In July 2021, the Great Plains Institute and EVHybridNoire hosted Drive the Future: Debrief Session, a follow-up to a prior event on best practices for equitable transportation electrification in the Midcontinent. Continue reading »
Forum Shares Plymouth’s Experience with Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging
January 18, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Abby Hornberger
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.
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 »
Ethanol Producers, Advocates Aim for Net-Zero Ethanol by 2050
December 13, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Susanne Retka Schill
As US and world leaders engage on climate change and carbon reduction efforts, leaders in the American ethanol industry have announced pledges and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The country’s largest ethanol producer, POET LLC, and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), representing another large portion of the industry, have separately pledged GHG reductions of 70 percent within a decade and goals of net neutrality by 2050. The American Coalition for Ethanol also supports state and federal policies that aid in ethanol reaching net neutrality by midcentury. Continue reading »
Coalition Releases Midwestern Framework for Electric Vehicle Credit Generation in Clean Fuels Policies
December 7, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Carolyn Berninger
Electric vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and reduce fuel and maintenance costs compared to conventional vehicles. Despite these benefits, the percentage of electric vehicles on roads in the Midwest is still relatively low. Clean fuels policies can spur electric vehicle deployment, as demonstrated in A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest: A White Paper from the Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative, which was published last year. Continue reading »
Electric Vehicle Programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
December 6, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: M. Moaz Uddin
In November, President Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the single largest infrastructure investment in American history. The bill includes significant funding at the federal and state levels for electric vehicles (EVs) and the infrastructure needed to support EV deployment. As state and local governments look to increase transportation electrification, this bill provides investment in several critical areas for deployment. Continue reading »
Charging Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles: Plugging into the Future Part II
December 1, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: M. Moaz Uddin
The medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) market is growing. However, mass electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles will require charging infrastructure and standards tailored to meet their high energy needs. Leaders have an opportunity to increase electrification of these vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by closing this infrastructure gap. Continue reading »
Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas Shares Perspective on RNG from Anaerobic Digestion
October 20, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi
We recently reached out to Sam Wade, the director of public policy at The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, to learn more about the opportunities and challenges associated with renewable natural gas (RNG) from anaerobic digestion.
Clean Fuel Case Studies Demonstrate Economic Benefits of a Clean Fuels Policy
October 14, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund
Five new case studies published by the Great Plains Institute demonstrate how various clean fuel sectors could benefit financially from implementing a Midwestern clean fuels policy, such as the Future Fuels Act proposed in Minnesota.
