News

Our warmer weather months in Minnesota are a great time to assess how you can make a difference in your energy use, whether it's in the place you call home, the place where you work, or the place you spend time with your community. What could you do differently to save energy?

Introducing a Free Course for Community-Serving Facilities by the Clean Energy Group

The MN Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, is accepting applications for jurisdictions for the SolarAPP+ Solar Permitting Software.

Paid five-week in-person training to receive a credential in Building Science Principles. 

The League each year honors the special achievements of cities and city leaders with the City of Excellence Awards, C.C. Ludwig Award, James F. Miller Leadership Award, and Sustainable City Award.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget, along with other partners, are compiling information to help organizations learn more about elective pay tax credits. 

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks proposals to provide financial assistance to developers and producers of ultraefficient vehicles that use proprietary technology. 

The Large Building Energy Benchmarking program is a state-wide program aimed at increasing energy efficiency, decreasing operating costs and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector. This program requires owners of large commercial and multifamily properties to submit whole-building energy usage annually to the State of Minnesota. 

Minnesota GreenCorps is now accepting applications from organizations interested in hosting an AmeriCorps member for the 2025-2026 program year. Applications are due March 12.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks proposals from qualified applicants throughout Minnesota for the Electric School Bus Grant Program.

The Department of Commerce will administer $1.08M in grants to local governments across Minnesota to examine the technical and economic feasibility of installing geothermal energy systems.  

Continuing to move Minnesota clean energy projects forward in 2025.

The Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships within the University of Minnesota Extension has several opportunities to support community-university partnerships this year!

The MN Department of Commerce will accept readiness assessments for round one funding though Feb. 10, 2025.

Minnesota Technical Assistance Collaborative's new resources include a grant portal and assistance directory.
 

Metro CERT is excited to welcome five new community and clean energy leaders to our steering committee! 

CERTs welcomes a second AmeriCorps member, Cole Felton (he/they), to Metro CERT at Great Plains Institute!
 

CERTs announces a pilot cohort program to advance clean energy projects across Minnesota. This inaugural initiative is part of the Community Energy Ambassadors program, where volunteers help people in their communities understand clean energy opportunities.

The MPCA is seeking proposals to distribute $3 million for projects to reduce climate pollution and prepare Minnesota communities for climate change. 

Applications are open for the Minnesota Department of Commerce Electric School Bus Grant Program through Dec. 17, 2024.

Meet Pamela Gray, an undergraduate student joining the CERTs Statewide Office team as a Student Communications Assistant. 

Metro CERT welcomes AmeriCorps member Katie Schroeer to the team! 

The Building Upgrades Inspiring Local Transformation funding opportunity will support nonprofit building improvement projects that reduce energy use, lower carbon emissions, and generate short and long-term energy cost saving so that operational dollars can be redirected toward mission-critical work. Eligible nonprofit participants are 501(c)(3) organizations who own and operate their own buildings. BUILT Nonprofits will provide awards of up to $100k each. The program requires a 20% cost-share.

The AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant is taking applications through Dec. 12 for projects that explore the energy efficiency, environmental benefit, and profitability of sustainable ag techniques, from production through marketing processes.