Twin Cities Project to Develop Equitable Solar Access Model for Underserved Small Businesses

December 20, 2022 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
Two men installing solar panels

Photo courtesy of Cooperative Energy Futures

Despite increasing solar adoption across the United States, underserved small businesses—especially BIPOC- and immigrant-owned businesses—have historically lacked equitable access to the information, resources, and culturally-appropriate and accessible financing needed to install and receive the benefits of rooftop solar. The Great Plains Institute is a core partner in a newly announced project to help address these inequities in the Twin Cities. Continue reading »

Calculate Your Fuel Cost Savings from Switching to an Electric Vehicle

November 8, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Authors: Emmy Curtiss, M. Moaz Uddin

Electric vehicle charging

How much money can US drivers expect to save on fuel by switching to an electric vehicle? We explored this question with Heather Brown on CBS News Minnesota, and now our new calculator helps consumers do the math.

The recent increased volatility in gas prices has left many US drivers looking for alternatives. People are driving less and looking for more efficient vehicles. As consumers increasingly consider electric vehicles, they want to know how to calculate the potential costs and savings.

Gas price volatility driving interest in electric vehicles

The average price per gallon of gas skyrocketed 146 percent to $4.75 in June of this year. That’s up from just $1.93 in April 2020, when the prices plummeted in the early months of the pandemic. Continue reading »

Understanding the Inflation Reduction Act’s Electric Vehicle Tax Credits

November 7, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: M. Moaz Uddin

Country road in the fall time at sunset

Electric vehicle tax credits expanded significantly with the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act. While the law expands the prior $7500 federal electric vehicle tax credits by lifting the 200,000-vehicle sales cap for manufacturers to be eligible, it also introduces new requirements for eligibility along with expanding the definition for clean vehicles. Now, vehicles fueled by fuel cell motors can also take advantage of the tax credit. The Inflation Reduction Act also introduces a tax credit for pre-owned electric vehicles. In this post, we highlight key eligibility requirements and share additional consumer resources. Continue reading »

Carbon Action Alliance Launches to Spur Carbon Reduction Efforts Nationwide

October 26, 2022 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Darren Goode

Carbon Action Alliance logo on a navy background

New network aims to translate federal and state carbon management and industrial decarbonization policies into local opportunity.

OCTOBER 26, 2022, NEW ORLEANS—The Great Plains Institute today launched the Carbon Action Alliance, a new initiative to align and grow a network of government, industry, labor, environmental, and community partners to work together toward a common goal of achieving economywide deployment of carbon management and industrial decarbonization technologies in the United States to achieve net-zero emissions by midcentury. Continue reading »

Advancing CO2 Transport Infrastructure through DOE’s CIFIA Program: A Q&A with Matt Kittell

October 14, 2022 in Carbon Management Authors: Bridget Callaghan, Ryan Kammer

Speech BubblesWhile the spotlight on carbon management often falls on new capture technologies and storage facilities, a robust carbon dioxide (CO2) transport infrastructure is critical to achieving midcentury climate goals. An established CO2 transport infrastructure can help lower the financial risk of capture and storage projects and expand the number of opportunities for carbon management. Continue reading »

GPI to Host Webinar on Building a Sustainable Domestic Electric Vehicle Supply Chain

October 10, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

Closeup of an electric vehicle being charged

On November 9, 2022, the Great Plains Institute will host a webinar, Building a Sustainable Domestic Electric Vehicle Supply Chain, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. central time. COVID-19 supply-chain disruptions and domestic content provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act are spurring a re-thinking of electric vehicle supply chains and a renewed interest in domestic mining and mineral processing. The webinar will bring experts together to critically examine and identify actions needed to mitigate supply chain issues in the US.  Continue reading »

A Road Map for Deploying Carbon Management and Hydrogen in Pennsylvania

October 4, 2022 in Carbon Management Authors: Emma Thomley, Ryan Kammer

Carbon management and hydrogen technologies can help Pennsylvania meet its climate goals and allow its industries to reduce emissions while continuing to provide local jobs. Deploying these technologies requires careful consideration and examination of the commonwealth’s existing infrastructure, resources, and legislation.

The Great Plains Institute (GPI) recently worked with Team Pennsylvania to develop Successful Deployment of Carbon Management and Hydrogen Economies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a Road Map for Carbon Management and Hydrogen Development in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Continue reading »