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Natural Awakenings Twin Cities

Energy Grants Awarded to 34 Projects Across Minnesota

Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) are awarding seed grants to 34 innovative renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects in communities across the state, from Slayton to Grand Marais, and from Warren to Rochester.

The 34 funded projects received a total of $132,500 across a broad spectrum of energy-efficiency and renewable-energy technologies. Many projects also include components of education, outreach, community building and research. These awards mark the seventh round of seed grants from the group.

“CERTs provides these seed grants with two primary objectives in mind,” says Lissa Pawlisch, CERTs director. “First, to encourage implementation of community-based clean-energy projects across the state. Second, to provide an educational forum for energy-efficiency and renewable-energy technologies and their economic, community and ecological benefits.” Project funding will put Minnesotans to work throughout 2014 by supporting technical assistance labor services.

CERTs began its seed grant program in 2006 and has awarded more than $922,500 to more than 200 projects. CERTs has also provided non-financial assistance to many more projects since the partnership began in 2003. The 2014 funding is provided by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.

The demand for clean energy projects in Minnesota is high. CERTs received 78 seed grant applications, requesting a total of nearly $350,000. The 34 projects receiving grants have begun working in their communities and their efforts will be completed by the end of 2014.

For more information and for a complete list of funded projects, visit CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org.