Minnesota to Engage Stakeholders on a Clean Fuels Standard

October 7, 2021 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Rebecca Lentz

mn state capitol

Today, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz directed state agencies to explore ways to reduce climate change impacts from transportation fuels in a way that is market-driven and fuel-neutral, according to a news release from the State of Minnesota. Led by the Minnesota departments of Agriculture and Transportation, the process will engage a broad cross-section of stakeholders statewide to identify shared goals and opportunities that will help to inform what a Clean Fuels Standard could look like in Minnesota. The agencies will provide a report summarizing the results and recommendations in February 2022, according to the release. Continue reading »

The Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Market: Plugging into the Future Part I

September 30, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: M. Moaz Uddin

heavy duty ev

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future! You have probably seen that headline before. The last decade has seen all-electric and plug-in hybrid EVs from many automakers become part of the mainstream market. One cannot help but wonder, where do medium- and heavy-duty EVs stand in the transition to electrification? That is the question this post aims to answer. Our second post will focus on the unique charging needs of medium- and heavy-duty EVs. Continue reading »

All Clean Fuel Producers Could Be Winners with Minnesota’s Future Fuels Act

July 28, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan

clean fuels

The Future Fuels Act introduced in the Minnesota State Legislature during the 2021 legislative session set a goal of reducing transportation fuel carbon intensity by 20 percent by 2035 and promised to boost the state’s economy and prove a host of co-benefits. As we talked to Minnesota legislators about the proposed clean fuels policy for the state, the question always arose—what impact will this have in my community? Continue reading »

Renewable Natural Gas and Anaerobic Digestion 101

July 23, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

anaerobic digestion

The production of renewable natural gas from anaerobic digestion presents a win-win scenario: diverting organic waste from landfills while producing a lower-carbon alternative to conventional natural gas that can be injected into existing pipelines and used as vehicle fuel. This post provides an overview of renewable natural gas from anaerobic digestion and its benefits.

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Midcontinent Transportation Electrification Collaborative Urges Congress to Pass Federal Economic Recovery Measures Benefiting the Region

July 20, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

electric vehicle

Participants in the Midcontinent Transportation Electrification Collaborative (MTEC) recently submitted letters to congressional leadership, Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, and Energy Secretary Granholm regarding federal economic recovery opportunities that could create vast transportation electrification investments in the Midcontinent region. Continue reading »

Economic Benefits of a Clean Fuels Policy in Minnesota and Iowa

July 12, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

clean fuels

New analysis shows that a Midwestern clean fuels policy (CFP) can deliver positive economic benefits while reducing carbon emissions in the region. This is the conclusion of an ICF study commissioned by the Great Plains Institute in partnership with the American Coalition for Ethanol, and with support from the Union of Concerned Scientists and the McKnight Foundation. ICF was commissioned to investigate the economic impacts of a Midwestern CFP, and used Minnesota and Iowa as representative states of the region. Legislators in Minnesota are considering the Future Fuels Act, a proposed CFP. Continue reading »

Benefits for Wood-Based Renewable Diesel in a Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy

May 21, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Hannah Haas

As part of the Great Plains Institute’s work to develop a Midwestern clean fuels policy, we are hosting a webinar series about clean fuels on the market and how those industries could benefit from a regional policy. The most recent webinar explored how a clean fuels policy can create markets for underutilized wood through the production of wood-based renewable diesel in the Midwest. Continue reading »