On August 16th, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 into law. The act—which provides almost $370 billion in federal funding for climate and energy investments—includes the most significant investments in vehicle electrification in US history. Continue reading »
Understanding the US Supreme Court’s Decision in West Virginia v. EPA
August 11, 2022 in Carbon Management Author: Grace Olson
The US Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated ruling on West Virginia v. EPA earlier this summer. At issue was whether the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could consider “generation shifting”—from higher carbon resources (i.e., coal and natural gas) to lower carbon resources (i.e., natural gas and renewables)—when determining the “best system of emissions reduction” under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. In the majority opinion, the Supreme Court ruled that EPA cannot set the existing source standard based on generation shifting, but otherwise affirmed the agency’s ability to regulate carbon dioxide emissions at new and existing power plants. Continue reading »
PV-SMaRT Solar Site Demonstrates National Implications for Stormwater Management: Medford, OR
August 2, 2022 in Communities Author: Rebecca Heisel
The third 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 »
The Race to Expand Electric Transmission in America Has Finally Begun
August 1, 2022 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok
The recent approval of a slate of long-range transmission lines in the Midwest moves the US closer to realizing a reliable, resilient grid for a net-zero carbon economy. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Board of Directors unanimously approved the $10.3 billion grid expansion that will increase grid reliability, lower system costs, and remove barriers to renewable energy projects waiting for grid interconnection. Continue reading »
Q&A: Abby Finis Reflects on Local Climate Action Planning Progress
May 26, 2022 in Communities Author: Jennifer Christensen
Abby Finis has been a recognized leader in local climate action and renewable energy development in the Midwest. In her recent years at GPI, she worked with cities like Saint Paul, Duluth, and Red Wing in Minnesota and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to develop local climate action plans. And she’s developed an innovative approach that focuses on near-term action through Climate Action Work Plans. Continue reading »
GPI Works with Colorado Task Force on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration
October 29, 2021 in Carbon Management Author: Emma Thomley
Colorado is solidifying a commitment to reduce emissions made in the state’s latest Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap by developing and implementing strategies to reach net zero. The state’s ambitious and binding goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at least 26 percent by 2025, 50 percent by 2030, and 90 percent by 2050, all below its 2005 levels, require comprehensive climate action, including strategies to decarbonize its industrial sector. To help achieve its goal, Colorado created a diverse CCUS Task Force (CCUS stands for carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration) to research CCUS, engage community members, and provide recommendations to state policy makers. Continue reading »
Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas Shares Perspective on RNG from Anaerobic Digestion
October 20, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi
We recently reached out to Sam Wade, the director of public policy at The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, to learn more about the opportunities and challenges associated with renewable natural gas (RNG) from anaerobic digestion.
Clean Fuel Case Studies Demonstrate Economic Benefits of a Clean Fuels Policy
October 14, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund
Five new case studies published by the Great Plains Institute demonstrate how various clean fuel sectors could benefit financially from implementing a Midwestern clean fuels policy, such as the Future Fuels Act proposed in Minnesota.
States Release Action Plan for CO2 Transport Infrastructure & Storage
October 12, 2021 in Carbon Management Authors: Emma Thomley, Matt Fry
The signatory states of the CO2 Transport Infrastructure Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) have released a Regional Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Transport Infrastructure Action Plan which includes potential policies for states to consider to facilitate carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage project deployment. The MOU and Action Plan were developed as part of state engagement in the Regional Carbon Capture Deployment Initiative. Continue reading »
Minnesota to Engage Stakeholders on a Clean Fuels Standard
October 7, 2021 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Rebecca Lentz
Today, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz directed state agencies to explore ways to reduce climate change impacts from transportation fuels in a way that is market-driven and fuel-neutral, according to a news release from the State of Minnesota. Led by the Minnesota departments of Agriculture and Transportation, the process will engage a broad cross-section of stakeholders statewide to identify shared goals and opportunities that will help to inform what a Clean Fuels Standard could look like in Minnesota. The agencies will provide a report summarizing the results and recommendations in February 2022, according to the release. Continue reading »
