News

Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon won the 2010 Environmental Initiative Award in the Energy and Climate Protection category at the Minnesota Environmental Initiative’s Award Ceremony! Congratulations, everyone! The Minnesota Environmental Initiative Awards are held every year to recognize outstanding partnerships.

Do you lecture your family about turning off the lights? Would you consider a visit to a wind turbine a good use of vacation time? Do you like to talk with others about clean energy? We have a job for you! The Northwest Clean Energy Resource Team seeks temporary appointment of a Northwest CERT Regional Coordinator.

The average Minnesota student spends approximately one hour every day riding a school bus. Buses are the most common way for children to get to and from school, but the air quality inside buses can be up to five times as polluted as the air quality outside.

These presentations were given as part of the April 21, 2010 Northwest Clean Energy Resource Team meeting on Smart Grid Technology in Northwest Minnesota. Together these presentations offer an introduction to smart grid technology general, and highlight its use in NW MN.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security (OES) is requesting proposals from Minnesota school districts, park districts, towns, cities, counties, and townships for the Facility Cost-Share Grant Program funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.

On April 26, 2010 Southwest CERT and Southwest Regional Development Commission held a workshop in Redwood Falls on wind energy development and land use to educate anyone interested in the issues and provide a forum for discussion and learning.

The ReUse Center Stores, a program of the Green Institute, are holding a 20% Off Sale (no exclusions) that began last week on April 28th and will continue for a limited time only. It is rare that they hold a sale with no exclusions!

ReUse Center products include salvaged materials, reclaimed materials, brand new materials, FSC wood products, rain barrels, kitchens, granite.

The Women’s Environmental Institute (WEI) has received a 2010 Dream Maker Award from the Ann Bancroft Foundation for its work on environmental issues and policies relevant to women, children and low-income communities.

Growing food & building community in Little Earth: One of the projects WEI is being recognized for is called “Green Energy for Food Justice.

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A grant program called “Facility Cost-Share” is now accepting proposals from local governments and school districts looking to make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings. A webinar this week will introduce the program to potential applicants.

Students from across the state gathered in the Rotunda at the Minnesota State Capitol this Earth Day to talk about actions they’re taking to reduce the carbon footprints of their schools.

They shared the microphone with legislators and climate leaders who have been working to advance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green jobs in Minnesota.

We are absolutely elated by all of the super-awesome Earth Day events happening in schools across the state, and all of the time and energy that students in Minnesota have devoted to saving energy and reducing our carbon footprint! As energy-related issues are ever-present in our society, climate change is said to be the greatest challenge of our time.

CERTs is taking this opportunity to highlight events and reflections on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. So, if you’re looking for something to do tomorrow or looking to do a little reflecting on how far we’ve come since the first Earth Day, check out the links below. I’m sure there are events we’ve forgotten.

From WinonaDailyNews.com, story by Dustin Kass

Energy efficiency improvements helped reduce the city of Winona’s energy costs by more than $120,000 in 2009, while similar upgrades saved Winona County more than $27,000 last year.

From Rochester Post-Bulletin, story by Jeff Hansel

Mayo Clinic announced yesterday that it plans to undertake what they’re calling the the largest solar energy project in southeast Minnesota.

Beginning this summer, about 500 solar panels will be installed on the roof of Mayo Clinic’s Damon Patient/Visitor Parking Ramp in downtown Rochester, the clinic said.

The City of Edina is one of five Metro cities piloting the GreenStep Cities program with the PCA and Urban Land Institute Minnesota before CERTs and the GreenStep Cities Steering Committee officially launch the program in June at the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference in St. Cloud.

“Why would you have your vending machine lights and compressors on or running when nobody is around?” asked Bill Bieganek of EnergyMisers, LLC, the Minnesota company that sells the “VendingMiser”. You might not know it, but the average beverage vending machine runs more often than is needed to keep drinks cold and attract customers.

Congratulations, Minneapolis! Bicycling Magazine just awarded Minneapolis with the top ranking for their “America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities” feature. Here’s what Bicycling Magazine had to say about Minneapolis: “Despite the cold wintertime climate, Minneapolis has a thriving bike community.

Some of the best legislation yet to help consumers, manufacturers and construction workers in the nation became law today in Minnesota, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the Jobs bill—which will bring benefits for clean, renewable energy as well as jobs.

Green Institute seeks an Energy Efficiency Technical Specialist whose primary responsibility is to provide support to the Community Energy Program at The Green Institute. The position reports directly to the Community Energy Program Manager. To apply: Please submit application with cover letter to nkelly@greeninstitute.org or to Nancy Kelly at 2801 21st Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55407.

This presentation from Metro CERT’s Julia Eagles outlines simple ways that you can save energy and money in your own home by taking action today! Click on the link below to download a copy of the presentation for yourself, or watch the presentation using the slide viewer.

Spring is here, the ponds and prairie potholes are opening up, and all across our region good things are happening!

In New London, the NL-S YES! team is building solar thermal panels to help reduce the heating costs for the Little Theatre.

More and more of you have been visiting the CERTs site on your mobile phones, and we now have content just for you! You can take CERTs with you on the go with our mobile content. Take out your phone and save m.mncerts.

According to Peter Kelly with the Halifax News Net, his city’s economy held its own in 2009, aided in part by wide adoption of VendingMisers! Read on to learn how.

Story from Peter Kelly, Halifax News Net: Our city held its own in 2009. Keep in mind that dollar amounts mentioned in the article are in Canadian Dollars.