2023 Metro CERT Annual Event

Welcome!
Metro CERT Annual Event
May 24, 2023

Why Shoreview?
Long time collaborator
• Beat Betty – 2008
• Steering Committee
• EV Project Partners:
Cummins & City of
Shoreview

• CERTs Overview & CERT-O
Project Spotlight: Advancing Small Business Solar Energy
• Seed Grant Lightning Round
• IRA Clean Energy Incentives
• Small group discussions
• Networking
• Appetizers
• Cash bar
• Games on the deck
• 20th Anniversary Cake
Agenda

Housekeeping
1. Agenda on table
2. Tweet with us! #MetroCERT
3. Play CERT-O and win some
CERTs swag!
4. Get signed into the WiFi and
the mentimeter
5. Zero Waste/Composting
6. Selfie Time?

1. Listen for the words on your card during the entire
program. Mark them off!
2. Please DO NOT yell CERT-O when you get it while
the program is happening.
3. Once networking begins, bring your winner cards to
the CERTs resource table in the front.
4. CERT-O includes completed row, column, or
diagonal, four corners and postage stamp. The
CERTs logo is a FREE space!
5. Feel free to snap a pic of you and your card and
tweet it at us with #MetroCERT #CERT-O
Postage stamp example –
only need one corner

YAY! We did it!
Secured an additional $500,000
annually to support the statewide
CERTs Partnership!
Staffing capacity, specifically
an increase for Greater Minnesota

Polling Time!
Tell us about
yourselves!
Go to www.menti.com and enter: 8682 0869

Helping Minnesotans build clean energy
MISSION
We connect
individuals and their
communities to the
resources they need
to identify and
implement
community-based
clean energy projects

What is CERTs all about?
CONNECT TO RESOURCES
Ideas, inspiration, stories,
people, information,
tools, funding, and more!
COMMUNITY-BASED
Empowering community-
determined conservation,
efficiency, and renewables

CERTs Vision
We envision a
future in which
clean energy
solutions
permeate our
state.

Making an impact
AWARDED over $1.6 million
in Seed Grants to 467 energy
projects since 2006.
IMPACTED 972,016 people
through grants, events, and
programs since 2009.
HELPED Minnesotans save
nearly 582 billion BTUs of
energy and avoid $7.3 million
in energy costs since 2010.

Clean Energy Resource Teams:
the Partnership

CERTs is a Statewide Partnership

Great Plains Institute (GPI)
Transforming the energy system
to benefit the economy and
environment.
26 -year non-profit based in Mpls
with roots across many, states
Transforming the energy system
to benefit the economy and
environment.
We combine our unique
consensus-building approach
with expert knowledge, research
and analysis, and local action.

CERTs Regional Leadership
Jason Walker
SouthwestCERT
SRDC
Jacob Selseth
West Central
CERT
Diana McKeown
Metro CERT
Great Plains Inst.
Shannon Stassen
NorthwestCERT
HRDC
MelissaBirch
Central CERT
Chris Meyer
SoutheastCERT
Coby Abasz
NortheastCERT
Tess Dornfeld
SoutheastCERT

Staff Transition
• After 20 years, Lissa
Pawlisch takes new role at
Department of Commerce
• Interim statewide co-
directors, leaning into strong
partnership
• GreenCorps Member Abby
Hornberger left in August
• Metro CERT Staffing, Kris
Acuña left in December after
4 ½ years supporting CERTs

Steering Committee!
• MarisaBayer, Center for Energy and Environment
• Didier Bolanos Gonzalez, Hennepin County
• Carmen Carruthers, Citizens Utility Board
• Scott Firman, International Society of Sustainability
Professionals
• Emma Ingebretsen, CenterPoint Energy
• Annette Kuyper, Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric
Association
• Mari Ojeda, Fresh Energy
• Annie Pottorff, City of St. Louis Park
• Bill Sierks, Retired Environmental Manager & Attorney
• Erin Smith, City of Carver
• SofiaTroutman, Xcel Energy
• Kerry Wang, Nextera Analytics
• Billy Weber, University of Minnesota
• Eric Wojchik, Metropolitan Council
• Say Yang, Student

What does CERTs do?
• Meet people where they are
• Connect people to tools,
guides, & templates
• Provide direct technical
assistance
• Convene peer networks &
workshops for shared
learning
• Provide seed funding
• Document stories
Inflation Reduction Act: ResidentEnergy Resources

Catalyzing Projects With CERTs Seed Grants
• Awarded over $1.6M to
467 projects since 2006
• Recent round: 137 apps
for $719,000; awarded 74
• $30,000/region
• Project funding pays for
labor costs, minor
materials and supplies
• Must have a community
component

Home Energy Guides
• Single Family Homes
• Manufacturedhomes
• Renters
• Landlords
• Multiple languages

Air Source Heat Pump Resources
Heat pump advice:
FEBRUARY 2023
PROPANE HEAT + DUAL
FUEL ELECTRIC RATES

Presentations
• Advancing Small
Business Solar Equity
• Seed Grant Lightning
Round
• IRA Presentation

Advancing Small
Business Solar Equity
Earlsworth "Baba" Letang
Director of Community Engagement
Neighborhood Development Center

Advancing
Small Business
Solar Equity
Solar Energy Innovation Network (SEIN)
Lake Street - West Broadway - University Avenue
Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota

Stacy Miller
City of Minneapolis
Diana McKeown
Great Plains Institute
Kris Acuna
Great Plains Institute
Billy Weber
William Weber Consulting
Kurt Schultz
City of Saint Paul
Callie Walsh
Xcel Energy
Advancing Small Business Solar Equity
Team
Matt Kazinka
Lake Street Council
Baba Letting
Neighborhood DevelopmentCenter
TerryAustin
Northside Economic OpportunityNetwork
Kelly Muellman
City of Minneapolis
Aaron Backs
Baba Letang
Advancing Small Business Solar Equity Team

Project Funding & Program
Support
Project Stakeholder Team

WELCOME
!
WELCOME
NDC Solar Energy
Partnership

Four Pillars - One Model
NDC has developed four integrated programs that
have become the pillars to activating entrepreneurs
and revitalizing low-income neighborhoods
Training Lending Business
Services
Incubator
Spaces

Vision & Project Principles
Vision
We envision a future in which BIPOC- and immigrant-owned small businesses in the
Twin Cities are leaders in solar adoption. One in which economic development
agencies can accurately demonstrate the potential of clean energy, in order to
contribute to equitable wealth generation in communities deeply impacted by
systemic racism.
Principles
• Building partnerships
• Building trust
• Practicing transparency
• Building wealth
• Understanding risk
• Respectful language
Abe Demmaj, G & L Furniture

“
Increase solar adoption and resilience of
BIPOC small businesses, and build
capacity and leadership in the community
to sustain ongoing action.
Project Goal

Objectives
• Collaboratively develop a scalable model(s) for underserved small
businesses with a priority on BIPOC and immigrant owned businesses
in the Lake Street, West Broadway and University Midway corridors to
adopt solar based on a deep assessment of business needs, barriers,
and preferences
• Ensure that proposed business model(s) support the continued
success of small businesses in underserved communities, and build
community wealth
• Provide education and ongoing support to small businesses on the
opportunities and risks involved with installing solar, including
available incentives and potential economic benefits
• Share lessons learned with regulators, solar installers, program
managers, etc. to ensure that appropriate changes are made to
existing regulations, programs, and business offerings
Abe Demmaj, G & L Furniture

Our
Corridors
SEIN - Advancing Small Business Solar Equity

University Avenue,
Midway Saint Paul
NDC

West Broadway,
North Minneapolis
NEON

Lake Street,
South Minneapolis
Lake Street
Council
Great Plains
Institute

“
How might we address barriers to solar
program adoption by BIPOC-owned
businesses in corridors impacted by
systemic racism and civil unrest to
increase installation of solar and solar
plus storage?
Design Challenge

Fundamentals of Human Centered Design
1. Focus on the people
2. Find the right problem to solve
3. Think of everything as a system
4. Iterate on solutions
User versus Human Centered Design
User-centered design can make people sound like a component in a system,
dehumanizing the design process.
Human-centered design focuses on a user’s emotions and feelings as they
interact with a product, and this helps bring empathy to the product design
process.

What did we
hear?

What information about solar is
most important for businesses
to know?

"Show me the money.
Actually, show me the money."

What does the
small business
decision-making
process look like?

"When we find someone we trust, we stick with them."

What assets can we draw
on in our communities to
make equitable solar
happen?

“They ask, ‘why don’t you get out of that neighborhood?’
We answer, ‘we wouldn’t exist elsewhere.’"

Program Model
Solar Hub Network – Community-Based Solar
Resources Providers
Primary Functions:
• Existing Community-Based Organizations will embed
resources, education and technical assistance for small
businesses on rooftop solar
• The Network will link participating Hubs across the city,
both facilitating information and resource sharing across
the network, and creating a culture of solar and energy
efficiency in BIPOC and immigrant business corridors

Looking
Forward:
Next Steps

Future Agenda
Near-term activities:
• Help CDFI partners explore green lending
• Support NDC to explore energy efficiency programming
• Support NEON to add solar to new building
• Continue building out model pieces
• Ground testing with businesses on Lake Street
Long-term activities:
• Build on program design model to incorporate energy
efficiency and electrification alongside solar
• Implementation of programs on the ground
• Invite in new community partners to work in additional
areas and with additional businesses,pending funding

Thank you!
Earlsworth ‘Baba’ Letang
Director of Community Engagement
Neighborhood Development Center
ELetang@NDC-MN.Org
612-644-1968

FirstLast
Organization
FirstLast
Organization
FirstLast
Organization
FirstLast
Organization
PANELDISCUSSION
Seed Grant Lightning Round
KeithDent
Just B Solar
KyleSamejima&
ElijahEasley
Minneapolis
Climate Action
DaveAnderson
All Parks Alliance
for Change
KevinWalker
Beacon Interfaith
Housing Collabor
ative

Manufactured Home
Repair and Replacement
DAVE ANDERSON, ALL PARKS ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE
2023 METRO CERT ANNUAL EVENT
MAY 24, 2023

What was the goal of your project?
 Residents of manufacturedhome park communities are both renters
and home owners. Over 180,000 residents live in 900 parks and 80%
are low- to very-low income.
 In 1976, Congress created a uniform federal constructioncode for
manufacturedhomes (the “HUD Code”) to standardize and improve
design and construction. However, home loans are often either
unavailable or "high cost" (9-10% interest rates with 7-18 year loan
terms), and so 33% of residents buy cheaper, older homes for cash. As
a result, some residents are “cost burdened” based just on utility costs.
 We encouraged residents, park owners, and cities to work with
MinnesotaHousing to use the state’s home rehab program to either
improveor replace their homes with new energy-efficient designs.

What did you learn?
 Through an outreach and awareness plan, we explainedthe
program's benefits, eligibility,application process, and uses to
residents and partner organizations through community meetings
and group presentations.
 Our park community outreach was focusedon home owners
rather than park owners. We left information at residents’homes
and held 13 community meetings;approximately 450 attended.
 Our outreach to cities focusedon the 51 cities in the Twin Cities
metro area with manufactured home park communities.We had
meetings with 14 cities and four had or were interestedin formal
partnership with Minnesota Housing

Anything surprising or unexpected? *
 Minnesota Housing’s home rehab programs were already open to
manufactured home owners, but, in 2021, we pushed significant
changes including making home replacement an eligible use
(covering the cost of purchase, moving, removal of the previous
home, etc.) and the changes went into effect January 2022.
 Not everything went as expected:
❑ Going into Spring 2022, the Agency was still accepting feedback, finalizing
procedures, and providing input on outreach materials.
❑ We discovered past use of Minnesota Housing’s rehab loans by
manufactured home owners varied greatly based on region and race.
❑ We discovered a significant gap between those needing assistance and
those meeting the income guidelines.
❑ We concluded that meaningful use of the program was going to take
additional time and changes to the program's eligibility guidelines.

Are you planning to build on this work
in the future?
 We regularly use the materials and presentations we
developedas part of this project. We includedthe
information in a series of presentations we made about
the HomeHelpMN program.
 We share information with other housing organizations
through meetings,presentations, newsletters, email,and
social media.
 We will push for changes to Minnesota Housing’s program
eligibility guidelines in order to better meet the high level
of manufacturedhome owner interest and need.

Thank you!
All Parks Alliance for Change (APAC)
Dave Anderson, Executive Director
2380 Wycliff Street, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55114
(651) 644-5525
dave@allparksallianceforchange.org
Facebook: All Parks Alliancefor Change

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative
Rooftop Solar Initiative
Kevin Walker | Vice President, Housing Development
May 12, 2023
www.beaconinterfaith.org

Goals
1. Deliver greater economic security to residents
✓ Save residents at least $240K over next 25 years
2. Increase operating efficiency for Beacon
✓ Save Beacon at least $132K over next 25 years
3. Reduce carbon footprint
✓ 4,263 trees’ worth of reduced carbon footprint

Lessons
1. Planning matters
2. Partnership makes possible
3. Residents respond to opportunities like this

Just B Solar
Vongphet"Noy" Koumalasy
& Keith Dent
Program Director & President
Just B Solar

Art and Climate Change
Creating Partners in Community Solar Gardens
Minneapolis, MN
A collaboration with Minneapolis Climate Action
and artists Elijah Easley, Isavela Lopez and Brandyn
Tulloch

This project will create an arts-based, outreach
guide designed to educate community
stakeholders and historicallyunderrepresented
communitieson the benefits of CommunitySolar
Gardens (CSGs).
Minneapolis Climate Action will collaborate with
Elijah Easley, Isavela Lopez and Brandyn
Tulloch and other artists to:
● Create a visual guide to deepen
awareness on climatechange,
environmental justice
and communitycreated solutions
● Engage new voices
● Build trust
● Open hearts
● Bring the benefits of energy democracy
and CSGs to underserved neighborhoods.
Elijah
Easley
Brandyn
Tulloch
Isavel

Inflation Reduction Act: Clean
Energy Incentives
Lissa Pawlisch
Energy Development Section Director
Department of Commerce

Metro CERT Annual Event
May 24, 2023
Lissa Pawlisch, Energy Development Section Director,
Division of Energy Resources
mn.gov/commerce
4/22/2023 77

8/15/2023 78
Until Mid-March, I worked for CERTs

We promote clean, reliable, and affordable energy & telecom for MN
Division of Energy Resources
79
Affordability
•Protect & assist income-
constrainedhouseholds
through energy& telec.
programs
Energy Development
•Provide programs,technical
assistance, environmental
review, and fundingfor
informed/sound clean energy
development
Reliability
•Coordinate system reliability
planning,riskmonitoringand
response
Analysis & Advocacy
•Provide analysis & advocacyfor
regulated energy&
telecommunicationutility &
oversight to utilityconservation
programs.
Reduce Economic Barriers *Climate Change Resilience *TrustedResource*Protect the Public Interest *Strong, Competitive, Fair Marketplace

Clean
transportation
Climate-smart natural
and working lands
Clean energy and
efficient buildings
Resilient
communities
Healthy lives and
communities
Clean
economy
Framework goal areas
Organizing our work

Clean energy and
efficient buildings
81
MEASURES
OF PROGRESS
By 2040, all of
Minnesota’s
electricity is
carbon-free.
By 2030,
weatherize a
quarter of
dwellings where
occupants earn
50% or less of the
state median
income.
By 2035, reduce
emissions from
existing buildings
by 50% compared
to 2005 levels.

Inflation Reduction
Act (IRA)
Infrastructure
Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA)
or Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law (BIL)
8/15/2023 82
Federal Investments

The IRA ….135 distinct programs and tax credits
83
• High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA)
• Energy Efficient Home ImprovementCredit (25C)
• New Energy Efficiency Home Credit (45L)
• Commercial Buildings Energy Efficient Credit (179D)
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund - $27B (Early programmatic descriptions announced last week)
• Clean Vehicle credit (30D)
• Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D)
• Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants -$3 B
• Improving Energy Efficiency & Water Efficiency or Climate Resilience in Affordable Housing
• Tribal Electrification Program - $145 M
• Zero Building Code Energy Adoption provision - $1 B

IRA funds increases DOE Loan Authority by $350 billion
1) Innovative Clean Energy Loan
Guarantees - $40 billion
• “Innovative” Requirement waived if a State
Green Bank also contributes to a project
2) Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment
Program - $250 billion
3) Advanced Vehicle Manufacturing - $40
billion
4) Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program
- $20 billion
8/15/2023 mn.gov/commerce 84

8/15/2023 85
New and Expanded State Programs, too!
Pre-Weatherization & Workforce Training $ 38,737,000
Healthy Air (vermiculite) $ 300,000
Strengthen MN Homes $ 1,000,000
Residential Electric Panel Grants $ 6,500,000
Heat Pump Rebate Grants $ 13,000,000
Solar for Schools K-12 $ 29,310,000
Solar for Schools MN State $ 1,138,000
Solar on Public Buildings $ 5,000,000
Air Ventilation Program $ 1,000,000
Electric Vehicle Rebates $ 15,716,000
Electric Vehicle Auto Dealer Cert. $ 2,000,000
Electric School Bus Grants $ 13,000,000
Onsite Energy Storage System Grants $ 7,000,000

Residential Focused Programs
8/15/2023 86

Tips:
• Get an Energy
Audit!
• Can capture
this year
• Plan ahead: can
capture tax
credits every
year; stagger
adoption
• Secure Utility
Rebates
8/15/2023 87
Top Energy Saving Opportunities: Tax Credits
Maximum Annual Cap: $3,200
Up to 30% tax credit; max amts below
• Home Energy Audit: up to $150
• Attic & Wall Insulation: up to $1,200
• Heating System: for heat pumps:
$2,000
• Windows: $600
• Doors: $250/door, up to $500
• Other Appliances: water heaters:
$600 (or $2,000 heat pump water
heater)

8/15/2023 88
You can bundle savings: ASHP Example
Incentives
and
Financing —
Minnesota
ASHP
Collaborative
(mnashp.org)

Residential Energy Rebates

Residential Rebate Programs: HOMES
Rented, single-family, multifamily households
• Rebates for energy efficiency
• Whole-house approach; technology neutral
• Rebates based on energy savings:
– $2,000 for 20% energy savings
– $4,000 for 35% energy savings
– More for income-qualified households!
Note: NOT for new construction

Residential Rebate Programs: HEERA
Electric Load Service Center Upgrades* $4,000
Electric Stove, Cooktop, Range, and/or Oven $840
Electric Wiring $2,500
Heat Pump Clothes Dryer $840
Heat Pump Heating/Cooling $8,000
Heat Pump Water Heaters* $1,750
Insulation and Air Sealing $1,600
• Households > 150%
AMI are not eligible;
• Households below 80%
AMI eligible for more
funds
• Rented, single-family
and multifamily eligible
• New construction
eligible
* New State level incentivesmay align

Residential Rebate Programs: HOMES and HEERA
Slide credit:
Christy
Veeder, US
DOE

HEERA: $74,000,000
Scale of impact:
If HH <80% AMI utilized the
full $14,000, might be around
5,300 HH
If HH between 80-150% AMI
just did heat pump, might be
around 18,500 HH
8/15/2023 93
Minnesota Funding Levels: HOMES and HEERA
HOMES: $74,400,000
Scale of impact:
If HH < 80% AMI hit 35%
energy reduction, might be
around 9,300 HH
If HH > 80% AMI hit 20%,
might be around 37,000 HH
If all multifamily, 20%
reductions, and hit the cap,
could be 372 properties

HEERA: $74,000,000
Scale of impact:
If HH <80% AMI utilized the full
$14,000, might be around 5,300
HH
If HH between 80-150% AMI just
did heat pump, might be 18,500
HH
30% federal tax credit for
solar
Beginning in 2023:
standalone storage qualifies
for a 30% tax credit
8/15/2023 94
Solar and Storage
Photo credit:
CERTs

New Vehicles: Up to $7,500
tax credit
Used Vehicles: Up to $4,000
tax credit. Vehicle must be 2
years old and cost < $25,000
* New Minnesota incentives
may also apply
Source: https://electrek.co/2023/05/03/which-
electric-vehicles-still-qualify-for-us-federal-tax-
credit/
8/15/2023 95
Electric Vehicles

8/15/2023 96
Inflation Reduction Act Consumer Facing Resources
on.mncerts.org/IRA
https://www.energy.gov/
save
https://www.rewiringam
erica.org/IRAguide

Commercial Focused Programs
8/15/2023 97

8/15/2023 98
Commercial Solar Incentives
• Project < 1MW: 30% tax
credit
• >1 MW: get 30% if meet
prevailing wage and
apprenticeship requirements
• 2025: Clean Electricity
Investment Credit
• Transferability

8/15/2023 99
Tax Credit Adders & Stacking
Slide Credit:
Paul
Donohoo-
Vallet,
US DOE

8/15/2023 100
And Storage!
Standalone energy
storage assets are now
eligible for the
investment tax credit
(ITC).
Image source: Institute on the Env Community Scale Energy Storage Guide

“Direct pay” allows tax-
exempt entities to capture tax
benefits via a “direct
payment”
Eligible technologies: solar,
storage, geothermal,
combined heat and power,
even commercial clean
vehicles
• Cities, Counties,
Townships
• Tribal Nations
• Non-profits
• Faith Communities
• Cooperative and
Municipal Utilities
• Other governmental
entities
Direct Pay Provisions

On-Deck in the Year Ahead
Solar for All (from the EPA
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Fund): single family,
multifamily, & community
solar
Climate Innovation Finance
Authority (CIFA): pathways
to scale clean energy
adoption

IIJA and IRA Resources
• The White House, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Guidebook
• U.S. Department of Energy | IIJA Homepage
• The White House, Inflation Reduction Act
Guidebook
• The White House, MN IRA Fact Sheet
• MN Commerce website: Federal Funding
Opportunities
• MN Commerce e-newsletter on Federal Funding
Opportunities - Subscribe
• MNE Commerce email for Federal Funding
Questions: fedquestions.commerce@state.mn.us

Questions?
Lissa Pawlisch
Energy Development Section Director
651-539-1563
Lissa.Pawlisch@state.mn.us
104

Small Group Discussion Questions
Seed Grants
• In what ways can you promote CERTs
Seed Grants to your community?
• How can the Seed Grant money best be
used to support underserved
communities?
• What sorts of initiatives would you like
to see prioritized in the next round of
Seed Grants?
Introduce
yourselves
Share which
commmunity you
are connected to
Inflation Reduction Act
• How can I best connect
my community to IRA incentives?
• How will I incorporate IRA
incentive planning into my home or
workplace?
• What audience in my
community would benefit from an
IRA presentation?

Reminders & Thank YOU!
• Please help us make this a
zero-waste event!
• Visit Photo Booth!
• Visit Resource Tables
• Ask Alexis at CERTs table for a
bit
• Thank YOU speakers!
• Thank YOU for attending!
• Please complete the
evaluation when you get it

2023 Metro CERT Annual Event

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