Clean Energy Resource Teams Receive $1.25 Million to Continue Supporting Minnesota Communities

Release Date: 05/08/2009

Shutterstock Contact:
Dan Thiede
CERTs Conference & Communications
webmaster@cleanenergyresourceteams.org
651-334-0000

St. Paul, MN — On May 7, 2009 Governor Pawlenty signed the Environment Budget bill, which includes $1.25 million over the biennium for the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) program. This funding will enable CERTs to assist local groups in developing project ideas, finding technical and financial resources, and organizing and implementing energy efficiency and clean energy projects in their communities.

Over the past six years CERTs has worked to build a statewide infrastructure of team members committed to making energy efficiency and clean energy projects happen in their homes, schools, businesses, and communities. This network will continue to be critical to mobilize communities across the state to implement projects that create jobs and help Minnesota reach its energy efficiency and renewable energy goals.

CERT staff are currently developing strategies to help team members and their communities achieve over 9,000,000 kWh savings in the next two years—which, at 8 cents/kWh, could result in savings of up to $720,000. These energy efficiency and conservation projects have near-term results and demonstrate early successes. These projects also allow community members, schools, local governments, businesses, civic groups and congregations to see themselves as energy efficiency and clean energy leaders in their communities and allies of their local utility.

The CERTs approach to mobilizing community members to impact their own communities democratizes the energy system, broadens the network of individuals and groups working to achieve state goals, and ensures that the benefits of this new energy economy are distributed across the entire state. This funding of $1.25 million over the next biennium will help CERTs to continue this important work.

To learn more about CERTs, please visit http://www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org.

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The Clean Energy Resource Teams are a joint program of the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Southwest Regional Development Commission, the Minnesota Project, Minnesota Department of Commerce, and the Green Institute. The CERTs program brings together team members from diverse backgrounds including farmers, utility representatives, state and federal government staff, educators and academics, small business owners, members of non-profit and environmental groups as well as individuals interested in energy issues. Together they work to identify and implement community-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state. Major funding is provided by Minnesota Department of Commerce, The Blandin Foundation, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, University of Minnesota Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment, University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, and U.S. Department of Energy.