If you're considering moving your energy needs into a more environmentally conscious direction, you're not without guidance. The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) of Minnesota have staff throughout the state to help communities with various clean energy projects.
Nik Allen is the Northeast Minnesota Regional Coordinator for CERTs, and her history with non-profits has a kinship with her current work. "In the non-profit sector we're trying to bring resources to people and that's very much what we do at CERTs." As a farm owner on the Iron Range, Allen has connections to rural Minnesota and a desire to see clean energy expand beyond the Twin Cities. "One of the things that we're really involved in... is bring resources, grants, information on Inflation Reduction Act incentives, and education out to rural Minnesota."
For Allen, there is a reliance on the competitive nature of Minnesotans to help spread the implementation of green energy. "As more schools put up solar, we'll get other schools to put up solar." Allen also notes that once these improvements are made, education opportunities also become a possibility. "Curriculum comes with those solar units, so once you install an array, then your STEM programs also include solar information."
For more information, or to contact Nik Allen, visit the Clean Energy Resource Teams website.
You can hear Green Visions at 8:20am every Wednesday on Northland Morning.
