Clean Energy Resource Teams

Clean energy isn’t just for demonstration projects; harnessing clean energy technologies can create another source of income for your small business. As energy prices continue to rise, there are sizable cost savings that can be achieved by implementing energy efficiency measures in your business. The cost savings achieved can be a long-term source to sustain your business, and the project can be a visible sign of the business’s commitment to the community. For funding, having a non-exempt tax rate means that your business may be eligible for tax rebates through the project.

Consult our utility project planning resources for more information about utility-offered programs.

• CERTs Small Business Case Studies
• CERTs Small Business Blog Posts

Energy Smart
Energy Smart is an energy efficiency business assistance initiative developed by Minnesota Waste Wise, an affiliate program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. The Energy Smart program connects
businesses to existing Conservation Improvement Programs (CIPs) offered by the state’s energy utilities, as well as other energy efficiency tools and resources offered to the Minnesota business community. Energy Smart directs businesses to the information they need to make informed choices about their facilities’ energy use and efficiency upgrade options, highlighting potential cost savings or available financial incentives.

Clean Energy Projects You Can Do Now! – CERTs

Tips for Greening Your organization – Clean Air–Cool Planet
Simple steps your business can take to reduce its climate footprint.

ENERGY STAR for Small Business
Provides unbiased information and technical support to help you improve your company’s financial performance by reducing energy waste and energy costs, while at the same time protecting the environment.

National Small Business Association ENERGY STAR Challenge
NSBA is challenging—in partnership with the voluntary ENERGY STAR Small Business program, which is providing technical support—the 150,000 small businesses it reaches to reduce their energy consumption by 10 percent or more through improved energy efficiency. Find out how your business can get involved.

Center for Small Business and the Environment
CSBE believes that profitable, efficient, and innovative small businesses can lead the way to a new economy that protects and restores the environment while it produces abundant growth and employment. They operate through a network of like-minded environmental and small business leaders to promote green small businesses.

Alliance for Sustainability} – The Natural Step Framework
AFS is a Twin Cities-based nonprofit that promotes The Natural Step Framework, a creative approach for addressing environmental challenges—that businesses across Minnesota and the US have adopted—based on consensus and systems thinking. Its purpose is to develop and share a common framework comprised of easily understood, scientifically-based principles that can serve as a compass to guide society toward a just and sustainable future.