GPI to Host Webinar on Building a Sustainable Domestic Electric Vehicle Supply Chain

October 10, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

Closeup of an electric vehicle being charged

On November 9, 2022, the Great Plains Institute will host a webinar, Building a Sustainable Domestic Electric Vehicle Supply Chain, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. central time. COVID-19 supply-chain disruptions and domestic content provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act are spurring a re-thinking of electric vehicle supply chains and a renewed interest in domestic mining and mineral processing. The webinar will bring experts together to critically examine and identify actions needed to mitigate supply chain issues in the US.  Continue reading »

Moaz Uddin Answers WCCO’s Good Question: “Does Getting an Electric Vehicle Make Financial Sense?”

July 12, 2022 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Jennifer Christensen

electric vehicle charging

GPI Electric Vehicle Policy Specialist Moaz Uddin recently answered WCCO 4 News’s question, “Does getting an electric vehicle make financial sense?” Part of the CBS station’s “Good Question” series, the show helped answer this common question for people looking at electric vehicles in the face of high gas prices. Uddin breaks down the numbers for how electric vehicles can save consumers money over time. Continue reading »

Coalition Releases Framework for Including Farm-Level Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Clean Fuels Policies

June 2, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Carolyn Berninger

man keeling in field

A Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative committee has developed a framework for designing Midwestern clean fuels policies to incorporate farm-level emissions. The framework includes recommendations for quantifying emissions from energy and fertilizer use on farms and accounting for soil organic carbon storage. Continue reading »

Midwestern Clean Fuels Policies: State of Play

March 1, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

midwestern highway

Legislative sessions are underway across the United States, and climate legislation is a hot topic of debate at the federal and state levels. The Midwest is no different. Several Midwestern states are considering clean fuels policies as a tool to meet emissions reduction goals while benefiting the economy. We put together an inventory highlighting the state of play of clean fuels policies in Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Michigan. Continue reading »

What We’re Reading: “Innovative Wood Use can Enable Carbon-Beneficial Forest Management in California”

February 3, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

California Forest Skyline

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax taught us about the dangers that can occur when over-harvesting any resource, though the book focused on trees. However, it may have also led us to believe that any amount of harvesting trees harms the environment. A recent study, “Innovative Wood Use can Enable Carbon-Beneficial Forest Management in California,” by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, could help change that misconception. The study finds that innovative wood use might actually be a critical tool to combat climate change and reduce wildfires simultaneously. Continue reading »

Forum Shares Plymouth’s Experience with Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging

January 18, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Abby Hornberger

electric vehicle charger

The City of Plymouth, Minnesota, recently announced a partnership with the Carbon Solutions Group (CSG) to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in city-owned parking spaces. In response to the buzz around this exciting project, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) hosted a virtual forum on December 2, 2021, with the City of Plymouth, CSG, and Xcel Energy. Over 70 attendees came to learn more and ask questions about the unique EV charging infrastructure initiative in Plymouth. Continue reading »

Takeaways and Policy Recommendations for Renewable Natural Gas Produced from Anaerobic Digestion

December 20, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

Throughout the previous posts in our series on renewable natural gas (RNG) produced from anaerobic digestion (AD), we explored opportunities and challenges for the technologies. This post concludes the series by examining the policy framework for RNG produced from AD in Minnesota and recommending potential next steps.

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Q&A: Fresh Energy Weighs in on Renewable Natural Gas from Anaerobic Digestion

December 16, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

In our continuing quest to gather perspectives on renewable natural gas (RNG) from anaerobic digestion and the role it plays in decarbonizing transportation, we interviewed Fresh Energy’s Joe Dammel, who weighed in on the challenges and opportunities associated with this technology. Dammel is the director of Gas Decarbonization and Energy Transition at Fresh Energy and a previous staff attorney at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He holds a bachelor of science in environmental engineering, a law degree, and a master of science in science, technology, and environmental policy. Continue reading »