certs: minnesotans building a clean energy future · 2020. 1. 7. · mission: we connect...
TRANSCRIPT
CERTs: Minnesotans building a clean energy future
Michelle Palm
Austin, August 5th
Overview of CERTs
What we do
How we do it
Questions
Today’s talk
Mission: We connect individuals and their communities to the resources they need to identify and implement community-based clean energy projects
CERTs: Minnesotans Building a Clean Energy Future
How Is CERTs Structured?
Provide seed grant funding and moreDeliver research-based campaignsSpur other statewide programs
What Does CERTs Do?
Host events, tours, and conferencesHelp with community organizingConnect people to technical resources
Write blog posts & case studiesCreate educational guidesManage diverse web-based tools
Energy Efficiency
Provide clear, actionable ways to save energy
Collaborating with associations to raise awareness among independent stations
Created a list of 12 high quality lighting products
Connect stations to utility rebates
CERTified Campaigns
CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/LEDcanopy
Right Light Guide
CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Lighting
Renewable Energy
Solar Programs & Resources
CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/SolarGardens
Solar Powering Minnesota
GrowSolar.org
Connecting with Companies
theCleanEnergyBuilder.com
Catalyzing grants for community-based clean energy projects in MN
Past funding: Over 230 projects have received nearly $1 million in seed grants since 2006
Seed Grant Funding
Commercial PACE Financing
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a new way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to the buildings of commercial property owners.
Energy-saving measures pursued by the owners receive project financing and are repaid as a separate item on their property tax assessment for a set period. PACE eliminates the burden of upfront costs by providing low-cost, long-term financing.
CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/PACE
Implement energy efficient & renewable energy measures in public facilities through energy performance contracting, with assistance provided by the State
MnCERTs.org/GESP
GESP for Energy Financing
MnCERTs.org/GESP
“The use of guaranteed savingsgained from the maintenance, operations and utilities budgets, as capital to make needed upgrades to your building environmental systems, that is financed over a specified period of time.”
- U.S. Department of Energy
What is Energy Contracting?
Staff: Regional coordinators and statewide support
Steering Committees: One per region; governing body for regional team
Regional Teams:Anyone can join; broad range of skills, interest, and backgrounds
How Does CERTs Work?
The Teams
• Community development to spur broader community-scaled clean energy adoption…and vice-versa
• Diffusion of innovation & influence of social networks
• Storytelling: make it visible
• Focus on issues that bring us together
• Do not do advocacy work
Program Approach
•Network of partners
•Weekly email blasts to nearly 12,000 contacts
•Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn followers
•News media
Outreach Capacity
• Collaborations across all walks of life—local government, utilities, environmental groups
• Trusted voice on energy• Strong regional
presence; valued for work with communities
• Bridge divides: urban/rural & democrat/republican
There's no better group tying together the grassroots and policy wonks on energy work in Minnesota, across political and geographic boundaries.
- John Farrell - Institute for Local Self-Reliance
University of Minnesota Morris understands how important CERTs is in moving our economy to local green jobs.
- Lowell Rasmussen, Associate Vice Chancellor -University of Minnesota Morris
I have been involved with CERTs since its inception and have watched it grow to a mature organization dedicated to coordinating grassroots ideas and efforts to wean this state and country from our fossil fuel addiction. There is no other group of professionals that has done a better job of involving the public in this quest. You are to be commended for your accomplishments and dedication.
- David Opsahl - Willmar Municipal Utilities
Supporters Around MN
Helped save over 103 billion BTUs of energy and avoid $1.6 million in energy costs since 2010Awarded over $930,000 in seed grants to more
than 230 energy projects since 2006 Impacted 120,000 people through grants,
events, and programs since 2009Fostered robust networks in each region and
across industry sectors
Major Accomplishments
CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org
Regional Goals: Build a sustainable future by
increasing awareness and adoption of energy efficiency and clean energy resources
Bring utilities together to scale-up energy efficiency work to reduce electricity usage in each town and utility service area
Work toward net-zero energy buildings and integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy with new construction
Region: Central
Regional Goals: Provide organizing support to help
local clean energy efforts get off the ground
Connect efforts with existing technical and financial resources
Encourage collaboration among groups planning community-based projects
Help the State of Minnesota achieve its energy efficiency and renewable energy goals
Region: Metro
Regional Goals: Work with communities on
delivered fuels to broaden their energy options through technologies like solar thermal air heat and biomass
Collaborate with business and community leaders to increase renewable energy and energy efficiency and spur economic vitality in the area
Work with media to cover local success stories and energy efficiency opportunities
Region: Northeast
Regional Goals: Increase energy awareness and
action by fostering cross-sector communication and collaboration
Build stronger connections and relationships with local utilities
Advance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at colleges and universities
Support development of the regional biomass industry
Region: Northwest
Regional Goals: Work toward a vision of
communities producing a greater share of the region’s energy through locally-owned projects
Encourage clean energy entrepreneurship and a do-it-yourself mentality
Spread energy efficiency news and stories through partnerships with local media
Work directly with counties, cities, and utilities to encourage energy efficiency
Region: Southeast
Regional Goals: Export more renewable energy in
the region than energy imported and consumed, largely through conservation
Encourage development of renewable energy projects through entrepreneurship
Collaborate with local partners to spread energy efficiency news and success stories about clean energy projects
Increase use of biofuels in region
Region: Southwest
Regional Goals: Provide tools to spur community
members to move from awareness to action
Proactively engage specific groups about energy efficiency opportunities
Strengthen support for youth-focused energy programming
Develop, document, and disseminate community demonstration models
Region: West Central
Taking action with proven best practicesMinnesota GreenStep Cities is an action-oriented
voluntary program offering Cities a cost-effective, step-wise path to implement
sustainable development best practices.
www.MnGreenStep.org
GreenStep: Introduction
www.MnGreenStep.org
GreenStep: Best Practices
• 77 Cities
• Over 25% ofMN Population
• Big & Small
• Liberal andConservative
• Urban and Rural
www.MnGreenStep.org
GreenStep: Participation
www.MnGreenStep.org
GreenStep: Connections
www.MnGreenStep.org
GreenStep: Recognition
Main Partners:• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency• Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs)• League of Minnesota Cities• Minnesota Department of Commerce• Izaak Walton League – MN Division• Urban Land Institute – MN and Regional Council of Mayors• Great Plains Institute• Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
www.MnGreenStep.org
GreenStep: Partners
Learn more: Visit the CERTs website, attend an upcoming event, or connect with a member of our staff.www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org
Contact me:Michelle PalmSE CERT [email protected]
CERTs: Minnesotans Building a Clean Energy Future