Find out what made our list of most-read stories in 2022, which includes posts we’ve published over the last year and a half. Continue reading »
Statement: GPI Applauds Historic Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act
August 12, 2022 in News & Press Author: Darren Goode
MINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute released the following statement by President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom in response to the House passage of the Inflation Reduction Act following its passage earlier this week in the Senate: Continue reading »
Solar Plus: How Solar-Integrated Agriculture Could Reduce Barriers to Large-Scale Solar Deployment
August 12, 2020 in Renewable Energy Author: Brian Ross
The United States could see 300 gigawatts of large-scale solar deployment in the next decade, with 150–200 gigawatts concentrated mainly in the Midwest where existing land use is often tied to agriculture. The significant land use and siting barriers to this large-scale solar deployment are daunting and warrant re-thinking the role of solar in agricultural economies. By moving toward beneficial solar-integrated agriculture or co-location of solar and agriculture—vs. solar as a single-use development—we can capture the benefits of both while reducing potential conflict. Continue reading »
Webinar: Preparing to Plan for Climate Change—What Tools Do We Need for Local Governments?
August 10, 2020 in Communities Author: Jessi Wyatt
Results from a national survey of planning practitioners provide insight into the types of tools and templates that local governments need to see progress on climate action. The Great Plains Institute collaborated with American Planning Association (APA) divisions on an in-depth survey that identified opportunities to support cities on climate action—from climate goals to implementation. We recently presented the survey results during two APA webinars with our association colleagues (video recording and slides available below). Continue reading »
Solar, with Benefits! (Or, the Co-Benefits Approach to Solar Development)
July 6, 2020 in Renewable Energy Author: Brian Ross
Solar energy is not only important to reaching a zero-carbon energy system—solar projects can, with appropriate siting and design, also deliver many benefits to local communities where projects are sited. Deploying the level of solar needed to decarbonize our economy will require addressing siting and regulatory processes which are increasingly a barrier to solar project development. The Great Plains Institute is fostering a new paradigm in the deployment of community- and utility-scale solar development; what we call the co-benefits approach to solar. We’re working with state, regional, and national partners to identify how energy development can both help solve the climate crisis and deliver local benefits to the host community. Continue reading »
Carbon Capture Coalition Welcomes IRS Issuance of Proposed 45Q Rule and Requirements for Secure Geologic Storage
May 29, 2020 in Carbon Management Author: Jennifer Christensen
Great Plains Institute Vice President and Carbon Capture Coalition Director Brad Crabtree issued the following statement responding to the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service issuance of proposed regulations to implement the Section 45Q tax credit. Continue reading »
Carbon Capture Coalition Sends Letter to Congress on Supporting At-Risk Projects as Part of Economic Recovery
May 11, 2020 in Carbon Management Author: Jessie Stolark
The Carbon Capture Coalition (convened by the Great Plains Institute) recently sent a letter to Congressional leaders and committees of jurisdiction outlining their request for targeted measures aimed at providing immediate support for current carbon capture projects at risk of delay or cancellation due to the COVID-19 crisis and to increase the number of projects in the near-term development pipeline. Continue reading »
Solar and Wind in Wisconsin: A Local Government Guide for Siting Utility-Scale Projects
April 2, 2020 in Communities, Energy Systems, Reports & Whitepapers Authors: Jenna Greene, Jessi Wyatt
The Great Plains Institute is engaging local governments across the Upper Midwest on long-term planning for renewable energy. As part of this effort, we developed a guide to provide communities in Wisconsin with an overview of long-term utility- and community-scale solar and wind development—systems sized one megawatt (MW) or greater. Continue reading »
2020 Minnesota Legislative Session Preview: Electric Vehicles
January 18, 2020 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
The 2020 Minnesota legislative session is right around the corner, and Drive Electric Minnesota is ready to continue supporting a policy and regulatory landscape that drives electric vehicle (EV) adoption and infrastructure. With that, I want to share a 2020 Minnesota legislative preview for Drive Electric Minnesota’s policy and regulatory positions and some quick thoughts about how accomplishments in 2019 set the stage for this year. Continue reading »
US House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis: Brad Crabtree Responds to Questions on Reducing Industrial Emissions
January 11, 2020 in Carbon Management Author: Gail Nosek
Brad Crabtree, Great Plains Institute’s (GPI’s) vice president of carbon management, was asked to testify before the US House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis in his role as director of the multi-sector Carbon Capture Coalition, which is convened by GPI. He spoke at the hearing, “Solving the Climate Crisis: Reducing Industrial Emissions Through US Innovation,” last fall about the critical need for economywide deployment of carbon capture to reduce industrial carbon emissions at scale. Following the hearing, the committee had a number of follow up questions, which Brad answered and submitted for the record. Those written responses can be downloaded or read below. Continue reading »
