Minnesota cities have been working hard to prepare for transportation electrification, and GPI is proud that nine of them are the first in the nation to be designated as Charging Smart communities! Continue reading »
MINNEAPOLIS — The Great Plains Institute announced today that Christian Mitchell, vice president for civic engagement at the University of Chicago, has joined its board. Mitchell’s rich experience in state government as both an elected and appointed official and his roots as a community organizer bring valuable perspectives to GPI’s board as the organization works to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Continue reading »
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of AmeriCorps during AmeriCorps Week 2024, Director of AmeriCorps State and National Sonali Nijhawan visited GPI while touring host sites across the country. GPI was selected as a site visit during this tour for its long commitment to supporting AmeriCorps members through the Climate Impact Corps and Minnesota GreenCorps. Continue reading »
Unpacking the New EPA Light- and Medium-Duty Vehicle Emissions Rule
April 9, 2024 in Transportation & Fuels Author: M. Moaz Uddin
On March 20, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final vehicle standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. These rules are meant to reduce air pollution by limiting vehicle tailpipe emissions. The regulations will allow American consumers to choose more cost-effective, eco-friendly vehicles, resulting in annual savings on fuel and upkeep expenses. Continue reading »
Statement: Solar Farmland Access for Emerging Farmers Project Recognized with Award
April 8, 2024 in News & Press, Renewable Energy Author: Drew Henry
The annual Environmental Initiative Awards were recently announced, with the Energy and Climate award going to the Food Group’s Solar Farmland Access – Emerging Farmers project, which seeks to increase land access for emerging, BIPOC, and immigrant farmers by utilizing spaces under and around solar farms. Continue reading »
Minnesota and Illinois Clean Transportation Standard Bills Receive Committee Hearings
April 5, 2024 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi
Important progress to establish the first clean transportation standard (CTS) program in the Midwest continues, with Minnesota and Illinois currently taking the lead. In both states, legislative committees recently held hearings to discuss CTS bills. Here is what you need to know: Continue reading »
Solar Energy and Agriculture: New Analysis Shows Why Local Context is Key for Planning
April 3, 2024 in Renewable Energy Author: Brian Ross
Land use issues surrounding solar energy and agriculture have the potential to create conflict and slow permitting processes—or they can be an opportunity for designing projects to deliver broad benefits for communities and achieve energy and climate goals. Continue reading »
Metro CERT Projects Announced for 2024 Seed Grant Funding
January 23, 2024 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
CERTs (Clean Energy Resource Teams) just announced its 2024 selection of projects to receive seed grant funds for kickstarting community-based clean energy projects across the state of Minnesota. The seed grants are offered every other year through a request for proposals process. Continue reading »
How the Louisiana Decision Support Tool Can Support Community Engagement in Carbon Management
January 12, 2024 in Carbon Management Author: Emma Thomley
The Great Plains Institute’s “Louisiana Decision Support Tool“ (Decision Support Tool) for carbon management offers a way for community members, project developers, and regulators to delve into social and environmental data to learn more about local factors to consider when locating energy projects. Continue reading »
Minnesota Fires Offer Lessons on Resilience Measures
December 18, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Hannah Haas
Minnesota’s largest wildfire in a century started with a lightning strike in August 2011. It burned slowly for a few weeks before more than tripling in size in a few days, driven by an unprecedented wind event. All told, the Pagami Creek Fire burned more than 92,000 acres of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Almost ten years later, the Greenwood Fire burned nearly 20,000 acres, mostly within the Superior National Forest, which prompted the first temporary closure of the Boundary Waters since the 1970s. Continue reading »
