Carbon Capture Potential Spans US

April 21, 2021 in Carbon Management Authors: Elizabeth Abramson, Patrice Lahlum

Map showing geologic storage potential across the US

Capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential to achieving a clean energy, net-zero carbon future. And reimagining the alignment of industry and infrastructure presents exciting opportunities for states and regions across the country. Deploying CO2 transport and storage infrastructure will enable key sectors of our economy to dramatically reduce their carbon emissions while sustaining and growing domestic industry, manufacturing, and energy production and the high-wage American jobs they support.  Continue reading »

Stakeholder Group Report Recommends Key Steps for Modernizing Maine’s Electric Grid

April 14, 2021 in Energy Systems, News & Press Author: Trevor Drake

solar panel

Stakeholder Group Report Recommends Key Steps for Modernizing Maine’s Electric Grid  

For Immediate Release: April 14, 2021 

Media Contacts:
Jeremy Cluchey[email protected], 207-2332795
Rebecca Lentz[email protected], 612-978-2849 

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — A stakeholder group representing environmental nonprofits, renewable energy developers, electric utilities, consumer advocates, and other energy sector stakeholders has issued a set of nine consensus-based recommendations for steps to plan, build, and operate the electric grid that is needed to meet Maine’s recently established climate and energy requirements.  Continue reading »

Game-Changing SCALE Act Could Enable Carbon Capture Infrastructure Needed for Net-Zero Goals

April 14, 2021 in Carbon Management Authors: Elizabeth Abramson, Jennifer Christensen

Bipartisan legislation re-introduced on March 17 could provide game-changing support for carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage infrastructure that will be essential to reaching midcentury climate goals. The Storing CO2 and Lowering Emissions Act (SCALE Act), re-introduced in both chambers and led by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in the Senate and Representatives Marc Veasey (D-TX) and David McKinley (R-WV) in the House would enable CO2 transport and storage infrastructure required to scale up carbon capture, removal, use, and storage across domestic industries, including those that are difficult to decarbonize. Continue reading »

Q&A on Best Practices for Standby Rates for Combined Heat and Power

April 5, 2021 in Energy Systems, Reports & Whitepapers Authors: Carl Linvill, Jamie Scripps, Lola Schoenrich

combined heat and power

Great Plains Institute is excited to publish a new white paper, Best Practices for Standby Rates for Combined Heat and Power (CHP), prepared for GPI by Jamie Scripps of Hunterston Consulting. This paper is a culmination of a years-long collaboration with Jamie and other partners to address barriers to deployment of CHP systems in the Midwest—including the design of standby rates, which are monthly charges to customers with on-site distributed generation like CHP systems. We are grateful for the thoughtful contributions of Carl Linvill of the Regulatory Assistance Project in advising on the starting point for this research, and for his review of the final product. Continue reading »

Future Fuels Act Receives First Hearing in Minnesota

March 17, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

fuel truck

Last week, the bipartisan and bicameral Future Fuels Act was introduced in the Minnesota State Legislature, authored by Minnesota House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Todd Lippert (DFL) and Senate Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee Chairman David Senjem (R). The House bill had its first hearing in the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee, marking the first time a clean fuels policy received a legislative hearing in the Midwest.

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Partnership on Waste and Energy Releases Policy and Regulatory Considerations to Develop Food Waste Digestion in Minnesota Report

March 4, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

anaeroebic digestion

The Partnership on Waste and Energy, a collaboration between Minnesota’s Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties that addresses waste and energy management issues, just released the report, Policy and Regulatory Considerations to Develop Food Waste Digestion in Minnesota, which was authored by the Great Plains Institute (GPI).

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Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council Releases Recommendations for Minnesota

March 1, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

minneapolis skyline

About a year after Great Plains Institute President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom was appointed to the 22-member Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council (STAC), the council has come forward with its initial recommendations to decarbonize transportation in Minnesota. MnDOT will respond to these first recommendations by mid-March while STAC members continue to develop the next round of recommendations during 2021. Continue reading »