Blog

The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.

Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.

GPI Offers Resources to Address Planner and Sustainability Professionals’ Needs for Climate Work

July 9, 2026 in Communities Author: Mackenzie Love

In 2025, the Great Plains Institute conducted a nationwide survey of local planners and sustainability staff to understand their needs for advancing climate work. Respondents said the most useful addition to their toolkits would be real-world examples of efforts to advance climate goals.

To figure out where those examples were most needed, we compared the survey results with a scan of existing resources and found that data centers, autonomous vehicles, and energy affordability stood out as the topics with the greatest gaps. Continue reading »

Addressing the Spark Gap: What It Is and How It Affects Industrial Electrification

June 25, 2026 in Carbon Management, Energy Systems Author: Nate Morris

Industrial processes currently account for roughly one-quarter of carbon emissions in the United States, with many experts recognizing electrification as an essential step for achieving meaningful decarbonization. Electrifying heating processes at industrial and manufacturing sites, particularly low- and medium‑temperature applications, can directly reduce these industrial emissions. Yet deployment remains stubbornly slow across much of the United States, largely due to a lack of economic viability. Continue reading »

State Siting Officials Collaborative Forms to Accelerate Clean Energy Deployment

June 9, 2026 in Renewable Energy Author: Brian Ross

As clean energy projects continue to expand across the United States, state governments are increasingly working on various aspects of such projects, from permitting to community engagement. Yet these officials have had limited opportunities for sharing what they’re learning and discussing strategies with their peers. A new initiative, the States Siting Officials Collaborative, brings together officials from over 20 states in a peer network to accelerate clean energy siting and permitting. Continue reading »

Minnesota Advances State Climate Planning

May 15, 2026 in Energy Systems Authors: Amy Ward, Tricia Treece

Headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca in Minnesota. Bright sunny day, with calm waters and green forest in the background.

Statewide climate action plans are becoming a core part of planning, policy, and program implementation for many states across the US. As more states develop and periodically update these plans, climate leadership is evolving to include not only ambition for greenhouse gas reductions but also the ability to translate those ambitions into coordinated, durable action. This shift requires more than technical analysis or policy design. It requires processes that help diverse stakeholders navigate challenges, link evidence to decision-making, and align on practical paths forward. Continue reading »

Building Local Capacity for Siting Clean Energy in Iowa

May 6, 2026 in Renewable Energy Author: Upasana Roy

Local governments across Iowa are facing a rapidly changing clean energy landscape. Projects are arriving faster than many communities can effectively manage, given their limited staff capacity, technical expertise, or regulatory tools. Local governments play a key role in grounding such projects in their community’s priorities. This post highlights a program that equips Iowa communities with the resources they need to plan for and benefit from clean energy projects. Continue reading »

From Silos to Systems: Washington’s New Approach to Integrated Gas and Electric Planning

March 26, 2026 in Energy Systems Author: Hannah Dobie

Electric and gas utility systems in the US have historically been regulated separately. However, in response to winter storm events and interests in affordability, reliability, and decarbonization, states are increasingly looking to coordinate these systems. The state of Washington has recently become a national leader in this space. Continue reading »

Our Newsletter

Sign Up for Better Energy Community News

Sign up to receive the latest news and announcements from the Great Plains Institute.

*By submitting this form, you agree to receive email marketing from the Great Plains Institute.