TWO OF THEM WERE RIGHT HERE IN MURRAY COUNTY
Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) is awarding seed grants to 45 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects—including seven within the southwest region of Minnesota. The projects range from educational outreach on clean energy incentives, to energy efficiency for manufactured homes, to skill-building for clean energy careers.
Seed grants strive to support historically underserved communities. Underserved communities include Minnesota populations with high energy burdens, where households spend more than 5% of their annual income on energy costs (compared to 2% for the average Minnesota household). For example, United Community Action Partnership’s “Home Education and Energy Saving Program” includes education and installation of energy saving products for households with low incomes.
Financial and programmatic support comes from CERTs’ partner the Minnesota Department of Commerce, with additional support from the Morgan Family Foundation. Minnesota’s seven regions are each receiving $43,000. The support will be distributed among the projects which were selected by panels of local residents known as CERTs Regional Steering Committees.
“This new round of CERTs Seed Grants will support community-identified initiatives, help provide jobs and training opportunities, plus engage communities in reaching their clean energy goals,” says Joel Haskard, CERTs co-director.
CERTs Seed Grants encourage projects that help people see clean energy working in their own communities. With over $1.98 million awarded to 509 projects since 2006, the newly funded 2024 projects will provide more opportunities for Minnesota communities to tangibly learn about and experience the benefits of clean energy.
For more information, visit: CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/2024grants
City of Slayton: City Library and Senior Center LED Retrofit Slayton, Minn.—Retrofit all of the interior and exterior lighting to LED fixtures with a longer life and no ballast maintenance.
Murray County 4-H: Lighting Upgrade for Murray County 4-H Building Slayton, Minn.—LED lighting upgrade to save on energy expenses and offer more educational opportunities in quiet learning spaces.
Statewide project details are available: CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/2024grants
