Marshall-Lyon County Library Receives Grant for Local Energy Project

It is an energizing start to 2020 for Marshall-Lyon County Library who received a $2,500 Seed Grant from the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) today. “We’re very excited to learn about the grant award,” said LuAnn Anderson, Office Manager.

“We can’t wait to get started on our project, Get Wired at Marshall-Lyon County Library.” When the Marshall-Lyon County Library opened in 2011, the county hoped that the combination of the geothermal heating/cooling system and updated light fixtures would cut down on utility costs, allowing more public funds to go to acquiring additional materials for the library’s collection and expanding programs offered to residents.

However, by 2016, the electric bill for the building was on schedule to exceed $50,000 annually.

The Library has made tweaks to the geothermal system and instituted other strategic changes that have cut down on these costs significantly, but replacing fluorescent bulbs remains the last big step to true efficiency.

The award is one of 35 grants given to innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in communities across Minnesota.

These awards mark the tenth round of Seed Grants from CERTs, totalling over $1.3 million to 393 projects since 2006. A complete list of funded projects can be accessed at cleanenergyresourceteams.org/2020grants.

“CERTs provides these Seed Grants with two primary objectives in mind,” said Lissa Pawlisch, CERTs Director. “First, to encourage implementation of community-based clean energy projects across the state.

Second, to provide an educational forum for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and their economic, community, and ecological benefits.”