The annual Environmental Initiative Awards were recently announced, with the Energy and Climate award going to the Food Group’s Solar Farmland Access – Emerging Farmers project, which seeks to increase land access for emerging, BIPOC, and immigrant farmers by utilizing spaces under and around solar farms. Continue reading »
National Electric Vehicle Community Readiness Program Launches
March 12, 2024 in Communities, News & Press Author: Drew HenryPilot in select states and regions kicks off a national DOE-funded initiative with Upper Midwest roots
MINNEAPOLIS — Today, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) announced the launch of Charging Smart designation program that prepares and recognizes communities for electric vehicle (EV) readiness. Charging Smart is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. Continue reading »
GPI Names Louise Miltich as Organization’s First Executive Vice President
February 28, 2024 in News & Press Author: Rolf NordstromIn an exciting new evolution of the Great Plains Institute, I am pleased to announce that Louise Miltich will join us as the organization’s first executive vice president starting April 1. Continue reading »
Minnesota Coalition to Advocate for Building Transmission Along Highways
February 6, 2024 in Energy Systems, News & Press Author: Drew HenryNearly 80% of Minnesotans want transmission built on existing rights-of-way
MINNEAPOLIS – February 6, 2024 – NextGen Highways announced today the launch in Minnesota of its first state coalition to promote the co-location of utility and telecommunication infrastructure in existing corridors, like highways and interstates, to speed development critical for the clean energy transition. Continue reading »
Diverse Minnesota Working Group Charts Path for Historic Clean Transportation Standard
February 1, 2024 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren GoodeMinnesota Future Fuels Coalition applauds state working group’s efforts ahead of unprecedented legislative push this year
February 1, 2024, MINNEAPOLIS— The Minnesota Future Fuels Coalition applauds a diverse working group headed by Minnesota state agencies for cementing and detailing support for a first-of-its-kind statewide clean transportation standard.
The Clean Transportation Standard Work Group released a new report and recommendations today underscoring the “transformative emissions reduction” and other benefits to Minnesota becoming the first Midwestern state to issue such a standard. Continue reading »
As we close out the year, we’re taking a look at the most-read stories on our blog. In GPI’s top ten stories of 2023, you can see the issues people were most interested in understanding and reading about across our portfolio of work. Continue reading »
GPI Welcomes Drew Henry as Communications Director
December 12, 2023 in News & Press Author: Rolf NordstromI am delighted to welcome Drew Henry as the Great Plains Institute’s communications director. Drew will lead GPI’s communications efforts in crafting the organization’s message, elevating our work and the work of our partners, and delivering strategic and tactical support to GPI’s program teams. Continue reading »
GPI Diversifies Board to Reflect Growing National Reach and Scope
October 17, 2023 in News & Press Author: Darren GoodeComes as organization beginning three-year plan to accelerate decarbonization solutions across economy
October 17, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute has added three members to its board of directors who represent the organization’s growing and diverse national focus and priorities. Continue reading »
Federal Hydrogen Hubs Funding Launches New Clean Economy Opportunities
October 13, 2023 in News & Press Author: Darren GoodeMINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute (GPI) released the following statement by President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom on the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement of seven regional clean hydrogen hubs selected to receive $7 billion in federal funding:
“Today’s announcement of federally supported hydrogen hubs launches a new opportunity to equitably build a clean hydrogen economy, and GPI looks forward to working with the new hubs to accelerate decarbonization across the economy. GPI is working to enable the development of a robust and equitable clean hydrogen economy to expand our nation’s portfolio of options for decarbonizing some of the hardest-to-decarbonize sectors, such as agriculture, heavy industry, and parts of the transportation sector. Continue reading »
New Online Tool Consolidates Social, Environmental Data for Louisiana Carbon Management Projects
September 28, 2023 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Darren GoodeInteractive maps give communities, stakeholders unique access to key data for siting carbon management projects
September 28, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—A first-of-its-kind tool will provide a central hub for Louisiana decision makers and the broader interested public to consider social, environmental, legal, and community data and factors when determining where to locate carbon management projects in the state. Continue reading »