CERTs partners with Minnesota Renewable Now for North Minneapolis energy blitz

On October 14 and 15, staff from the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) and Minnesota Renewable Now hit the streets in the Jordan neighborhood of north Minneapolis to provide energy savings technologies and educational materials to residents. 

“It’s always nice to reconnect with our neighbors and hand out something tangible that has value and lowers their energy burden,” says Kristel Porter, executive director of Minnesota Renewable Now. “Even if it’s small, it’s better than nothing at all.”
 
Participants in the energy blitz went door to door providing conservation kits aimed at reducing energy costs for home owners and renters in the neighborhood. The kits, supplied by CenterPoint Energy, included items such as window cling, dryer balls, fingertip rope caulk, outlet insulation, energy-efficient showerheads, and kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators. 

Educational materials include the CERTs Home Energy Guides, Home Energy Squad audit information, Citizens Utility Board’s utility bill assistance and protections, Xcel Energy’s Income-Qualified Home Energy Savings Program, and information from Minnesota Renewable Now about their Affordable Solar Program. 

“Working with Minnesota Renewable Now and their Power North Youth felt like we were building up that community and getting people excited about solar and energy efficiency,” says Metro CERT Program Associate Keely Rau. “The residents seemed excited about the resources, and we had one home that started installing the kitchen faucet aerator as we talked to them about the resource sheets we had.”