More than 400 people from the Midcontinent region and around the country took part in a recent workshop – Midcontinent States Regional Workshop: Implementation Options for EPA’s Clean Power Plan – hosted by the Great Plains Institute and the Bipartisan Policy Center, June 5, 2015, in Detroit, Michigan. Continue reading »
2015 Minnesota Legislative Session Recap: Bioeconomy Edition
July 6, 2015 in Transportation & Fuels Authors: Amanda Bilek, Brendan Jordan
It took the regular session, plus a one-day special session, but the Minnesota legislature has completed its work for 2015. The legislature convened in early January with a $1.9 billion projected budget surplus and had the task of setting a two-year state budget. Continue reading »
News Release: Great Plains Institute Lauds Passage of New MN Bioenergy Program
June 16, 2015 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Amanda Bilek
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Legislature has established a new program aimed at enabling the commercial construction of Minnesota-based facilities that will produce advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, or biomass thermal energy utilizing agriculture and forestry feedstocks.
“We are pleased that a new bioenergy program has been signed into law. The Bioeconomy Production Incentive Program received $2 million in funding for the next two years, providing a strong foundation for future project development,” said Great Plains Institute (GPI) Government Affairs Manager Amanda Bilek. Continue reading »
Neighborhood Leaders in Minneapolis Learn About Community Solar Gardens
May 18, 2015 in Communities Author: Trevor Drake
Over 70 neighborhood leaders gathered at Mayflower Church in Minneapolis on Thursday, April 30th to learn about community solar gardens, including key considerations and specific roles for neighborhoods. Continue reading »
News Release: Nordstrom to Participate in Transatlantic Roundtable on Energy Infrastructure
May 14, 2015 in News & Press
MINNEAPOLIS – Great Plains Institute President & CEO Rolf Nordstrom will travel to Brussels, Belgium, this week to participate in a transatlantic roundtable focused on energy infrastructure in a low carbon future. Continue reading »
Update: MN Plug-in Vehicle Rebate Program Advances
May 6, 2015 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
A bill to create a new state rebate program for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) continues to advance in the Minnesota legislature. The PEV rebate provision was included in Representative Pat Garofalo’s omnibus energy and jobs bill (HF 843) that passed on the House floor on April 22. The bill would offer up $2,500 for anyone purchasing a new PEV.
Continue reading »
Bioeconomy Bill Prospects as MN Legislature Nears the Finish Line for 2015 Session
May 3, 2015 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Amanda Bilek
There are just a few weeks left in the 2015 Minnesota legislative session and it is shaping up to be an all-out sprint to the finish. The Minnesota legislature is constitutionally required to adjourn May 18th and the big work of this session is finalizing a two-year budget for the State of Minnesota. Continue reading »
The Great Plains Institute leads Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota
April 29, 2015 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Amanda Bilek
There are numerous examples of early and ongoing public investment—matched with private investment—that have led to significant changes in the energy sector. Biobased projects, including biogas, need public-private partnerships to bring the potential resource to scale. Continue reading »
Bills in play would help electrify Minnesota’s transportation system
April 14, 2015 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
Gasoline prices may have decreased recently, but what if you could pay less than $1.00 per gallon for fuel? Never change your oil? Improve your fuel efficiency 3 or 4 fold? Have zero tailpipe emissions? And help make it easier for your utility to integrate renewable electricity into the system? Continue reading »
Choosing a Policy Pathway for State 111(d) Plans to Meet State Objectives
April 13, 2015 in Reports & Whitepapers
In mid-summer 2015, EPA is expected to issue its final Clean Power Plan regulations, which aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. The final rule will require states to develop and submit state plans as early as mid-summer 2016, to achieve the federally prescribed state emissions goals. Continue reading »
