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COMMUNITY
ENERGY
The Community Energy Program at The Green Institute supports and develops local efforts to transition our fossil-fuel based economy to a clean energy future benefiting local communities. Staff work with a broad range of public and private partners to incubate, develop and support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Projects
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs)
The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) was launched in 2003 to facilitate citizen-based renewable energy and energy efficiency projects state-wide. The program is supported by a broad partnership of state agencies, universities, and non-profits. CERTs received the 2006 Minnesota Environmental Initiative’s Partnership of the Year Award. The Green Institute coordinates the Twin Cities metro region of CERTs.
Contact: Diana McKeown, Metro CERTs Network Coordinator, (612) 278-7125.
Diana and Carl atop the the Wellstone Building, the most recent mixed-income project developed by the Hope Community. Among the sustainable features is a solar domestic hot water system (pictured), which will provide half of the residents' hot water needs. The Green Institute was an early partner in Hope community's re-investment projects.
Minnesota GreenStar Cities
The Minnesota GreenStar Cities Initiative was initiated by CERTs partners as a voluntary program designed to identify, support and recognize implementation of a set of sustainable development best practices that lead cities beyond compliance and encourage a culture of innovation. Read our concept paper for this project.
Phillips Community Energy Co-op (PCEC)
The Phillips Community Energy Co-op (PCEC) was founded by The Green Institute and works to reduce the energy burden of low-income residents by delivering energy efficiency services to the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. The program exchanges low-efficiency appliances for high-efficiency appliances and receives funding from Xcel Energy for every kilowatt saved as a result. Contact: Julia Eagles, PCEC Program Manager, (612) 278-7120.
Rock-Tenn
The Green Institute was contracted to help Rock-Tenn, the largest recycling plant in the Upper Midwest, employing 500 people and recycling 1,000 tons of paper per day, find a viable clean energy source.
Solar Pioneers Report
The Green Institute’s Solar Pioneers Report follows the experience of 16 homeowners as they installed solar thermal water heaters to share lessons learned with other groups who might want to make the same investment.
2006 Energy Independence Day
The Green Institute also hosted the 2006 Energy Independence Day, featuring a signing of the Declaration of Energy Independence by public officials and exhibitors of clean energy technologies.
Contact: Nancy Kelly , Community Energy Project Manager, (612) 278-7119.
