News

In summer 2011, the City of Kasson, also a member of the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program installed 45 solar panels on their city hall in an effort to save energy and money. In 2010, the city applied for an energy conservation grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.

Environmental Initiative, a nonprofit organization that builds partnerships to develop collaborative solutions to environmental problems, is now accepting applications for the 2012 Environmental Initiative Awards. Projects must be collaborative, partnership-based, and have achieved positive environmental outcomes for Minnesota.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 2.

The Energy Saver Rebate Program, which is grant offered through the US Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce, was combined with Minnesota Housing’s Fix-Up Fund Loan Program to allow more than 1,400 homeowners to make $16 million in energy-efficient home improvements.

Elk River, Minnesota—also known as Energy City—is a model city for energy-saving projects, its latest being a whole slew of renovations to the city’s ice rink to reduce its energy use and carbon emissions through a MN Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources grant. The result is colder ice, warmer locker rooms, and quick returns on their investments.

Do you have a clean energy project in your community that could use the help of a talented University of Minnesota student? The Community Assistantship Program provides student research assistance to cities and organizations anywhere in greater Minnesota.

The Community Assistantship Program is pleased to announce a summer 2012 grant program.

Pat Longmire has owned a grocery store in Spring Grove, MN for 22 years. He knows customers at Red’s IGA want fresh produce, quality meats, and weekly deals that save a buck here and there. But he wasn’t sure how customers would react after he put glass doors on the coolers in the store. Longmire didn’t have to worry for long, however.

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Twin Cities Chapter is pleased to offer for the first time two $1,000 scholarships to students planning to pursue of a career in Energy Engineering or Energy Management.

Construction workers from Raymond, Willmar and the surrounding area have benefited from steady work provided through a partnership with the Heartland Community Action Agency. Using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the agency recruited construction workers for jobs with Minnesota’s Weatherization Assistance Program.

USDA Rural Development is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.

Throughout Minnesota, schools are making a conscious effort to promote energy efficiency – both in the classroom and in practice. Now, the Minnesota Department of Education is partnering with the U.S. Department of Education to recognize these schools with the newly launched Green Ribbon Schools program.

This Fairmont Sentinel Article was originally posted by Jodelle Greiner, staff writer on December 30 2011.

Sites are being prepared for 18 turbines between Guckeen and Blue Earth, which will make up the The Big Blue Wind Farm. The work is set to be completed in 2012. Fagan Inc. already has been hard at it to make it happen.

Want to save energy in your multifamily building but need some tools and support? Look no further! EnergyScoreCards Minnesota is a two-year effort to implement energy benchmarking and monitoring at hundreds of multifamily buildings in Minnesota.

Local Government PBEEEP is a program offered through the Department Of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources. PBEEEP, which stands for Public Buildings Enhanced Energy Efficiency Program, addresses energy efficiency in public buildings across Minnesota through a targeted recommissioning/ retrocommissioning (RCx) and retrofit project focus.

States and communities are increasingly investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy to achieve their air quality, economic, and energy goals. In doing so, they have found that the up-front costs of improving energy efficiency and increasing renewable energy generation can be a barrier for many homeowners, building owners, and businesses.

The Wellstone Apartment’s solar hot water system is exceeding expectations in Minneapolis. It was installed with help from the Minnesota Solar Hot Water Rebate Program, and was originally supposed to supply half of the building’s hot water but currently serves 60% of the resident’s hot water needs.