Join the Great Plains Institute’s Carbon Action Alliance in New Mexico from Sunday, October 1, to Tuesday, October 3, for CO2NNECT 2023, a three-day event that brings together stakeholders to discuss key themes in carbon management—including public engagement, environmental justice, and community and worker benefits. Continue reading »
The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.
Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.
Capturing Carbon at Industrial Facilities Leads to Billions of Dollars in Annual US Health Benefits
August 7, 2023 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Ben FinzelFirst-of-its-kind study quantifies health impact of the co-benefits of reducing other air pollutants with carbon capture technologies
August 7, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—Installing technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial and power facilities has the potential to result in billions of annual health benefits nationwide. These health benefits are directly tied to the reduction of other air pollutants that would also be removed in a carbon capture system, according to a first-of-its-kind study—Carbon Capture Co-benefits: Carbon Capture’s Role in Removing Pollutants and Reducing Health Impacts—from the Great Plains Institute and Carbon Solutions, LLC.
GPI Requests Twin Cities Electric Mobility Education Outreach Proposals
July 11, 2023 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren GoodeProject aims to fill electric mobility literacy gap in underserved communities
July 11, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is requesting proposals to help fill the literacy gap about electric mobility among low-income, historically marginalized groups, and other underserved communities in the Twin Cities. Continue reading »
GPI to Help More Communities Become Solar Ready with SolSmart
July 11, 2023 in Renewable Energy Author: Sydne TurskySince 2016, the federal SolSmart program has helped 500 communities become solar ready. Now, the program is aiming to designate 500 more communities over the next few years. The Great Plains Institute is a SolSmart liaison. Through our recruitment efforts, we’ve helped about 100 communities become solar ready. Most recently, we helped Minnetonka, Minnesota, achieve Bronze designation in the program’s new phase. Continue reading »
Next Steps for a Clean Transportation Standard in Minnesota
June 22, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem ZaghdoudiDespite the national and state momentum and the consistent support from the growing Future Fuels Coalition, the proposed Minnesota clean transportation standard did not pass during the state’s recently adjourned legislative session. Yet progress will continue this summer thanks to legislation requiring the establishment of a working group on a clean transportation standard in the state. Continue reading »
Minnesota’s Historic Legislative Session Delivers Clean Energy, Climate Wins
June 14, 2023 in Communities, Transportation & Fuels Author: Carolyn BerningerMinnesota legislators and advocates seized a unique opportunity this spring to pass transformative clean energy and climate policy that will jump-start the state’s transition to a lower-carbon economy. The state’s legislative session adjourned on May 22, and it was a busy few months at the Capitol. The state’s historic budget surplus, unified Democrat-Farmer-Labor (DFL) control of state government, and significant federal investments in clean energy set the stage for ambitious policymaking in 2023. Continue reading »
Statement on GPI Becoming Founding Member of Minnesota Cleantech Consortium
June 9, 2023 in News & Press Author: Darren GoodeMINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute (GPI) released the following statement by President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom on GPI becoming a founding member of the Minnesota Cleantech Consortium, which was announced this week via a launch coinciding with the inaugural Minnesota Cleantech Innovation Day: Continue reading »
Michigan and Ohio Communities Become the First EV Smart Cohort
June 8, 2023 in Communities Author: Lindsay StaunerBetween good-natured jabs about which state has the better trail system and shared enthusiasm for supporting their communities, 24 local governments from Michigan and Ohio became the first cohort in the novel EV Smart program. EV Smart is a technical assistance program focused on electric vehicle (EV) readiness for local governments. This first cohort was facilitated by Great Plains Institute (GPI), with technical assistance provided by GPI along with in-state partners Clean Fuels Ohio, Michigan Municipal League, and Ecology Center. This cohort was funded by General Motors’ Corporate Giving Climate Fund. Continue reading »
Minnesota Approves Comprehensive Statewide Electric Vehicle Readiness Assistance
May 24, 2023 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren GoodeBudget deals significantly elevate state’s effort to expand transportation electrification
May 24, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed into law a sweeping set of first-time incentives and other funding approved by the state legislature that significantly elevates the state’s efforts to expand transportation electrification. Continue reading »
Minnesota Approves Clean Transportation Standard Working Group In Budget Deal
May 23, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren GoodeAdds momentum toward finalizing nation’s strongest standard next year
May 23, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—Taking decisive action to move Minnesota to the forefront of national transportation policy, the Minnesota State Legislature has approved funding for consideration of a statewide clean transportation standard, following a concerted push by a diverse coalition of automakers, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and charging providers, biofuel producers, and clean energy and conservation advocates. Continue reading »
Our Newsletter
Sign Up for Better Energy Community News
Sign up to receive the latest news and announcements from the Great Plains Institute.