Green Buildings Technology Resources
This page starts out by showing you the most recent content from across the CERTs website. Jump to detailed resources.
Buildings are responsible for three quarters of all electricity usage, and about half (48%) of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Green buildings use less energy, are healthier for occupants, and save money.
Green Buildings 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...
Brittney Bray
Mon, 01/23/2012 - 10:31am
Throughout Minnesota, schools are making a conscious effort to promote energy efficiency – both in the classroom and in practice. Now, the Minnesota...
Lissa Pawlisch
Tue, 01/17/2012 - 1:58pm
Local Government PBEEEP is a program offered through the Department Of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources. PBEEEP, which stands for Public...
Green Buildings Case Studies
The Bakken, Minneapolis’ museum of Electricity in Life, is devoted to educating the public about the role of electricity in our lives. Their exhibits...
In a changing community, advances in sustainability are often the result of key individuals who provide the passion, the motivation, the inspiration...
The Hunt Utilities Group (HUG) has been involved with CERTs over the last five years, and is a leader in the research, development and application of...
Upcoming Green Buildings Events
Green Buildings 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
Planning your own projects?
The success of any clean energy project depends on how you plan and utilize community, organizational, and financial resources. This is a place for you and your community members to learn from what others have done and strategize about how to accomplish your own clean energy project goals. 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
Find Companies
The Clean Energy Project Builder is an online directory that will help you find companies to help you plan, implement, and manage your clean energy projects. It’s also a great place to just learn more about companies serving the solar and wind energy industries in Minnesota. You can even save a portfolio of folks to follow up with! Check it out
Green Buildings Reports
Detailed Green Buildings Resources
General Info and Guides
Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide – University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building Research
Web-based guide out of the University of Minnesota that serves as an educational resource and decision support tool for building designers and owners.
Green Remodeling: Tips for Minnesota Homeowners – MN Office of Environmental Assistance
A comprehensive site that takes homeowners and residents through the process of building green, from product choice to financing options.
Green Buildings: Adding environmental features to construction projects
Booklet that describes features and process for their inclusion in the Saint Paul Neighborhood Energy Consortium’s office space in Saint Paul. To contact the Consortium, call (651) 221-4462.
SustAIAnability2030 Toolkit – American Institute of Architects
AIA believes that good design is inquisitive and considers many potential solutions. To that extent, this toolkit asks questions that we invite you to explore and consider the linked resources. The toolkit is divided into three sections: advocacy, design, and community.
The Green Home Guide
Comprehensive resources for residential green building by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Architecture 2030
A bold effort to develop a path for all new buildings to be carbon neutral by 2030.
HOME-SMART – Minnesota Building Industry Foundation
This Web site was created to help resolve and answer Minnesota consumer questions on a variety of topics ranging from choosing a homebuilder to maintenance questions. Two key features are a helpful guide for homeowners and monthly checklists.
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Certification
Minnesota GreenStar Certified Green Homes and Remodeling
Minnesota GreenStar introduces is a new green building standard and certification program for new homes and remodeling.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – U.S. Green Building Council
Green building rating system that uses 50 credits to rate the energy and environmental efficiency of buildings.
Minnesota Green Communities
This initiative is designed to foster the creation of affordable, healthier, and more energy-efficient housing throughout the state of Minnesota. Minnesota Green Communities is a statewide collaboration of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, the Family Housing Fund, and Enterprise.
Passive House Institute U.S.
The Passive House program, started in Germany, pushes the limits of green design by reducing energy usage 90% versus a typical building. The Skyline Home in Duluth used Passive House as a basis.
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Benchmarking
Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) – Nat’l Institute of Standards and Technology
Software program that measures the environmental performance (using the environmental life-cycle assessment approach specified in ISO 14000 standards) and economic performance (using the ASTM standard life cycle cost method) of building materials; (202) 260-1023.
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News
Environmental Building News
Monthly periodical that provides information on environmentally responsible design and construction, including articles about specific products.
U.S. Green Building Council – Minnesota Headwaters Chapter
The local chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Sign up to their chapter email list to keep up to date on Minnesota events.
Clean Energy Resource Teams