Minnesota’s Historic Legislative Session Delivers Clean Energy, Climate Wins

June 14, 2023 in Communities, Transportation & Fuels Author: Carolyn Berninger

Minnesota legislators and advocates seized a unique opportunity this spring to pass transformative clean energy and climate policy that will jump-start the state’s transition to a lower-carbon economy. The state’s legislative session adjourned on May 22, and it was a busy few months at the Capitol. The state’s historic budget surplus, unified Democrat-Farmer-Labor (DFL) control of state government, and significant federal investments in clean energy set the stage for ambitious policymaking in 2023. Continue reading »

Michigan and Ohio Communities Become the First EV Smart Cohort

June 8, 2023 in Communities Author: Lindsay Stauner

Between good-natured jabs about which state has the better trail system and shared enthusiasm for supporting their communities, 24 local governments from Michigan and Ohio became the first cohort in the novel EV Smart program. EV Smart is a technical assistance program focused on electric vehicle (EV) readiness for local governments. This first cohort was facilitated by Great Plains Institute (GPI), with technical assistance provided by GPI along with in-state partners Clean Fuels Ohio, Michigan Municipal League, and Ecology Center. This cohort was funded by General Motors’ Corporate Giving Climate Fund. Continue reading »

Solar and Water Quality: Best Practices from the Groundbreaking PV-SMaRT Project

May 3, 2023 in Communities, Renewable Energy Author: Rebecca Heisel

Solar panels in a field on a partially cloudy day

The guide for stormwater best practices for solar farms developed for the groundbreaking Photovoltaic Stormwater Management Research and Testing (PV-SMaRT) project is now available. The best practices provide guidelines to communities, developers, and state and federal regulators on how solar development should be evaluated under the Clean Water Act. This guidance can resolve many uncertainties in the permitting process regarding stormwater management and surface water quality. Continue reading »

Michigan Introduces Clean Fuel Standard Legislation

May 2, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

CLoseup of a man holding a gas pump

On April 19, Michigan Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) introduced Senate Bill 275, which seeks to establish a clean fuel standard in Michigan. The clean fuel standard bill is part of a package, the Clean Energy Future Plan, which a group of Senate Democrats introduced in an effort to make Michigan “a more environmentally sustainable state as climate patterns continue to change.” Continue reading »

Illinois and Minnesota Lead the Midwest in Introducing Clean Transportation Standard Legislation

April 13, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

With the federal government paving the way for climate action through the passage of historic legislation, states are following suit and introducing major transportation decarbonization bills. Illinois and Minnesota are taking the lead in the Midwest. Both states have introduced clean transportation standard legislation, also known as clean fuel standards. Continue reading »

Navigating Renewable Energy Siting in the Midwest

February 22, 2023 in Communities, Renewable Energy Author: Rachel Percy
Two farmers working in a field with solar panels

Photo by Dennis Schroeder / NREL

The Renewable Energy Siting Campaign, a new partnership between the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), with funding provided by Crown Family Philanthropies, will engage diverse stakeholders to identify “win-win” synergies that push clean energy development forward across the Midwest while preserving community values, protecting natural resources, and benefiting agricultural systems. Continue reading »