The US—and the world—must dramatically accelerate emissions reductions this decade to prevent dangerous increases in global temperature and achieve a net-zero carbon economy by midcentury. The speed and scale of required reductions can be visualized by looking at our carbon budget. Just like a financial budget sets your spending limits, the carbon budget sets our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions limits to avoid additional global temperature rise. Continue reading »
Carbon Capture Potential Spans US
April 21, 2021 in Carbon Management Authors: Elizabeth Abramson, Patrice LahlumCapturing and utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential to achieving a clean energy, net-zero carbon future. And reimagining the alignment of industry and infrastructure presents exciting opportunities for states and regions across the country. Deploying CO2 transport and storage infrastructure will enable key sectors of our economy to dramatically reduce their carbon emissions while sustaining and growing domestic industry, manufacturing, and energy production and the high-wage American jobs they support. Continue reading »
Game-Changing SCALE Act Could Enable Carbon Capture Infrastructure Needed for Net-Zero Goals
April 14, 2021 in Carbon Management Authors: Elizabeth Abramson, Jennifer ChristensenBipartisan legislation re-introduced on March 17 could provide game-changing support for carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage infrastructure that will be essential to reaching midcentury climate goals. The Storing CO2 and Lowering Emissions Act (SCALE Act), re-introduced in both chambers and led by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in the Senate and Representatives Marc Veasey (D-TX) and David McKinley (R-WV) in the House would enable CO2 transport and storage infrastructure required to scale up carbon capture, removal, use, and storage across domestic industries, including those that are difficult to decarbonize. Continue reading »
Analysis: Rooftop Solar Can Provide Year-Round Electricity—Even in the Bold North
December 19, 2019 in Energy Systems, Transportation & Fuels Authors: Dane McFarlane, Elizabeth AbramsonWhen it comes to solar energy, a common question is how electricity generation will be affected by seasonal shifts or daily changes in the weather. These variations become especially important when households and businesses consider using rooftop solar panels to serve their electricity needs, such as for charging electric vehicles (EVs). By analyzing a full year of data collected from the solar array on the Great Plains Institute’s own rooftop, paired with the electric vehicle chargers at our building, we have gathered insights to answer to this question.
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New Data Shows Minnesotans Going All-In on Electric Vehicles
December 18, 2019 in Transportation & Fuels Authors: Elizabeth Abramson, Jessi WyattElectric vehicle (EV) deployment is ramping up across Minnesota. New data from 2019 (which you can explore in a previous blog post) shows that EV deployment hit new records throughout the state. Between 2018 and 2019 alone, the number of EV registrations in Minnesota has almost doubled. With declining vehicle costs, expanding EV infrastructure, and growing consumer preference for climate-friendly products, EV growth in Minnesota shows no signs of slowing down. The statewide EV map further helps spotlight that EVs are not only a phenomenon in urban areas. In fact, there is only one county of the 87 in the state that does not have at least one EV registered.
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Carbon Capture 101
December 17, 2019 in Carbon Management, Reports & Whitepapers Authors: Dane McFarlane, Elizabeth Abramson, Jennifer ChristensenCarbon capture is an essential part of GPI’s work to achieve a zero-carbon energy system by midcentury. GPI engages a broad set of interests at the state and federal levels to increase the deployment of carbon capture projects and infrastructure. We developed a carbon capture 101 fact sheet (PDF and text below) as a starting point for learning about what carbon capture is and why it’s an important economic and environmental strategy.
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