Recycle Your Holiday in Mankato Area

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

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

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

Austin Utilities hires firm to study Northeast Plant

Prairie Biomass Harvest Field Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

SMMPA ranks fourth in national wind-power sales

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RPU Ranks Solar as Preferred Renewable Energy Source

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

SE CERTS Meeting Notes on Blog

Lissa had a great brainstorm idea : to post our steering committee meeting notes on the SE CERTS blog.

So, you will now find the topics discussed at our January meeting summarized here. To make the information more user-friendly, I divided the notes into different posts by topic. You can find the meeting notes several ways:

a) Scroll down the main page and read through the posts chronologically
b) Click on "SE CERTS Meeting Notes" under "Labels" on the right side of the page and all meeting note posts will appear
c) Click on the subject that interests you under "Labels" and the pertinent posts will appear

You can comment to add information, pose questions, or make clarifications.

A Few Announcements & Resources

From SE CERTS January Meeting:
 NOVA special – “The Big Energy Gamble” – see details and airing times here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/energy/
 Check out OC-Solar’s new website (the Mayo High School solar website) – http://mnsep.org/ - their website is home to a number of good resources, video clips, images, etc.
 http://www.streetsblog.org/ - a suggested link from Ray
 We’re getting in project reports from the 2007 CERT funded projects. Susan will be writing up some brief case studies about each project for the SE CERTS website… and the State site will have in-depth case studies by summer.
 103 schools signed up for Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon! The Southeast region had 10 schools sign up including all three Rochester High Schools, and schools from Winona, Plainview, Austin, Le Crescent, Mankato, Faribault, Byron, Northfield and Pine Island.
 SE CERTS will be supporting the regional Science Fairs again this year to encourage student clean energy projects. Let Susan know ASAP if you’d like to be a judge.
 League of Minnesota Cities has some good resources for local governments interested in saving energy: http://www.lmnc.org/page/1/sustainability-issue.jsp.

Renewable Energy Payment Conference (Follow Up)

Notes from SE CERTS January meeting:
Discussion in response to Renewable Energy Payment Conference at St. Olaf College
- "Renewable Energy Payments" formerly described as "Feed-in Tariff" – see a detailed white paper here: http://www.newrules.org/de/feedin.html
- Conference website includes all presentations: http://www.newrules.org/de/fitconference.html
- The way Europe funds their solar and wind systems; Government sets a tariff structure - @ ~ $0.40 - $0.50 / kW – to establish a structure for selling wind and/or solar energy; compensates for the cost to actually put it up and gears incentive toward smaller producers – say this is the driver for Spain and Germany
- Models being developed in United States, WeEnergies program in WI is similar (subscribed right away, geared directly toward production); Michigan is also examining this
- Rep. Hilty, Sen. Anderson, Rep. Bly were all at conference; think this may have legs
- Could there be issues with handling the supply and the load? Distribution management level (micro) vs. transmission management level (macro). Is the smart grid the answer to all of these concerns?
- Reimbursed based-upon the effectiveness of what you’re installing; pay more to folks who put up systems in less efficient areas, but claim that this helps disperse where development occurs so that it’s not overly concentrated. This also speaks to the idea that if you have a renewable energy system on your home or business, you’re more likely to actually know what a kWh IS and how much you USE.
- Almost exclusively designed to be grid connected (not to serve both sides of the meter by powering your home and business and the grid)
- Article: “taking the red tape out of green power” – good national summary: http://www.newenergychoices.org/uploads/redTape-rep.pdf - Who pays for the differential cost in power? Good question – our rate might be closer 15-20 cents/kW – rate payers would subsidize one another; it’s a guaranteed income for those who install systems at the expense of the “average person”
- Grid parity for solar by 2015? Is the renewable energy payment system ill-timed for the current pricing structure? What if parity happened in 5 years? Would it really be necessary, with the existing 30% tax credit, to move it forward? You still have to pay for the system up-front and need to get that cash somewhere.
- 67 turbines on I-90 south of Dexter (not yet commercial)… SMMPA has had to shut down their turbines cause it cost money to inject it (not sufficient transmission); what about storage? Battery storage technologies cost $3.2 million/MW (almost 50% more costly than the wind generation itself); what about flywheels, compressed air storage? There are (ONLY) 850 MW of storage worldwide right now.
- Iowa State project for wind-generated hydrogen that could then be pipelined. Does anyone know the status of this project?

Renewable Energy Installer List

Discussion at January SE CERTS Steering Committee meeting

MN Department of Commerce has updated the Renewable Energy Installer List: Folks should check the revised list and see if there are contractors missing; Send out to the CERT list serves to gather other contractors and information; Contacted Bergey wind out of Kansas, they have installers in Pine Island, Plainview, Faribault

Here’s the link to the list: http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Commerce/Hiring_a_Renewable_Energy_Dealer_121302010223_How2Hire.pdf
Comments:
- It only covers solar and small wind; maybe this defined list is the right target
- Doesn’t do much for geothermal (would Commerce put out a list on this?) or biogas (anaerobic digesters, WWTP, farm-based, would you need to tailor this list to ensure you draw the “bubble” correctly?), etc.
- What does energy use evaluation mean? Should they do assessments and look at conservation and efficiency first?
- On list starting to get plumbers, HVAC, electricians, etc. – how do we get a hold of existing contractors and get them to start thinking about the alternative energy business opportunities/avenues – NABSEP PV installers, MRES does program for plumbers to do solar thermal, Energy Auditor classes already exist… would it be worth bringing those here (SE)?
- There’s a disconnect between getting the energy audit and then getting the work done to weatherize your home… building envelope issues are significant, but people install new systems without making the necessary upgrades
- If you showed increased demand, more of the contractors may choose to opt in
- Would be good to show folks that the payback of their energy efficiency improvements would come out of their bill savings; in the same business model (of sorts) freEner-g solar PV leasing program: http://www.freener-g.com/
- 700-750 is average kWh/month residential energy usage statewide
- What about the recent State offering for micro-energy loan fund? Per the October 2008 press release, “$10 million is now available for micro-energy and conservation home improvement loans to help Minnesotans save on energy costs.” See more information here: http://www.midwesternaccord.org/News%20Page/MN%20Microenergy%20and%20conservation%20loans.pdf.

Next Steps:
o Contact Stacy re: list – send out draft for input; then send it out again with noted gaps (see link above)
o Follow-up with MRES on trainings; follow-up with Bruce Nelson on energy auditor training
o Develop articles that highlight offerings within the federal economic recovery package – specifically for WX and air-sealing $ - need shovel ready, this is IT

Small Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Discussion at January SE CERTs Steering Committee meeting:

Small vertical axis wind turbines: Lots of changing developments, pilots, companies doing more business. There is a sense that this is becoming a more reliable technology option. Dan Hayes mentioned that he heard about two vertical axis turbines near Century High School in Rochester.

If you are interested in reading more, check out the following articles and links:
 http://www.awea.org/faq/vawt.html - a good summary of types of VAWT.
 http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2008-02-01/Wind-Power-Horizontal-and-Vertical-Axis-Wind-Turbines.aspx - this is an interview with Mick Sagrillo, a well-known small wind guru. He’s not so high on vertical axis turbines, but the interview is from a year ago and on the 4th page he does talk about the potential promise of some emerging technologies.
 Wind Power 2008 Conference – had a number of vertical axis machines and lots of blog/article posts about said technology afterward (google this and you’ll even get YouTube Videos).
 TreeHugger.com has also had a series of articles on vertical axis wind turbines

Byron Schools Hope for Wind Turbine

From Rochester Post-Bulletin 1/27/2009
By Laura Gossman

BYRON -- Byron Public Schools superintendent Dr. Wendy Shannon has a vision to power and heat Byron schools with a combination of alternative energies.

Shannon told the Byron School Board at its meeting Tuesday night that she has forwarded four proposals to legislators, one of which includes constructing a 40-kilowatt wind turbine with solar panels to help provide electricity for the high school building.

A learning station for an environmental science class would also be part of that project, Shannon said.

"We'd like to work in partnership with People's Cooperative, which presently supplies our electricity," Shannon said.

Shannon said the details haven't been worked out yet, but she estimates the project will cost $500,000.

Read the complete story at: http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=382143