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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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"

Reducing Energy Costs in Local Government

Reducing Energy Costs in Local Government
January 22, 2009
St. Cloud, MN

http://nextstep.state.mn.us/energyconference
Sponsored by:
Association of Minnesota Counties
League of Minnesota Cities
Minnesota Association of Townships
Minnesota Department of Commerce,
Office of Energy Security
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Minnesota School Boards Association

This conference will give your organization a head start in preparing for an uncertain future. Learn about actions that local government can take now to reduce energy costs.
Hear from public entities that have successfully reduced their energy bills: what steps have been effective, and what benefits have been realized.
Talk with representatives from organizations that can help local governments reduce energy use.
Connect with others. Discuss and share information and ideas for saving energy and reducing costs.

Where and when:
Thursday, January 22, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud, MN

Registration fee:
$40 early registration by January 15, 2009 ($50 after Jan. 15, 2009)

To register:
Conference registrations are being taken by these sponsors:
City officials and staff:http://www.mncounties.org/
Township officials and staff: http://www.lmc.org/page/1/cosponsored-events.jsp
All others: www.lmc.org/page/1/cosponsored-events.jsp