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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 »

Local Minnesota Officials Launch Climate Coalition

March 29, 2023 in Communities, News & Press Author: Darren Goode

Nonpartisan group of local elected officials focused on influencing state climate, clean energy leadership

March 29, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—A nonpartisan group of Minnesota local elected officials is launching a new coalition focused on influencing state policy and regulations to help cities as they ratchet up their climate and clean energy goals.

The Minnesota Cities Climate Coalition includes representatives from cities across the state. That includes one or more representatives from 21 local governments—such as Bloomington, Duluth, Minneapolis, Moorhead, and Saint Paul—that have passed resolutions declaring climate change emergencies. Continue reading »

Statement on Matt Fry’s Appointment to White House Council on Environmental Quality CCUS Task Force

March 24, 2023 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Darren Goode

The Great Plains Institute released the following statement from Patrice Lahlum, interim vice president of Carbon Management, in response to the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) announcement that Matt Fry, senior policy manager of Carbon Management, will serve on the new Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization and Sequestration Federal Lands and Outer Continental Shelf Permitting Task Force:

“Matt is a perfect fit for the important work this task force will undertake to ensure the efficient and responsible permitting processes needed to further deploy carbon management projects and technologies on our federal lands and in the offshore environment. Continue reading »

Statement on Vice President Doug Scott’s Appointment to Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission

March 13, 2023 in Energy Systems, News & Press Author: Darren Goode

MINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute released the following statement by President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom:

“We are excited about the announcement that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has appointed longtime Great Plains Institute (GPI) Energy Systems Vice President, Doug Scott, to serve as Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) beginning in June 2023.” Continue reading »

Minnesota Clean Transportation Standard Passes Initial Senate Committee

March 10, 2023 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren Goode

If enacted, legislation would be strongest statewide clean transportation standard in the nation and first in the Midwest

March 10, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—The bicameral Clean Transportation Standard Act received initial approval in the Minnesota Legislature with passage March 9 out of the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee.

The bill from Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Scott Dibble (DFL) and Representative Jeff Brand (DFL) is now referred to the Minnesota Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee. Continue reading »

Diverse Coalition Announces Support for Statewide Minnesota Clean Transportation Standard That Would Be Strongest in the Nation

March 9, 2023 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren Goode

The Minnesota state capitol building at sunset

Automakers, EV, biofuel, and environmental advocates back bicameral legislation with mandatory carbon reduction targets for all Minnesota-supplied fuels

March 9, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—A diverse coalition representing automakers, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and charging providers, biofuel producers, and clean energy and conservation advocates is endorsing new bicameral legislation that would implement a clean transportation standard statewide in Minnesota. If enacted, the legislation would establish the strongest such state standard in the nation. Continue reading »

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