News

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency offers a new online training to help small businesses adapt to environmental challenges and find cost savings.

Regional Indicators Initiative updated their analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota cities based on community-wide data collection and analysis. See what's new!

Watch Lissa Pawlisch and Peter Lindstrom's presentation to the Southcentral Minnesota Clean Energy Council on clean energy incentives within the Inflation Reduction Act.

With a mix of federal funding and tax credits, the Inflation Reduction Act includes a new mechanism called elective or direct pay for tax-exempt entities.

The Inflation Reduction Act includes money saving opportunities for residents through tax credits and rebates, often based on area median income. But what is area median income, and how can you calculate yours? Let us explain. 

CERTs partnered with AmeriCorps’ Climate Impact Corps to offer new opportunities to serve throughout Minnesota. We're thrilled to welcome the six Sustainability Project Coordinators who will support community-driven projects, build local partnerships, encourage local environmental action, and provide education to help households decrease energy costs across our state.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes money saving opportunities for residents through tax credits and rebates. But what's the difference between the two? Let us explain. 

Minnesota’s plan to address and prepare for climate change.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has $350,000 available to support climate-planning projects in communities with populations of less than 10,000. 

To increase the number of school districts and other eligible entities able to purchase a new electric bus, MPCA will provide match funding for grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. 

Congratulations to Faribault, Kasson, and La Crescent, cities in the Southeast CERT region which advanced in the GreenStep Cities program to steps 2, 3, and 4 respectively in 2022. A welcome to New Prague who joined the program this year and kudos to the cities of Northfield, Red Wing, and Rochester for maintaining their status in steps 4 and 5.

We're partnering with AmeriCorps’ Climate Impact Corps to offer exciting opportunities to serve throughout Minnesota as Sustainability Project Coordinators. Sustainability Project Coordinators will support community-driven projects, build local partnerships, encourage local environmental action, and provide education to help households decrease energy costs.

Update 9/29/2022: We're no longer accepting applications. The positions have been filled. Thanks for your interest!

American Farmland Trust wants to better understand farmers' engagement with solar development and opportunities to create better solar programs.

The new Clean School Bus Program provides five billion dollars over five years to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models. The EPA is expected to accept rebate applications May 20 through August 2022.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is accepting applications for Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grants through August 4, 2022.

It's been five years since the Midwest's first electric school bus arrived in Minnesota. We reached out to Great River Energy's Jill Eide, commercial industrial and agricultural strategist at the electric cooperative, to learn about the early results from the Lakeville pilot. 

The Department of Commerce will conduct an April 26 webinar on the Solar for Schools 2nd round grant program (outside Xcel Energy territory).

Every year the Environmental Initiative Awards celebrate people and projects working in partnership at the nexus of a healthy environment, a prosperous economy and an equitable society. We are honored to receive the 2022 Energy and Climate award for our work to reduce energy use and costs for manufactured home residents!

After a decade with CERTs, we send best wishes to our Rural Energy Development Program Manager Fritz Ebinger as he embarks on his next professional journey. Learn about the impact and reach of his work, as well as "The Greatest Hits of Fritz." 

The Green Neighbor Challenge is looking for feedback on a new tool that will help residents across the United States find and sign up for green energy. Find out how you can help!

The MREA Clean Energy Leadership Award is designed to assist students who are pursuing degrees and/or relevant credentials in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainability, or clean technology. We touched base with MREA Executive Director Nick Hylla to learn more.

To kick off 2022, CERTs hosted a series of internal EV (electric vehicle) focused webinars. CERTs steering committee members and staff had a chance to hear from local experts on the latest EV facts and trends. Learning opportunities like these mean our statewide team can better support Minnesota communities in their EV journeys. Read on to learn what CERTs staff thought about the series.

In 2021 CERTs received seed grant proposals from across the state related to electric vehicle (EV) charging. While we were unable to fund all of these projects, we're pleased to share an opportunity for purchasing level II EV chargers at a reduced rate. The offer comes from our friends at ZEF Energy. We sat down with Chris Grunseth, director of commercial sales for ZEF Energy, to learn more!

Apply now to host a Minnesota GreenCorps member within your organization for the 2022-23 program year. Minnesota GreenCorps is an environmentally focused AmeriCorps program coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Members serve at organizations throughout the state, completing community-focused environmental projects while gaining experience and learning valuable job skills.

John Siegenthaler of Appropriate Designs presented details for crafting hydronic systems for modern low energy and net zero buildings at the Energy Design Conference Feb. 22, 2022. He also spoke with NE CERT Regional Coordinator Colby Abazs in an episode of Energetic Talk.