Electrify Everything!!! Earth Day Expo

Oak Grove hosted a successful Earth Day “Electrify Everything” event on Saturday, April 22, 2023.  The event featured talks by Buff Grace of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light on the federal Inflation Reduction Act and by Alexis Troschinetz of CERTs/UMN Extension on Heat Pumps as a powerful climate solution.  

The event also included tours of Oak Grove’s Green projects including: Solar, EV charging, Insulation, Heat Pumps, Recycling-Composting, Rain Gardens, and LED Lighting throughout the church. Scroll down for photos and links to slide shows.

Thanks to the volunteers:  Pdon Pinkham, Bob Gerdes, Eric Duvall, Amanda Fineran, Larry Klueh, Al Greimel, Randy Dop, John and Mary Crampton, and Ruth Dukelow; staff members Sue Gjerset, Mary Koon, and Bart Roush, along with partnering organizations Erica Sniegowski and Peggy Kvam of Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and Madyson Hoese of the American Lung Association Minnesota.  We estimate that 70 people attended, many from other faith communities who came to learn from our work here at Oak Grove.  Next up is our annual EV Expo in late September…. stay tuned. 

Link to Earth Day Expo lecture and tour brochure

2023 Earth Day Expo signage

Electrify Everything!!! Earth Day Expo
Saturday, April 22, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. 

Green Committee member John Crampton opening remarks at Earth Day Expo 2023
Green Committee member John Crampton opening remarks at Earth Day Expo 2023
intro Mary Koon
Pastor Mary Koon introducing speakers at Earth Day Expo 2023

1:00-2:30 p.m. Talks by Experts:
– Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for All, Buff Grace, MN Interfaith Power and Light  Link to Buff Grace’s Presentation (YouTube video)
– Heat Pumps for You, Alexis Troschinetz, CERTs/ UMN Extension Link to Alexis Troschinetz’ Presentation (YouTube video)

2023 Earth Day Expo Buff Grace
Buff Grace, Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
2023 Earth Day Expo Alexis Troschinetz
Alexis Troschinetz, CERTs/UMN Extension

2:30-5:00 p.m. Tours of Oak Grove Projects:
– Solar: Solar Panels Slide Show

2023 Earth Day Expo solar
John Crampton, solar panel tour stop
2023 Earth Day Expo solar
Solar panels & rain garden tour stops

– Insulation: Insulation Slide Show

2023 Earth Day Expo insulation
John Crampton & Bob Gerdes, Insulation & weatherization tour stop

– Heat Pump: Heat Pump Slide Show

2023 Earth Day Expo heat pump
Bob Gerdes, heat pump tour stop
2023 Earth Day Expo heat pump
Bob Gerdes, Heat Pump tour stop

– LED Lighting: LED Lighting Slide Show

2023 Earth Day Expo LED
Randy Dop, LED tour stop
2023 Earth Day Expo LED
LED tour stop

– EVs and EV Charging (two slide shows):
*EV 101 Slide Show
*EV Grad Level Slide Show

2023 Earth Day Expo EV
Pdon Pinkham and Madyson Hoese of the American Lung Association Minnesota, EV tour stop
2023 Earth Day Expo EV
Pdon Pinkham, EV tour stop

– Rain Gardens and Native Plants: Rain Garden Slide Show

2023 Earth Day Expo rain garden
Erica Sniegowski and Peggy Kvam of Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, rain garden tour stop
2023 Earth Day Expo rain garden
Erica Sniegowski of Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, rain garden tour stop

– Recycling/Composting/Reuse: Recycling Slide Show

2023 Earth Day Expo recycling
Eric Duvall, tour stop: Recycling/composting/reuse
2023 Earth Day Expo recycling
Recycling containers

2022 EV Expo Sept. 17

2022 Electric Vehicle Expo, Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, Saturday, September 17, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

2022 EV Expo photos (Facebook album)

2022 EV Expo Aerial View

Learn how you can reduce your carbon emissions, save money, stop feeding the oil-gas monster and clean up air pollution.  Come see:

  • Dealer test drives/test rides of the latest EV models including the Ford F-150 Lightning
  • 25 EVs on display with their owners telling about their driving experiences. 
  • Electric bikes, e-mowers and e-snow blowers 
  • Electric School Bus from Eastern Carver County District
  • Talks about picking the right EV, rates for charging, electric school buses, climate benefits, cost savings and a women’s panel “Why We Love Our EVs

Event is free and open to the public in the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church parking lot.  Visitor parking will be available at nearby sites and on-street locations. Shuttle service will be available from Creekside Center parking lot (98th and Penn) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Oak Grove Presbyterian, 2200 W. Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington 55431 952-888-4621

ev expo

2021 EV Expo photos

2021 EV Expo news article

EV Expo Slideshow (PDF)

Earth Day AFF Walking Tour

Oak Grove’s Earth Day AFF on Sunday April 24th 9:15-10:15am

The walking tour starts at church at 9:15 a.m.  It will also be streamed on Facebook Live if you prefer watch the tour online.

The AFF for Oak Grove’s Earth Day celebration on Sunday April 24th will be the Green Committee’s walking tour of different sites around the church where we are moving to clean, non-polluting renewable energy and clean water.  The tour will show our LED lights, solar panels, wind energy, electric vehicle charging, rain gardens, air source heat pumps and all the insulation and sealing of our building to cut energy use and switch to carbon-free sources.  We will also show how we are educating the next generation.

Find out what we are doing to protect God’s Creation and pass on a livable Earth to our kids and grandkids.  Find out how you can do many of these things in your homes and help our church become net zero in electricity, heat/cooling, and transportation.     

Feb 1 Caucus for Climate

Thank you to the Green Committee for giving an informative Adult Faith Formation (AFF) program on Sunday, January 23, 2022. Their non-partisan presentation, Caucusing for Climate on Tuesday, February 1,  focused on the upcoming party caucuses. The parties are making it easier this year to take part in the caucus process including the DFL’s contactless caucus that you can do at home. 

See the list below for links to the Green Committee’s presentation and key links for finding your caucus, becoming a delegate to the endorsing conventionsoffering resolutions, and more. For further information, contact John Crampton, Chair-Green Committee, 612-396-6010 jcrampt48@gmail.com

Link to the Green Committee’s Caucus for Climate presentation PDF

Minnesota Secretary of State- Caucus Finder (for all parties)

DFL (Democratic) Caucus Finder

GOP (Republican Party) Caucus Info

Grassroots Legalize Cannabis Party

Legalize Marijuana Now Party 

DFL (Democratic) Non-Attendee Form PDF (to volunteer to be delegate to nominating convention)

DFL (Democratic) Resolutions Form PDF

GOP (Republican) Resolutions Form PDF

HUB for Climate Resolutions- MN Environmental Partnership 

EV EXPO 2021

Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington is hosting our 3rd Annual Electric Vehicle (EV) Expo on Saturday, October 9, 2021, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m

2021 EV Expo photos

EV Expo Slideshow (PDF)

Over 20 EVs will be on display, and their owners will share their driving experiences. The American Lung Association will host dealer test drives of some of the latest EV models. 

Talks by experts will include:

  • What EV is Right for You?
  • Utility Rates and Rebates for EVs
  • Let’s Go to Electric School Buses Now!
  • Charging Networks for Road Tripping
  • Climate and Health Benefits of EVs
  • Women’s Panel: Why We Love EVs 

Electric bikes, e-scooters, e-mowers, and e-snowblowers will be on display, along with an EV transit van.

The events and test drives follow Covid protocols and are free and open to the general public.  The event will be outdoors at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, 2200 W. Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington 55431 952-888-4621

For more information, contact John Crampton jcrampt48@gmail.com 612-396-6010, Pdon Pinkham pdonco.an.sons@gmail.com 608-397-3081, or the church office 952-888-4621.

Link to EV Expo 2021 flyer

Link to Facebook Event