USDA Rural Development to hold information sessions on

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

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

Afternoon session 1 – 3 PM for small business owners

Meeting Dates and Locations:

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

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

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

Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant RFP Extended

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

February Green Business Workshop Cancelled

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

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.

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.

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