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Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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:
Meeting Dates and Locations:
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
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
Monday, February 15, 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.
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
Meeting Location:
Austin City Hall
500 4th Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55912
Agenda:
3:00-4:30 pm — City/County Staff public, volunteer stewards, etc.
5:30 — 6:00 pm — dinner for evening session
6:00-7:30 pm — Elected Officials, public, volunteer stewards, etc.
Topics/Speakers:
MN GreenStep Cities Program:
Philipp Muessig, Sustainable Communities Coordinator
for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Current regional green initiatives:
Michelle Schroeder, Izaak Walton League — Minnesota
Division
Follow-up plan:
Susan Waughtal, SE CERT Outreach Coordinator
Austin Utilities (evening only):
Dave Thompson - will provide literature on new and
improved programs and speak on changes in Austin
Utilities services and programs
Northfield Co Awarded $7.7 Million for Solar Glass Production
Cardinal Solar Technologies was awarded a $7.7 million tax credit under President Obama’s stimulus plan to re-tool its Northfield, Minn., facility, according to a Jan. 7 release. The credit is available upon progression from residential window and door coating operations to production of thin film coatings for use in the manufacturing of solar modules.
Read story in Glass Magazine.
Read story in Glass Magazine.
Five people to watch in 2010
Five people to watch in 2010The Post Bulletin highlights five enviromental newsmakers in the Rochester area.
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
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.
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