GreenStep Cities Introduces New Resilience Best Practice

February 3, 2016 in Communities Author: Abby Finis

Resilient communities understand that the impact of climate change is occurring now. They prepare for, adapt to, and thrive in the face of abrupt and unforeseen weather, social, and economic changes, while increasing the use of clean energy sources and enhancing local grid infrastructure to limit risk and accelerate recovery from disaster, now and into the future. Continue reading »

Planning for the “New Normal”

January 20, 2016 in Communities Author: Abby Finis

I have never seen a moose. I mean, I have seen photographs, heads mounted on walls, Rocky and Bullwinkle, but not one in real life. With the exception of my eight-year absence from Minnesota, I have been to the Boundary Waters every year, at least once a year, since I was six. I am certain I was six, because in one of the earliest BWCA trip photos, my brother, sister, and I are all wearing our 1987 World Series Champions t-shirts and I am not sporting the unfortunate bowl cut I had in kindergarten. I didn’t see any moose in the 1980s and they have evaded me ever since. Continue reading »

Ideas ‘Tossed’ Around at Metro CERT Annual Event

November 5, 2015 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown

On October 22nd, over one hundred people attended the 9th annual gathering of the Metro CERT region. As always, the program provided information, connections to resources and networking around community clean energy implementation. This year, participants were also offered the opportunity to provide input on both the Metro CERT priorities over the next two years and the Minnesota 2025 Energy Action Plan. The Great Plains Institute, in partnership with the MN Department of Commerce, the Legislative Energy Commission, and Rocky Mountain Institute, coordinates the 2025 Energy Action Plan. Continue reading »

Creating “Solar-Ready” Communities

September 21, 2015 in Communities Author: Brian Ross

Solar PanelIf you google “oil reserves” (or natural gas reserves, or coal reserves, or uranium reserves) you will be inundated with data sources, such as the resource map below.  There is a whole industry of companies and agencies who track and measure our country’s traditional energy fuel reserves. 

On the other hand, if you search for information about solar energy reserves, your result is considerably different.  Continue reading »

Made in Minnesota Solar Program Interview with Department of Commerce

September 16, 2015 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown

Diana McKeown: How do you describe the Made in Minnesota Solar Program to people?

Kim Havey: Made in Minnesota (MiM) is a program designed to grow jobs within the solar industry in Minnesota and support the installation of solar PV and thermal for residents and businesses. The program is ideally designed for residential and business rooftop solar installations but also can be used for ground mounted installations, which is ideal for farms. Legislation in 2013 launched MiM, with two existing solar PV manufacturers but now the program includes four Minnesota based PV manufacturers and a broad range of solar modules. Continue reading »

Seed Grants Now Available for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Projects!

September 3, 2015 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown

On August 24, 2015 the Statewide CERTs Partnership, including the Great Plains Institute, released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking applications for limited financial assistance for community-based energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. This funding is for LABOR COSTS ONLY for all seven CERTs regions, which cover the entire state of Minnesota. The primary objective of these funds is to spur action on local clean energy projects.
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