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
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Community Wind Forum in Mapleton
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.
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.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Green Dorms
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
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
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.
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.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Lawsuit May Delay Bent Tree Windfarm
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
“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
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Stewartville dentist looks to tap the wind for office
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
WSU Offers Energy Resource Advisor Certificate
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.
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.
Monday, January 25, 2010
MN GreenStep Cities Workshop in Austin
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.
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:
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
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
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.
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.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wind war whips up | The Republican Eagle | Red Wing, Minnesota
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
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
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
MPCA Taps Westwood for Solar Energy Project near Rochester
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
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
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Grants for Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Projects
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Winona County Wind Turbine May Begin Construction this Spring
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
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
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