Clean Energy Resource Teams
@mncerts.bsky.social
We help Minnesotans solve community challenges with energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. Let's steward our community resources wisely, let us know your idea!
Need a quick check-in, have a question, or just want to connect?
Grab your favorite mug and join us virtually for a relaxed December Community Energy Ambassador Coffee Chat: 12/18, 9 a.m.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-en...
See you then!
Grab your favorite mug and join us virtually for a relaxed December Community Energy Ambassador Coffee Chat: 12/18, 9 a.m.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-en...
See you then!
Community Energy Ambassadors Coffee Chat
Need a quick check-in, have a question, or just want to connect? Grab your favorite mug and join us virtually for a relaxed December Community Energy Ambassador Coffee Chat.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Need a quick check-in, have a question, or just want to connect?
Grab your favorite mug and join us virtually for a relaxed December Community Energy Ambassador Coffee Chat: 12/18, 9 a.m.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-en...
See you then!
Grab your favorite mug and join us virtually for a relaxed December Community Energy Ambassador Coffee Chat: 12/18, 9 a.m.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-en...
See you then!
At least 22 Minnesota city, county, regional and tribal governments have published “climate action” or resilience plans to mitigate the human and financial costs of future weather disasters: minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/20/r...
Report: Minnesota cities continue climate work, despite federal abdication • Minnesota Reformer
Minnesotans stared at their screens in horror last June as the raging Blue Earth River swallowed a beloved country store near Mankato. The same flood badly damaged a nearby dam and caused well over…
minnesotareformer.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:45 PM
At least 22 Minnesota city, county, regional and tribal governments have published “climate action” or resilience plans to mitigate the human and financial costs of future weather disasters: minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/20/r...
“Partnering with Solar United Neighbors was like finding the ‘easy button’ for solar."
@solarunitedneighbors.org has organized 24 successful solar co-ops in MN, helping over 300 households, farmers, & small businesses make the switch to renewable energy, with more rounds to come!
@solarunitedneighbors.org has organized 24 successful solar co-ops in MN, helping over 300 households, farmers, & small businesses make the switch to renewable energy, with more rounds to come!
SUN and WCI team up to help 20 Minnesota homeowners go solar
The 2026 Lakes and Prairies Solar Co-op is a partnership between Solar United Neighbors and the West Central Initiative.
www.echopress.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 AM
“Partnering with Solar United Neighbors was like finding the ‘easy button’ for solar."
@solarunitedneighbors.org has organized 24 successful solar co-ops in MN, helping over 300 households, farmers, & small businesses make the switch to renewable energy, with more rounds to come!
@solarunitedneighbors.org has organized 24 successful solar co-ops in MN, helping over 300 households, farmers, & small businesses make the switch to renewable energy, with more rounds to come!
Great breakdown and explainers from @canarymedia.com on making the most of the tax credit-eligible upgrades before the end of the year! www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele...
Electrify your home with our handy roundup before tax credits expire
You could save thousands of dollars on heat pumps, solar, and other home energy updates if you act before Dec. 31. Our explainers and guides will get you…
www.canarymedia.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Great breakdown and explainers from @canarymedia.com on making the most of the tax credit-eligible upgrades before the end of the year! www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele...
Over the years, CERTs has worked with so many CoNorth-affiliated parks across Minnesota. Check out our work and let us know if you'd like to help us do even more next year: www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/manufactured...
Manufactured Home Park Energy Efficiency
Thanks to the generous support of the Carolyn Foundation and the Mortenson Family Foundation, CERTs works side-by-side with numerous community partners to put this idea into practice in a project…
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Over the years, CERTs has worked with so many CoNorth-affiliated parks across Minnesota. Check out our work and let us know if you'd like to help us do even more next year: www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/manufactured...
“Having a safe, affordable place to live — where you know you can continue to live 10 years from now — is what creates community.”
Affordable housing and cooperative ownership? Yes, please! We loved reading this Bush Foundation story: www.bushfoundation.org/stories/cono...
Affordable housing and cooperative ownership? Yes, please! We loved reading this Bush Foundation story: www.bushfoundation.org/stories/cono...
CoNorth helps residents take ownership - Bush Foundation
A model of cooperative ownership for manufactured home communities is expanding what affordable housing can look like
www.bushfoundation.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
“Having a safe, affordable place to live — where you know you can continue to live 10 years from now — is what creates community.”
Affordable housing and cooperative ownership? Yes, please! We loved reading this Bush Foundation story: www.bushfoundation.org/stories/cono...
Affordable housing and cooperative ownership? Yes, please! We loved reading this Bush Foundation story: www.bushfoundation.org/stories/cono...
Chisago County—where solar has been around long enough that the ramifications are a reality rather than speculation—may be the best test case in the Midwest for the extent to which those fears are warranted.
One farmer set off a solar energy boom in rural Minnesota; 10 years later, here’s how it worked out
Local concerns about solar’s impact on property values, the environment and health so far have been unfounded, but residents are still divided on whether the panels are ideal neighbors, or eyesores…
www.stcroix360.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Chisago County—where solar has been around long enough that the ramifications are a reality rather than speculation—may be the best test case in the Midwest for the extent to which those fears are warranted.
Join us on Wednesday to learn about the Energy Assistance Program in Minnesota. Citizens Utility Board of MN will help you understand how to support your neighbors with this special program.
Let's ALL stay warm and cozy this winter: buff.ly/8JbKWTo
Let's ALL stay warm and cozy this winter: buff.ly/8JbKWTo
November 17, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Join us on Wednesday to learn about the Energy Assistance Program in Minnesota. Citizens Utility Board of MN will help you understand how to support your neighbors with this special program.
Let's ALL stay warm and cozy this winter: buff.ly/8JbKWTo
Let's ALL stay warm and cozy this winter: buff.ly/8JbKWTo
"Think of the battery as like a stockbroker who can absorb excess energy, or buy that electricity when it's really cheap, and then discharge that energy when the demand is high, when electricity might be more expensive.”
- Aaron Hanson, U of M's Institute on the Environment
- Aaron Hanson, U of M's Institute on the Environment
As demand for energy surges in Minnesota, interest in battery storage booms
Batteries can store electricity from solar and wind when it’s plentiful and cheap to produce, and release it when it’s in short supply. There's a growing consensus that batteries are critical to…
www.mprnews.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:20 AM
"Think of the battery as like a stockbroker who can absorb excess energy, or buy that electricity when it's really cheap, and then discharge that energy when the demand is high, when electricity might be more expensive.”
- Aaron Hanson, U of M's Institute on the Environment
- Aaron Hanson, U of M's Institute on the Environment
We've been proud partners in this work to help manufactured home residents save energy and money! In fact the project exceeded its energy savings goal of 77,039 therms while distributing 1,351 weatherization kits statewide!
www.icf.com/clients/ener...
www.icf.com/clients/ener...
Bringing Energy Efficiency to Manufactured Home Communities
Learn how we helped Minnesota Energy Resources bring energy efficiency and safety services directly to manufactured home communities statewide.
www.icf.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
We've been proud partners in this work to help manufactured home residents save energy and money! In fact the project exceeded its energy savings goal of 77,039 therms while distributing 1,351 weatherization kits statewide!
www.icf.com/clients/ener...
www.icf.com/clients/ener...
Rochester solar users face new fees, raising the question: Is solar worth it?
Rochester solar users face new fees, raising the question: Is solar worth it?
A tax credit is sunsetting, and with the addition of a local fee, more than half of one homeowner's financial return is lost. "Nobody will ever do it" — install residential solar — "again,” he says.
www.postbulletin.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Rochester solar users face new fees, raising the question: Is solar worth it?
Join us for Energy Assistance 101. Citizens Utility Board of MN will answer all your questions so you can best support your neighbors. Let's ALL stay warm and cozy this winter. Join our coffee chat, 11/19: www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/november-com...
November 14, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Join us for Energy Assistance 101. Citizens Utility Board of MN will answer all your questions so you can best support your neighbors. Let's ALL stay warm and cozy this winter. Join our coffee chat, 11/19: www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/november-com...
"TIMBERRRRRRRR!"
Deconstruction of Willmar Municipal Utilities’ wind turbines to begin soon
The Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission on Monday approved a bid for the decommissioning of the two Willmar wind turbines that have graced the skyline north of Willmar since 2009.
www.wctrib.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
"TIMBERRRRRRRR!"
Reposted by Clean Energy Resource Teams
Colleges in rural areas of Minnesota are rolling out EV programs in response to workforce needs. Learn more from MinnPost! ⚡🚗
More Minnesota schools are training mechanics on electric vehicles - MinnPost
As more electric vehicles hit the road in Minnesota, colleges in rural areas of the state are rolling out EV programs in response.
www.minnpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Colleges in rural areas of Minnesota are rolling out EV programs in response to workforce needs. Learn more from MinnPost! ⚡🚗
As more electric vehicles hit the road in Minnesota, more schools are training the mechanics needed to work on them. Colleges in rural areas of Minnesota are rolling out EV programs in response to workforce needs. www.minnpost.com/greater-minn...
More Minnesota schools are training mechanics on electric vehicles - MinnPost
As more electric vehicles hit the road in Minnesota, colleges in rural areas of the state are rolling out EV programs in response.
www.minnpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:20 PM
As more electric vehicles hit the road in Minnesota, more schools are training the mechanics needed to work on them. Colleges in rural areas of Minnesota are rolling out EV programs in response to workforce needs. www.minnpost.com/greater-minn...
“By enabling those renewable sources where the fuel inputs are free — sunlight and wind — we can hope to see that it'll actually bring affordability into play as well.” U of M Institute on the Environment's Aaron Hanson
As demand for energy surges in Minnesota, interest in battery storage booms
Batteries can store electricity from solar and wind when it’s plentiful and cheap to produce, and release it when it’s in short supply. There's a growing consensus that batteries are critical to…
www.mprnews.org
November 13, 2025 at 12:50 AM
“By enabling those renewable sources where the fuel inputs are free — sunlight and wind — we can hope to see that it'll actually bring affordability into play as well.” U of M Institute on the Environment's Aaron Hanson
Launched three years ago, Enterprise Energy builds community solar projects designed to serve primarily low- and moderate-income subscribers with a relatively new funding source: crowdfunding.
finance-commerce.com/2025/11/minn...
finance-commerce.com/2025/11/minn...
Sustainable: Crowdfunding boosts community solar
Enterprise Energy in Minneapolis raises $600K through Climatize app, showing how crowdfunding can fund clean energy as federal tax credits phase out.
finance-commerce.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Launched three years ago, Enterprise Energy builds community solar projects designed to serve primarily low- and moderate-income subscribers with a relatively new funding source: crowdfunding.
finance-commerce.com/2025/11/minn...
finance-commerce.com/2025/11/minn...
As Winona County continues to evolve, Project FINE remains committed to supporting the area’s newest community members and helping build a more sustainable, energy-smart future.
Newcomers get the lowdown on energy efficiency
From: Emily Haeg Nguyen, Clean Energy Resource Teams, U of MN
www.winonapost.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:02 PM
As Winona County continues to evolve, Project FINE remains committed to supporting the area’s newest community members and helping build a more sustainable, energy-smart future.
"We’re making a significant investment in battery storage because we see it as a critical part of Minnesota’s energy future."
Xcel says that pending PUC approval, it will start construction on the battery storage projects in 2026, & they should start operating by late 2027.
Xcel says that pending PUC approval, it will start construction on the battery storage projects in 2026, & they should start operating by late 2027.
bringmethenews.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
"We’re making a significant investment in battery storage because we see it as a critical part of Minnesota’s energy future."
Xcel says that pending PUC approval, it will start construction on the battery storage projects in 2026, & they should start operating by late 2027.
Xcel says that pending PUC approval, it will start construction on the battery storage projects in 2026, & they should start operating by late 2027.
Reposted by Clean Energy Resource Teams
→ What is a resilience hub, and how can they make a difference in Minnesota? Let’s take a look.
→ A resilience hub is a local space that supports residents before, during, and after emergencies such as blackouts, heatwaves, and storms.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/resili...
→ A resilience hub is a local space that supports residents before, during, and after emergencies such as blackouts, heatwaves, and storms.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/resili...
Resilience hubs look to the future of Minnesota
Imagine a space in your neighborhood where you can charge your phone during an outage, get a warm meal, connect with neighbors, and access emergency updates. That is the vision of a resilience hub.…
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:56 PM
→ What is a resilience hub, and how can they make a difference in Minnesota? Let’s take a look.
→ A resilience hub is a local space that supports residents before, during, and after emergencies such as blackouts, heatwaves, and storms.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/resili...
→ A resilience hub is a local space that supports residents before, during, and after emergencies such as blackouts, heatwaves, and storms.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/resili...
→ For example, in Duluth, Ecolibrium3 created a solar-powered hub with CERTs’ support. It helps provide power and resources during outages.
→ CERTs is helping support groups like Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light - they're growing a network of resilience hubs!
buff.ly/rmbwn6L
→ CERTs is helping support groups like Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light - they're growing a network of resilience hubs!
buff.ly/rmbwn6L
Resilience hubs look to the future of Minnesota
Imagine a space in your neighborhood where you can charge your phone during an outage, get a warm meal, connect with neighbors, and access emergency updates. That is the vision of a resilience hub.…
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:56 PM
→ For example, in Duluth, Ecolibrium3 created a solar-powered hub with CERTs’ support. It helps provide power and resources during outages.
→ CERTs is helping support groups like Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light - they're growing a network of resilience hubs!
buff.ly/rmbwn6L
→ CERTs is helping support groups like Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light - they're growing a network of resilience hubs!
buff.ly/rmbwn6L
→ What is a resilience hub, and how can they make a difference in Minnesota? Let’s take a look.
→ A resilience hub is a local space that supports residents before, during, and after emergencies such as blackouts, heatwaves, and storms.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/resili...
→ A resilience hub is a local space that supports residents before, during, and after emergencies such as blackouts, heatwaves, and storms.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/resili...
Resilience hubs look to the future of Minnesota
Imagine a space in your neighborhood where you can charge your phone during an outage, get a warm meal, connect with neighbors, and access emergency updates. That is the vision of a resilience hub.…
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:56 PM
→ What is a resilience hub, and how can they make a difference in Minnesota? Let’s take a look.
→ A resilience hub is a local space that supports residents before, during, and after emergencies such as blackouts, heatwaves, and storms.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/resili...
→ A resilience hub is a local space that supports residents before, during, and after emergencies such as blackouts, heatwaves, and storms.
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/resili...
Familiar with Resilience Hubs?
We explored examples from across Minnesota of the different ways communities are creating spaces and safety.
Whether it's a newly constructed community center or a rehabbed structure, the options are as unique as the communities who plan them: buff.ly/lOb65vE
We explored examples from across Minnesota of the different ways communities are creating spaces and safety.
Whether it's a newly constructed community center or a rehabbed structure, the options are as unique as the communities who plan them: buff.ly/lOb65vE
Resilience hubs look to the future of Minnesota
mailchi.mp
November 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Familiar with Resilience Hubs?
We explored examples from across Minnesota of the different ways communities are creating spaces and safety.
Whether it's a newly constructed community center or a rehabbed structure, the options are as unique as the communities who plan them: buff.ly/lOb65vE
We explored examples from across Minnesota of the different ways communities are creating spaces and safety.
Whether it's a newly constructed community center or a rehabbed structure, the options are as unique as the communities who plan them: buff.ly/lOb65vE
“We learned that the families we serve are largely unaware of clean energy options.”
Project FINE acts as a connection point for refugees & immigrants, helping build a stronger community while supporting them with many things, including a growing request for energy-related info:
Project FINE acts as a connection point for refugees & immigrants, helping build a stronger community while supporting them with many things, including a growing request for energy-related info:
Newcomers get the lowdown on energy efficiency
From: Emily Haeg Nguyen, Clean Energy Resource Teams, U of MN
www.winonapost.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:50 AM
“We learned that the families we serve are largely unaware of clean energy options.”
Project FINE acts as a connection point for refugees & immigrants, helping build a stronger community while supporting them with many things, including a growing request for energy-related info:
Project FINE acts as a connection point for refugees & immigrants, helping build a stronger community while supporting them with many things, including a growing request for energy-related info:
Apply for a planning grant to prepare for the impacts of climate change!
Tribes, cities, counties, and other local governments can apply by Dec. 11: www.pca.state.mn.us/grants-and-l...
Tribes, cities, counties, and other local governments can apply by Dec. 11: www.pca.state.mn.us/grants-and-l...
Planning grants for stormwater, wastewater, and community resilience
The MPCA is soliciting project proposals to distribute $1.6 million for climate planning projects to communities across Minnesota.
www.pca.state.mn.us
November 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Apply for a planning grant to prepare for the impacts of climate change!
Tribes, cities, counties, and other local governments can apply by Dec. 11: www.pca.state.mn.us/grants-and-l...
Tribes, cities, counties, and other local governments can apply by Dec. 11: www.pca.state.mn.us/grants-and-l...