Southeast CERTs News

Geothermal Greenhouse Tour

2010-05-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

Whitewater Gardens will be hosting a an open house/tour of its geothermal winter production greenhouse and packing/storage shed. The tour will offer participants a chance to see the greenhouse in operation. For details, email Sandy and Lonny Dietz, or call 507-932-5225.

Location: Whitewater Gardens (17485 Calico Hill Rd), Altura, MN

Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Date: May 13, 2010

The tour is being co-sponsored by the Land Stewardship Project and Southeast CERT Whitewater Gardens is the recipient of a $5000 CERTS seed grant for its geothermal installation.

It's Getting Windier in Dodge, Mower and Goodhue Counties

2010-04-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

By Brett Boese
The Post-Bulletin, Austin MN

ST. PAUL — Two wind farms projects in southeast Minnesota took another step forward Thursday at the Capitol, much to the chagrin of their vocal opponents.

Despite protests from opponents, the 300-megawatt project in Dodge and Mower counties proposed by Pleasant Valley Wind and the 78-megawatt project planned in Goodhue County by AWA Goodhue Wind both received a Certificate of Need and a preliminary draft site permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

While the PUC did require that both wind companies allow for an expanded scope of public hearings moving forward based on intense public interest, it was — as both sides expected heading in — a victory for the wind farms as the state pursues its goal of using 25 percent renewable energy by 2025.

Read story

Mayo Clinic announces installation of 500 solar panels

2010-04-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

From Rochester Post-Bulletin

by Jeff Hansel

Mayo Clinic announced this morning that it plans to undertake "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 effort will save costs and help offset peak summer energy use, as solar energy production peaks during summer when power demands soar for air conditioning.

Rochester Public Utilities will help with installation costs through a "solar rebate program."
Read complete story:

Think Green Fair Invites Exhibitors

2010-03-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Think Green Fair will take place from 10am-9pm on June 26th, 2010 at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds, Graham Park. Join us for this full full day celebration of green living and sustainability in southern Minnesota!

What is Thinking Green? Thinking green means learning to live in a way that will reduce your impact on the environment, improve your quality of life, and save you money. Thinking Green is about coming together with neighborhoods, communities, organizations, and businesses to ensure that the choices we make today will not compromise the quality of life for future generations.

The fair will include a green expo, workshops, speakers, musical entertainment, local food, artisans and children’s activities providing you the opportunity to think green in all aspects of your life. The goal of the fair is to educate attendees in the areas of:

Efficiency/Renewable energy
Conservation/Protection of water and/or air
Earth friendly home and garden products
Waste reduction
Durable/Reusable products
Natural or locally produced foods (free-range, pesticide-free)
Green certification (USDA Organic, Energy Star, Fair Trade, LEED, other)
Health and Wellness
Promotion of environmental values

If your environmental business or organization would like to be a vendor or sponsor, find details at http://www.rneighbors.org/?page_id=30

A Study in Green Science

2010-03-08T20:34:00.000-08:00

Consulting-Specifying Engineer
2/1/2010 12:00:00 AM

St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., is one of the few educational institutions to receive a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum rating for one of its buildings. The college's Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences opened in September 2008 and is expected to reduce energy costs by 50% compared to the Minnesota Energy Code, which is based on ASHRAE 90.1-2004.

Science centers are not by design energy-efficient, due mostly to their high air-exchange requirements. The Regents Hall features an HVAC system designed with an extended-size 53,000 cfm Vision air handling system from McQuay. The system is designed not only for high air exchange, but also for low energy consumption, which helped the college earn LEED points and meet budget requirements.

The $64 million building is a model for interdisciplinary science education. New lessons on green living and sustainability include how the green roof impacts a waterfall collection system to reduce the cooling load. Regents Hall is also the first major science facility in the country designed for “green chemistry,” which minimizes the hazardous chemical waste from lab experiments. The labs use one half the number of fume hoods compared to the same curriculum with conventional chemistry.
View the full story:A study in green science

How communities can take control of their energy futures | Commentary | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

2010-03-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

from MPR NewsQ
by John Farrell
March 5, 2010

Energy self-reliant states have stronger economies. And new data on wind power potential reveals that five Midwestern states could match their current electricity use with domestic wind power.
But along with the good news, these states -- Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan -- should take note of the stakes.

"I live out on the Buffalo Ridge [in southwest Minnesota]...I look out my window and I see hundreds of wind turbines. When I look at those turbines I'm happy and I'm sad... Most of those turbines are owned by our friends, the foreign multinationals. Out of two counties in Minnesota we export about $80 million a year to France, Florida, Italy, Portugal, Spain. All of our energy future is going out the door when we could be turning that into something real for us." -- Minnesota community wind developer Dan Juhl.

How can these five states get "something real"? There are 32 states that have enough in-state renewable energy to be energy self-reliant. And successful models in these states illustrate how local ownership, energy efficiency and innovative local government financing can maximize the economic returns of this resource.

A single wind turbine creates $1 million in economic activity, according to the American Wind Energy Association. And that's just a generic, utility-scale turbine.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has shown that a locally owned wind turbine creates twice the jobs, and three to four times the economic impact...
Read full story:How communities can take control of their energy futures | Commentary | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Austin Daily Herald | Officials host 'GreenStep Cities' workshop

2010-02-25T14:38:00.000-08:00

Community leaders from Austin, Albert Lea, Owatonna and Lyle met to learn about the new Green Steps Cities initiative yesterday.

Austin Daily Herald | Officials host 'GreenStep Cities' workshop

2010-02-23T16:41:00.001-08:00

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USDA Rural Development to hold information sessions on

2010-02-18T08:36:00.000-08:00

Farmers and rural small business owners interested in purchasing and installing renewable energy systems or making energy efficiency improvements are invited to attend one of three meetings, each with:

Morning session 9:30 – 11:30 AM for farmers

Afternoon session 1 – 3 PM for small business owners

Meeting Dates and Locations:

March 2, St. Charles City Hall
March 3, Waseca Co. Courthouse Annex
March 4, Cannon Falls City Hall

The REAP Program has grants, loan guarantees, and grant/loan combinations available to purchase and install renewable energy systems and to make energy efficiency improvements on farms and small businesses. Examples of eligibl eporjects include grain dryers, geo-thermal heating, wind turbines, solar energy, upgraded refrigeration, and other efficeiency upgrades.

REAP Program details can be found at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn/rbs.htm
Rural Development specialist Naomi Lenz will lead each session. Contact Naomi for more information at (507)437-8247 ext. 154 or naomi.lenz@mn.usda.gov

MN GreenStep Cities Workshop in Austin

2010-02-15T12:46:00.000-08:00

On February 24, 2010, The Izaak Walton League (Minnesota Division and Austin chapter) and Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability are hosting a MN GreenStep Cities Workshop, an action plan for cities, counties and their citizens to reduce greenhouse gases.

Meeting Location:
Austin City Hall
500 4th Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55912
Agenda:
3:00-4:30 pm — City/County Staff public, volunteer stewards, etc.
5:30 — 6:00 pm — dinner for evening session
6:00-7:30 pm — Elected Officials, public, volunteer stewards, etc.
Topics/Speakers:
MN GreenStep Cities Program:
Philipp Muessig, Sustainable Communities Coordinator
for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Current regional green initiatives:
Michelle Schroeder, Izaak Walton League — Minnesota
Division

Follow-up plan:
Susan Waughtal, SE CERT Outreach Coordinator

Austin Utilities (evening only):
Dave Thompson - will provide literature on new and
improved programs and speak on changes in Austin
Utilities services and programs

Northfield Co Awarded $7.7 Million for Solar Glass Production

2010-02-15T12:38:00.000-08:00

Cardinal Solar Technologies was awarded a $7.7 million tax credit under President Obama’s stimulus plan to re-tool its Northfield, Minn., facility, according to a Jan. 7 release. The credit is available upon progression from residential window and door coating operations to production of thin film coatings for use in the manufacturing of solar modules.
Read story in Glass Magazine.

Five people to watch in 2010

2010-02-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

Five people to watch in 2010The Post Bulletin highlights five enviromental newsmakers in the Rochester area.

Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant RFP Extended

2010-02-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

The Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security (OES) is amending its Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) competitive grant program to accept new and modified proposals until 4:00 p.m., Central Standard Time (CST) March 3, 2010.

The amended RFP is available for download from the OES website at the following location: www.energy.mn.gov. New proposals are requested because proposals received by the original proposal deadline are not sufficient to utilize all funds available. Additional information is being requested from ALL project proposals because many proposals did not contain adequate information for OES staff to verify the energy savings estimates.

The major changes in the OES-12142009-EECBG01-Amendment 2 RFP include:

1. Maximum aggregate simple payback period has been increased from 10 to 15 years;
2. A separate proposal category for window replacement (See Section V); and
3. Additional attachments required for applicants to document their energy savings estimates.

This RFP is open to ALL eligible applicants. New applicants must submit a complete proposal. Applicants who have previously submitted a project proposal do NOT need to submit a new proposal unless they choose to modify the scope of work previously submitted. Applicants who previously submitted a project proposal are required to complete and submit the applicable cost and savings information worksheet(s) provided in Attachments 2 through 6.

There are NO new information requirements for indirect energy saving program proposals. Applicants who previously submitted a program proposal need not supply additional information to have their proposal evaluated, but may choose to do so if desired. However, all additional information submitted will be subject to the page limit requirements stated in the RFP.
An applicant who has submitted only a program proposal may also submit an additional new project proposal.
Important Note: Because additional proposals are being accepted, OES will NOT issue the RFP for the Facility Cost-share program until after the EECBG proposals are evaluated.

If you have questions or need more information about this RFP, please contact Natalie Buys at energy.contracts@state.mn.us

February Green Business Workshop Cancelled

2010-02-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

The workshop "Using Green Straetgies to Increase your Bottom Line" set for February 17th has been cancelled, but will probably be re-scheduled later this spring. If you would like to receive an email invitation, send a request to the SE CERTS coordinator with "Green Business Workshop" in the subject line.

Using Green Strategies to Increase Your Bottom Line

2010-02-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

What?
A fun and informative Green Business workshop sponsored by SE CERTS & the Southern MN Initiative Foundation (plus, a delicious local food lunch!)
Who:
For small businesses and other organizations who want to increase their profits through energy efficiency, waste reduction and other sustainable practices
When: Wednesday, February 17th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Lanesboro, MN
How much: $15, including lunch

View the Invitation, topics and speakers online: http://enews.smifoundation.org/bsp/Green_Strategies_Invite_2010.htm

Register online here: https://ssl.charityweb.net/smifoundation/event/register.htm?id=SMIF-0005-2010-GreenStrategiesLanesboro

Hope to see you there!

New Rebates Announced - Solar Now Affordable For Everyone

2010-02-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

From SE CERTS Chair Anne Morse
This message was sent to all Winona County residents who attended the 2009 Solar Energy for Homeowners Workshop, Winona County EDA committee members, Sustain Winona members and other interested parties.

Great news! Federal stimulus dollars are now available to Minnesota residents for solar PV systems via the $2/watt state rebate. The Mn Office of Energy Security is managing the fund, which is about $3.5 million, so they’ll be able to support quite a few projects. For anyone desiring a solar system, the time is now, as installs have never been so affordable. As one rather jealous contractor from Rochester commented recently, if you’re in Xcel’s territory and can take advantage of it’s aggressive $2.25/watt rebate, solar PV is a virtual no-brainer! Please spread the word, and help make Winona County a leader in the number of solar installations.

Below are a couple of cost analyses to demonstrate how the rebates and credits work for Xcel residential customers. The costs detailed below, while reasonable estimates, are only a guide. Costs include installation, but do not account for complex installations. Retrofits are more costly than new construction, of course.

These solar systems have an expected lifetime of 30 years (panels typically have a 25year warranty), so with an expected $700 worth of electricity generated each year, paybacks are under five years, and in years 6 – 30, your system is a revenue generator.

5KW Solar PV system
Original Cost ($7/watt x 5000 watts) $35,000
Less 30% fed tax credit - 10,500
Less state credit of $2/watt - 10,000
Less Xcel rebate of $2.25/watt - 11,250
Net Cost of 5 KW PV System $ 3,250

Solar hot water system
Original Cost of 2 4x8 ft panels $9,500
(64 sq ft @$150/SqFt)
Less 30% fed tax credit - 2,850
Less state rebate of $25 sq/ft - 1,600
Net Cost of Solar Hot Water System $5,050

For State Rebate:
Rebates up to $10,000 per home are now available to Minnesota homeowners who install qualifying solar electric and solar hot water systems. Rebate reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis for solar systems that are installed at an applicant's primary residence by a licensed contractor that meets program participation criteria. For more details, go to www.energy.mn.gov and you’ll find the Residential Solar Rebates link in the left column, under “What’s New” Printable Content

Manual on Tax Questions - http://seia.org/galleries/pdf/SEIATaxManual_v3-0_FAQ.pdf

Best Website for current Information on rebates & credits - www.dsire.org

Area Dealers who can get you started with a site analyses, designs, quotes, installation and service:

IPS Solar
Curt Shellum, Rochester,507.990.1382 curt.shellum@ips-solar.com

Winona Renewable Energy LLC
Tim Gulden, Winona, 507.312.0190 timothy.gulden@yahoo.com

Good luck, and let me know if you need help, or more information. Here’s hoping everyone who wants to can install some solar in 2010.

Anne Morse
Sustainability Coordinator
Winona County Environmental Services
225 West 2nd Street
Winona, MN 55987
Office 507.457.6468

Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon awards $200,000 in grants to 23 schools across the state for student-led energy projects

2010-02-04T13:05:00.000-08:00

February 4th, Statewide Minnesota – The Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon (MnSCC) Project has announced the award of over $200,000 in 19 grants to 23 public high schools, colleges and universities across Minnesota. Projects range from making energy improvements such as energy efficient lighting and motion sensors; installing renewable energy projects including solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems; increasing recycling and composting; reducing paper use and food waste; supporting community greenhouse production of local foods; and increasing sustainable transportation options by encouraging walking, biking, carpooling and bus riding to school.

“The hard work the teams have put into implementing their carbon reduction strategies at their schools has been amazing. Across Minnesota—rural and urban, college and high school—we are seeing young people take on leadership roles in reducing energy usage and implementing clean energy projects. It is unfortunate we only have limited funds, because we saw so many creative projects submitted and could only afford to fund a small percentage,” said Patrick Santelli, Schools Cutting Carbon Project Coordinator. Patrick is working closely with the participating schools to help them plan and implement projects at their schools. Sponsors and mentors from across the state are also welcome to provide support and guidance to teams.

Funding for these 19 grants and for the MnSCC Project is provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.

One hundred public high schools, colleges and universities are joined together in the Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon program to reduce their carbon emissions and save on energy costs. Student teams, led by a faculty coach and supported by school administrators and building operators, are exploring no-cost and low-cost behavior changes as well as larger projects to increase energy efficiency and create clean energy on campus. To view the schools participating across the state and find out how you can get involved, please visit www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org.

See below for a list of the 19 funded projects and 23 schools, with descriptions for each.

Grant Recipients and Project Descriptions

In SE MInnesota:
Walking Softer: Lightening John Marshall High School’s Carbon Footprint – John Marshall High School, Rochester: Students will promote awareness of alternative energy sources and the efficient consumption of fossil fuels to their peers and the community. The school will install a new pool cover and expects to recover the installation costs within six months. They will continue to realize energy and cost savings for the remaining 4.5 years of the pool cover’s expected lifetime.

Winona Senior High School Farm to School, Bike to School, and Water to School – Winona Senior High School: This project intends to increase the number of students and staff biking to school. The student team will lead the construction of a bike shelter equipped with a security system, and promote these improvements and the benefits of biking to school to students and staff. In addition, the school team will support the use of reusable water bottles by making them available and creating an educational campaign to increase student awareness about the benefits of replacing their disposable bottles with reusable bottles. The student team would also like to incorporate more local foods as options for its lunch program.

A Million Miles per Gallon: Transitioning to a Bicycle-Based Community – Winona State University: This project promotes a viable alternative to automobiles by purchasing 20 industrial cruiser bicycles and helmets to expand Winona State University (WSU)’s student-led bike rental program. The project also provides for student staffing for the recently launched WSU Bike Station, as well as installation of bicycle racks on school shuttles to enable mixed bike/public transportation options. WSU’s goal is that this program will achieve a more sustainable, bicycle-based community throughout the City of Winona.

Throughout Minnesota:
Gobblers Go Green – Aitkin High School: An energy audit by Environmental Resources Management (ERM) from the Schools Cutting Carbon program indicated that Aitkin High School’s carbon footprint was “above average.” Using suggestions from the ERM audit report, the school’s Green Team created a list of energy-saving projects that will save energy and reduce the school’s carbon footprint. Building upgrades that provide visible and teachable energy-savings include replacing existing exit lights with LED signs, replacing mercury vapor lights in the gym with more efficient lighting, installing motion detectors, and installing vending misers on school vending machines.

Beavers Cut More than Trees – Bemidji State University: Three campus facilities at Bemidji State University will install more efficient lighting technology to reduce energy use, operating costs, and safety concerns associated with these buildings. Deputy Hall, the BSU Gymnasium, and Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex are locations with high visibility because several thousand students, faculty, staff, community members, and visitors pass through these buildings each year. The project team will use various outreach methods to make the benefits of these lighting retrofits even more visible.

We Only Have One Earth: Reducing Our Carbon Footprint and Emissions – Crosby-Ironton High School: Crosby-Ironton High School is an Energy Star school that will implement a multi-faced project driven by students using behavior change and technological advances to continue reducing carbon emissions. One focus involves eliminating the “phantom load” from electronic devices by installing power strips and working with students and staff to shut down appliances and electric devices during the night. (Phantom load refers to the fact that many devices continue to use electricity even when turned off if they remain plugged into an outlet.) Another focus is an analysis of the building structure to identify areas of energy inefficiency by using energy-audit equipment such as an infrared camera, and identifying areas needing proper insulation, sealing, and other energy efficiency actions on an annual basis. Students will participate in these building inspections annually and present their recommendations to the school district.

LED Retrofit of Exterior Lighting – Dakota County Technical College: Current standard High-Intensity Discharge (HID) exterior parking lot fixtures will be replaced with LED lamps to improve and lower energy consumption, carbon emissions, and maintenance costs. Existing light poles will be used, with only the head and arm of the fixture needing replacement. A significant portion of this work will be integrated into the technical program curriculum and performed by students in this program. The project will provide valuable insight for future lighting decisions on campus and in the community, ongoing classroom learning, and the opportunity for a student-led team to share their experience with students and community members.

Triple Purpose Solar Training and Demonstration Project – Eden Valley-Watkins High School: Assisted by volunteer construction workers, as well as labor and materials donated by local businesses, high school students will build a solar project that will be used in the Eden Valley-Watkins science, math, and computer curriculum. Several photovoltaic modules will be mounted on a sun-tracker on the southeast corner of the school building, with an additional module incorporated into a solar training and demonstration unit. The team will also build an informative display in the main entrance lobby. In addition, the project will involve the community through student-assisted community education courses.

Northeast Higher Education District Sustainability Collaborative - Hibbing, Itasca, Mesabi Range, Rainy River, and Vermilion Community Colleges: These five community colleges comprise the Northeast Higher Education District (NHED). Student sustainability teams at each NHED campus will focus on one of five areas relevant to the carbon footprint of higher-education institutions: student housing (Rainy River), commuting (Hibbing), food service (Itasca), solid waste (Mesabi Range), and lighting (Vermilion). Each sub-project includes a strong educational component to promote carbon emissions reductions throughout the NHED campuses and communities of greater Northeastern Minnesota. Upon completion of the project, each campus will share their challenges and triumphs with the other campuses.

Mix, Match, Recycle – Higher Ground Academy, St. Paul: High school students will organize a recycling program at the school for paper, plastic, glass and aluminum. They will lead the project by locating recycling bins throughout the school, educating students, teachers, and staff in how to separate recyclable products in the classroom and cafeteria, collecting and sorting recyclables, and measuring and reporting results. The project will emphasize teaching students, staff and the community about the importance of recycling and the impact of recycling on reducing the school’s carbon footprint. Elementary and high school students will also go on field trips to recycling centers. The project hopes to foster a shared understanding of the benefits of recycling among the campus and community at large.

Reducing Electricity Use in Our School and Community – Ortonville School District: Ortonville’s Local Environmental Focus Team (LEFT) identified ways to reduce electricity usage after reviewing recommendations in the school’s ERM energy audit report. The team will replace T12 bulbs with more efficient T8 bulbs in all classrooms that use those bulbs, install energy misers, and replace less efficient lighting in other classrooms. Electricity monitors will eliminate phantom electricity use, and the team will program laboratory computers so that they can be more easily shut down. Through in-kind donations of radio time and newspaper space, the school will educate the community about reducing energy use and the impact these actions have on the school’s carbon footprint.

The Green Take-Over – Proctor High School, Proctor: Reducing electricity consumption and waste are the primary focus areas for reducing the carbon footprint of Proctor High School. To increase the energy efficiency of the building, eight motion sensors and two light harvesters will be installed in the secondary school building to assure that lights are on only when necessary; students will read energy meters before and after the implementation of this system to determine energy savings. Also, the school will replace fifteen of its CRT computer monitors with energy efficient LCD monitors. To decrease food waste, Proctor will implement a composting campaign. Purchasing additional reusable dishes and utensils for the cafeteria will also help the school realize its goal of recycling at least 50% of its waste by reducing waste in those areas.

Cooling Our Heels – Rosemount High School: Rosemount High School’s energy audit report by ERM indicated that Rosemount High has a larger than average carbon footprint. This project is intended to reduce energy use by over 10%, as well as reducing the amount of paper used at the school by a similar percentage. Students will use light meters and infrared thermometers to identify areas needing energy efficiency improvements such as caulking, insulation and weather-stripping. Motion activated sensors, power strips, and energy misers will be used for energy management. Sixteen LCD computer monitors will replace half of the existing CRT monitors. Paper reduction training for teachers and monitoring software will reduce the amount of printing by teachers and students. The student team will also organize and promote a walk/bike/carpool/bus day.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint through Alternate Energy – St. Michael-Albertville High School: Through a shop class design-and-build project, students will help construct a passive solar air heating system in the school’s greenhouse and a small solar thermal hot water heating system to demonstrate the power of solar thermal. Both projects will be integrated into the school curriculum. In addition, students will evaluate the effectiveness of these projects through an electronic monitoring system that will be used to train students in all grades through web-based system integration or video monitoring.

Southwest Community Education Green Team Solar Lighting Project – Southwest High School, Minneapolis: Nearly forty percent of the school’s greenhouse gas emissions are from electricity usage. The Southwest Community Education Green Team (“SWCEd”) will educate the student body, community, and elementary students about alternative energy sources, with an emphasis on the beneficial applications of solar energy. The team will demonstrate how solar energy can reduce carbon emissions by building a solar lighting module and solar heating module. The team will use these materials in elementary school and community workshops to illustrate how solar energy can be effectively produced and used to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and reduce our carbon footprint.

EcoCity Works! Cuts Carbon – The City, Inc., Minneapolis: The EcoCity Works! student environmental club conducted an energy audit to determine improvement options for the school and recommended that The City, Inc. replace the school’s washing machine and milk cooler, which are not energy efficient due to their age and condition, with Energy Star qualified appliances to realize energy savings. The EcoCity Works! team will promote the project and the resulting energy savings through its website, Face Book account, newsletter, and at a planned special event to educate the school and community about the benefits of saving energy.

UMD Cutting Carbon: Conservation, Education and Investigation – University of Minnesota – Duluth: University of Minnesota – Duluth (UMD) students and staff will lead an energy conservation outreach campaign targeted at behavioral changes to reduce electricity use on campus. Campaigns include: Dorm Energy Wars, a UMD-Energy Saver pledge (with a web-based tracking component), departmental energy mini-audits, and a ‘Green Your Office’ presentation series providing energy-saving incentives (i.e. power strips, and possibly wool socks or sweatshirts funded by UMD). The project will also offer the UMD community a way to pledge to save energy and track promised energy savings through a web-based database and modification of an existing energy conservation program pledge.

Students Using Natural Energy (SUN-E): Solar Thermal Installation and Education Project – University of Minnesota – Morris: A new solar-thermal heating system is being installed on the Recreation Fitness Center (RFC) community pool and will serve as a demonstration site for the project. The Students Using Natural Energy (SUN-E) team at the University of Minnesota – Morris (UMM) will use grant funding to support the RFC solar-thermal project by recruiting student volunteers to support the technical and educational outreach objectives of the project and to educate the campus, other colleges, and local communities about solar-thermal energy. Funds will also be used to purchase two of the solar thermal panels. The benefits of a solar-thermal heating system for the pool are reductions in natural gas consumption and resulting greenhouse gas emissions. The University of Minnesota-Morris (UMM) shares the RFC with Stevens County residents and the Morris Area Education System (MAES).

Willmar Community Greenhouse Expansion – Willmar Public School: The Willmar Community Greenhouse was created in fall 2007 as a student project by the Youth Energy Summit (YES) student team at Willmar Public School. A unique hybrid heating system fueled primarily by passive solar heating, hot water solar collectors, and a biomass burner heats the greenhouse. This project involves expansion of the current operation by building more planting beds, improving delivery of produce, and increasing vermiculture. Expanding the number of planting beds includes building a new frame for insulation and will increase production, heat retention, and thermal mass. The expansion of planting beds will also help the project move closer to becoming self sustaining by generating more revenue. The vermiculture increase will produce more heat, which will help maintain more consistent growing conditions and produce a high quality soil supplement.

About the program: Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon is a joint program of the Clean Energy Resource Teams, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Office of Energy Security. Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

Contact:
Patrick Santelli, Project Coordinator, Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon
612-625-3759 or SchoolsCuttingCarbon@CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

Winona County Seeks Options for Land Near Hwy. 43

2010-01-31T20:32:00.001-08:00

A 400-acre parcel that includes Winona County's closed landfill could one day be the site of community greenhouses, farming plots or aquaculture facilities.

A broad coalition of county leaders - including the county commissioners, Project FINE, the Land Stewardship Office and Winona State University - met Wednesday to discuss what to do with the land, a plot near Hwy. 43 with a lot of potential, said County Administrator Duane Hebert.

The county was recently awarded a $5,000 Clean Energy Resource Team planning grant, and ideas for how to spend the money are as wide-ranging as the coalition that met to discuss the parcel.

"I think the opportunities are endless," Hebert said. "The resources are around."

A system at the 50-acre landfill captures and burns methane, and Hebert wants to consider using the gas as an energy source, to heat greenhouses or support an aquaculture and hydroponics system....Read entire story in Winona Daily News

Community Wind Forum in Mapleton

2010-01-31T20:14:00.000-08:00

R9 Renewable Energy Task Force will be hosting a Community Wind Forum in Mapleton on Monday, February 8th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Token Barbeque. This Forum is open to any person interested in learning about creating a local community wind development project. The Forum highlights will include models of successful community wind projects and the legalities and economics of developing a community wind project.

Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a lite supper served. There is no cost to attend, but registration will confirm supper. Please RSVP to Sarah at arah@rndc.org or (507)389-8880.

R9 Renewable Energy Task Force is a partnership of small businesses, local units of government, educational institutions, non-profits and citizen leaders who have come together to focus on renewable energy development opportunities within the region.

Sponsored by Region Nine Development Commission, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and Gustavus Adolphus College.

Green Dorms

2010-01-29T09:08:00.001-08:00

A story in U.S. News and World Report about college dormitories going green features St.Olaf College:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/best-colleges/2010/01/28/5-unique-ways-to-go-green-if-youre-living-in-a-dorm.html

SMIF Renewable Energy Grant Seeks Communities to Boost Economic Growth

2010-01-29T08:37:00.000-08:00

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is seeking up to three communities who want to learn how to capitalize on the assets of renewable energy to increase their local economies. As part of the grant, SMIF will provide up to $15,000 for community projects along with training and coaching.

SMIF's grant uses an asset-affirming approach, called the Community Growth Initiative, which puts a strong spotlight on collaboration, local assets, and creativity that generates long-term change.

"Through our Community Growth Initiative, we encourage communities and organizations to draw on their own assets to create change rather than looking to 'outside xperts' for answers and assistance," states Tim Penny, SMIF President & CEO.

Many communities in southern Minnesota are hoping to develop alternative energy sources and the jobs that go along with them. Several communities hosted wind energy forums during the past year in an effort to leverage local opportunities. This new grant partnership will capitalize on that interest and assist communities in growing economic partnerships related to renewable energy of all kinds.

Currently 25 communities within southern Minnesota are partners in this process. These communities are identifying and achieving goals,learning about and leveraging their assets, developing volunteer leaders, and increasing citizen involvement.

Interested communities should send a completed "Renewable Energy Entrepreneurism-Community Growth Initiative" application by February 19, 2010 to Elise Davis

Application and guideline information is available at
www.smifoundation.org
For questions, contact Elise Davis at 507-455-3215.

Lawsuit May Delay Bent Tree Windfarm

2010-01-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

A lawsuit over Wisconsin’s approval of a Minnesota wind farm threatens to delay the construction start and drive up the project cost.

“At this point, we anticipate construction will begin this spring, so we hope the case plays out in a timely manner,” said Steven Schultz, spokesman for Alliant Energy, the utility developing the estimated $500 million Bent Tree Wind Farm in Freeborn County, Minn. “But if it isn’t settled, we’ll have to take a closer look then. It would have the potential to delay construction.”

The Bent Tree Wind Farm is expected to generate 200 megawatts. Even though the project will be built in Minnesota, the PSC had to sign off on Bent Tree because Alliant plans to use the electricity for the utility’s Wisconsin territory.
Read full story: dailyreporter.com/blog/2010/01/27/bent-tree-wind-farm-construction-start-threatened-by-lawsuit

Stewartville dentist looks to tap the wind for office

2010-01-27T13:19:00.000-08:00

STEWARTVILLE -- Dr. Bruce Trulson of Trulson Dental Clinic in Stewartville is considering adding a 10 kilowatt roof-mounted wind turbine to supplement his clinic's geothermal heating system.

Trulson recently received a $5,000 grant from Clean Energy Resource Teams of Southeast Minnesota to pilot the project, which would be the first of its kind in southeast Minnesota.
Stewartville dentist looks to tap the wind for office

Local groups get clean energy grants

2010-01-27T13:14:00.000-08:00

Nine groups ranging from a Stewartville dental clinic to a county landfill will get from $2,000 to $5,000 from the state's Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTS) to do various projects to save energy or produce clean energy.

They are among 55 grants totaling $280,000 statewide and are intended to be seed money for major work. Money comes from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security.

The nine projects are...
Groups get clean energy grants

Solar farm coming to Olmsted County

2010-01-27T12:52:00.000-08:00

A closed Olmsted County landfill will become home to the state's largest solar farm.

The solar farm about two miles southeast of Oronoco will cover about 20 acres and have a generating capacity of 2 megawatts. It will open by mid-2011. Solar farm coming to Olmsted County

WSU Offers Energy Resource Advisor Certificate

2010-01-26T12:39:00.000-08:00

Enrollment is currently open for a new Energy Resource Advisor (ERA) certificate program being offered at Winona State University.

The Energy Resource Advisor program has been designed to meet the continuing education needs of individuals and employers. Students will complete 56 total hours of education and training, including 40 hours of online coursework and 16 hours hands-on experience through a capstone project at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, Minn.

Supported by a $30,000 Innovation Grant from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, WSU collaborated with several organizations to develop the ERA certificate program, which is the first of its kind in the state of Minnesota.

Partners include: Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center (one of Minnesota’s six accredited Environmental Learning Centers); Clean Energy Resource Teams of the Southeast Minnesota Region; Winona County Environmental Services, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Upon completion of the pilot program, the curriculum will be distributed statewide through a partnership between the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the state network of Residential Environmental Learning Centers.

For more information about the Energy Resource Advisor Certificate, please contact WSU Outreach & Continuing Education, www.winona.edu/OCED, 1-800-DIAL-WSU or continuingeducation@winona.edu.

MN GreenStep Cities Workshop in Austin

2010-01-25T14:33:00.000-08:00

Meeting Location:
Austin City Hall
500 4th Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55912
Agenda:
3:00-4:30 pm — City/County Staff public, volunteer stewards, etc.
5:30 — 6:00 pm — dinner for evening session
6:00-7:30 pm — Elected Officials, public, volunteer stewards, etc.
Topics/Speakers:
MN GreenStep Cities Program:
Philipp Muessig, Sustainable Communities Coordinator
for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Current regional green initiatives:
Michelle Schroeder, Izaak Walton League — Minnesota
Division

Follow-up plan:
Susan Waughtal, SE CERT Outreach Coordinator

Austin Utilities (evening only):
Dave Thompson - will provide literature on new and
improved programs and speak on changes in Austin
Utilities services and programs

What is Minnesota GreenStep Cities?
The program, launching Summer 2010, is being developed by the MN Pollution Control
Agency, MN Office of Energy Security, the League of MN Cities, the Clean Energy Resource Teams ("CERTs") and others. It will identify, support and recognize implementation of sustainable development best practices that lead cities beyond compliance, encouraging a culture of innovation and friendly competition.

The best practices fall under five categories:

1) land use planning
2) improved energy efficiency in buildings and facilities
3) city vehicle fleet transformation and street improvements
4) environmental management
5) economic & community development

Margaret Levin, State Director for the Sierra Club North Star Chapter, stated "We are pleased to partner with this statewide initiative, which embodies Sierra Club's goals, through our Cool Cities program, to enact real, local solutions that save energy and money; reduce global warming pollution; and help build the new clean energy economy."

"By gathering a robust slate of sustainability best practices for local government, GreenStep Cities can provide cities large and small with an invaluable tool to move from the idea of going green to implementation," says Lissa Pawlisch, CERTs Statewide Coordinator. "This will also be a great tool to help community members engage their local City officials in discussions about sustainability best practices and what is and is not currently happening at a local level."

For further information, see www.MNGreenSteps.org

Community Wind Forum in Kiester -rescheduled

2010-01-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

Due to the weather, the Kiester Community Wind Forum has been rescheduled.
It will be held on Monday, February 1st from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

R9 Renewable Energy Task Force will be hosting a Community Wind Forum in Kiester at the Kiester Community Center. This Forum is open to any person interested in learning about creating a local community wind development project. The Forum highlights will include models of successful community wind projects and the legalities and economics of developing a community wind project.

Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a lite supper served. There is no cost to attend, but registration will confirm supper. Please RSVP to Sarah at sarah@rndc.org or (507)389-8880.

R9 Renewable Energy Task Force is a partnership of small businesses, local units of government, educational institutions, non-profits and citizen leaders who have come together to focus on renewable energy development opportunities within the region.
Sponsored by Region Nine Development Commission, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Kee Town and Country Centre and Gustavus Adolphus College.
There will be a similar meeting in Mapleton on February 8.

Wind war whips up | The Republican Eagle | Red Wing, Minnesota

2010-01-21T12:03:00.001-08:00

Wind war whips up | The Republican Eagle | Red Wing, Minnesota
It's good for Goodhue County, good for Minnesota and good for the local
people." Gadient is one of about 215 participants in a wind farm project
being ...

Posted using ShareThis

MPCA Taps Westwood for Solar Energy Project near Rochester

2010-01-12T05:41:00.000-08:00

by Bob Geiger
from Finance & Commerce, January 7, 2010

Eden Prairie-based Westwood Renewables has been picked by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to design and engineer the state's largest photovoltaic array on underutilized land.

The project is a two-megawatt solar facility on a closed landfill site in Olmsted County near Rochester. The solar array is intended to help the MPCA meet sustainability goals and be the first state project to generate clean energy on land that is underutilized.

Read the complete story

Grants for Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Projects

2010-01-06T10:22:00.000-08:00

The Office of Energy Security is requesting proposals for the following:
Energy Programs in Commercial and Industrial Buildings

The purpose of these competitive grants is to provide funding for cost effective projects that maximize energy savings, displace fossil fuel energy inputs and reduce the total energy demand of commercial and industrial buildings by developing, implementing and installing energy programs in commercial, industrial and nonprofit facilities.

Release Date: Thursday, December 24, 2009

Deadline Date: Friday, February 12, 2010

For more information and to download a copy of the RFP, go to our website www.energy.mn.gov and click on Active Request for Proposal (RFP).

If you have questions about this RFP, please contact us at energy.contracts@state.mn.us.

Albert Lea Tribune | Riverland to offer solar installer program

2010-01-06T10:17:00.000-08:00

Albert Lea Tribune | Riverland to offer solar installer program

Winona County Wind Turbine May Begin Construction this Spring

2010-01-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

Winona County turbines net investor
By Sarah Elmquist, Winona Post, 01/03/2010

An unprecedented public and private partnership for a proposed $3.6 million wind turbine project in Winona County may have netted an investor, and all signs point to construction beginning in the spring at the Mount Vernon Township site.
If things go as planned with the project, Winona County will become one of the first municipalities in Minnesota to combine tax dollars with private investments through a public and private Limited Liability Corporation to develop wind energy.

Winona County received special legislative approval last year to form an LLC to partner with investors. The ownership model for the agreement is expected to follow what has been coined the “Minnesota Flip,” with the private investors owning 99 percent of the developments and profits for the first ten years, with the county to own 90 percent after. Projections show that the county could make a profit of about $1.5 million over the next 20 years with the project.

Read the complete story in Winona Post

Recycle Your Holiday in Mankato Area

2009-12-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again, when masses of tangled light strings are discovered in boxes of holiday decorations. If they are tangled to the point of no return, there is a way to recycle them, rather than toss them in the trash.

Unwanted and non-working light strings and old extension cords are now recyclable in Greater Mankato, just in time for the holidays. The “Recycle Your Holidays” program is sponsored by the same group that brought away-from-home recycling, Message in a Bottle, to area convenience stores and car washes in Mankato.

Bins with the familiar “Recycle More in Greater Mankato” logo will be placed at businesses, churches and schools. MRCI WorkSource staff and clients will collect the strings, remove the light bulbs, and recycle all.

‘This is a great opportunity for clients to have paying jobs, to participate in the community and give something back to the community,” according to Linda Leiding, MRCI WorkSource Senior Vice President of Programs.

“In addition, this is a great, new way to preserve resources through recycling, rather than wasting resources,” says Blue Earth County Recycling Coordinator Jean Lundquist. “It’s also an opportunity for people to purchase energy-efficient light strings to replace the old ones.”

Recycle Your Holidays is a program by the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM). “It’s the second program of its kind in the nation,” according to RAM Executive Director Ellen Telander. “The first program is located in Hutchinson, Minnesota and we were amazed at how many strings of lights we kept out of the landfill. We expect even more lights collected in Mankato.”

Any business interested in having a bin to collect light strings and extension cords can call Tammi or Jackie at MRCI WorkSource at 386-5799. Bins will be distributed, and collections will start in November. Also, look for the boxes at Holiday by the River on November 27th.

Sponsors include: MRCI WorkSource, Pepsi Mankato, Blue Earth County, Radio Mankato, Recycling Association of MN, LJP Waste and Recycle, with special support from participating Touchstone locations, including Benco in Mankato.
(from RAM website)

Recycle Your Holidays in Rochester area

2009-12-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

New Holiday Lights Recycling Program in Rochester

With the help of The Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) and The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) there is a better alternative for getting rid of your old, broken holiday light strands. This year there is a way to recycle them, rather than toss them in the trash.

Unwanted and non-working light strands are now recyclable in Rochester, just in time for the holidays. The “Recycle Your Holidays™” program is a free service sponsored by The Recycling Center of Minnesota (RAM). The program recycles every part of the light strand, even the colored light bulbs are recycled by a project partner, Green Lights Recycling.

Collection bins with the “Recycle Your Holidays™” logo are located around Rochester.
Collection locations include:
The lobby of the Olmsted County Public Works building (2112)
The Salvation Army
Ace Hardware Stores in both Byron and Rochester.
Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) has three drop off locations including the Heinz Center Lobby, Sports Center Complex, and the atrium of the University Center Rochester (UCR) building.

The “Recycle Your Holidays™” program will provide collection boxes through January 15th, 2010. Jobs Plus of Waseca will collect the light strands from these locations and transport them to be disassembled and properly recycled.

Please help recycle these resources and exceed the program’s goal of collecting over 50,000 pounds of holiday lights!

Sponsors include: Ace Hardware, Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), Green Lights Recycling, Minnesota Waste Wise, Olmsted County, Recycling Association of MN (RAM), Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC), The Salvation Army, and Jobs Plus of Waseca.

MREA Receives Training Funding

2009-12-16T13:36:00.000-08:00

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association has been awarded $3.3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to provide training to technical and community college instructors across the Midwest. The MREA, a non-profit organization based in Custer in north-central Wisconsin, has been teaching about solar electric and solar thermal technologies since 1990. The organization will work with training partners from technical colleges in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa and Minnesota to offer training institutes for instructors that includes hands-on training in installation of solar panels and connecting them to the grid.

Source: www.jsonline.com

Austin Utilities hires firm to study Northeast Plant

2009-11-17T19:16:00.000-08:00

Austin Utilities hires firm to study Northeast Plant

Prairie Biomass Harvest Field Day

2009-11-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

From Fulda Free Press
November 11, 2009

A field day will be held November 19, 2009, near Dundee, Minnesota, to discuss the impacts and benefits of harvesting prairie plants for renewable fuels. The Prairie Biomass Harvest Field Day will be held from 1:00pm to 3:00 p.m. at a local research plot being utilized by Dr. Clarence Lehman, University of Minnesota, and partners.

The field day, located within Talcot Lake Wildlife Management Area, will be an interactive event in which participants will discuss the research being done and the multiple benefits of using prairie plants for renewable fuels. The research project’s harvest equipment will be available for viewing thanks to Minnesota Native Landscapes. This is an outdoor event. Please dress accordingly.

Partners for this event include: University of Minnesota, Rural Advantage, South Dakota State University, EcoSun Prairie Farms, Minnesota Native Landscapes, University of Minnesota Extension, The Nature Conservancy, Pheasants Forever, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture though a Conservation Innovation Grant.

Directions: From Windom, go about 15 miles west on State Hwy 62, then north on Cottonwood Co Rd 7. Travel West on Co Rd 15 for about 1/2 mile. Plot will be on south side of road. From Fulda, go about 8 miles east on State Hwy 62, then north on Co Rd 7. Travel west on Co Rd 15 for about 1/2 mile. Plot will be on south side of road.

Field days will be rain or shine. However, difficult traveling due to snow or ice will be call for cancelation. For weather related cancellations, please contact: 763-234-3846

Source: Jill Sackett, Conservation Agronomist & Extension Educator with Rural Advantage & University of Minnesota Extension, Fairmont, Minn.

Le Sueur Putting Wind Energy to the Test

2009-11-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

By Brian Ojanpa
Mankato Free Press
November 11, 2009

LE SUEUR —
The city of Le Sueur is tilting at windmills, but unlike what that idiom stands for, it’s not intended to represent an unwinnable battle.

While the 120-foot wind turbine in the city’s industrial park will produce only a token amount of electricity, its presence symbolizes the quest for alternative power-generating modes of the future.

“We just wanted to make a statement that we’re behind this,” city electric utility director Greg Drent said of a cooperative venture to erect turbines in 11 Minnesota cities.

Le Sueur and other member cities of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency are participating in what could be described as a show-and-tell public relations initiative on renewable energy.

The power cooperative purchased the refurbished windmills from Palm Springs, Calif., for $300,000 each. All are expected to be producing power by year’s end.

Drent said Le Sueur’s should be operational by Thanksgiving, and though it will only produce enough to power about 18 homes, it also will serve as a testing ground to gauge its practicality and cost-effectiveness.

Read entire story.

SE CERTs 11/19 Meeting

2009-11-09T13:46:00.000-08:00

The next CERTs Southeast Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18th from 2:00-5:00pm at the Heintz Center in Room 112. After discussing SE CERTs business we will be discussing the grant proposals received in response to the 2009 CERTS Seed Grant RFP.

Schedule:
2 pm - SE CERTs business, including workshop partnership with SMIF
3 pm - Review of grant RFPs

Steering committee members: Please send any questions and submit your evaluations both to Lissa Pawlisch and Michele Vigen by Monday, November 16th, at 12:00 noon.

Juhl Wind, Inc. Completes New 20-Year Utility Contract for $46 Million Adams

2009-11-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

WOODSTOCK, Minn., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Juhl Wind Inc. today announced the recent execution of a 20-year, 19.8 MW Power Purchase Agreement between Adams Wind Generations, LLC ("Adams") and Xcel Energy, the electric utility based in Minneapolis, MN.

The Adams Wind Generations, LLC project will be a community-owned and operated, wind-driven electrical energy generation facility with plans to utilize twelve large wind turbines at an estimated cost of approximately $46 million. The project is a similar project to Juhl's recently announced Danielson wind farm.

Read full story

Conserve & Save Workshops

2009-10-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

Austin & Owatonna homeowners: Learn how to reduce your energy use and save money!

Conserve and Save is a great new full-service residential energy program that provides Austin and Owatonna homeowners with energy workshops, home visits- including a blower door and low-cost materials (up to a $300 value for a co-pay of only $25). In addition, information about specialized financing, incentives, stimulus funding and rebates will be available to make improvements to your home. Funding Provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Attend one of the FREE Workshops*

Tuesday, November 17th, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
JC Hormel Nature Center
1304 21st Street Northeast, Austin

Saturday, November 21st, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Owatonna Junior High School
500 15th Street Northeast, Owatonna

Reserve your spot today!
Beth Bennett (612) 335-5874 or bbennett@mncee.org

RFP for Weatherization Training Program Development

2009-10-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Weatherization Training Program Development

This solicitation seeks proposals from Weatherization Assistance Program service providers in partnership with training organizations to prepare low-income persons for residential energy- related jobs in Minnesota, with particular emphasis on preparation for jobs in the low-income Weatherization Assistance Program. Up to $1 million is available to ensure access to and affordability of training to prepare low-income persons for residential weatherization jobs in Minnesota.

Included with the solicitation is the contact information for all State recognized weatherization service providers (Weatherization Coordinators) and a list of potential partners.

Release Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2009
Deadline Date: Friday, November 20, 2009

For more information and to download a copy of the Informal Solicitation,click here.

If you have questions about this Informal Solicitation, please contact us at energy.contracts@state.mn.us

Emerging Renewable Energy Industry Project Funding

2009-10-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

The Office of Energy Security is requesting proposals for the following:

Emerging Renewable Energy Industries’ Projects
Eligible organizations are those that are engaged or will engage in the manufacture of renewable energy systems or fuels, energy storage systems, geothermal energy systems for heating and cooling, or the manufacture of components for such systems in the State of Minnesota.

Release Date: Monday, October 19, 2009
Deadline Date: Friday, December 18, 2009

For more information and to download a copy of the RFP, click here.

If you have questions about this RFP, please contact: energy.contracts@state.mn.us.

$5000 CERTS Seed Grants: There's Still Time to Apply!

2009-10-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

The Clean Energy Resource Teams of SE MN are offering eight $5,000 seed grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects this fall! Funds must be used for technical assistance or labor. The application deadline is November 2, 2009.

Complete RFP details and application materials can be found at: http://cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-projects/request-for-proposals

In the past three years, CERTS Southeast has funded a broad range of clean energy projects in the region, including photovoltaic panels for schools, biomass research, a hydropower study, and a clean energy festival.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me!

Susan Waughtal
SE CERTS Coordinator
507-252-9639

University of MN takes 5th Place at Solar Decathlon

2009-10-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

Members of Southeast CERTS trekked to St. Paul in October to look at the nearly completed ICON, the University of Minnesota's entry in the Solar Decathlon before it was transported to the international competition in Washington D. C. IKON is an actual house, designed to be totally energy self-sufficient using solar electric, solar thermal and passive solar technologies while evoking the aesthetic of a traditional house with a gabled roof.
It was one of 20 houses designed by teams of university students from around the world. At the competition, the U of M entry took 5th place overall, and was awarded first place for lighting design and engineering.

SE CERTs member Joe Deden and his wife Mary Bell attended the 2009 Solar Decathlon in Washington D.C. and sent this note:

At the 4th semi-annual Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington, D. C. we toured 20 solar homes that were designed and built by University students from the United States, Canada, Spain, Germany and Puerto Rico. An example of one creative idea was the University of Arizona home that had a canvas-like window fabric that had irregular shaped holes that automatically expanded and contracted like a camera lens that was designed to control the inside temperature. Two homes displayed unique exterior walls that were made of water, which has three times the temperature retention of cement. Home viewers were privy to brilliantly creative ways to incorporate space flexibility and adaptability with energy efficiency. To win the competition, each home was judged on attractiveness, effectiveness and energy-efficiency. Team Germany won first place, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign won second and Team California came in third. The University of Minnesota took 5th place. For great information, connect to www.solardecathlon.org/

Frontiers in the Environment - Lecture Series

2009-09-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

Frontiers in the Environment will explore the frontiers of knowledge in climate change, renewable energy, land use and other environmental hot topics. Speakers will provide the audience with a true understanding of the issue, its global significance and potential breakthroughs on the horizon. Join us Wednesdays at noon for a presentation and Q&A session, followed by a get-together in the Institute on the Environment Commons.

Jonathan Foley, director of the IonE, opens the series with "The Other Inconvenient Truth: Feeding and Fueling the World," a thought-provoking talk on our global crisis in land use and agriculture.

Frontiers in the Environment
Wednesdays, noon to 1 p.m. (starting Sept. 23)
IonE Seminar Room 380
VoTech Bldg., St. Paul campus
Free and open to the public; no registration required

October Lectures:
Oct. 7
“Solar After Dark: Storage Options”
Jane Davidson, Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Oct. 14
“Food, Energy and Global Climate: Solving the Trilemma”
David Tilman, Professor, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior

Oct. 21
“Fixing our Toxics Problem: Ivory Tower or White Castle?”
Deborah Swackhamer,Co-director, Water Resources Center

Oct. 28
“Mind the Gap:
Building Bridges to Mainstream the Value of Ecosystem Services in Everyday Decisions”
Stephen Polasky, Professor, Applied Economics/Ecology, Evolution and Behavior

See the complete Frontiers schedule and Speaker Bios

Can't make it to the St. Paul campus? The lectures will also air live online and will be archived for future viewing.
Watch and listen online via UMConnect

Global Energy Policy Event

2009-09-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

Denmark’s Greener Future: Influencing Global Energy Policy

Thursday, October 1, 2009
1:30 to 2:30pm
Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center

Due to President Obama visit to Denmark to address the Olympic Committee, Friis Arne Petersen, Danish Ambassador to the United States will be accompanying the president. The Danish Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Søren Jensen will speak on Thursday.

In anticipation of the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15), DCM Jensen, will offer a preview of what might be the new global agreement on the reduction of man-made greenhouse gases. With portions of the Kyoto protocol expiring in 2012 the summit in Copenhagen marks the last chance to implement a new agreement.

Denmark is a leader in adopting renewable energy programs, with 17% of the country’s energy coming from renewable sources of power. A global agreement that that combines respect for the environment with living standards and long-term security of the energy supply is the highest political priority for the Government of Denmark. Learn more about how Denmark is pursing a greener future at this interesting conversation and how we can all be involved.

This free event is sponsored by the Humphrey Institute’s Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy and the Minnesota International Center.

This email was sent by:
Center for Science, Technology & Public Policy
University of Minnesota
319 Nineteenth Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-625-3032
hhh.umn.edu/centers/stpp

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cstpp/policycatalyst/

© 2008 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Energy & the Economy is focus of RE-fest 2009

2009-09-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

From Post-Bulletin story 9/12/09
By Kurt Nesbitt

This year's RE-fest will focus more on how green jobs can grow the U.S. economy.

Like its predecessor, the second installment of RE-fest will mix fun with education about better living and a cleaner environment when it returns to Riverland Community College in Austin next weekend, except the 2009 version will delve into economic issues.

Its featured speaker, J. Drake Hamilton, will talk about what is needed to encourage private investment and entrepreneurship and economic opportunities centered around clean energy as well as a way to create clean-energy jobs in the U.S., cut U.S. dependence on foreign oil and use science to reduce global warming.

Hamilton is the science policy director at Fresh Energy, a St. Paul-based non-profit organization that is working to get the country to transition to cleaner, more efficient energy.

Read the entire story:
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=28&a=415844

Got Solar? You Are Wanted!

2009-09-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

If you are powered by the sun or other alternative energy source, you are invited to be a Solar Tour Site this year. It is a great way to help educate more people on Renewable Energy Options. The qualifying RE systems are solar electric, solar hot water, passive or active solar hot air, ground-source heat, and/or wind energy system at your home or business.

The Tour is Saturday, October 3rd from 10am to 5pm. and the MN Renewable Energy Society can provide volunteers to help you at your site for the day. In thanks for being a site, the American Solar Energy Society and MN Renewable Energy Society will give you a one year membership which includes discounts for classes and a one year subscription to Home Power magazine.

If you're interested in more information please go to: http://www.mnrenewables.org/solar-tour or email laurac@mnrenewables.org

If you would like to enter your site please go to: http://www.mnrenewables.org/solar-tour and click on Submit a Site Application.

Re-fest -Celebration of Clean Energy & Green Living

2009-09-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 19th
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Riverland Community College, Austin, MN
FREE Admission!
RE٠think... green living

RE٠new... clean energy

RE٠store...conservation

YOU can help conserve the Earth's limited resources and make positive changes in your community:

Learn more about recycling, renewable energy for your home or business, saving money through simple energy conservation efforts, and more in 21 educational workshops.

Enter the Earth Balloon and learn about our planet or walk the U.S. from coast to coast on a Earth Walk adventure of discovery like no other.

The Solar-Powered Stage will feature local bands and storytellers.

Exhibitors will display and sell their eco-friendly products and services.

Local Food & work by Local Artisans will be for sale.

Kids will learn about the environment while having fun making Solar S'Mores and model Wind Turbines.

See live birds of prey up-close and learn how humans affect their lives.

Award-winning Naturalist Storyteller Kevin Strauss will tell animal, planet, and ecology stories that make you laugh, make you sigh, and make you think.

A Recycled Fashion Show will parade current fashion trends - all available at second-hand clothing stores.

Eco-Friendly Auto Show will display vehicles that provide fuel efficient transportation and a way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Come by bike, foot, or public transportation if you can! Anyone who drives will have the opportunity to purchase carbon offsets. Proceeds will be used for tree planting and prairie restoration to help make this a carbon-free event.

RE-fest has something for everyone!
Visit www.re-fest.org for directions and schedule of events.

CERTs Now Accepting Proposals for 2009-2010 Seed Grants

2009-09-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

CERTs seeks to provide limited financial assistance for energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects requiring technical assistance. Project funding can support technical assistance services (labor costs only—such as for a consultant, design professional, installer or student labor), for projects in all seven Minnesota CERT regions. All applications are due no later than 4:30pm, November 2nd, 2009. We welcome all applications, and thank you in advance for helping us spread the word!

For more information: http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-projects/request-for-proposals

Living Off the Grid, Off the Well, & Off the Furnace

2009-09-03T12:13:00.001-07:00

Christian Milaster has built a house that operates on just $100 a year and is off-the-grid, , off-the-well, and off-the-furnace, yet has all the comfortable amenenities most people wouldn't want to give up. Milaster calls the buildingand design of his clean energy home "Project Licht 'n Stein" (German for "light and stone")" He shared the details of Project Licht'n Stein at a Southeast CERTs meeting last spring.

Watch videotaped excerpts of Christian Milaster's presentation to SE CERTs:
Project Licht 'n Stein - Introduction

Project Licht 'n Stein - Off-the-Grid

Project Licht 'n Stein - Off-the-Well

Project Licht 'n Stein - Off-the-Furnace

Links:
Project Licht'n Stein
BeCause Group Consulting

CapX2020 officials: Alma preferred river crossing for power line

2009-08-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

By RYAN STOTTS | Lee Newspapers | Posted: Friday, August 28, 2009 12:05 am

CapX2020 representatives said Thursday they have chosen a preferred site for its proposed $2 billion Minnesota-Wisconsin high-voltage power line to cross the Mississippi River: Alma, Wis.

The consortium of 11 utility companies made the announcement at a town hall meeting at the Houston American Legion moderated by state Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona.

If the Alma option is chosen, it would eliminate crossings that had been considered at Winona and La Crescent, Minn. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has 15 months to make the final decision once CapX2020 files in what likely will be November, Hillstrom said.

Read the Full Story.

Secretary of Energy Chu visits Rochester Wind Training Facility

2009-08-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

By Heather J. Carlson
Post-Bulletin Online, Rochester MN, Tue, Aug 4, 2009

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu got an up-close look Monday at what it takes to work on wind turbines. Chu watched during a visit in Rochester as workers used a system of harnesses, ropes and massive clips to practice rescuing a colleague.

Rochester's International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 343's Wind Training Facility helps train these workers before they are 280 feet in the air, working on a turbine.

The secretary's visit comes as IBEW Wind Training Facility -- the only one of its kind in the nation, officials say -- is in the process of applying for a $2.2 million grant to expand its wind safety training in partnership with Rochester Community and Technical College. The expansion would include training for solar panel and wind-turbine installation and maintenance.

Read the full story.

SMMPA ranks fourth in national wind-power sales

2009-08-28T17:28:00.001-07:00

SMMPA ranks fourth in national wind-power sales

Shared via AddThis

RPU Ranks Solar as Preferred Renewable Energy Source

2009-08-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

RPU seeks power from rooftops

Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 8/27/2009
By Christina Killion Valdez

On Tuesday, Rochester Public Utilities approved its 2009 Infrastructure Plan Update, a guideline for power supply planning that ranked solar higher than wind as the preferred source of renewable energy for the utility company in the future.

The plan provides recommendations as to when and what resources will be needed through 2045. Those recommendationsand public comments, will serve as a guide for future budgeting, Koshire said. SE CERTS Board member RAy Schmitz suggested a future where Rochester residents and businesses would have solar panels on their rooftops, making them producers as well as consumers of electricity.

Read the full story.

Dispersed Renewable Generation (DRG) Transmission Study -- Webinar August 18th

2009-08-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow: We want to share this update opportunity with you on the Dispersed Renewable Generation (DRG) Transmission Study. Tomorrow, August 18th, from 1-2pm, there will be a webinar to provide a brief update on the study efforts, methodologies, status, and schedule. Click here to register for the August 18th webinar: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/477291025. No study results will be presented at the August 18th webinar.

Next Month: There will also be a longer webinar to present the results of Phase II of the DRG Transmission Study on September 15th from 1-3pm. Visit the CERTs site for more information about registering, hosting a local viewing, or attending a local viewing at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/events/calendar/08/17/09/dispersed-renewable-generation-transmission-study-phase-ii-webinar.

2009 Minnesota Road Show

2009-08-12T12:13:00.000-07:00

Please join MEI and MN Waste Wise in Duluth for the second Minnesota Road Show.

Tuesday, August 25
7:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota Duluth
Solon Campus Center
1117 University Drive
Duluth, MN

The 2009 Minnesota Road Show is a series of four informative fleet efficiency workshops in four Minnesota Cities - Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. The workshops will feature presentations from national experts and experienced local fleet managers on emission reduction strategies, alternative fuels, available technologies, and funding opportunities. Optional lunch breakout sessions will explore these topics in depth, and provide an opportunity to get solutions to specific problems, share experiences and discuss challenges across sectors.

For more information on the 2009 Minnesota Road Shows eries, or to register for the Duluth workshop,
visit http://www.mnwastewise.org/resources/events.cfm or contact Kate Worley

Also, mark your calendars for the upcoming events in St. Cloud on Thursday, October 1 and in Rochester on Thursday, November 5. Details and registration will be posted soon at http://www.mn.ei.org/events/upcoming.html .

Conserve & Save at Home Workshops

2009-08-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

Full-Service Residential Energy Program Coming to
Austin & Owatonna!

Launching in November, the Conserve and Save at Home workshops will give Austin and Owatonna homeowners the chance to be among the first Minnesota residents to participate in a new full-service residential energy program! The program will include FREE energy workshops, home visits from qualified professionals including low-cost materials as well as specialized financing, incentives and rebates to make improvements to their home.
Workshops will be held on:

Tuesday, November 17th, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
JC Hormel Nature Center (1304 21st St. NE, Austin)

OR

Saturday, November 21st, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Owatonna Junior High School (500 15th St. NE, Owatonna)

Reserve your spot at the workshop by contacting Beth Bennett at 612-335-5874 or bbennett@mncee.org.
For more information contact Ashley Robertson at (612)335-5869 or arobertson@mncee.org. Funding for this project was provided in part by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

On-Farm Oilseed Production Workshop -July 25th

2009-07-21T20:19:00.000-07:00

Workshop presented by Organic Valley Cooperative staff

This presentation will cover every stage of production in the processing of sustainable biodiesel fuels, from the initial planting of an oilseed crop to the final biodiesel or straight vegetable oil (SVO) product. In addition, we will look at the different aspects of a farm-scale model and directly relate this information to the economics of these processes. We will go through the numbers and demonstrate vegetable oil extraction and biodiesel processing with a diesel engine converted for SVO on a 466 International straight truck.

Date: Saturday, July 25, 2009

Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Kickapoo Country Fair, Organic Valley, La Farge, Wisconsin

Registration:Registration requested. Please send your contact information to Amy Stratton at astratton@iatp.org and specify "oilseed workshop" in the subject line. You will receive a confirmation email and more details.

More information at www.iatp.org or www.organicvalley.coop/kickapoo. Sponsored by Organic Valley, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

SE CERTS Field Trip Agenda

2009-07-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

Southeast Region Clean Energy Resource Team
July 21st , 2009
2:30 to 5:30pm
Winona, Minnesota

Winona** Senior High School
903 Gilmore Avenue
Conference Room 2 of the district offices in the high school

To RSVP for the meeting, please go to *http://www.eventbrite.com/event/380247330 *
or contact CERTs Co-Coordinator Joel Haskard 612-625-8759; haska004@umn.edu .

2:30 pm Introductions

2:40 pm Winona Community-Based Wind Development—/Anne Morse, Winona County Environmental Services

3:00 pm Winona High School Solar Project—/Dwayne Voegeli, Winona High School /

3:20 pm Sustain Winona and the ISO 14001 Project—/Anne Morse and Andy Robertson /

3:40 pm Winona State University’s Energy Resource Advisor program—/Diane Dingfelder, WSU

4:00 pm Adjourn for the Pork & Plants Tour.
Pork and Plants is about 15 miles and 35 minutes away at 16378 County Rd 114 Altura, MN. To find out more, visit http://www.porkandplants.com/; to see directions visit
http://www.porkandplants.com/directions.htm.

4:45 pm Tour Pork & Plants native grass and biomass project—Eric Kreidermacher

5:30 pm Adjourn

Homeowners' Solar Workshop in Winona

2009-07-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

Solar Energy — Ready for Your Home Today!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Winona Senior High School 903 Gilmore Ave. Winona, Mn
organized by the Renewable Energy Subcommittee of the Winona County Economic Development Authority.

The workshop’s presenters – ranging from installers and dealers to suppliers - represent the best professionals in the business today. With the substantial tax credits, state incentives and utility rebates now in place, solar energy has never been more economically viable. At the end of the evening attendees can expect to walk away with the confidence needed to decide if a solar system – whether solar PV or solar thermal – is right for them.

Agenda
6:00 Affordability of Solar: Tax Credits & other Incentives Pam Newell,, Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards Program
6:30 Efficiency & the Value of One Technology over Another Lynn Hinkle, HK Climate Solutions
7:00 Solar Thermal and Solar PV — Key Considerations Ralph Jacobson, Innovative Power Systems
8:00 Installation & Addressing Code Concerns Tom Thompson, Pine Island Solar

Registration requested by calling 507.457.6468 or by e-mail to amorse@co.winona.mn.us

This workshop is the second in a series of 2009 Summer Renewable Energy Workshops for Homeowners. The first workshop, held in Ridgeway in June, focused on geothermal energy. The third and final workshop, to be held in St. Charles on August 20th, will focus on small wind turbines, sized 40kw and under.

Six Austin Churches Focus on Reducing Carbon Footprint

2009-07-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

From 7/8/09 Post-Bulletin story, Austin MN By Karen Colbenson
This summer, six local churches are banding together for the ecumenical purpose of bringing faith into the goal of reducing the community's carbon footprint. The project, called Creation Care, is being led by Natalie Baudler, an Austin resident and junior at Luther College.

Baudler is leading the project as a three-month internship for her studies in English and communications. The goal of the internship is to spread the word about the "Going Green" movement, starting with the basics of faith. "It's really a moral issue," Baudler said. "It's our duty as stewards to care for God's creation. That's the main message."

Baudler is encouraging each church to take the Minnesota Energy Challenge and get energy audits.

Read the full story in the Post Bulletin

Wisconsin Utility Seeks Approval for Freeborn County Wind Farm

2009-07-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

From 7/9/09 Post-Bulletin, Austin, MN by Sarah Doty

Wisconsin regulators are scheduled to vote today on Wisconsin Power & Light Co.'s plan to build a huge wind farm in Freeborn County, just north of Albert Lea.

The farm, which would be spread across 32,500 acres, would generate about 200 megawatts of electricity -- enough to power 50,000 homes.

Red the full story in the Post Bulletin

Mower County Settles with Wind Developer for Road Repairs

2009-07-09T16:45:00.000-07:00

From 7/9/09 Post-Bulletin story by Tim Ruzek and Sarah Doty
GRAND MEADOW -- Mower County officials have reached a settlement with wind-farm developer enXco in which the California-based company will provide $125,000 to repair township roads damaged while constructing more than 100 turbines near Grand Meadow.
Read the full story in Post Bulletin

Rochester Water Plant Saves Energy and Reaps Rebate

2009-07-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

From Post Bulletin Story by Jeff Pieters
A new energy system at Rochester's Water Reclamation Plant saves some 5 million BTUs of natural gas per year and also qualified the sewer plant for a $129,525 rebate from Minnesota Energy.
Read the full story in the Post-Bulletin

IREE Algae Biofuel Presentation

2009-07-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

IREE Event:
Biofuel Activities at Sandia and Opportunities with the Department of Energy's Biomass Program

Ron Pate (a principal member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories) will offer a brief introduction to the work of Sandia National Laboratories, followed by an overview of Sandia's programmatic interest in biofuels and recent biofuel project activities, with an emphasis on algae. He'll also provide information on current funding opportunities through the DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program.

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: Cargill Building
1500 Gortner Avenue
University of Minnesota: St. Paul campus

SE CERTs May Meeting Notes

2009-06-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

Southeast CERT Site Visit

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009, 3-5 pm

ARTech High School, Northfield Minnesota

ARTech High School
We started our site visit with a tour of ARTech High School for Arts and Technology to learn about their school and view their solar PV system. ARTech received a $5000 mini-grant form SE CERTS in 2008 for this project. Artech student Kaya Lovestrand led our tour and walked the group through their process for fundraising for and installing the panels.

ARTech is also participating in Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon and has a proposal in the works for a solar greenhouse.
Northfield Community Members on their Energy Task Force
George Kinney, Bruce Anderson, and Pat Allen, are former members of the Northfield Energy Task Force. (See Task Force recommendations here
George, Bruce and Pat explained the charge to the Northfield Task Force, recommendations the Northfield Energy Task Force made to the community, described the process they went through and where the recommendations and participants are headed now.
More photos can be viewed on Flickr.

Wind Energy Forum

2009-06-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 9,
5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Wanamingo Community Center, 401 Main St., Wanamingo, MN

Forum highlights, focusing on utility scale wind energy projects:

• Community wind economics- by Eric Lantz, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

• Business models and finance

• Lands leases and other legal concerns

• Siting and permitting

• Environmental and health considerations

• Wind energy case studies

Panelists include Charlie Daum, Geronimo Wind; Mark Rathbun, Great River Energy; Pat Louwagie, Hoffman & Brobst; John Schladweiler, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR); Carl Herbrandson, Minnesota Dept. of Health; Chuck Burdick and Tiff Thompson, National Wind; and Ron Peterson, Westwood Professional Services.

Everyone is invited at no charge.
A light meal will be served at no charge.

For more information:
Rich Huelskamp
651-301-3271
richh@smifoundation.org

Making the Electric Grid Smarter, Stronger, Greener and More Secure.

2009-06-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

Experiment in Rural Cooperation is showing this webinar (not as a formal host site) at the Heintz Center on TUES, 6/23... come if you wanna. Room HC112.
Tuesday, June 23, 2:30-4pm
Dr. Massoud Amin's webinar, Making the Electric Grid Smarter, Stronger, Greener and More Secure
NOTE THE BIOMASS SEMINAR IS THE FOLLOWING THURS, JUNE 25, 1:30-3, ALSO IN ROOM HC112.

Dr. Massoud Amin's webinar, Making the Electric Grid Smarter, Stronger, Greener and More Secure.
Tuesday, June 23, 2:30-4pm
For more details or to register:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/247597690

The North American Electric Grid is considered to be the world’s largest machine as well as one of the 20th century’s greatest technological achievements. However, this same magnificent grid has grown old and out-of-date over the years and many believe it is not currently ready or able to meet the demands of the 21st century.

Dr. Massoud Amin will offer some much needed context on these topics and share his thoughts on how we need to move forward. In this information packed hour, he will use data, graphs, research, and his witty metaphors to:

• The current status of the electric power grid
• A historical context as to what has happened during the last 10-15 years
• Pathways forward on how we can make the Grid Smarter, Stronger, Greener, and More Secure

Following his presentation, Dr. Amin will take questions for the remainder of the hour.

Instructor Info:
Dr. Massoud Amin has pioneered R&D into smart electric power grids, coined the term 'self-healing grid,' and led the development of more than 24 advanced technologies for our national critical infrastructures. He is currently the Director of the Center for the Development of Technological Leadership and a professor at the University of Minnesota. His areas of expertise include: Systems and Controls; Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP); Development and Management of R&D initiatives; Strategic Planning and Implementation. Earlier in his career, Dr. Amin was the Area Manager of Infrastructure Security, Grid Operations/Planning, and Energy Markets at EPRI in Palo Alto, California.

Webinar: 90-Minute Introduction to the Biomass Crop Assistance Program

2009-06-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

100 spots still available!
Continue reading or visit http://www.mnproject.org/BCAP.html to learn more. Please share widely!

Date: Thu, Jun 25, 2009
Time: 1:30 PM CDT
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Host(s): The Minnesota Project
AGENDA:
1:30-1:35 Introduction & Overview – Ryan Stockwell, Clean Energy Program Manager, The Minnesota Project
1:35-1:50 Implications for Biomass Crop Growers & Users – Joel Tallaksen, Gasification Project Coordinator, University of Minnesota Morris
1:50-2:15 A State’s Perspective on BCAP – Gary Radloff, Director of Policy and Strategic Communications, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
2:15-2:30 Federal Policy & Implementation Issues – Kelly S. Novak, Planning and Analysis, USDA Farm Service Agency
2:30-3:00 Question & Response Time

ABOUT BCAP:
The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), created as a key provision in the 2008 Farm Bill, looks to promote the cultivation of perennial bioenergy crops that show exceptional promise for producing highly energy-efficient bioenergy crops that preserve natural resources and that are not primarily grown for food or animal feed.

BCAP will provide financial assistance to any biomass conversion facility or group of producers that contribute to the production of renewable biomass to use as an energy source. BCAP aims to relieve the dependency on commodity crops as an energy source and shift to less strained biomass materials.

The program is currently in the process of environmental assessment and rulemaking, and is projected to begin no earlier than spring 2010. However, the main structure of the statute remains intact and many want to see the program begin sooner—including President Obama—even if just in pilot form. This May, Obama formed an Interagency Biofuels Working Group and issued a directive to USDA Secretary Vilsack to accelerate investment in biofuels.

Please pass this webinar on to your co-workers and colleagues by forwarding this email or downloading a flyer for the event.

Energy Seminars at Rochester Market Square

2009-06-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

Rochester Market Square is a group of independent established businesses that have come together to bring the building, home remodeling, and interior design customer the convenience of one stop shopping with a rich visual experience, sponsoring a series of seminars:

Power is Everything
Kohler Backup Generators & Dupont Kevlar Storm Rooms
Space Limited Please RSVP to 507-285-5453
Attend the Seminar and Receive Additional 10 % Off a System Saturday, June 20, 10am
MN GreenStar 101

Your Tool Kit for Green Home Building & Remodeling
Space limited Please RSVP to 507-289-3622 Thursday, June 25, 6pm

Wind Energy Systems for Home, Farm or Business
Space Limited Please RSVP to 507-424-3884
Attend the Seminar and Receive Additional 10% Off a System Friday, June 26, 6pm

Is Geothermal Energy Right for Your Home?

2009-06-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Winona County Economic Development Authority's 1st of the Summer 2009 Renewable Energy for Homeowners Series

Is Geothermal Energy Right for Your Home?

Monday, June 22, 2009
Ridgeway Community School 35564 Winona County Road 12
(2 mi. east of intersection of MN Hwy 76 and I-90 on Co. Rd 12)
5:30pm - 8:30 pm

Agenda
5:30 Discussion & Tour of Ridgeway Community School Geothermal System
6:00 Welcome and Introductions
6:15 Generous Tax Credits and Incentives Currently Available for
Geothermal Systems

Jeff Haase, Mn Dept of Commerce, Office of Energy
Security

7:00 Soundbites - Brief Self-introduction of Vendors
7:15 Panel of Homeowners w/Existing Systems

(2 homeowners, 10 min each, and 15 min of Q & A)

7:50 Panel of Installers

(2 installers, 10 min each, & 20 min of Q & A)

This workshop is free and open to the public. Cookies & refreshments will be provided.
Advance registration requested via email to amorse@co.winona.mn.us or by phone to 507.457.6468
Vendor booths are available at a cost of $25. One table provided; set up from 3:30 - 5:30. To arrange for a booth, contact Michelle Groth at timich@hbci.com or 507.454.5506

Pork and Plants Receives 2009 Ag Innovator of the Year Award

2009-06-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

From Tim Terrill:

Eric Kreidermacher from Pork & Plants nursery just received the Agricultural Utilization Research institute (AURI) 2009 Ag Innovator of the Year statewide award. You might know about Eric and his pelletizing project when the Winona SWCD took a tour of it last year at our annual tour. Eric grows his energy crops on farmland, and then harvests' it to heat his greenhouses. This helps to filter pollution from leaching off the land, while producing an economic alternative to corn and soybean production.

I have been hearing from AURI and other alternative energy people that Eric is part of a very small group of innovators in the state that is actually applying alternative energy on a farm scale basis. I really believe and hope that his operation will be a model that policy makers will use to help further biomass utilization in Minnesota. Congratulations Eric for applying conservation to the landscape in a unique way, and making Winona County a great place to live.

Tim Terrill
PO Box 39, 400 Wilson St.
Lewiston, MN 55952
507-523-2171
www.winonaswcd.org

enXco Closes Financing On Wapsipinicon Wind Project

2009-06-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

by NAW Staff on Monday 01 June 2009

Escondido, Calif.-based enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles company, has closed on the project financing for the Wapsipinicon Wind Energy Project. Lenders to the project are Nord/LB, CIC Credit Industriel et Commercial, Landesbank Hessen-Thuringen (Helaba) and CoBank. Nord/LB is administrative agent for the banks, which each have equal shares in term loan and letter of credit facilities."We are very proud to have another renewable energy project financed with Nord/LB, which also served as administrative agent for our Shiloh II project earlier this year," says Jim Peters, vice president of project finance for enXco. "Each of the lenders involved with the Wapsipinicon project have worked with enXco previously, and we continue to benefit from the strong relationships."

Construction of the 100.5 MW wind farm, which consists of 67 1.5 MW GE wind turbines, commenced in April 2008, with commissioning achieved in December 2008. Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency is purchasing power under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

The Wapsipinicon Wind Project, located in Mower County, Minn., will be operated and maintained by enXco Service Corp.SOURCE: enXco

Rural Energy for America

2009-06-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

USDA Rural Development Invites Applications for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans and Grants

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 4 – USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants and loan guarantees for farmers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements, or conduct feasibility studies. The funds are administered through Rural Development’s Rural Energy for American Program.

The deadline for applications is July 31, 2009, and can be sent to Lisa Noty, USDA Rural Development, 1400 West Main St., Albert Lea, MN 56007. Electronic applications may be submitted at www.grants.gov.

Loan guarantees and grants are available to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. The maximum grant for renewable energy systems is 25% of eligible project costs, not to exceed $500,000. Energy efficiency improvement projects are eligible for up to 25% of eligible project costs, not to exceed $250,000. The maximum loan guarantee is 75 percent of eligible project costs, not to exceed $25 million. Combination loan guarantees and grants are also available. Feasibility studies now also qualify for grants under the Rural Energy for America Program.

Minnesota farmers and rural small businesses have been awarded almost $28 million since the Rural Energy for America Program was created in 2003. Examples of projects include large and small wind turbines, grain dryers, geothermal systems, energy efficient refrigerators or freezers and methane digesters.

USDA Rural Development finance housing, infrastructure and economic development projects in rural areas. Since 2001, it has invested over $4 billion throughout rural Minnesota.

Contact: Adam Czech, Public Information Coordinator
Phone: (651) 602-7799 (office); (320) 309-1160(cell)
E-mail: adam.czech@mn.usda.gov

Rochester Invites Energy Commission Applicants

2009-06-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

The City of Rochester is establishing an Energy Commission (Ordinance 19A. Energy Commission) and is seeking 9 volunteers to guide energy-efficiency, land-use, transportation, and other policies that will lead the city to a sustainable future. Applicants must be a resident of Rochester and have a desire to serve their community in a volunteer capacity and be willing to contribute the number of hours necessary.

If you're interested in participating, please download an application from the link below, apply online, or for more information, call 507-328-2700. The Mayor interviews applicants and shall appoint a member subject to city council confirmation.

First LEED-Certified Building in Rochester

2009-06-09T07:13:00.001-07:00

The year-old Nietz Electric building at 4475 U.S. 14 West became the first green building in Rochester to achieve LEED certification. (A few others are registered, but none are officially certified yet.) More than 30% of the materials used in construction are recycled-content and more than 30% were local materials from within a 30-mile radius of the site. Although it looks like a typical office building, the energy-efficient structure incorporates natural lighting and will use about 18% less energy than a standard office building, states Mike Benike of A.E. Benike, Inc.. the general contractor for the project. The owner also purchases renewable energy, wind power, from RPU.
Read the story in the Rochester Post-Bulletin:http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=7&a=398875

Our Way into the Future - Film and Discussion

2009-04-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

May 4 6:30 – 8pm,
Rochester Public Library, Meeting Room A
Our Way into the Future

Whether we are nineteen or ninety, our great work is the same—to restore an intimate
relationship with the earth. Come to be inspired and challenged. A short video: The Awakening
Universe will be followed by a discussion of Thomas Berry’s vision of our way into the future.
Our Way into the Future

“Listen to these words carefully,” Thomas Berry requested at a Conference in 1987. “The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects. And listen to this: The human is derivative. The planet is primary.”

Sponsored by Earth Community Education Committee

Solar Energy Presentation

2009-04-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 19, 12:15 pm,
First Unitarian Universalist Church (Sanctuary,)
1727 Walden Lane SW, Rochester

Don't miss this presentation by the dynamic students who spearheaded the Minnesota Student Energy Project and secured funds to install solar panels on Mayo High School. In the past year, these students have raised over $136,000 for solar panels for Minnesota Schools. Learn about their research and how solar energy could be implemented in your home, school, or business.

Winona County Aspires to Run Wind Farm

2009-04-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

From Rochester Post-Bulletin, April 7, 2009
By Heather Carlson

Winona County soon could become a pioneer in the energy business by running its own two-turbine wind farm.

The county's Economic Development Authority wants to sign a deal with a commercial developer to build a $3.6 million wind turbine project. First, the county needs the Legislature to give it the authority to enter into a limited liability company. That would make the county eligible for tax benefits and credits from the federal government, said Linda Grover, the county's EDA director.

If the partnership were to move ahead, it would make Winona County one of the first counties in the nation to own a commercial wind development.

Read story here.

SE CERTS March Meeting Notes

2009-04-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

3/17/09 Steering Committee Meeting, Heintz Center

GUEST SPEAKER:
Christian Milaster, Project Licht ‘n Stein:
"Off the Grid, Off-the-Well, and Off-the-Furnace: Renewable Energy in 21st-Century Comfort!"
Contact: questions@lichtnstein.org
or for more information see: http://consulting.lichtnstein.org/
About 4 years ago, Milaster researched and built a low maintenance, super efficient home in the rural Lanesboro area that runs on a utility bill of $100/year. The footprint of house is 40x40. Christian wanted to help people figure out how to conserve in their existing homes and then what to do when they expand and remodel. He built his home to demonstrate that building an efficient home is both possible and affordable – and it can be done without feeling like you’re “doing without.”

A few highlights:

Philosophy is is SMART Conservation – Simple, Meaningful, Affordable, Realistic and using Technology, without a major reduction of comfort
With 10-year average annual increase of energy prices, house will save approximately $300,000 over the next 30 years in utility bills… and if projections are accurate, it may be far more.
Fiber cement siding, w/ 25-year warranty, recycled plastic deck… He looked at maintenance issues and lifetime costs
Use ~ 3 kWh/day during the week with 2 working adults – 5.5 kWh/day on weekends (or about 1/7th of their energy usage); American average is closer is 25-30 kWh/day;
Have reduced fossil fuel dependence by 98%; reduced 70-80-% of water usage (<40>
For every dollar he spent on conservation, he saved between $2.50 and $18.00 on renewable energy equipment he wold have needed
$0 electric bill… off-grid with wind power (Bergey)… and close on the PV system; Avoided $12,000 cost for connection with Tri-County Electric - Will be $18,000 project with wind and solar PV
Have inverter and battery (lead-acid) charging… can go about 3-4 days without added power; insulated battery cause perform optimally @ 77 degrees
Energy Efficiency appliances: Kenmore with 1 kWh/day; gas range that uses NO electricity (peerless); air-to-air exchanger; central vacuum, washing machine and dishwasher; energy efficient lighting, some LED rope lights; phantom loads elimination (timers, switches, remote-controlled outlets)
Wind provides ~ 80-90% of energy in winter
Off-the-well: no well, no city water, no sewer – get about 45,000 gallons of rainwater per year (1 inch gives 1,500 gal of nice, soft water) – 60-70 gallons/day/person is average use in US; low-flow dual-flush toilet; use standing seam steel roof for collection with leaf-protected gutters; three 2,500 gal cisterns designed to last 100 days; will add a carbon filter, reverse osmosis to make it drinkable.
$0 heating bill – radiant heat more comfortable and cost effective. Three systems to make heating system including passive solar design, masonry stove and solar radiant in-floor heat
Passive solar – 60% of glazing on south side; high solar heat gain coefficient; triple pane windows and insulated concrete forms
Heat Storage – 4-inch cement slab and slate floor
Distribution: radiation from thermal mass
Control – sunny days; on; cloudy days/window shades: off
Masonry stove - Build a fire once-a-day to keep temps up – burn fast and hot, which means pretty clean; requires short-term tending. $25,000
Radiant in-floor heat; with hot water and heat storage tank – 12 zones with 12 programmable thermostats;
Icynene in ceiling; cellulose in all stud walls
Awning windows and casement windows (to help with cooling)

Why did he do it? – "We are using more fossil fuels than we’re able to create; to demonstrate it can be done; to use what nature provides… it is possible and it works!"

Note: This presentation was videotaped and once edited, segments will be posted on the SE CERTS website.

Other Agenda items:

Melissa updated committee on funding stuff and some of our various federal $ ideas

CERT staff have testified on our core funding bill in the Senate and (and now the House, too). We’re requesting $1.25 million in funding for all seven regions, over two years, from the Renewable Development Fund. Both the Senate and House have laid our legislation over for consideration as part of the omnibus spending package.
Numerous groups have been pulling together information about the energy components of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a.k.a. the federal stimulus package.
Some of the many good resources include:
- Minnesota Office of Energy Security’s new website: http://www.energy.mn.gov/, with a special section dedicated to Federal Stimulus info
- The CERT site: http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/get-answers/02/03/2009/now-time-make-energy-efficiency-improvements-your-home
- Energy Star: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits – for all you ever wanted to know regarding new federal tax credits!
- DSIRE: http://www.dsireusa.org/ – Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy has information on the PTC/ITC, CREBs, and various other grants and incentives.

CERTs has also pitched a few ideas in response to new state monies coming through the ARRA. They include:

A state-wide Appliance Harvest – that would work with utilities across the state, and across service territory to harvest old/unused refrigerators and freezers and ensure that utilities are able to garner the energy savings from recovering these appliances. Anne noted that we really need to work with counties to make sure that this is something they’re also on-board with and don’t see as a conflict with their solid waste recovery efforts. (Update: Joel has followed up with Anne on this and is now working to connect with Mark Gamm who is the Director of Solid Waste administrators for Dodge Co. and chair of their statewide body).
Clean energy census…. Coordinate with Senior High Schools, have those students do the actual work of asking the questions/get them trained. Peer pressure approach; could it double as a fundraiser for schools/students for them to do their own project. (Update: we testified on this idea last night, March 31st, and got a positive reception. People like the idea of having students involved).

Andy Potts talked about the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Apprenticeship Program as it relates to renewable energy:

IBEW hasn't trained much with solar PV (hasn’t been much interest). They volunteered labor for the Mayo High School Solar PV project –and include PV training in curriculum (book), but don’t have the hands-on piece; that’s why the Mayo project was great; next one will likely be Century High School
Then train on large wind… gear toward safety, high voltage cable termination, code of excellence course, grounding, rescue from towers, climbing. Lots of potential for big wind 3000 MW in southern MN and Northern Iowa
Members who are interested in small wind; starting to do manufacturing; seems that interest is growing, especially based on federal funding incentives
As you get more systems on-line – VISIBILITY - then it attracts more interest; people see it actually happening
There are also still barriers in paying for 20 years of power up-front; systems are still expensive; high up-front costs are tough
Likely suspects could be any “big-box” structure – sign a contract for power @ a certain rate… bank owns the system.
If folks don’t see another contractor making the money on that kind of work, then they don’t want to invest in the training
Renewable Energy Payments (feed-in tariff) could change the dynamic and make these sorts of investments more likely.
As the State steps up with rebates, it generates more interest.
To get rebate must be a certified electrical contractor; for solar rebate must get the NABSEP certification. Licensed electrician to do the connection to the grid.

Melissa wonders about outstate training programs through the MN Renwable Energy Society… should they wait until there is more demand? Or maybe this would drive demand (and market with federal incentives)?

Other Discussion:

Art Reckinger is on a crusade to get folks interested in PV and geothermal (combined systems).

Regional Science Fair – are done! SE CERTs recognized top projects on clean energy and energy efficiency. See listing of the SE CERTS Scholarship winners here. Thanks to Roger Wacek, Larry Landherr and Sig Anderson for serving as judges.

Ray Schmitz reported that the Rochester City Council @ Committee of the Whole voted to create a Sustainability Committee is organizing a meeting later this spring to get more community involvement.

Upcoming SE CERTS meetings:

We will have SE regional team meetings in Northfield on May 19th & Winona on July 21st (tentative date).

RNeighbors Think Green Neighborhood Conference

2009-04-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009
Time: 8:30 am-noon
Location: RCTCHeintz CenterRoom HB117 (Use the H Entrance Door)Rochester, MN

Be sure to mark your calendar and register online for the RNeighbors Think GREEN Neighborhood Conference.

This will be a multi-generational morning full of practical (easy) things that you can do to think and live in a more earth friendly way. There will be interactive, fun, 30 min sessions of hands-on, active things you can do to green-up your life and neighborhood. Presenters are experts on the topics and have each helped enact green ideas to our city.

Topics will include:

Rain Garden Party
Native Gardening
Energy Conservation
Girl Scouts Recycling Program
Placemaking
Creative Reuse
Composting
Proper Tree Planting

There will be several additional groups who work in our community present with practical information on saving money, time, and the environment --including Southeast CERTS.

Control Your Energy Future -Solar Thermal Forum

2009-04-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Izaak Walton League Home Energy Forum

April 7, 2009
Solar Thermal - presented by Tom Thompson

If you want to cut your greenhouse gas emissions, lower monthly expenses or free yourself from the gas company, there has never been a better time to install solar hot water systems. State rebates and federal tax incentives make solar power affordable.

Tom Thompson, owner of Pine Island Solar, started building super-insulated homes in the 1970's. His work then migrated to passive solar homes and now to photovoltaic and solar thermal installations. He will be discussing design requirements, system sizing and expected performance of photovoltaic systems in December.

Izaak Walton League Cabin
937 7th Ave NE
Rochester. MN

7 p.m.
Open to the Public
For more information, visit www.rochestermnikes.org or call 507-775-2814.

Clean Energy Grant Opportunities

2009-03-27T08:55:00.001-07:00

The CERTS-SE website has just been updated with many new listings of grant opportunities for clean energy and energy conservation projects.

Visit: http://certs-se.org/financial%20resources.htm and scroll down, down, down.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Guidebook

2009-03-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Congressman Walz's office has created the American Recovery and Reinvestment Guidebook, which can be read online. The parts related to energy begin on page 22.

From Congressman Walz:

We are facing an historic economic crisis that requires bold action to get our economy moving again. Last month, I joined my colleagues in supporting the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which is aimed squarely at jumpstarting our economy and getting people back to work quickly.

To help Minnesota communities, businesses and individuals navigate this large
and complex piece of legislation, I have prepared a guidebook to assist people
in determining how the recovery funds can best help southern Minnesota.

Click here for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Guidebook.

If you need additional assistance, please email me by clicking here or call my Mankato office at 507-388-2149.

Small Wind Turbine Installation Workshop

2009-03-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Maple Grove, MN • April 15-17, 2009
Great River Energy Headquarters

Due to increasing interest in renewable energy and residential-sized wind turbines, this three-day workshop is being offered to provide an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of small wind project development. The timeliness of this workshop complements the growing demand and interest in renewable energy.

With the passage of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 came a small wind investment tax credit to help consumers purchase small wind for home, farm and business use. Owners of small wind systems with 100 kilowatts (kW) of capacity and less can receive a credit for 30% of the total installed cost of the system. The credit will be available for equipment installed through December 31, 2016.

This three-day course will lead participants through all the necessary background information required to site and install a small wind turbine (up to 40 kW in capacity). The course will cover in detail all the steps for a successful project including timelines, initial planning stages, siting considerations, wind resource assessments and energy production estimates, tower considerations, zoning requirements, interconnection, insurance, used equipment, permitting, equipment assembly, decommissioning, plus much more.

For more information, or to Register, go to:
http://www.mnrenewables.org/events/classes/register2009-04-15.php

Science Fair Clean Energy Projects Are Winners

2009-03-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

Young scientists researching the hot topics of Clean Energy and Energy Conservation were eligible for some cool cash awards at their regional science fairs in southeast Minnesota last month.

Southeast CERTs presented Clean Energy Project Awards to 11 Middle and High school students at the Regional Science Fairs in Winona and Rochester on February 19th. In addition, six $100 sponsorships were awarded at each fair to send students to the State Science Fair. Good luck to all the winners attending the State Science Fair!

CERTS Clean Energy Project Awards Winners

SE Minnesota & Western Wisconsin Regional Science Fair (Winona)

HIGH SCHOOL WINNERS:

Kevin Weis, Phillip Glodowski C-FC $100 Award
Hydrogen-powered Model Vehicle
Billy Tuite, Holly Gotz C-FC $150 Award
Testing the Efficiency of a Homemade Solar Cell
Derek Nelson C-FC $250 Award
Synthesis of Biodiesel

MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNERS:

Kaitlyn Lindaman Winona Middle School $150 Award
The Determinants of Algae Growth for Use in Biodiesel
Nathaniel Davies Winona Middle School $250 Award
Wind Power: Does the Type of Wind Turbine Blade Affect the Power Generated?

Rochester Regional Science Fair:

HIGH SCHOOL WINNERS:
Andrea Peterson $250 Schaffer Academy
Tom Reuvers $150 Century High School
Brian Kiel $100 Century High School

MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNERS:
Katie Aney $250 Kellogg Middle School
Alanna Bram $150 John Adams Middle School
Katie Piens $100 Rochester Central Lutheran School

Click Here to see complete list of Rochester Regional Science Fair Winners

Eagle Bluff Sustainbility Campaign Slows

2009-03-13T10:46:00.001-07:00

By Dawn Schuett
Rochester Post Bulletin 2/17/09

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, located in Lanesboro, MN, launched a sustainability initiative two years ago, with the goal of raising $2 million by 2010. The funds will be used for solar panels , a geothermal system and to make the Center a model of sustainabilty, demonstrating and educating visitors about renewable energy. To date, $800,000 has been raised, but the campaign has slowed due to the economy. Read the story here.

Austin and Owatonna Utility Customers Can Compare Their Utility Usage

2009-03-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

by Karen Colbenson
Rochester Post-Bulletin, March 12, 2009

Beginning this month, Austin Utilities and Owatonna Public Utilities will include a report in their customers' utility bills that tracks household energy use and compares it to 100 similar households in the neighborhood. The goal of the program is to help customers reduce household energy use by 5% over the two-year pilot program.

Read story here.

FSWCD Energy Fair

2009-02-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

Energy Fair
Saturday, February 28, 2009 starting at NOON
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
28097 Goodview Drive, Lanesboro, MN 55949

Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)

With financial support from Hiawatha Valley Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) and the Driftless Area Initiative
Afternoon Informational Sessions are FREE.
Cost for the meal is $10/person. Contact the SWCD (507-765-3878, ext. 3) by Feb. 20th to sign up for the meal.

FARM TRACK:

FarmsteadEnergy Efficiency and Conservation
Brad Pecinovsky , Tri-County
Electric

Transportation Fuels:Past, Present, and Future
Doug Root,
Ph.D., Ag Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
Pork and Plants Biomass Pelletizer
Tim Terrill, Winona SWCD

Productive Conservation on Working Lands and Other Financial Incentives
Joe Domeier, Three Rivers Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)

Small Scale Solar and Wind
Rich Huelskamp, Sun’s Warmth, Red Wing
HOME TRACK:
Small Scale Solar and Wind
Rich Huelskamp, Sun’s Warmth, Red Wing

Windbreaks
Rick Grooters, Fillmore SWCD

Rain Barrels
Jane Bailey, Zumbro Watershed Partnership

Green Building: Monolithic Dome Structures
Jerry Cleveland, Spring Valley

Green Building: Project Licht 'n Stein Energy Efficient Home
Christian Milaster, Be!cause Consulting, Inc., Lanesboro

Financial Incentives for Energy Conservation and Renewables
Phil Smith, Energy Specialist, Minnesota Office of Energy Security, MN Dept of Commerce

Home Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Ted Kjos, Tri-County Electric Co-op

Highlights:
Eagle Bluff renewable energy initiatives: Joe Deden, Director – Auditorium
Keynote speaker: Sarah Nettleton “Carbon Neutral: How can we all be a part of the solution?” -- Auditorium
Meal of local foods, SWCD conservation awards, Q&A for Sarah – Eagle Bluff Dining Hall

WINDPOWER 2009

2009-02-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

WINDPOWER 2009 Conference & Exhibition
Chicago, Illinois
May 4 -7

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The bill will change the wind energy industry and aid in our nation's economic recovery.

Learn how its impact will benefit our industry through renewable energy tax incentives, renewable energy loan guarantees, and a three-year extension of the production tax credit at WINDPOWER 2009 Conference & Exhibition May 4th - 7th, 2009.
Visit Windpower 2009 website for detailed program schedule, registration information and more. Now is the time to be involved in the wind industry!

Dates to Remember:

Early Registration Deadline:
March 9, 2009

Hotel Registration Deadline:
April 13, 2009

Sponsored by:

AMERICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION
Conference & Education Department
1501 M Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 383-2512
Fax: (202) 383-2505

Email: conference@awea.org
Web: www.windpowerexpo.org

Two Wind Farms Proposed for Rochester

2009-02-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Nature Energies, a French energy company, has proposed building a 65 megawatt wind farm east of Rochester and a 50 megawatt wind farm west of the city, in Dodge County, to provide power to Rochester Public Utilities. The farms would be built in the next two years.

Click to read the complete Post Bulletin story.

Land of Cows, Colleges and Wind Turbines

2009-02-23T07:54:00.001-08:00

Is there a windy rivalry going on between Carleton and St. Olaf College in Northfield? Each school has erected a 1.65 megawatt wind turbine -- but now Carleton is pursing building a second turbine near its recreation center.

Read the story at the Star-Tribune website.

Town Hall Clean enrgy Forum in Mankato Friday with Rep. Walz

2009-02-19T19:12:00.000-08:00

The economic stimulus package will have groundbreaking effects on our economy and our environment for years to come. Join Environment Minnesota this Friday to learn more about how the president’s historic proposal will affect Minnesota's economy, create green jobs in the southern Minnesota, and protect our environment for future generations of Minnesotans.

Will you come and show your support for a bold move to a clean energy economy?
Click here to let us know if you can make it.
Or paste this into your browser: http://www.environmentminnesota.org/action/rsvp-town-hall-forum

WHAT: Repower America Town Hall Forum with Rep. Tim Walz
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 20th, 11:00 AM
WHERE: OSTRANDER AUDITORIUM, Centennial Student Union
Minnesota State University, Mankato

For a map, click here

Minnesota's Rep. Tim Walz is pushing for green jobs and environmental protection for southern Minnesota. Our town hall will be an opportunity to show Rep. Walz that Minnesotans from all walks of life support funding clean energy and green jobs, and help us guarantee Rep. Walz's support for clean energy and global warming policy.

The forum will feature a panel discussion with local leaders from the environmental, labor and business communities, where you’ll learn more about how we can build a clean energy economy. We’ll be joined by Gerry Parzino from the United Steelworkers and the Blue Green Alliance; Dan Juhl, CEO of Juhl Wind; former Congressman Tim Penny, President and CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation; J. Drake Hamilton, Science Policy Director with Fresh Energy; and Dr. Vincent Winstead, professor of engineering at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

This forum is free and open to the public! Let us know you’re coming to Environment Minnesota's Repower America Forum by clicking here.

Grants Galore

2009-02-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

Check out the CERTS-SE website for an updated list of funding opportunities in the fields of energy and environment, including the new RFP from Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Thanks to the State Energy Office for sending out these updated energy grant listings.

Family Workshop on Caring for Creation -Feb 15th

2009-02-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

A Family Workshop on Caring for Creation
Presented by St. Olaf Lutheran Church & LCPPM
When: Sunday, February 15, 2009
Who: All churches in a 50 mile radius
What: Fun Family Sunday afternoon Event

An Intergenerational workshop on “Caring for Creation”
A Resource Fair showing how individuals can get involved to take care of God’s Creation – the world.

Where: St Olaf Lutheran Church (ELCA)*,301 1st Street, NW, Austin
Shedule:

Resource Fair 1:30 – 2:00 and 4:30 – 5:00
Workshop 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Why: Share biblical basis on “Creation Care” and how churches and their communities can effectively do so.
Cost: $5.00 per participant

Free child care for infants & preschoolers

Contact: St. Olaf Church (507) 433-8857

Rochester Discusses Establishing an Energy Commission

2009-02-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

Councilman Bob Nowicki invites the public to the Rochester Committee of the Whole meeting this afternoon where the establishment of an Energy Commission will be discussed. Councilman Nowicki wrote:

ENERGY COMMISSION: A number of you have expressed interest in what the city is doing or has done to address sustainablity, energy conservation, rising costs of energy, etc. and so I'd like to invite you to this Monday's, February 9, COW (Committee of the Whole) meeting at the Gov't Center, Conference Room 104 starting at 3:30.

We will discuss a proposal to establish an Energy Commission for the City and most likely will be looking for candidates for that commission should we decide to move forward on the proposal. I'd suggested in the past for other commissions that each council member appoint a member but in reality I think we should probably have a nominating committee and ask for applications. ???? OPen for suggestions.

Attached is the "prep package" I received for the meeting.

In addition, the League of Minnesota Cities prepared a pretty good video on "Green Cities" that I think we should all look at. It's 27 minutes long so bring a snack, do it while on the treadmill, whatever. Go to http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-projects/project-planning/local-government/green-cities-leading-way"

Region 9 Renewable Energy Task Force Receives Wind Grant

2009-02-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently awarded the Region Nine Development Commission $20,000 for wind energy projects.

With the grant, the Region Nine Renewable Energy Task Force will develop up to three small wind energy projects by 2011. The Task Force will hire a staff person or interns to help create the needed partnerships in its Region Nine Wind Energy Initiative, working together with the Gustavus Wind Initiative to conduct four wind studies.