A Year in Review…
Diana McKeown
April 15th, 2009
Science Museum of Minnesota

Our Mission
Giving community members a voice in energy
planning by connecting them with the technical
resources necessary to identify and implement
community-scale energy efficiency and renewable
energy projects
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

Unique Partnership
• University: U of M
Regional Sustainable
Development
Partnerships
• Nonprofit: The
Minnesota Project &
Green Institute
• Government: MN Dept.
of Commerce, SW
Regional Development
Commission
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

CERTs Structure
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/About

The Green Institute
• Founded in 1993 out of an environmental justice
movement against the expansion of a waste transfer
station.
• Mission is to “sustain the environment and our
communities through practical innovation”
• Solutions-oriented approach
• About 25 employees
• Programs include:
– Green Buildings
– ReUse Center/Deconstruction Services
– Community Energy/Metro CERTs
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

ReUse/Deconstruction
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Phillips Eco-Enterprise Center
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Green Institute Staff
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Metro CERTs goals
• Create a network to support and encourage
collaboration among Twin Cities community-
based energy projects and planning efforts
• Provide organizing support to help local efforts
get off the ground
• Connect local efforts with technical resources
• Help the State of Minnesota achieve its energy
efficiency and renewable energy goals
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Metro CERTs Current Staff Team
• Diana McKeown, Metro CERTs Coordinator
• Nancy Kelly, Community Energy Project Manager
• Agatha Vaaler, Metro CERTs support staff
• Kai Bosworth, Macalester Intern
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Key Accomplishments
• Established Metro CERTs Structure
• Established Metro CERTs Steering Committee
• 20 Metro CERTs affiliates
• Over 30 speaking engagements reaching nearly 2000 people
• Participated in projects
• Raised foundation funds (Carolyn Foundation, Bush Foundation)
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Metro CERTs Steering Committee
• Neely Crane-Smith- CEE • Paul Hoff- MAGI
• Chris Duffrin- NEC • Jennifer McLoughlin- Woodbury
• Chris Gilchrist- OES • Philipp Muessig- MPCA
• Sean Gosiewski- AFORS • Lissa Pawlisch- UM RSDP/CERTs
• Tony Hainault-MEPC • Lola Schoenrich- GPISD
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Community Projects
• Shoreview/SummerHouse
• Lake Elmo Rotary
• One Stop Residential- Longfellow
• St. Anthony Park, St. Paul
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Statewide CERTs Programs
• Schools Cutting Carbon
• GreenStep Cities
• Clean Energy Census
• Refrigerator Roundup
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Schools Cutting Carbon
We are working with 36 schools in the Metro CERTs Region
to help them save money and reduce their carbon footprints!
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org

GreenStep Cities
GreenStep Cities provides cities with a pathway toward
sustainability through best practices in:
• Buildings
• Transportation
• Land use and planning
• Environmental management
The program outlines common and effective
approaches for local governments to save
energy and work toward sustainability
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/GreenSteps

Clean Energy Census
• The Clean Energy Census is an effort to reach Minnesotans
door to door and at events and determine what they need
and to connect them to a wide array of energy resources such
as utility rebates, renewable energy incentives, community
energy programs etc.
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Refrigerator Round Up
• CERTs is working in partnership with the Office of Energy
Security to make sure that there are programs all over the
state to trade in and harvest old refrigerators as people take
advantage of new rebates for energy efficient appliances
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

What Next?
• Taking our SummerHouse model to other senior living facilities
• Working with Center for Energy and Environment on a
Residential Energy Program
• Supporting state wide CERTs initiatives such as Clean Energy
Census and Refrigerator Roundup
• Piloting more projects in communities
• Helping you?
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Regions/Metro

Contact
Diana McKeown
Metro CERTs Coordinator
The Green Institute
612-278-7125
dmckeown@greeninstitute.org
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/Contact