Energy Assistance Community Sessions:
Does Your Business Want To Save Money On Utility Bills?
Join us to learn about programs that can save your business real money AND register for a free energy audit!
Renville County:
Go-To Meeting (use QR Code to the right)
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Kandiyohi County:
Heritage Bank Community Room
310 1st St S, Willmar, MN
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
McLeod County:
Go-To Meeting (use QR Code to the right)
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Meeker County:
Government Center
325 N Sibley Ave., Litchfield, MN
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Energy To Grow Resource Guide:
Each community within the four-county Mid-Minnesota Development Commission (MMDC) region has 
a unique energy picture. They have different needs and receive different energy services from different energy providers. This guide is intended to be used as a quick reference by those interested in learning about energy savings opportunities and related resources in their community or area.
Many of the providers listed in this guide offer energy rebates and other savings opportunities to their customers. These offerings change from time to time and there may be specific requirements. All energy users, including business users, are encouraged to contact their energy providers directly for the best, most current information.
Electricity Overview
The electricity that comes to our homes and businesses most often follows a four-step path:
Generation: Electricity is created by traditional power plants, solar, biomass, wind, hydro, natural gas, etc.
Transmission: The generated electricity is moved through high voltage power lines that connect generation resources to a 69-550 kilovolt distribution system.
Distribution: Primary line voltages range between 2,300 and 34,500 volts, depending on the distribution voltages a utility uses.
End User: Home and business voltages are typically between 208 and 480 volts.
Electric Providers
Click the provider link below for more information about their services
Meeker County:
City of Grove City Municipal: Serving the community of Grove City.
City of Litchfield Municipal: Serving the community of Litchfield.
Meeker Cooperative Light & Power: Serving the communities of Cedar Mills, Darwin, Dassel, Eden Valley, Forest City, Kingston, Watkins, and rural Meeker County.
Xcel Energy: Serving the communities of Cosmos, Dassel, Eden Valley, Kingston, and Watkins.
Renville County:
City of Fairfax Municipal: Serving the community of Fairfax.
City of Olivia Municipal: Serving the community of Olivia.
Renville-Sibley Power Cooperative: Serving rural Renville County.
Xcel Energy: Serving the communities of Bird Island, Buffalo Lake, Danube, Franklin, Hector, Morton, Renville, and Sacred Heart.
Natural Gas Providers
Click the provider link below for more information about their services
In addition to being used by utilities for electricity generation natural gas is often used at the consumer level, primarily for heating air and water. However, natural gas can also be used for cooking as well as for various manufacturing processes.
CenterPoint Energy: serves the four-county Mid-Minnesota Development Commission region.
https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/business?sa=mn
Great Plains Natural Gas: serves the Renville County communities of Danube, Renville, and Sacred Heart.
Xcel Energy: provides natural gas service to the communities of Blomkest, Kandiyohi, New London, Cosmos, Darwin, and Dassel.
The following cities are served by municipal natural gas service:
For more information about the use of natural gas, visit https://www.environmentalscience.org/natural-gas
For more energy-saving tips, check out the Department of Energy’s Energy Saver website,
www.energy.gov
Financial Resources & Opportunities
Click the provider link below for more information about their services
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) - CERTs provides updates on their seed grants (next round 2025) and other federal & state funding resources.
MinnPACE/St. Paul Port Authority - The MinnPACE Program provides financing to businesses who own their property and want to invest in energy efficiency upgrades. The program uses a Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing strategy to make improvements easier to access.
Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) - CEE provides a variety of services and information to help businesses reduce their operating costs and improve building performance. Their energy-savings opportunities include rebates for lighting and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) efficiency improvements.
Rural Minnesota Energy Board - Similar to MinnPACE, the RMEB provides financing to businesses for energy-related projects. Eligibility is limited by county.
Rural Electric Economic Development (REED) - REED offers partner financing to business and community projects that promote growth and economic development. Eligibility is limited by county.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) - REAP provides grants to agriculture producers and small, rural business owners for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program - USDA funding is provided for rural projects using a revolving loan fund through local utility organizations. Contact your utility to see if they participate.
University of Minnesota Extension - Through the Regional Sustainable Development Partnership(RSDP), the University of Minnesota Extension supports Greater Minnesota projects related to agriculture, food system, clean energy, natural resources, and building resilient communities.
Community Resources
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) - CERTs connects individuals and communities to there sources they need to identify and implement community-based clean energy projects.
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC): The MPUC regulates utilities, including electric, gas, and telephone services.
Minnesota Department of Commerce - The Minnesota Department of Commerce protects and assists the interests of consumers and businesses. efficiency improvements.
Christianson, PLLP* - Provides expert knowledge about renewable energy programs, strategies, and tax credits regarding ethanol, biomass, wind energy, and more.
*For-profit organization, a fee may apply
Energy Assessment Resources
Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) - CEE provides affordable whole-building energy assessment services to Xcel Energy’s commercial customers.
Minnesota Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) - Minnesota RETAP offers free on-site energy assessments.
Minnesota Technical Assistance Program(MnTAP) - A program of the University of Minnesota, MnTAP provides outreach to Minnesota businesses that maximize resource efficiency and reduce energy use and costs.
Energy Smart - MN Chamber of Commerce - A program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Energy Smart provides free consultations to Minnesota businesses served by Xcel Energy or CenterPoint Energy.
Your Local Utility and Natural Gas Providers - Connect with your local utilities to learn more about their energy audit resources.
Renewable Energy Resources
Solar:
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) - CERTs provides a wealth of information about solar power ,including guides, information on rebates, and a list of solar installers at their website.
Wind:
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) - CERTs offers information about wind energy, including planning tools and strategies to use wind energy as a revenue stream, at their website.
Biomass:
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) - Learn more about biomass energy’s potential to supply energy needs in Minnesota.
Electric Vehicles:
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs)
These organizations provide a wealth of information for those who wish to explore the incorporation of electric vehicles to their business or personal fleet.
Carol Lundgren
(612) 743-5520
[email protected]
WEST CENTRAL CERT COORDINATOR
BUSINESS ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONSULTANT
Imani Mosher
(320) 203-6050
[email protected]
Jacob Selseth
(612) 801-7955
[email protected]
Project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Business Development Grant
