Retired Environmental Professionals Sought to Assist Minnesota Small Businesses, Nonprofits, Institutions

May 24, 2011

Contact:  Pamela McCurdy, 651-757-2559

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Retired Environmental Professionals Sought to Assist Minnesota Small Businesses, Nonprofits, Institutions

St. Paul, Minn.—The Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) invites Minnesota retirees with former careers in environmental areas to apply to be consultants in the program.  Previously known as the Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program, the name was changed to reflect a broader range of environmental work.

RETAP makes use of the expertise of retired professionals to help businesses, local government and organizations look for opportunities to reduce waste, increase energy efficiency and conservation, and reduce operating costs.  RETAP’s services are free of charge.

RETAP is funded through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).  Since its start in 2001, more than 200 businesses and institutions have benefited from RETAP’s assessments.  The program has been recognized as one of 18 top state energy efficiency programs by Americans for an Energy Efficient Economy.

“RETAP has been quietly delivering assistance and non-regulatory energy and waste recommendations for small businesses, schools and others for 10 years now,” said MPCA program administrator Madalyn Cioci.  “It’s creatively structured, because working with retirees means respecting their schedules and balancing the free time they’ve earned.  In turn, our consultants give their expertise back to Minnesota.”

Retired engineers, scientists, managers and others may apply to be RETAP consultants and are selected based on their skills and the specific needs of the program’s clients.  Most are paid $14 per hour and work anywhere from 10 to 30 hours a month.  Coordinators work between 40 and 70 hours per month and are paid $20 per hour.

The electronic application to become a RETAP consultant is available at www.pca.state.mn.us/retap.  Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on June 30, 2011.  Questions should be directed to Mary Baker at mary.baker@state.mn.us  or 651-757-2208.

Broadcast version:
Minnesota retirees with experience in environmental areas are invited to apply as consultants with the Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.  Teams provide expert environmental consulting services to businesses, local governments and organizations.  All services are free to the client.  Consultant applications are due June 30, 2011.  For more information, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/retap.

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The mission of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is to work with Minnesotans to protect, conserve and improve our environment and enhance our quality of life.

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