How did CERTs serve Minnesota communities in 2022?

ADDING UP OUR IMPACT FROM 2022

Before we get too far into 2023 we want to take a moment to look back at the ways the Clean Energy Resource Teams worked with Minnesotans to advance clean energy in 2022.

ENGAGING PARTNERS TO SERVE 391 MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES

Provided direct assistance, for example:

• Solar for Schools program application assistance for 31 districts.
• Community heating feasibility study with Lower Sioux Indian Community.
• Solar procurement, such as the City of Bemidji’s array for their tourist information center.
• Manufactured home park energy efficiency in Eagle Lake, Hermantown, Mora, Rochester, and Rosemount.

Supported learning opportunities:

• Local government workshops on community EV charging, green power purchasing, and community solar.
• Small and Mighty Cities Cohort on Energy and Environment, with 13 Greater Minnesota small cities (pop. <4,000).
• Peer-to-peer utility sessions on electric vehicles and on manufactured home park outreach strategies.

Expanded community reach:

• Co-developed a new AmeriCorps program and recruited members to serve in five CERTs regions.

Learn more about who we help

ADVANCING CLEAN ENERGY FOR ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Conducted outreach to and assisted businesses and nonprofits with over 50 projects completed:

• Renewable Energy for Greater Minnesota program assistance to farmers and rural small businesses.

• Project financing through Property Assessed Clean Energy.

• Direct business outreach with Otter Tail Power in McIntosh.

• Additional direct assistance and referrals to local utilities and other service providers like MnTAP, EnerChange, and RETAP.

Advanced applied research to better understand energy + economic development opportunities:

• Community research on Latinx-owned businesses’ use of utility programs.

• Opportunity assessment of using local wind and solar to produce green ammonia for fertilizer and for hydrogen storage and transport.

GROWING LOCAL EFFORTS THROUGH 74 SEED GRANTS

Prioritized underserved communities and doubled the number of CERTs Seed Grant projects (compared to 2020) by leveraging additional funds. Such as:

• 8th Fire Solar, manufacturer of solar thermal panels, in Osage: panel installation and on-the-job training with Lower Sioux Indian Community.
• Aaron’s Grocery in Fertile: cooler and lighting upgrades to keep local grocer thriving.
• “Energy Justice Pueblitos” by Unidos in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Worthington and “meeting-in-a-box” by Growing Up Healthy in Faribault: improving access to home energy efficiency resources.
• Ecolibrium 3’s Resilience Hub in Duluth: study of onsite solar options.
• Channel One Food Bank in Rochester and Hometown Resource Center in St. Charles: energy efficiency upgrades that, in-turn, redirect funds toward their missions.

2022 Seed Grant Projects

EQUIPPING MINNESOTANS FOR A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE WITH TOOLS

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS	GUIDE TO THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT	CLEAN ENERGY JOB BOARD
CERTs provided information on air source heat pumps through sessions with municipal and electric cooperative utilities, State Fair conversations, and updated guides and stories.	With passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, CERTs’ one-stop guide provides the latest on the money that will spur beneficial electrification and jobs over the next 10 years.	A most popular resource on the website, the CERTs Job Board, had 269 postings for electricians, installers, sales representatives, engineers, and auditors.

TOP CLEAN ENERGY STORIES OF 2022

Stories can inspire people and help them imagine what is possible. Below is a selection of popular stories from 2022.

Read more stories and our latest news.