Groundbreaking PV-SMaRT Project Publishes First Case Study: Ramsey, MN

March 21, 2022 in Communities Author: Rebecca Heisel
worker in habitat friendly solar

Photo courtesy of David Mulla

The first case study is now available from a groundbreaking project to establish the first science-based stormwater and water quality standards for solar farms. The Great Plains Institute is helping lead the Photovoltaic Stormwater Management Research and Testing (PV-SMaRT) project along with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Fresh Energy, and the University of Minnesota. PV-SMaRT is funded by the US Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technology office. Continue reading »

Duluth, Minnesota, Publishes Its First Climate Action Work Plan

March 8, 2022 in Communities Author: Abby Finis

Duluth, Minnesota, harbor with lift bridge in the foreground

In February 2022, Duluth became the latest Minnesota city to implement a plan to address climate change. In response to the city’s climate emergency resolution, city staff worked with the Great Plains Institute and Common Spark Consulting to develop a Climate Action Work Plan. The City of Duluth Climate Action Work Plan 2022-2027 focuses on near-term mitigation and adaptation measures, building upon ongoing city and community efforts. Continue reading »

Midwestern Clean Fuels Policies: State of Play

March 1, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

midwestern highway

Legislative sessions are underway across the United States, and climate legislation is a hot topic of debate at the federal and state levels. The Midwest is no different. Several Midwestern states are considering clean fuels policies as a tool to meet emissions reduction goals while benefiting the economy. We put together an inventory highlighting the state of play of clean fuels policies in Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Michigan. Continue reading »

EPA’s Class VI Well Program Key to Deploying CO2 Geologic Storage

February 17, 2022 in Carbon Management Author: Patrice Lahlum

mountain skyline behind field

Commercial interest in carbon management technologies and projects is growing rapidly, with nearly 90 publicly announced projects throughout the United States. More than 70 percent of the announced projects intend to store captured carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground safely and permanently in saline geologic formations. As more projects ramp up, the need for expanded permitting capacity by federal and state authorities could dramatically increase. Continue reading »

Q&A: Lessons Learned from Federal Funding of Local Energy and Climate Solutions

February 8, 2022 in Communities Authors: Abby Finis, Jennifer Christensen

Q and A with Abby FinisThe bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create major opportunities across the economy for investment in a wide range of energy, sustainability, and climate projects. I recently interviewed Abby Finis, senior program manager for GPI’s Communities Program, about lessons learned from how federal energy and climate funding was spent at the local level during the 2009 stimulus bill. Finis discusses what is different a decade later in terms of local government expertise and leadership on energy and climate solutions, and how that could be leveraged in the new infrastructure funding. Continue reading »

What We’re Reading: “Innovative Wood Use can Enable Carbon-Beneficial Forest Management in California”

February 3, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

California Forest Skyline

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax taught us about the dangers that can occur when over-harvesting any resource, though the book focused on trees. However, it may have also led us to believe that any amount of harvesting trees harms the environment. A recent study, “Innovative Wood Use can Enable Carbon-Beneficial Forest Management in California,” by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, could help change that misconception. The study finds that innovative wood use might actually be a critical tool to combat climate change and reduce wildfires simultaneously. Continue reading »

Forum Shares Plymouth’s Experience with Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging

January 18, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Abby Hornberger

electric vehicle charger

The City of Plymouth, Minnesota, recently announced a partnership with the Carbon Solutions Group (CSG) to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in city-owned parking spaces. In response to the buzz around this exciting project, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) hosted a virtual forum on December 2, 2021, with the City of Plymouth, CSG, and Xcel Energy. Over 70 attendees came to learn more and ask questions about the unique EV charging infrastructure initiative in Plymouth. Continue reading »

Clean Energy and Equity Recommendations See Major Federal Support

December 21, 2021 in Energy Systems Author: Kate Sullivan

At the end of 2020, the Great Plains Institute and BlueGreen Alliance convened stakeholders across Minnesota to address the interrelated challenges of the economic impact of a global pandemic, longstanding racial disparities, and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The group, Building Economic Resilience Through Clean Energy and Equity in Minnesota (BERCEE), brought together representatives from labor, energy, business, environmental organizations, tribal nations, and state and local governments. Continue reading »