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OUR MISSION
HOW WE WORK
We meet people where they are
We convert learning into doing
We strive toward inclusive access
OUR IMPACT
$1.98+ MILLION
awards in CERTs Seed Grants to 509 clean energy projects since 2006.
1.6 MILLION
people impacted through grants, events, and programs since 2009.
769 BILLION
BTUs of energy savings, which is nearly $9.4 million in energy costs since 2010.
7 REGIONS
CERTs staff and steering committee members work and live across the seven regions of Minnesota. They engage communities within their regions and inform our statewide work with their findings.
Staff:
Heidi Auel
Central CERT Coordinator
[email protected]
Steering Committee:
- BJ Allen, JBJ World
- Maren Butenhoff, Crosslake community member
- Amy Collins, Missouri River Energy Services
- Jane Eastes, Lakes Country Service Cooperative
- Jon Fabre, Otter Tail Power Company
- Gwe Gasco, 8th Fire Solar
- Bridget Guiza, White Earth Tribal College
- Steve Jorgenson, Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership board
- Mark Kaelke, West Central Initiative Foundation
- Charlie Lippert, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
- Molly Zins, U of M Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership
Staff:
Diana McKeown
Metro CERT Director
612-278-7158
[email protected]
Steering Committee:
- Kessa Andrews, Center for Energy and Environment; MPA Student in Sustainability
- Melody Arteaga, Community Organizer
- Sally Bauer, Hennepin County
- Jamila Boudlali, City of Bloomington
- Carmen Carruthers, Citizens Utility Board
- Olivia Dorow Hovland, City of Coon Rapids
- Emma Ingebretsen, CenterPoint Energy
- Denise Lindom, MN Department of Commerce
- Annie Pottorff, City of St. Louis Park
- Gerardo Roca, Center for Energy and Environment
- Bill Sierks, Retired Environmental Manager & Attorney
- Sofia Troutman, Xcel Energy
- Kerry Wang, Nextera Analytics
- Billy Weber, William Weber Consulting, LLC
- Say Yang, Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy
Staff:
Nik Allen
Northeast CERT Coordinator
218-726-6480
[email protected]
Steering Committee:
- David Abazs, U of M Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
- Karola Dalen, St. Louis County Administration
- Sam Friesen, owner, sustainable design+build company
- Jim Goodman, resort owner
- Reno Gunderson, Kanabec County engaged resident
- Emily Heiken, Minnesota Power/ALLETE
- Joan Markon, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Community Services
- Chris O’Brien, Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP)
- Craig Wainio, City of Mountain Iron
- Lora Wedge, Ecolibrium3
Staff:
Anna Peterson
Northwest CERT Coordinator
218-281-8697
[email protected]
Steering Committee:
- Chet Bodin, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
- Brandon Johnson, Otter Tail Power Company
- Dan Juhl, Hybrid Renewables; SolarBank
- Jordan Lutz, Bemidji State University
- Donald Martodam, Northern Municipal Power Agency
- Aaron Sigette, Otter Tail Power Company
- Shannon Stassen, UMN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
- Sami Trana, Headwaters Regional Development Commission
- Cedar Walters, West Central Initiative
- Taylor Wyum, Crookston Housing Development Authority
Staff:
Jennifer Lindahl
Southeast CERT Coordinator
507-258-8771
[email protected]
Steering Committee:
- Jennyffer Barrientos, Growing Up Healthy (Northfield)
- Sabri Fair, Region Nine Development Commission
- Melissa Feine, Semcac
- Brian Hammarsten, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA)
- Lauren Jensen, Destination Medical Center (DMC)
- Annie Jurrens, Refill Goods
- Mark Oeltjenbruns, AgriSun Energy and Repair
- Briana Parr-Baker, Minnesota Valley Action Council
- Andi Sutton, UMN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
Staff:
Nadya Bucklin
Southwest CERT Coordinator
[email protected]
Steering Committee:
- Anne Dybsetter, UMN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
- Cora Hoffer, Center for Rural Affairs
- Eric (Rathman) L’Abbé, UMN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, Energy Committee
- Gene Metz, Nobles County Commissioner, Rural Minnesota Energy Board (RMEB)
- Vince Robinson, Development Services, Inc.
- Brianna Sanders, City of St. James
- Logan Schrader, Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence
- Harold Stanislawski, Agriculture Utilization and Research Institute (AURI)
Staff:
Imani Emenyonu
West Central CERT Coordinator
320-203-6050
[email protected]
Steering Committee:
- Talitha Anderson, City of Morris and The Morris Model
- Syd Bauer, Morris Transit, Stevens County Organics, West-Central MN Climate Network, Mask Up Morris
- Clovis Curl, Clean Up the River Environment (CURE)
- Anne Dybsetter, UMN Regional Sustainable Development Partnership
- Pete Kennedy, West Central Research and Outreach Center
- Rachel Mitchell, Center for Energy and Environment
- Griffin Peck, West Central Initiative
- Kalley Pratt, Youth Eco Solutions (YES!)
- Chris Toenjes, Missouri River Energy Services
WE PROVIDE
Hands-on support
For cities, counties, utilities, farmers, businesses, and organizations looking to make a change. We offer unbiased technical assistance with the right staff expertise and connections to help you.
Practical steps to clean energy
Resources to get started, move forward, and complete projects.
Learning opportunities
To help others participate in the clean energy transition with the Community Energy Ambassadors program.
WE SUPPORT
Your community-led clean energy ideas with CERTs Seed Grants, technical assistance for PACE and other financing opportunities, tools that will help you find the right incentives to pay for the projects your ideas produce.
WE ENGAGE
- Stories
Discover the people across Minnesota who are solving problems with clean energy solutions. - Events
Find webinars, conferences, and gatherings where you can learn more about clean energy and connect with others. - Job Board
Explore the ongoing opportunities you could pursue in a clean energy energy career.
