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Announcing the Community Energy Ambassadors Cohort

The Clean Energy Resource Teams 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 Community Energy Ambassadors program is designed to support local efforts to advance clean energy projects. Through a combination of training and project implementation, Ambassadors gain valuable insights into energy efficiency and renewable energy topics, as well as access to resources and connections.

“A lot of Minnesotans are interested in exploring clean energy in their communities but aren’t sure where to start. The Ambassadors program is designed to provide the tools they need to help them move forward.”

Melissa Birch, Clean Energy Resource Teams co-director

There are two ways to become an Ambassador: self-directed training and cohort training. The self-directed training includes online information sessions that allow individuals to explore the program at their own pace. To complete the training, individuals identify and complete a project that supports their community’s clean energy efforts. 

The second pathway – cohort training – is designed to support Minnesota organizations in making use of Ambassador resources to serve their communities. Staff and volunteers from participating organizations gather online and in person to learn from each other as they explore clean energy opportunities for their communities. Cohort members are now developing pilot projects, which they will implement in 2025. 

The 2024-25 cohort includes organizations focused on access to affordable housing and energy saving resources for underserved communities across greater Minnesota:

“We have been trying to get our heads wrapped around the financial incentives for building more energy efficiently, but with all the changes it's been a challenge. We're grateful to be participating in this cohort so we can be connected with people who are ‘in the know.’”

Dayna Norvold, Rice County Habitat for Humanity executive director

This pilot cohort will inform how Community Energy Ambassadors can better reach and engage with communities. It will also serve as a model for how future cohorts within the Ambassadors program will work.

“One Roof is excited to have staff participate in CERTs Clean Energy Ambassador Cohort. One Roof is committed to lowering the operating costs for its Community Land Trust Homeowners as well as One Roofs affordable multifamily developments while also being good stewards and shifting its energy consumption of its buildings towards renewable energy options,”

Noah Hobbs, One Roof Community Housing director of strategy and policy
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