Center for Energy and Environment

Oh, the places you'll go! 🎓 On Wednesday, July 3, we gathered at Sabathani Community Center to celebrate the fifteen newest graduates of our Home Energy Career Training program, funded by Xcel Energy. The program was founded in 2021 to accelerate the development of skilled professionals in the clean energy and energy efficiency sector. CEE prioritizes the placement of individuals who have been historically underrepresented in the industry. Participants are equipped with the tools they'll need to jumpstart a rewarding career: 1️⃣ Four weeks of paid training on building science, home energy audits, insulation, and air sealing 2️⃣ The opportunity to participate in one of two paid internship tracks: energy auditor or insulation contractor 3️⃣ Individualized support from CEE staff along the way Congrats, grads! We can't wait to see all that you'll achieve. 🌠 Learn more about the Home Energy Career Training program: https://hubs.ly/Q02FtzmC0

“I was in limbo working low-paying, minimum wage jobs,” said Andrew Johnson. Then he enrolled in CEE's Green Construction Training program, funded by Ramsey County. After graduating with his cohort in February, Johnson is completing a paid HVAC internship at The Energy Conservatory to prepare him for his next step: a full-time career in the field. The Green Construction Training program offers paid training for individuals interested in joining the fast-growing clean energy and energy efficiency sector. Participants receive classroom instruction on building science, hands-on training, and the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Learn how the program's latest cohort members are building energy efficiency careers: https://hubs.ly/Q02F7bh-0

We're honored to announce that CEE has been named one of Minnesota's Top 200 Workplaces by Star Tribune! 🎉 Top Workplaces recognizes the best companies in the state based on employee input. Rankings are calculated based on survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention. Of the 97% of CEE staff who completed the survey: •    96% say CEE is guided by strong values. •    92% report their job makes them feel part of something meaningful. •    90% feel confident that CEE is going in the right direction. "With each new hire as CEE has grown, we’ve worked hard to foster transparency, a shared vision, and a staffwide sense of community," said Stephanie Haddad, chief operating officer at CEE. Read the news release: https://hubs.ly/Q02C--c-0

Yesterday's rain didn't stop Gerardo Roca, CEE's outreach specialist, from connecting with the community at the Kenny Green Fair in Minneapolis! 🌳 Gerardo talked with community members about the Home Energy Squad, which provides energy efficiency audits to identify problem areas in your home and help you lower your energy bill. With candy on the line, young attendees spun the question wheel to test their knowledge about energy. Our favorite answer of the night: "What's one way you can save energy at home?" "Lay down and rest." He wasn't wrong! 😴 Thanks to all who came out — we loved getting to chat with you. Learn how the Home Energy Squad can help you save: https://hubs.ly/Q02CQX3_0

Are you planning on completing a re-siding project on your home in 2024 or 2025? 🏡 Our research team at CEE is seeking eligible single-family homeowners for participation in a study on the energy and cost savings potential of continuous exterior insulation (CEI). CEI involves the addition of insulation to the outside of the building, below the siding, to improve the energy efficiency of the home. Why participate? • CEI installed during re-siding can be a cost-effective way to improve comfort, reduce energy consumption, and lower utility bills while improving your home’s impact on the environment. • Selected participants will receive the addition of CEI to their existing residing project, with costs attributed to the installation of CEI being covered up to $15,000 per home. • The addition of CEI is expected to reduce future utility bills by $100–300 per year. Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q02BXqZz0

CEE's strategies have long relied on varied perspectives and local wisdom to help develop lasting, people-centered solutions that serve everyone. For the past four years, we've developed an internal report to inform staff of CEE's progress toward more inclusive practices and equitable outcomes both inside and outside our organization. We still have a lot to learn and much more to do. This year, we're publicly sharing our progress report to enhance transparency, promote accountability, and underscore our promise of continuous progress. Read CEE's 2023 DEI progress report: https://hubs.ly/Q02BSCvw0

From near and far corners of the map, CEE team members united in Minneapolis on Wednesday, June 12, for our annual picnic. It turns out this group isn't just skilled at developing and deploying effective solutions to move us toward a carbon-neutral future — check out some of these impressive cornhole tosses! 🌽

Here with Alyssa Eilers and Chris Duffrin at the MARC Conference in Minneapolis to talk about collaboration and innovation in energy and regulation. This is Chair Katie Sieben kicking it off! #Center for Energy and Environment

Did you miss our last Community of Practice call? No worries! It is now available at ➡ https://lnkd.in/gKc5D64i Hear from Steve Sylvestre, initiative manager for #highperformance windows at the Center for Energy and Environment, as he provides an overview of the Partnership for Advanced Windows Solutions (PAWS) and Minnesota's Efficient Technology Accelerator (ETA) program. Topics discussed include the importance of #windows to building envelope performance, and a review of the notable benefits of air sealing found in a Minnesota storm window replacement pilot.

Are you a single-family homeowner looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint? 🌎👣 CEE is seeking participants for a new study to help advance efficiency in home energy systems. Funded by the Minnesota Department of Commerce Conservation Applied Research and Development (CARD) grant program, the study will examine the cost, demand, and carbon savings of thermal energy storage systems paired with energy efficient heat pumps. How it works: 1️⃣ We'll install a new heat pump and thermal storage system for your home, which will perform at higher efficiency than traditional systems. 2️⃣ You'll receive a rebate to reduce the installation costs of eligible equipment. You'll also be provided with technical support from our expert staff, ensuring your system is optimized to meet your home's needs. 3️⃣ You will play a pivotal role in helping our researchers identify new opportunities to advance energy efficiency and reduce carbon dependency. Ready to find out if you're eligible? Apply here: https://hubs.ly/Q02zGwq40 Have questions? Please contact Lindsay Genty at lgenty@mncee.org.