Minnesota’s Historic Legislative Session Delivers Clean Energy, Climate Wins

June 14, 2023 in Communities, Transportation & Fuels Author: Carolyn Berninger

Minnesota legislators and advocates seized a unique opportunity this spring to pass transformative clean energy and climate policy that will jump-start the state’s transition to a lower-carbon economy. The state’s legislative session adjourned on May 22, and it was a busy few months at the Capitol. The state’s historic budget surplus, unified Democrat-Farmer-Labor (DFL) control of state government, and significant federal investments in clean energy set the stage for ambitious policymaking in 2023. Continue reading »

Michigan and Ohio Communities Become the First EV Smart Cohort

June 8, 2023 in Communities Author: Lindsay Stauner

Between good-natured jabs about which state has the better trail system and shared enthusiasm for supporting their communities, 24 local governments from Michigan and Ohio became the first cohort in the novel EV Smart program. EV Smart is a technical assistance program focused on electric vehicle (EV) readiness for local governments. This first cohort was facilitated by Great Plains Institute (GPI), with technical assistance provided by GPI along with in-state partners Clean Fuels Ohio, Michigan Municipal League, and Ecology Center. This cohort was funded by General Motors’ Corporate Giving Climate Fund. Continue reading »

Solar and Water Quality: Best Practices from the Groundbreaking PV-SMaRT Project

May 3, 2023 in Communities, Renewable Energy Author: Rebecca Heisel

Solar panels in a field on a partially cloudy day

The guide for stormwater best practices for solar farms developed for the groundbreaking Photovoltaic Stormwater Management Research and Testing (PV-SMaRT) project is now available. The best practices provide guidelines to communities, developers, and state and federal regulators on how solar development should be evaluated under the Clean Water Act. This guidance can resolve many uncertainties in the permitting process regarding stormwater management and surface water quality. Continue reading »

Local Minnesota Officials Launch Climate Coalition

March 29, 2023 in Communities, News & Press Author: Darren Goode

Nonpartisan group of local elected officials focused on influencing state climate, clean energy leadership

March 29, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—A nonpartisan group of Minnesota local elected officials is launching a new coalition focused on influencing state policy and regulations to help cities as they ratchet up their climate and clean energy goals.

The Minnesota Cities Climate Coalition includes representatives from cities across the state. That includes one or more representatives from 21 local governments—such as Bloomington, Duluth, Minneapolis, Moorhead, and Saint Paul—that have passed resolutions declaring climate change emergencies. Continue reading »

Navigating Renewable Energy Siting in the Midwest

February 22, 2023 in Communities, Renewable Energy Author: Rachel Percy
Two farmers working in a field with solar panels

Photo by Dennis Schroeder / NREL

The Renewable Energy Siting Campaign, a new partnership between the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), with funding provided by Crown Family Philanthropies, will engage diverse stakeholders to identify “win-win” synergies that push clean energy development forward across the Midwest while preserving community values, protecting natural resources, and benefiting agricultural systems. Continue reading »

Twin Cities Project to Develop Equitable Solar Access Model for Underserved Small Businesses

December 20, 2022 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
Two men installing solar panels

Photo courtesy of Cooperative Energy Futures

Despite increasing solar adoption across the United States, underserved small businesses—especially BIPOC- and immigrant-owned businesses—have historically lacked equitable access to the information, resources, and culturally-appropriate and accessible financing needed to install and receive the benefits of rooftop solar. The Great Plains Institute is a core partner in a newly announced project to help address these inequities in the Twin Cities. Continue reading »

Statement on Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework

September 19, 2022 in Communities, News & Press Author: Darren Goode

Graphic of a stack of papers on a blue backgroundMINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute shared the following statement by President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom on the State of Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework, released on  September 16, 2022:

“GPI is grateful for the leadership Minnesota is taking to make all our communities more resilient against the growing and immediate threat of climate change. We are proud to have had the opportunity to support the stakeholder engagement process that informed the development of the framework. We look forward to continuing to partner with Minnesota policy makers and tribal, business, nonprofit, and community leaders in pursuing its successful implementation in all corners of the state. This framework is as much about Minnesota’s economic and community health as it is about dramatically reducing emissions. Our long-term prosperity is at stake.” Continue reading »

PV-SMaRT Solar Site Demonstrates National Implications for Stormwater Management: Medford, OR

August 2, 2022 in Communities Author: Rebecca Heisel

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 »

Statement: GPI Applauds DOE’s SolSmart Program Expansion to Increase Clean Energy Access

June 1, 2022 in Communities, Renewable Energy Authors: Brian Ross, Jennifer Christensen

solar panels with sun flareThe US Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced two awardees for managing an expansion of the SolSmart program over five years to “increase solar deployment and expand access to clean energy.” The $10 million dollar award is shared by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the International City/County Management Association. Continue reading »