The US power grid faces a perfect storm—aging, underfunded infrastructure, extreme weather fueled by climate change, and a changing electricity generation portfolio. Experts warned earlier this year that huge regions of the US could have shortfalls in the power supply during times of high demand, which could lead to rolling blackouts. While blackouts haven’t occurred thus far, the system remains vulnerable to extreme weather events. Continue reading »
Congress passed and the president signed a monumental climate bill, ushering us into a new era of adding speed and scale to how we will decarbonize our economy. Continue reading »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
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.
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.
