Teaming Up for Clean Energy

Diana McKeown

Metro CERTs Network Coordinator

What is CERTs? No, it’s not a breath mint! It is a resource for communities across Minnesota who would like to plan and implement local energy projects. CERTs (Clean Energy Resource Teams) was launched in 2003 with the mission of connecting people to the technical resources needed to identify and implement community-scale energy efficiency and clean energy projects. CERTs is made up of community members from across the state who have developed a bold vision for Minnesota’s energy future: one that can be reached through greater energy efficiency and renewable energy production, such as wind, biomass, biofuels and solar power. The Clean Energy Resource Teams are diverse-individuals, small business owners, farmers, members of environmental groups, local utility representatives, local, state and federal government staff, elected leaders and academics-and all share common goals and values. They want strong communities, local jobs, and secure, clean, and reliable energy. With the help of CERTs, Minnesotans’ vision is becoming a reality now, one project at a time.

What has CERTs already done? The CERTs team hosts a statewide conference every other year (the next one will be February 10 & 11, 2009 in St. Cloud) to bring together Minnesota communities to share and learn about the innovative energy projects happening all over the state, and to learn about available technical support and new tools. Additionally, over the past year the CERTs team awarded mini-grants for 69 projects to the Greater Minnesota regions. We hope to have enough funds in the future to also provide mini-grants for projects in the newly created metro region. Examples of funded proposals include : a rechargeable electric car, ground source heating and cooling, solar thermal, electric and hot air, anaerobic digestion, wind energy, biodiesel, energy conservation and energy efficiency. For more information go to cleanenergyresourceteams.org and navigate to Community Projects then Requests for Proposals.

How do you get your community involved? Gather your neighbors, your school, your congregation (you get the picture) and start talking about your vision for your community’s energy future. Contact us by visiting our new website, where you can sign up to get more information or contact the regional coordinator listed on the site for your region of the state. Our website also provides current information on projects, technologies, funding opportunities, and upcoming and past meetings.

For more information visit cleanenergyresourceteams.org.

The Northeast CERT tours the Jeunemann residence in Two Harbors, where renewable energy systems provide 100% of the home’s power needs.

For more information visit cleanenergyresourceteams.org.

Clean Energy

Green Tips

Host an Art Night

Looking for a new way to connect with your neighbors, get free life advice, and spark your creative juices? Consider hosting an art night at your house, complete with paints, modeling clay, colored pencils and art smocks. Get messy, be creative, and let the conversation flow. For inspiration and resources, check out this article.

Choose Safe Art Supplies

Arts and crafts materials can be hazardous to your health and the environment. Even though the Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act of 1988 requires stringent labeling of hazardous materials in art supplies, many materials are out of compliance. This article offers tips to help you choose safe art supplies, plus substitutes to harmful substances.

Support a Local Business

Did you know that roughly 73 cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays within the community, compared to 43 cents for non-local chain stores? When you buy from local businesses, you help that business employ community workers, support other local businesses, and contribute to the community’s overall health. Read more here about the benefits of buying locally.

Buy Green Office Supplies

“Green” doesn’t necessarily mean “good” when it comes to so-called green office supplies. To help your office green up, consider durability, natural resource and energy use, recycled content and recyclability, toxicity, biodegradability and packaging before you purchase supplies. You can also set up a reuse system for the supplies you already have. For more tips on green office products, check out this article.

Think Twice About Bottled Water

If you live in an area with clean drinking water, fill a reusable bottle with tap water and bring it with you wherever you go to avoid buying bottled water. The U.S. sends 2 million tons of plastic water bottles to landfills each year—and producing those bottles requires oil and emits carbon dioxide. Some restaurants in the Twin Cities feel so strongly against bottled water that they refuse to sell it. Learn more.

Contact Your State Legislator

As a constituent, you are your local legislators’ highest priority. Why not share your views with them and ask them to support your position? It may seem like your letters and emails will get lost in a deep, dark political hole, but don’t despair. Whether you call, fax, email or visit in person, this article offers tips on how to effectively communicate with your elected officials and get them to listen.

Get Engaged!

Individuals’ actions are important in setting sound policy, so become an engaged citizen. Whether you call your legislator’s office, testify in a legislative hearing or attend a rally, you can make your voice heard. Still doubt that you can make a difference? This article addresses couple common concerns about whether civic engagement is worth it.

Take the Energy Challenge

The fastest, cheapest, easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is through energy efficiency and conservation. Plus, you’ll save yourself money in the process! Need a little boost to get started? Join the Minnesota Energy Challenge and learn from thousands of Minnesotans who have pledged to reduce their energy use—and are finding fun, creative ways to do it. Read more about the Challenge here.

Make an Action Plan

Wait. Scratch that. Don’t make your own list of simple things you can do today to make a positive difference for the climate—use ours! This list offers 20 easy things you can do that will help you and your family lighten your load on the environment, keep more money in your pocket, and inspire you to find even more ways to tread lightly on this earth.

Check Out This Template for Action

Scientists say a global warming “tipping point” in the Arctic seems to be happening before their eyes. Sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is at its second lowest level in about 30 years. These news flashes are just some of our climate’s changes happening daily. You and your kids can help. Read more here, and then check out Climate Generations’s Take Action! Guide, which offers hands-on activities for grades 3-12.

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How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

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