Christian Mitchell Joins GPI’s Board of Directors

April 23, 2024 in News & Press Author: Drew Henry

MINNEAPOLIS — The Great Plains Institute announced today that Christian Mitchell, vice president for civic engagement at the University of Chicago, has joined its board. Mitchell’s rich experience in state government as both an elected and appointed official and his roots as a community organizer bring valuable perspectives to GPI’s board as the organization works to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Continue reading »

National Electric Vehicle Community Readiness Program Launches

March 12, 2024 in Communities, News & Press Author: Drew Henry

Pilot 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 »

Minnesota Coalition to Advocate for Building Transmission Along Highways

February 6, 2024 in Energy Systems, News & Press Author: Drew Henry

Nearly 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 Goode

Minnesota 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 »

Federal Hydrogen Hubs Funding Launches New Clean Economy Opportunities

October 13, 2023 in News & Press Author: Darren Goode

MINNEAPOLIS—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 »