Jim Horn of Ulteig Joins GPI’s Board of Directors

July 10, 2025 in News & Press Author: Drew Henry

HR executive will help GPI continue to attract and retain top talent

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 »

National Electric Vehicle Community Readiness Program Launches

March 12, 2024 in Communities, News & Press Author: Drew Henry

Pilot in select states and regions kicks off a national DOE-funded initiative with Upper Midwest roots

MINNEAPOLIS — Today, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) announced the launch of Charging Smart designation program that prepares and recognizes communities for electric vehicle (EV) readiness. Charging Smart is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. Continue reading »

Analyses Show Economic and Air Quality Benefits of a Clean Fuel Standard in Michigan

March 11, 2024 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

New analyses commissioned by the Great Plains Institute project that adopting a clean fuel standard would bring about economic and air quality benefits for Michiganders while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Michigan is one of several Midwestern states working to pass legislation to implement the technology-neutral, market-based policy, also known as a low-carbon fuel standard, clean transportation standard, or clean fuels policy. Continue reading »

Minnesota Coalition to Advocate for Building Transmission Along Highways

February 6, 2024 in Energy Systems, News & Press Author: Drew Henry

Nearly 80% of Minnesotans want transmission built on existing rights-of-way

MINNEAPOLIS – February 6, 2024 – NextGen Highways announced today the launch in Minnesota of its first state coalition to promote the co-location of utility and telecommunication infrastructure in existing corridors, like highways and interstates, to speed development critical for the clean energy transition. Continue reading »

Diverse Minnesota Working Group Charts Path for Historic Clean Transportation Standard

February 1, 2024 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren Goode

Minnesota Future Fuels Coalition applauds state working group’s efforts ahead of unprecedented legislative push this year

February 1, 2024, MINNEAPOLIS— The Minnesota Future Fuels Coalition applauds a diverse working group headed by Minnesota state agencies for cementing and detailing support for a first-of-its-kind statewide clean transportation standard.

The Clean Transportation Standard Work Group released a new report and recommendations today underscoring the “transformative emissions reduction” and other benefits to Minnesota becoming the first Midwestern state to issue such a standard. Continue reading »