News

The Piragis Northwoods Company of Ely, MN is a prominent clean-energy model in a community with a strong tradition of environmental stewardship. Piragis took advantage of state rebates to install solar electric and solar hot water systems in its store. This allows them to independently generate a lot of their own power and supply all the hot water they use to serve their customers.

This Faribault Daily News article by Joseph Lindberg was originally published on Wed, 10/26/2011.

To most, old windmill towers and piles of scrap angle-iron are nothing but junk. But a Cannon City Township man sees those cast-away pieces for their true potential: year-round energy-producing machines. Gerald Bauer’s backyard is a mecca of renewable energy engineering.

Over forty people gathered on Valentine’s Day at the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center for a West Central CERT networking event to share their love for clean energy, get to know each other better, and talk about past and future projects in the region.

Kerry Smith and his wife Julie, moved to Minnesota from Texas in November 2010 in the midst of a snowstorm. Julie had taken a job at 3M and they quickly found a house (they looked at 23 houses in 1 day!) and settled into a new life in Woodbury. Kerry is a retired “ee” (electrical engineer) who had worked previously in the Telecom Industry.

Through the ENERGY STAR Leaders program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes organizations for energy efficiency achievements across their entire portfolio of commercial buildings.

If you live in Minnesota Power’s service territory, installing solar on your home, business or even non-profit just got a lot more affordable! Minnesota Power announced a robust package of solar incentives on February 21st that could pay up to 60% of new solar electrical systems for homeowners and businesses.

In summer 2011, the City of Kasson, also a member of the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program installed 45 solar panels on their city hall in an effort to save energy and money. In 2010, the city applied for an energy conservation grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.

Environmental Initiative, a nonprofit organization that builds partnerships to develop collaborative solutions to environmental problems, is now accepting applications for the 2012 Environmental Initiative Awards. Projects must be collaborative, partnership-based, and have achieved positive environmental outcomes for Minnesota.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 2.

The Energy Saver Rebate Program, which is grant offered through the US Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce, was combined with Minnesota Housing’s Fix-Up Fund Loan Program to allow more than 1,400 homeowners to make $16 million in energy-efficient home improvements.

Elk River, Minnesota—also known as Energy City—is a model city for energy-saving projects, its latest being a whole slew of renovations to the city’s ice rink to reduce its energy use and carbon emissions through a MN Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources grant. The result is colder ice, warmer locker rooms, and quick returns on their investments.

Do you have a clean energy project in your community that could use the help of a talented University of Minnesota student? The Community Assistantship Program provides student research assistance to cities and organizations anywhere in greater Minnesota.

The Community Assistantship Program is pleased to announce a summer 2012 grant program.

Pat Longmire has owned a grocery store in Spring Grove, MN for 22 years. He knows customers at Red’s IGA want fresh produce, quality meats, and weekly deals that save a buck here and there. But he wasn’t sure how customers would react after he put glass doors on the coolers in the store. Longmire didn’t have to worry for long, however.

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Twin Cities Chapter is pleased to offer for the first time two $1,000 scholarships to students planning to pursue of a career in Energy Engineering or Energy Management.

Construction workers from Raymond, Willmar and the surrounding area have benefited from steady work provided through a partnership with the Heartland Community Action Agency. Using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the agency recruited construction workers for jobs with Minnesota’s Weatherization Assistance Program.

USDA Rural Development is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.

Throughout Minnesota, schools are making a conscious effort to promote energy efficiency – both in the classroom and in practice. Now, the Minnesota Department of Education is partnering with the U.S. Department of Education to recognize these schools with the newly launched Green Ribbon Schools program.

This Fairmont Sentinel Article was originally posted by Jodelle Greiner, staff writer on December 30 2011.

Sites are being prepared for 18 turbines between Guckeen and Blue Earth, which will make up the The Big Blue Wind Farm. The work is set to be completed in 2012. Fagan Inc. already has been hard at it to make it happen.