With the rest of the world, we waited nervously for the outcome of the trial of the officer who killed George Floyd. We hope that the jury’s guilty verdict brings some measure of peace and accountability to Mr. Floyd’s family, friends and community, knowing that there is no compensation for their loss, or his. Continue reading »
What Business Owners Should Know To Prepare For The Shift To Electric Vehicles
February 23, 2021 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Rolf NordstromGPI President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom wrote “What Business Owners Should Know to Prepare for the Shift to Electric Vehicles” for the Forbes Business Council website where it was originally published. Nordstrom recently became a council member.
Transportation electrification will likely permanently change how we move people and goods, so having a nuanced understanding of electric vehicles (EVs) and their implications is now a business imperative. Even though Tesla is a household name, there’s a lot of mythology and outdated information out there about EVs. Continue reading »
Clean Energy Proves It’s Still Possible to Bridge Our Divides
February 4, 2021 in News & Press Author: Rolf NordstromIt is hard to find words to capture 2020 and yet the year’s tragic features are now seared into our national psyche: images of the US Capitol under siege, the pandemic‘s staggering human and economic toll, long-standing racial disparities and injustices that can no longer be ignored, and a fractured political system and populace, all stressing the foundations of our democratic system of government.
The Clean Energy Revolution Your Business Might Be Missing
January 4, 2021 in Energy Systems Author: Rolf NordstromGPI President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom wrote “The Clean Energy Revolution Your Business Might Be Missing” for the Forbes Business Council website where it was originally published. Nordstrom recently became a council member.
If the quiet energy revolution taking place, particularly in the electric sector, has gone unnoticed by you, your company is likely missing out on critical economic and consumer benefits.
Dear Better Energy Community,
While so much is uncertain in our country right now, I am sure of one thing; Midwestern and Gulf Coast states are essential to the economic recovery in the US.
The recovery is even more challenging with an already devastating hurricane season on the Gulf Coast, destructive wind storms in Iowa, and wildfires in the west. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by these disasters. It has added even more urgency to our already urgent work.
Continue reading »

Mural by Andres Guzman. Photo by William Dunder.
We continue to be heartbroken over the senseless, tragic killing of George Floyd while in police custody just blocks from our doorstep. We have seen anger, grief, fear, and violence unfold before our eyes in our neighborhood and across the country.
I am incredibly excited to announce the launch of Together, a special fundraising campaign for the Great Plains Institute (GPI).
Words of Thanks and Inspiration for the Class of 2020
May 15, 2020 in News & Press Author: Rolf NordstromGPI President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom was asked to share a virtual commencement address for graduate students from the University of Minnesota’s famed Humphrey School for Public Affairs who focused their studies on science, technology, and environmental policy (STEP). Rolf shared some thoughts about the challenges before us, leadership, and pursuits beyond happiness. You can watch and read his remarks below. Continue reading »
Given the toll the current pandemic is having on our families, friends, and people around the globe, it’s hard to contemplate what the world could be like after COVID-19. However, as those on the front lines of this crisis work with such strength, resolve, and self-sacrifice, those of us working on the climate challenge have the obligation to continue our work toward a better world on the other side of this tragedy. Continue reading »
What will the energy system look like in 50 years? What trends are in play today that should inform business strategy, with an eye toward a long-term vision for the future? Those are the questions that I tackled in a presentation earlier this year to hundreds of top executives from Royal Vopak, a 400-year-old global tank storage company based in the Netherlands. Continue reading »