News

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.

Lissa Pawlisch and Diana McKeown of the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) announce the launch of the new CERTified Campaigns at the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society’s 30th Anniversary Gala on February 19th, 2010.

The CERTified Campaigns program will provide Minnesotans with clear and actionable ways to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in their community.

What are green appliances? With all the buzz about efficient appliances lately, you might have heard of “vampire power” or “phantom loads”. This is the electricity that is used by your appliances even when they are not in use. The most common culprits of this tragedy are the plasma screen televisions, gaming systems, computers, and stereo set-ups.

From the New York Times article Made in the U.S.A.: Efficiency Materials by Kate Galbraith

While solar and wind manufacturers struggle to fend off Chinese competition, energy efficiency equipment seems to have no such problem.

February 2-3, 2011 Saint Cloud Civic Center 10 4th Avenue South, Saint Cloud, MN 56301 Join CERTs and hundreds of other Minnesotans for our fourth biennial conference! CERTs connects you and your community members with resources to identify and implement energy efficiency & renewable energy projects. The conference website will continue to grow as the event approaches at 2011.MNCERTs.org.

The Rochester Area 2010 Think Green Fair will take place from 10am-9pm on June 26th, 2010 at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds, Graham Park.

It’s true that the cash-for-appliances program that began Monday in Minnesota ran out of money Tuesday morning. But don’t loose hope! Many utilities across the state are still offering their own rebates for new ENERGY STAR appliances, as well as incentives for trading in your old appliances! Check to see if your utility has rebates for ENERGY STAR appliance purchases and/or related programs.

Consumers would collect on-the-spot rebates of $1,000 or more for buying insulation, water heaters or other equipment to make their homes burn energy more efficiently under a rebate program President Barack Obama is promoting.

Obama traveled to Savannah, Ga., on Tuesday to outline the Home Star program, which was left out of the jobs bill in December.

All rebate funds have been reserved for the Minnesota Trade-in & Save Appliance Program! This means that applications are no longer being accepted at http://www.mnappliancerebate.com.

You’ve heard about it; you’ve known it was coming…but this morning, Monday, March 1st at 8am it goes live! It’s your chance to save $200 on a new ENERGY STAR Appliance…and to recycle that old clunker! Get the full scoop here: appliancerebates.mncerts.