Funds available for energy projects
The Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams seek to provide limited financial assistance for energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects requiring technical assistance.
Project funding can support technical assistance services (labor costs only, such as for a consultant, design professional, installer or student labor) for projects across the state in all seven Minnesota CERT regions: Central, Metro, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and West Central.
CERTs awarded seed grants to Minnesota projects in 2006-2008, funding nearly 80 projects during that time and providing non-financial assistance to many more. Lists and maps of past CERTs-supported projects can be seen at www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-projects/certs-supported.
Each region has a $40,000 pool of funding. Generally teams have funded projects in the $5,000 range, however should a larger project best help a team achieve its goals, that team may consider funding at a level up to $10,000. Each regional team's steering committee will make its own selections and the funding level will vary by region.
Projects approved for funding must be completed by Dec. 30, 2010.
Funding for these projects is provided through the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security. Proposals must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 2.
For details, visit www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-projects/request-for-proposals.