GPI Testifies Before US House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis

September 26, 2019 in Carbon Management Author: Gail Nosek

Brad Crabtree testifying

Carbon capture is a pillar of the Great Plains Institute’s (GPI’s) work. Our carbon management team is focused on realizing the full potential of this suite of technologies as a national energy security, economic, and environmental strategy. To achieve mid-century decarbonization goals, carbon capture projects and infrastructure must be built at a large scale, and in an accelerated timeframe. Continue reading »

Minnesota Department of Transportation Releases Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation Report

September 18, 2019 in News & Press, Reports & Whitepapers, Transportation & Fuels Author: Gail Nosek

A low angle of a road

A new report from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) shows routes to a lower-carbon future for the largest greenhouse gas emitting sector in the state. The Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation report was created through public input and modeling and outlines recommendations and next steps toward reducing emissions. Continue reading »

Behind the Wheel: GPI Electric Vehicle Drivers Share Their Experience on Public Radio

June 19, 2019 in News & Press Author: Gail Nosek

Katelyn Bocklund, Abby Finis, and Trevor Drake

Many of our Great Plains Institute (GPI) staffers have become owners of fully-electric vehicles in recent years. Over the last several months, Minnesota Public Radio shared their stories on air. While there are some common threads in their electric vehicle (EV) experiences, some of the differences might surprise you. Read more below and click the links to hear the audio. Continue reading »

Cities Go to Boot Camp to Overcome Barriers to Renewable Energy Adoption

June 18, 2019 in Communities, Energy Systems Author: Gail Nosek

The sun shining over solar panels
When it comes to communities taking action to accelerate sustainability, the peer cohort model is proven to be successful time and time again because it allows people to learn together and learn from each other. To 
build on that success, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and the Clean Energy Resources Teams (CERTs) are creating a network of Minnesota cities focused on identifying and overcoming barriers to renewable energy procurement.
Continue reading »

Electrifying the Family Road Trip

June 10, 2019 in Energy Systems, Transportation & Fuels Author: Gail Nosek

Two kids playing in front of a charging tesla

The American Automobile Association (AAA) expects 100 million Americans and more than 50 percent of families to pack up the car for a road trip this summer (even more than last year). 

In Minnesota, the popular trip ‘Up North’ to Lake Superior is the first to go fully electric with the Interstate 35 corridor now boasting enough chargers to power any electric vehicle (EV) from the Twin Cities to Duluth. Historic Highway 61, made famous by Bob Dylan’s acoustics, is also now electrified with chargers located near popular recreational and historic stops.  Continue reading »

The Great Plains Institute Names Chief Operating Officer 

April 24, 2019 in News & Press Author: Gail Nosek

After an extensive national search, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) has named Deborah Karasov as its new Chief Operating Officer. Deborah brings nearly 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience to the newly created role which will further enable GPI to advance its time-critical mission to transform the energy system to benefit the economy and environment.   Continue reading »