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 »
Coalition Welcomes IRS Inspector General Report, Calls for Agency to Follow Coalition Recommendations to Safeguard Integrity of New 45Q Tax Credit
May 6, 2020 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Jennifer Christensen
Great Plains Institute Vice President and Director of the Carbon Capture Coalition Brad Crabtree issued a statement responding to the release of a letter from the Internal Revenue Service Inspector General regarding tax credit claims under the old 45Q tax credit program. The statement was originally posted on the Carbon Capture Coalition website:
GreenStep Cities Celebrates 10 Years
May 4, 2020 in Communities Authors: Diana McKeown, Lola Schoenrich
GPI is thrilled to mark the 10-year anniversary of GreenStep Cities, a voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program that helps Minnesota cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. GPI is proud to be a GreenStep Cities partner and take part in supporting and recognizing cities’ progress on sustainability and quality of life. Continue reading »
Given the toll the current pandemic is having on our families, friends, and people around the globe, it’s hard to contemplate what the world could be like after COVID-19. However, as those on the front lines of this crisis work with such strength, resolve, and self-sacrifice, those of us working on the climate challenge have the obligation to continue our work toward a better world on the other side of this tragedy. Continue reading »
Why an Ethanol Advocacy Group Supports a Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy
April 10, 2020 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
The Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative, facilitated by the Great Plains Institute (GPI), recently released a report detailing how a successful clean fuels policy should be designed. The initiative brings together fuel producers and marketers, nonprofit and research organizations, scientists and engineers, and agriculture and industry stakeholders.
Minnesota’s Forests have Untapped Economic and Environmental Potential
April 7, 2020 in News & Press, Reports & Whitepapers, Transportation & Fuels Author: Gail Nosek
A new analysis by the Great Plains Institute shows the challenges as well as the vast untapped opportunities for Minnesota’s forestry industry. Full press release is below. Continue reading »
Great Plains Institute Earns Highest Possible Recognition from GuideStar
April 6, 2020 in News & Press Author: Deborah Karasov
We are pleased to announce that the Great Plains Institute (GPI) has achieved the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar! Continue reading »
Energy, environmental, labor, and policy leaders recently hosted the Minnesota Carbon Capture Forum to inform and educate a diverse audience about the economic and environmental opportunities for the technology in the state. Below you will find audio of the event as well as other resources on how Minnesota and other US states can capitalize on this decades-tested technology. Continue reading »
Solar and Wind in Minnesota: A Local Government Guide for Siting Utility-Scale Projects
March 23, 2020 in Communities, Energy Systems, Reports & Whitepapers Authors: Jenna Greene, Jessi Wyatt
The Great Plains Institute is engaging local governments across the Upper Midwest on long-term planning for renewable energy. As part of this effort, we developed a guide to provide communities in Minnesota with an overview of long-term utility- and community-scale solar and wind development—systems sized one megawatt (MW) or greater. Continue reading »
Hybrid Resources in the MISO Electricity Market: An Emerging Opportunity
March 12, 2020 in Energy Systems Authors: Maggie Kristian, Matt Prorok
Electricity markets, the federal government, and state governments across the country are working on how to address hybrid resources, which are a combination of multiple generation technologies and/or storage devices that work together to provide energy, capacity, and other grid services. This post focuses on hybrid resources in the MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) market and describes their unique attributes and value to the grid, which can help inform how market rules incorporate them. Continue reading »
