When I applied to the Capitol Pathways Program, I was looking for an opportunity to experience public policy and learn if it was a good career choice for me. I was given the opportunity to select a specific sector in the application process; I chose sustainability and environmental issues as a top choice. Capitol Pathways program organizers matched me with the Great Plains Institute and I was excited to begin my journey in this inaugural program. Continue reading »
MINNEAPOLIS – Ulteig President and CEO Douglas Jaeger has joined the Great Plains Institute (GPI) board of directors. Continue reading »
WASHINGTON, April 22, 2016 — Technological innovation will be critical in meeting the goal the world’s nations set out in the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming. The world derives 80 percent of its energy from coal, oil, and natural gas. Global use of fossil fuels is expected to continue for decades to come, even with the dramatic changes in energy production anticipated under the Paris Agreement. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology can capture and safely store CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial facilities. In fact, the United Nations IPCC and International Energy Agency have concluded that CCUS is likely essential to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. Continue reading »
As an organization whose tagline is “Better Energy, Better World,” we’re excited this Earth Day to share with you the progress we’re making together with our partners from the local to the national level. Continue reading »
In Minnesota, GPI convenes a stakeholder effort called the e21 Initiative that recommends, in part, shifting toward a more performance-based regulatory approach to determine how electric utilities in the state are compensated.
Recently, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission discussed performance-based regulation (commonly referred to as PBR) with expert Sonia Aggarwal, Director of Strategy at Energy Innovation. Ms. Aggarwal and the commissioners had an interesting discussion (see summary here) that raised key issues about how a PBR approach would work and its implications. Continue reading »
MINNEAPOLIS – Great Plains Institute (GPI) President & CEO Rolf Nordstrom announced today that Jess Jellings has joined GPI as a meeting planner and administrative assistant. Continue reading »
A problem that is often raised during Minnesota public policy discussions is that state government is not truly representative of Minnesota’s population, especially as the makeup of the state is rapidly changing. The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is serving as a host organization for a new public policy internship program that aims to begin to address this challenge. The Capitol Pathways internship program is organized by the Citizens League and places college students of color in nonprofits, government agencies, and lobbying firms during the Minnesota legislative session. Continue reading »
Federal legislation to spur commercial deployment of technologies to capture carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial facilities for use in enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) was introduced today by US Representative Mike Conaway with 18 co-sponsors from both political parties. The National Enhanced Oil Recovery Initiative (NEORI) and Coal Utilization Resource Council (CURC) are hailing introduction of the bill. Continue reading »
Industry, labor, and environmental groups today called on Members of Congress to support legislation to be introduced by Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX) to make permanent the existing federal carbon capture and storage incentive known as Section 45Q. The incentive is designed to spur commercial deployment of technologies to capture carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial facilities for use in enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR), while permanently and safely storing that CO2 underground. Continue reading »
