Subdivision 1. Findings. The legislature finds that community-based energy programs are an effective means of implementing improved energy practices including conservation, greater efficiency in energy use, and the production and use of renewable resources such as wind, solar, biomass, and biofuels. Further, community-based energy programs are found to be a public purpose for which public money may be spent.
Subd. 2. Mission, organization, and membership. The clean energy resource teams (CERT's) project is an innovative state, university, and nonprofit partnership that serves as a catalyst for community energy planning and projects. The mission of CERT's is to give citizens a voice in the energy planning process by connecting them with the necessary technical resources to identify and implement community-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. In 2003, the Department of Commerce designated the CERT's project as a statewide collaborative venture and recognized six regional teams based on their geography: Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and West-Central. Membership of CERT's may include but is not limited to representatives of utilities; federal, state, and local governments; small business; labor; senior citizens; academia; and other interested parties. The Department of Commerce may certify additional clean energy resource teams by regional geography, including teams in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Subd. 3. Powers and duties. In order to develop and implement community-based energy programs, a clean energy resource team may:
(1) analyze social and economic impacts caused by energy expenditures;
(2) analyze regional renewable and energy efficiency resources and opportunities;
(3) link community members and community energy projects to the knowledge and capabilities of the University of Minnesota, the State Energy Office, nonprofit organizations, and regional community members, among others;
(4) plan, set priorities for, provide technical assistance to, and catalyze local energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that help to meet state energy policy goals and maximize local economic development opportunities;
(5) provide a broad-based resource and communications network that links local, county, and regional energy efficiency and renewable energy project efforts around the state (both interregional and intraregional);
(6) seek, accept, and disburse grants and other aids from public or private sources for purposes authorized in this subdivision;
(7) provide a convening and networking function within CERT's regions to facilitate education, knowledge formation, and project replication; and
(8) exercise other powers and duties imposed on it by statute, charter, or ordinance.
Subd. 4. Department assistance. The commissioner, via the clean energy resource teams, may provide professional, technical, organizational, and financial assistance to regions and communities to develop and implement community energy programs and projects, within available resources.
2007 c 57 art 2 s 27
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities
Chapter 216C — Energy Planning And Conservation
Section 216C.01 — Definitions.
Section 216C.02 — Powers And Duties Of Commissioner; Rules.
Section 216C.03 — State Government Energy-savings Plan.
Section 216C.05 — Findings And Purpose.
Section 216C.053 — Renewable Energy Development.
Section 216C.054 — Annual Transmission Adequacy Report To Legislature.
Section 216C.055 — Key Role Of Solar And Biomass Resources In Producing Thermal Energy.
Section 216C.06 — Definitions.
Section 216C.07 — Conflict Of Interest.
Section 216C.08 — Jurisdiction.
Section 216C.09 — Commissioner Duties.
Section 216C.10 — Commissioner Powers.
Section 216C.11 — Energy Conservation Information Center.
Section 216C.12 — Energy Conservation Publicity.
Section 216C.13 — Postsecondary Energy Education.
Section 216C.145 — Community Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy Loan Program.
Section 216C.146 — Community Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy Loan Revenue Bonds.
Section 216C.15 — Emergency Energy Conservation And Allocation Plan.
Section 216C.16 — State Petroleum Set-aside Program.
Section 216C.17 — Energy Forecasts And Statistics; Report.
Section 216C.18 — State Energy Policy And Conservation Report.
Section 216C.19 — Energy Conservation.
Section 216C.20 — Energy Conservation In Public Building.
Section 216C.25 — Solar Energy System Standards.
Section 216C.26 — Energy Research Project; Review.
Section 216C.261 — Alternative Energy Engineering Activity.
Section 216C.264 — Coordinating Residential Weatherization Programs.
Section 216C.265 — Emergency Energy Assistance; Fuel Funds.
Section 216C.266 — Data Privacy; Energy Programs.
Section 216C.29 — Subpoena Power.
Section 216C.30 — Enforcement; Penalties, Remedies.
Section 216C.31 — Energy Audit Programs.
Section 216C.315 — Alternative Energy Economic Analysis.
Section 216C.32 — Energy-efficient Building Education.
Section 216C.33 — Minnesota Biomass Center.
Section 216C.34 — Money For School Or Governing Body.
Section 216C.35 — Priorities For Funding.
Section 216C.37 — Energy Conservation Investment Loan.
Section 216C.375 — Solar For Schools Program.
Section 216C.376 — Solar For Schools Program For Certain Utility Service Territory.
Section 216C.381 — Community Energy Program.
Section 216C.385 — Clean Energy Resource Teams.
Section 216C.41 — Renewable Energy Production Incentive.
Section 216C.417 — Program Administration; "made In Minnesota" Solar Energy Production Incentives.
Section 216C.42 — Definitions; Energy Improvements For Buildings.
Section 216C.43 — Energy Improvement Financing Program For Local Government.
Section 216C.435 — Definitions; Pace Loan Programs.
Section 216C.436 — Commercial Pace Loan Program.
Section 216C.437 — Residential Pace Loan Program; Authority; Consumer Protections.