News, updates & opportunities for advancing sustainability

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Welcome to the Fall 2015 Minnesota GreenStep Cities Newsletter! This is our effort to share news, updates, and opportunities for advancing city sustainability efforts. Read on to get in the loop:

2015 GreenStep Cities Awards
GreenStep Workshops & Webinars
CERTs Seed Grants due Oct. 26
Saving Major Energy in Bemidji
Benefits of Sustainable Infrastructure
Timely Sustainability Resources

Minnesota GreenStep Cities receive awards for taking new steps toward sustainability

The League of Minnesota Cities recognized 26 member cities and one tribal community at an awards ceremony for completing one of three participation steps in the GreenStep Cities initiative. Meteorologist Paul Douglas spoke at the awards breakfast, and even snuck in on the group photo!

SEE AWARDS & PHOTOS

GreenStep Cities Workshop & Webinar Series

Join city staff to learn about topics related to the best practices of the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. These technical workshops are held the second Tuesday of each month from 9-11am at the League of Minnesota Cities Building in Saint Paul. Attend in person or via webinar, and access all past webinars.

PAST RECORDINGS

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

CERTs Seed Grants due October 26th

Need project funding? CERTs can help! The Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) seeks proposals for seed grant funds. These grants are designed to provide limited financial assistance for energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects. Proposals are due Monday, October 26th at 4pm.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

Bemidji saving energy city-wide, starting with LED street lighting

The City of Bemidji is the first local government in Minnesota to work on a performance contract across the city’s buildings and operations through the new statewide Guaranteed Energy Savings Program (GESP) for energy efficiency improvements. CERTs interviewed the Mayor and city staff to learn more.

READ INTERVIEW

Helping Minnesota cities benefit from sustainable infrastructure investments

One of the most important responsibilities our cities have is to build and maintain public infrastructure. The private sector invests in reliance on this public investment and together we build diverse communities, supporting a high quality of life for our citizens. John Shardlow with Stantec shares resources in an article written specifically for GreenStep Cities.

READ ARTICLE