We're excited to share business clean energy stories and opportunities with you, but we wanted to share some important thoughts first.
We are heartbroken by the recent killing of George Floyd by police officers. We support justice and equity for all. We have collectively reaffirmed our commitment to work to be anti-racists. We clearly have much work to do and will have more to share in weeks and months ahead on a number of related efforts that have been underway for the past year.
To start, as we collectively look to rebuild some of our major business corridors in the Twin Cities and strengthen our businesses across the state, there are ongoing opportunities to make sure Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color in Minnesota have access to clean energy job training and careers. CERTs is dedicated not only to highlight clean energy jobs that are available now, but also to work with partners across the state following the recommendations of the Energy Utility Diversity Stakeholder Group Report to make sure that the clean energy workforce is accessible and available to all Minnesotans.
Businesses were already struggling during COVID-19, and now some are hurting even more. In mid-May we had begun to compile stories of businesses taking clean energy action through MN Energy Stories as a bright spot during these times. Today, as we share those stories, we also share resources and information about how you could support Minneapolis and Saint Paul neighborhoods and businesses by making donations to the following organizations dedicated to the rebuilding process.
We're in this together,
Lissa, Joel & Dan at CERTs
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Willmar
Steffl Drilling & Pump digs deep to use less and cleaner energy
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Businesses across Minnesota are finding ways to save energy and money while also meeting their environmental goals. Steffl Drilling & Pump, a well drilling contractor based out of Willmar in West Central Minnesota, took efforts to use less energy and clean energy recently with LED lighting, solar, and geothermal at their headquarters. We interviewed Business Director Sam Steffl to learn more.
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Rochester
Three new hotels finance efficiency work with PACE
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Rochester’s sprawling Destination Medical Center (DMC) district has seen a steady stream of new apartments, office buildings, and hotels to absorb an influx of new residents and visitors to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. Three new hotels owned by one California developer recently hit efficiency targets by using Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans to pay for improvements.
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Rice
Virnig Manufacturing meets financial, stewardship goals with solar
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For the past three years, family-owned Virnig Manufacturing in Rice, Minnesota has been home to a 500 kW solar array. The skid-steer attachment manufacturer started considering solar in 2015, when they were approached by a local installation company about the benefits of adding solar to their 70,000 square foot facility. We interviewed Bryan Virnig to learn more.
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Paynesville
Fuel for industry: Leading steel manufacturer powers operations with solar
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“In planning for being around for 100 years, solar was a great investment. Not only for the short term, but long term for the future,” Lance Louis says on the floor of Louis Industries, a steel processor and manufacturer in Paynesville. "We’ve always been ahead of what’s happening out there, constantly building and growing with our customers," added Leo Louis, Lance's father, who purchased Louis Blacksmith Shop from his father Alfred in 1973. The 1,200 solar panels on the roof cover 60% of their energy needs.
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Get connected
Upcoming Virtual Events
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June 15-17: The rescheduled Midwest Solar Expo will be the first ever solar conference in a fully-immersive 3D virtual venue. Speakers, exhibitors, networking lounges -- everything has been replicated to create the same conference experience that you know and love, while protecting your health & safety.
JUNE 15-19: The Roadmap Conference is the leading electric and smart mobility conference in the United States. Join us for five panel session webinars, one held each day the week of June 15th.
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FEATURED EVENT
June 17, 2020
6:00-7:00pm Central
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June 24-26th: ASES SOLAR 20/20 is the American Solar Energy Society’s 49th annual National Solar Conference and will be the first-ever fully-virtual conference. The virtual conference will be held online on June 24-25 with workshops and NABCEP courses on GoToWebinar June 26. The conference will feature technical sessions, provocative plenary panels, an action-focused Town Hall, plus online networking, and more.
July 9, 16, 23, 30: This series of free webinars from Fresh Energy explores how super-efficient buildings can become the new normal in equitable, affordable housing.
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Current opportunities
Clean Energy Job Board
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