Climate change in the Midwest could degrade one of our forest’s primary defenses—cold weather—against an invasive beetle known as the emerald ash borer. As the tiny invader continues its spread in the Midwest, GPI is examining its impact in our home state of Minnesota. The beetle eventually kills a large number of trees in its path, generating large volumes of biomass in the form of wood waste. Continue reading »
What tools and resources do local planners and sustainability staff need to address pressing climate issues in their day-to-day work? A new survey from GPI, in partnership with the American Planning Association Sustainable Communities Division and Klingenstein Philanthropies, aims to answer that and other questions to help guide the development of future tools and resources. Continue reading »
In the heart of the South, Central Arkansas is stepping up to tackle environmental challenges while promoting economic and social benefits. The recently published Central Arkansas Energy and Environment Innovation Comprehensive Action Plan provides a strategic framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improving air and water quality, and enhancing community resilience through five voluntary measures. Continue reading »
State utility commissions are being asked to make decisions today that will shape the future of the natural gas system for decades to come. As states adopt clean energy and climate goals and advance policies to reduce gas use, regulators must weigh how to maintain safe, reliable gas service while protecting customers from financial risk in a system that may shrink over time. Continue reading »
Electric bikes (e-bikes) have taken the United States by storm. Whether using a traditional e-bike to commute up a particularly daunting hill, an e-cargo bike to get a child to school, or an e-bikeshare bike to meet friends for dinner, the comfort and convenience provided by a small electric motor allow folks of a broad range of ages and abilities to hit the streets. Continue reading »
Tackling emissions from sectors that are hard to decarbonize—like heavy industry and manufacturing—is one of the biggest challenges to accelerating decarbonization. That’s why it’s a core part of GPI’s strategy. Central to this work is collaborating with partners across the country to ensure the right tools and technologies, including carbon management solutions, can be deployed responsibly, equitably, and at scale. Continue reading »
A new report from GPI presents the most in-depth analysis to date of local perspectives on high-voltage transmission, focused on the Great Plains region. It sheds light on why rural opposition emerges and how it can be addressed. Continue reading »
Senator David Koehler introduced the Illinois Clean Transportation Standard Act, Senate Bill 41, in January 2025. The bill would require transportation fuel producers to reduce the carbon intensity of their fuels by 25 percent below 2019 levels within 10 years and would support the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner fuels. Continue reading »
Meeting the climate challenge requires rapid and widespread deployment of clean energy, and distributed energy resources (DERs) are a vital part of that deployment. While DER technologies themselves—such as rooftop solar, community solar, and small storage systems—are increasingly accessible, one of the biggest barriers to broader adoption lies behind the scenes: interconnection. Continue reading »
The Great Plains Institute (GPI) announced today that Jim Horn, Chief Human Resources Officer at Ulteig, has joined its board of directors. Horn brings a unique combination of business leadership, organizational strategy, and deep insights into how an organization’s culture can drive success, with a track record of scaling mission-driven, rapidly growing companies. Given GPI’s meteoric growth, which has more than quadrupled in the past five years, Horn’s experience will be invaluable. Continue reading »
