Cannon Valley Clean Energy Meeting September 15, 2005

Area residents are invited to attend an informational meeting about clean energy opportunities in the Cannon Valley region on Thursday, September 15 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Buckham Library 3rd-floor board room (11 Division St. E., Faribault). Opportunities to spur local economic development while meeting the region?s energy needs through the efficient use of locally produced renewable energy will be discussed.

The Southeast Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Team (SE CERT), comprised of a diverse group of volunteers in a 15-county region (Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, LeSeuer, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona counties), recently reported the findings of an 18-month assessment of the considerable energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities in this area. Findings of the report will be summarized at the meeting, including descriptions of recently completed clean energy projects in and near southeastern Minnesota.

Opportunities for additional energy conservation, wind, solar, biomass, biogas, biofuels and geothermal energy project development in the Cannon Valley area will also be discussed. Participants will engage in a project brainstorming session, learn about technical and financial resources available to assist in project development, and have the opportunity to join a Cannon Valley Clean Energy Resource Team that will be established to facilitate ongoing local clean energy development efforts.

The SE CERT is part of a statewide initiative to engage diverse stakeholders in planning for and creating a clean energy future that keeps an ever-increasing share of Minnesota?s energy dollars (roughly $13 billion in 2004) circulating in the state?s economy rather than leaving to pay for out-of-state energy resources. Statewide CERT initiative supporters include the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the University of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment, the Minnesota Project, the Blandin Foundation, and the Carolyn Foundation. Information on the statewide and regional CERT initiatives is available at http://cleanenergyresourceteams.org.

The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, call (507)645-7133.

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For further information, contact:
Bruce Anderson
Executive Director
RENew Northfield
402 Washington St.
Northfield, MN 55057

Phone: 507.645.7133
brucea@renewnorthfield.org
http://renewnorthfield.org