Clean Energy Resource Teams

Energy CENTS Coalition, in partnership with @cubmn.bsky.social, are launching a fund to provide support to Minnesotans struggling with utility bills.
Support the Lights On, Homes Warm fund with a donation today: bit.ly/UtilityBillFundMN #LightsOnHomesWarmMN

Vergas: A central Minnesota town takes bold steps toward a resilient future Did you know? The City of Vergas has launched one of the most comprehensive resilience and energy projects currently underway in rural Minnesota. The small, central MN town is using data,…

Did you know the City of Vergas has launched one of the most comprehensive resilience and energy projects currently underway in rural Minnesota?? The small, central MN town is using data, partnerships and commitment to build something transformative!

Energy CENTS Coalition, in partnership with @cubmn.bsky.social, are launching a fund to provide support to Minnesotans struggling with utility bills.
Support the Lights On, Homes Warm fund with a donation today: bit.ly/UtilityBillFundMN #LightsOnHomesWarmMN

CERTs February Coffee Chat Curious about battery storage? Join CERTs and fellow Community Energy Ambassadors for a conversation exploring battery storage at the utility, residential, and business/organization scales!

Join us on 2/26 for a Coffee Chat all about battery storage in Minnesota. Colby Abazs from CERTs and Aaron Hanson from the Institute on the Environment will share insights on how battery storage works and how it’s being deployed.

Check out these induction cooking kits from the Anoka County Library! Beginning in February 2025, patrons of the Anoka County Library’s eight member branches might have noticed a new and mysterious canvas tote bag among their library’s cookware and hobby collections.…

Sustainable Resources Center partnered with the Anoka County Library to offer induction cooking kits as part of the library system’s cookware collection. This program has helped people discover the benefits of induction cooking with the kit already being checked out over 100 times:

Electric school buses bringing cleaner, quieter rides to rural MN - MinnPost Minnesota now has just 19 electric school buses, but more than 20 districts are waiting on deliveries, some by the 2026-2027 school year.

“We’ve tried to tie (the buses) into the tribal mission and values of protecting our lakes and woodlands,” Red Lake District Business Manager Willie Larson says & students have so far shown more regard for the electric buses — the seats remain free of doodles nearly two years in!

CERTs February Coffee Chat Curious about battery storage? Join CERTs and fellow Community Energy Ambassadors for a conversation exploring battery storage at the utility, residential, and business/organization scales!

Questions about battery storage for your home or work?
Sign up for our 2/26 Coffee Chat with Colby Abazs from CERTs and Aaron Hanson from the Institute on the Environment. They’ll share insights on how battery storage works and how it’s being deployed:

Check out these induction cooking kits from the Anoka County Library! Beginning in February 2025, patrons of the Anoka County Library’s eight member branches might have noticed a new and mysterious canvas tote bag among their library’s cookware and hobby collections.…

“We already have a circulating cookware collection and an [industrial] kitchen at one of our facilities… So it seemed like a natural fit for us, and we worked with the team at SRC to refine what would work for us and what wouldn't.” - Sarah Hawkins, Anoka County Library

Why Xcel’s bid to reinvent the virtual power plant is so controversial Most VPPs rely on customers’ solar and batteries. Xcel says its utility-owned alternative can do a better job in Minnesota — but critics question the cost.

In Minnesota, Xcel wants to singlehandedly build and own virtual power plants. Critics say that non-cooperative approach doesn’t make sense.

Community Climate Leaders | UMN Climate Adaptation Partnership Climate change is here. To weather the challenges ahead, we need to adapt to the changes we’re already experiencing — and those to come. It’s not too late to create a better climate future, but we do…

The Community Climate Leaders program is expanding with cohorts in Northfield, Pine River, and Duluth — all starting at the end of March. The program is a U of M Extension course that connects people with actionable climate science, impact strategies, & a local network of peers.

Chart: The energy transition attracted record investment in 2025 Investors around the world spent $2.3 trillion on renewables, batteries, power grids, EVs, and more. Meanwhile, investment in fossil fuel supply dropped.

Fun fact from @canarymedia.com: in 2025, investors around the world spent $2.3 trillion on renewables, batteries, power grids, EVs, and more. Meanwhile, investment in fossil fuel supply dropped. 🎤 💧
www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...

Check out these induction cooking kits from the Anoka County Library! Beginning in February 2025, patrons of the Anoka County Library’s eight member branches might have noticed a new and mysterious canvas tote bag among their library’s cookware and hobby collections.…

Did you know you can check out induction cooking kits (cooktop included) from your library? Well, if you live near an Anoka County Library member branch you can.

Powering K-12 education with clean energy Get support for saving energy and money at your school.

MN Solar for Schools grant applications are now open.
Join the +150 schools across the state who power their education with solar energy! Readiness assessments are due 3/2. Find out how CERTs can help you get started:
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/solarschools

Energy CENTS Coalition, in partnership with @cubmn.bsky.social, are launching a fund to provide support to Minnesotans struggling with utility bills.
Support the Lights On, Homes Warm fund with a donation today: bit.ly/UtilityBillFundMN #LightsOnHomesWarmMN

Lights On, Homes Warm Help us raise $500,000 to support MN households behind on energy bills.

🔌💡 LIGHTS ON, HOMES WARM FUND 🏠🤝
Energy CENTS Coalition, in partnership with @cubmn.bsky.social, are launching a fund to provide support to Minnesotans struggling with utility bills.
Support the fund with a donation today: bit.ly/UtilityBillFundMN #LightsOnHomesWarmMN

CERTs February Coffee Chat Curious about battery storage? Join CERTs and fellow Community Energy Ambassadors for a conversation exploring battery storage at the utility, residential, and business/organization scales!

Join us on 2/26 for a Coffee Chat all about battery storage in Minnesota. Colby Abazs from CERTs and Aaron Hanson from the Institute on the Environment will share insights on how battery storage works and how it’s being deployed.

Solar powers North End Community Center - Midway Como Frogtown Monitor The City of Saint Paul has installed solar panels to help power North End Community Center with support from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Saint Paul was one of 18 local governments …

Congrats to Saint Paul's North End Community Center's new solar panels!

“We were excited to be included in the first group of local governments selected for grant funding from Minnesota’s Solar on Public Buildings Program!"
www.monitorsaintpaul.com/stories/sola...

The federal occupation of our community has caused many of our neighbors to shelter at home. Utility bills are coming due. We can all agree: Access to electricity and heat are essential during Minnesota’s cold winter.

In partnership with Energy CENTS Coalition, CUB is collecting funds to distribute to affected community members. Your donation means that they will have one less difficult decision to make.

🔌💡 LIGHTS ON, HOMES WARM FUND 🏠🤝

In partnership with the Energy CENTS Coalition, CUB is launching a fund to provide support to Minnesotans struggling with utility bills. Support the fund with a donation today: bit.ly/UtilityBillFundMN #LightsOnHomesWarmMN

2027 Process The LCCMR's 2027 Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund was issued on January 7, 2026. Approximately $121 million is available from the…

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources' 2027 RFP for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is open with approximately $121M available from the lottery-generated fund for projects beginning July 2027. Proposals are due March 18, 2026.

Does curiosity drive your storytelling skills? We're looking for a talented and experienced writer to dive into the issue areas we explore and shine a light on the people who make a difference in MN. Application deadline 2/17:
buff.ly/qUfmWyZ

CERTs February Coffee Chat Curious about battery storage? Join CERTs and fellow Community Energy Ambassadors for a conversation exploring battery storage at the utility, residential, and business/organization scales!

Questions about battery storage for your home or work?
Sign up for our 2/26 Coffee Chat with Colby Abazs from CERTs and Aaron Hanson from the Institute on the Environment. They’ll share insights on how battery storage works and how it’s being deployed:

Pequot Lakes Schools eye $688K in future solar savings District reports nearly $150,000 saved since 2019; board approves 2026 budget revisions amid rising enrollment.

Pequot Lakes Schools eye $688K in future solar savings! Since 2019, the district has saved a total of $149,674, with $28,194 saved in 2024 alone. Based on pricing estimates, the district is anticipated to save an additional $688,834 through the end of its power purchase agreement.

Sustainability Storyteller (Job ID 372189)

Spread the word, we're hiring a Sustainability Storyteller! Apply by 2/17: www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sustainabili...

“Seed grants are just one part of what we do,” Maggie Kozak, CERTs’ event programming and seed grants manager, explains. “Our role is to meet communities where they are. Every place is different, so the support we provide looks different, too.” www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/certs-...

Utility Bill Help - English Contact your utility and set up a payment plan.

Looking for ways to help communities navigate energy issues right now?
@cubmn.bsky.social created resources in many languages that can help people handle past-due utility bills and more. The resources are easy to print and share with neighbors and colleagues.

CERTs February Coffee Chat Curious about battery storage? Join CERTs and fellow Community Energy Ambassadors for a conversation exploring battery storage at the utility, residential, and business/organization scales!

Join our Coffee Chat on Feb. 26, 9-10 a.m. to learn more about battery storage from Colby Abazs and Aaron Hanson: www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/certs-februa...

Minneapolis microgrid initiative nears completion in 2026 Minneapolis microgrid and resiliency hub projects using solar and battery storage could be completed this year, boosting clean energy and outage resilience.

The final chapter of a project to build community resiliency hubs in Minneapolis could be completed this year. The Resilient Minneapolis Project brought together partners to develop microgrids for 3 community centers in Minneapolis: buff.ly/nuqc5j6

2026 CERTs Seed Grants mapped across Minnesota

The 2026 CERTs Seed Grants are supporting 52 energy efficiency + renewable energy projects, from Mahnomen to Mankato & beyond, these community-led projects serve a wide array of clean energy ideas, with many focused on helping neighbors to save energy. Stay tuned for updates: buff.ly/CmivYgJ