Performance-based regulation for electric utilities is gaining increased attention across the US. States like Hawaii and New York are already testing new models to align utility performance with public policy goals. Minnesota took a slow and steady approach to performance-based regulation, building a foundation over a decade to ensure that changes to utility regulation are in the public interest and avoid unintended consequences. The development of performance-based regulation in Minnesota continues to garner national attention and was recently the subject of a Smart Electric Power Alliance case study in their three-part best practices toolkit series on the same topic. Continue reading »
How to Compensate Farmers for Emission Reductions Through a Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy
June 8, 2020 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
In working towards a Midwestern clean fuels policy, there’s a great deal of interest in compensating farmers providing feedstock for fuels for the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction benefits they’re creating on the farm. Research from South Dakota State University is playing an important role in informing those discussions. Continue reading »
Together: Putting American Land to Work to Meet Climate Goals
May 28, 2020 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Morgan Zehner
This blog is one in a series of stories celebrating the wide-variety of professionals who have been touched by the Great Plains Institute (GPI). Together – GPI’s spring 2020 fundraising campaign – showcases people who work in multiple industries and have various constituents and customers, but all play an important role in helping America transform its energy system. Continue reading »
Pilot Project Studies Managed Electric Vehicle Charging in a Workplace Setting
May 27, 2020 in Energy Systems, Transportation & Fuels Author: Maggie Kristian
The Great Plains Institute’s pilot project to study managed electric vehicle (EV) charging with on-site solar generation shows how a solar-synchronized EV charging system can function throughout the year—even in wintry Minnesota—and meet the needs of EV drivers at a workplace. This post describes the impacts of the solar-synchronized system on EVs at GPI’s headquarters in Minneapolis. The pilot project findings provide data that can contribute to discussions about building managed charging infrastructure, grid impacts, and factors to consider for future system designs. Continue reading »
Planning, Zoning, and Permitting
As part of Solar Ready Iowa, toolkits have been assembled to equip local governments in Iowa with information regarding solar development as it relates to planning, zoning, and permitting. The toolkits were created in 2016, then model ordinances are being updated in 2020 to reflect new best practices and lessons learned since 2016. Minnesota and Iowa are updated and Illinois and Wisconsin are in process, with ordinance for Indiana and Michigan under development. The purpose of these toolkits is to provide resources that will assist communities in addressing barriers to solar energy installations in a manner tailored to each community’s needs. The following is a summary of materials that can be found in each of the toolkits. Continue reading »
As part of the Grow Solar Partnership, toolkits have been assembled to equip local governments in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois with information regarding solar development as it relates to planning, zoning, and permitting. The toolkits were created in 2016, then model ordinances are being updated in 2020 to reflect new best practices and lessons learned since 2016. Minnesota and Iowa are updated and Illinois and Wisconsin are in process, with ordinance for Indiana and Michigan under development. The purpose of these toolkits is to provide resources that will assist communities in addressing barriers to solar energy installations in a manner tailored to each community’s needs.
Continue reading »
GPI Honored with Energy and Climate Awards
May 20, 2020 in Communities, News & Press Author: Jess Jellings
Environmental Initiative (EI) announced today the 2020 recipients of their annual awards celebrating partnerships at the nexus of a healthy environment, a prosperous economy, and an equitable society. The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is thrilled to share that our Solar Possible and Cities Charging Ahead! projects swept the Energy and Climate category! Continue reading »
I am incredibly excited to announce the launch of Together, a special fundraising campaign for the Great Plains Institute (GPI).
Midcontinent Industrial Emissions Present Challenge & Opportunity
May 12, 2020 in Carbon Management Author: Jill Syvrud
Industry is the third highest-emitting sector in the US economy and has less obvious carbon reduction pathways in comparison to electricity and transportation, where the vast majority of decarbonization discussions have focused. This post introduces the current landscape of emissions in the US industrial heartland, the Midcontinent region, to inform discussions of carbon reduction pathways. While industry poses a challenge for decarbonization given its diversity of subsectors, unique emissions sources, and complex solution sets, it also holds a high potential for low-cost strategies, opportunities for collaboration between subsectors, and could drive investment in innovative decarbonization technologies. Continue reading »
A Collaborative Approach to Building Energy Benchmarking Policies
May 6, 2020 in Communities Author: Abby Finis
Minnesota cities are collaborating on standards and tools for measuring and tracking energy consumption in buildings to increase energy efficiency, lower costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Efficient Buildings Collaborative, an initiative of Hennepin County (GPI is a partner), is a new program to standardize policies for building energy benchmarking in Minnesota cities and develop a shared platform for cities to use. Continue reading »
