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Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) awarded Seed Grants to 74 innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy projects – over twice as many as last year – in communities from Warren to Winona, Morton to Mountain Iron, Long Prairie to Lindstrom. The communities are funded for a wide range of energy projects, from improving buildings for energy efficiency to job skills training for careers in clean energy.
Locally, two projects in Grand Portage received funds. The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa clean energy initiative and the log building LED project.
This year, Seed Grants with a focus on underserved communities received additional funding. Underserved communities encompass a range of populations, such as BIPOC communities and households with high energy burdens, where they spend more than five percent of their annual income on energy costs, compared to two percent for the average Minnesota household.[ 1] For example, the Akiing 8th Fire project engages both White Earth Tribal members and members of the Lower Sioux Nation in a solar thermal installation and training collaborative effort. Numerous projects in Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities area focus on energy efficiency in manufactured housing.
The doubling of seed projects and expansion of grants for underserved communities are the result of a successful public-private partnership. The Minnesota Department of Commerce Program allocation for Seed Grants was renewed by the Legislature at $140,000. Commerce added $120,000 more for projects focused on underserved communities by leveraging its State Energy Office funds from the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, a new award from the Morgan Family Foundation provided an additional $70,000 in CERTs Seed Grant funding.
“These Seed Grants will advance community initiatives, support local opportunities for jobs and training, and engage communities in reaching their clean energy goals,” says Lissa Pawlisch, CERTs director.
Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold said, “Through these local projects, Minnesotans across the state are investing in the future. These projects will save money, save energy, grow jobs and build more resilient communities.”
Seed Grants encourage community-driven projects that help people see clean energy working in their own communities and provide communities with opportunities to tangibly learn about and experience the benefits of clean energy. The 74 funded projects span a broad range of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies along with electric vehicle charging. Many projects also include components of education, outreach and community building.
These awards mark the 11th round of CERTs Seed Grants, totaling over $1.6 million to 467 projects since 2006.
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