Other Publications:

 
 
 

Local Contact

Jeff

Jeff Vetsch
SW & WC CERTs Coordinator
112 Norwood Street Southwest
New London, MN 56273
jeff@cleanenergyresourceteams.org
320-212-4405

CERT Coordinators

Lissa

Melissa Pawlisch
CERTs Statewide Coordinator
UMN RSDP
pawl0048@umn.edu
612-624-2293

Joel

Joel Haskard
CERTs Co-coordinator
UMN RSDP
haska004@umn.edu
612-625-8759

Steering Committee

  • John Baumgartner, Baumgartner Environics
  • Bob Bonawitz, WC RSDP Board & Willmar Utility Commission
  • Cheryl Glaeser, Southwest Initiative Foundation
  • Troy J. Goodnough, University of Minnesota-Morris
  • Jennifer Gruis, Swift County RDA
  • Dawn Hegland, Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission
  • Orville D. Moe, Citizen & Energy Expert
  • Randy Nelson, Prairie Country RC&D
  • Steve Nelson, Environmental Well & Septic
  • Duane Ninneman, Clean Up the River Environment
  • John Paulson, City of Hutchinson
  • Dorothy Rosemeier, West Central Regional Partnership
  • Sandi Sportelli, Great River Energy
  • Dan Tepfer, Kandiyohi Power Cooperative
  • Steve Wagner, USDA – ARS
  • Chuck Walters, West Central Regional Partnerships board

Advisory Committee

  • Duaine Flanders, Greenwood Resources Innovative Ventures
  • Curt Kreklau, Minnesota Agroforestry Coop
  • Mike Reese, UM West Central Research & Outreach Center
  • Dean Schmidt, WesMin RC&D
  • Becky West, League of Women Voters

West Central CERT Operating Procedures


Regional Community Organizations

This map shows Minnesota grassroots community organizations with a focus on energy efficiency and/or renewable energy. Connect with them today to get involved in your region of the state!

Scroll through the list of organizations on the right until you come to your region, then click on groups to learn more about them. Visit their website, email them, or call them to get in touch. Use the map controls on the top left to move around and zoom.

Tell us about other groups that are not on the map >>