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Michigan and Ohio Communities Become the First EV Smart Cohort

June 8, 2023 in Communities Author: Lindsay Stauner

Between 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 Goode

 Budget 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 Goode

Adds 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 »

The State of Solar: Insights on Distributed Solar Installations in Minnesota

May 11, 2023 in Renewable Energy Authors: Monika Vadali, Rachel Percy

Local governments are setting aggressive climate and clean energy goals in Minnesota. Encouraging distributed solar energy will play a key role in meeting them. The Great Plains Institute (GPI) has conducted an analysis of Minnesota Public Utilities Commission data on where and what types of distributed solar installations are occurring in the state. Continue reading »

GPI’s Carbon Capture Coalition Releases Federal Policy Blueprint

May 9, 2023 in Carbon Management, Reports & Whitepapers Author: Patrice Lahlum

We need federal and state policies to support carbon management technologies essential to reducing planet-warming carbon emissions in the atmosphere. In a 2023 Federal Policy Blueprint released April 24, the Carbon Capture Coalition outlines a road map on how the 118th Congress can support responsible scale-up of the carbon management industry to accomplish this. Convened by the Great Plains Institute, the more than 100 Carbon Capture Coalition members spanning industry, labor, conservation, environmental policy, and nonprofit organizations joined together to create this consensus-based federal road map. Continue reading »

Solar and Water Quality: Best Practices from the Groundbreaking PV-SMaRT Project

May 3, 2023 in Communities, Renewable Energy Author: Rebecca Heisel

Solar panels in a field on a partially cloudy day

The guide for stormwater best practices for solar farms developed for the groundbreaking Photovoltaic Stormwater Management Research and Testing (PV-SMaRT) project is now available. The best practices provide guidelines to communities, developers, and state and federal regulators on how solar development should be evaluated under the Clean Water Act. This guidance can resolve many uncertainties in the permitting process regarding stormwater management and surface water quality. Continue reading »

Michigan Introduces Clean Fuel Standard Legislation

May 2, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

CLoseup of a man holding a gas pump

On April 19, Michigan Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) introduced Senate Bill 275, which seeks to establish a clean fuel standard in Michigan. The clean fuel standard bill is part of a package, the Clean Energy Future Plan, which a group of Senate Democrats introduced in an effort to make Michigan “a more environmentally sustainable state as climate patterns continue to change.” Continue reading »

Illinois and Minnesota Lead the Midwest in Introducing Clean Transportation Standard Legislation

April 13, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

With the federal government paving the way for climate action through the passage of historic legislation, states are following suit and introducing major transportation decarbonization bills. Illinois and Minnesota are taking the lead in the Midwest. Both states have introduced clean transportation standard legislation, also known as clean fuel standards. Continue reading »

Broad Coalition Advocates For Minnesota Clean Transportation Standard Funding in Budget Deal

March 30, 2023 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren Goode

Push comes after funding proposed by Governor Walz and Minnesota Senate Transportation panel

March 30, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Future Fuels Coalition, a diverse effort representing automakers, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and charging providers, biofuel producers, and clean energy and conservation advocates, is pushing the Minnesota State Legislature to include funding to develop a legislative recommendation on a clean transportation standard for the 2024 legislative session.   Continue reading »

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