The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create major opportunities across the economy for investment in a wide range of energy, sustainability, and climate projects. I recently interviewed Abby Finis, senior program manager for GPI’s Communities Program, about lessons learned from how federal energy and climate funding was spent at the local level during the 2009 stimulus bill. Finis discusses what is different a decade later in terms of local government expertise and leadership on energy and climate solutions, and how that could be leveraged in the new infrastructure funding. Continue reading »
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What We’re Reading: “Innovative Wood Use can Enable Carbon-Beneficial Forest Management in California”
February 3, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax taught us about the dangers that can occur when over-harvesting any resource, though the book focused on trees. However, it may have also led us to believe that any amount of harvesting trees harms the environment. A recent study, “Innovative Wood Use can Enable Carbon-Beneficial Forest Management in California,” by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, could help change that misconception. The study finds that innovative wood use might actually be a critical tool to combat climate change and reduce wildfires simultaneously. Continue reading »
GPI Releases Carbon and Hydrogen Hubs Atlas for US Decarbonization
January 31, 2022 in Carbon Management, News & Press, Reports & Whitepapers Author: Dane McFarlane
The Great Plains Institute has just released a first-of-its-kind publication titled An Atlas of Carbon and Hydrogen Hubs for United States Decarbonization. The atlas identifies areas of the United States that offer the capacity to help our nation expand and accelerate emissions reductions and carbon removal through focused coordination, deployment, and policy. Continue reading »
Top 7 Takeaways from the Drive the Future: Debrief Session
January 28, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Hannah Haas
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 »
Clean Energy and Equity Recommendations See Major Federal Support
December 21, 2021 in Energy Systems Author: Kate Sullivan
At the end of 2020, the Great Plains Institute and BlueGreen Alliance convened stakeholders across Minnesota to address the interrelated challenges of the economic impact of a global pandemic, longstanding racial disparities, and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The group, Building Economic Resilience Through Clean Energy and Equity in Minnesota (BERCEE), brought together representatives from labor, energy, business, environmental organizations, tribal nations, and state and local governments. 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 with LanzaTech on Prioritizing Environmental Justice in Carbon Management Projects
December 17, 2021 in Carbon Management Author: Emma Thomley
The Justice 40 Initiative will direct a groundbreaking amount of federal funding for disadvantaged communities historically burdened by industrial waste in the United States. This initiative and voices from the environmental justice movement have inspired companies to focus on equity in their carbon management projects. LanzaTech, a carbon transformation company that recycles carbon oxide emissions (e.g., carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide) to create everyday products, is prioritizing environmental justice in their projects and mission. Continue reading »
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 »
GPI’s Matt Fry Will Serve on NASEM Committee on Carbon Utilization, Infrastructure, Markets, Research, and Development
December 15, 2021 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Emma Thomley
This week, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) appointed Matt Fry to serve on its Committee on Carbon Utilization, Infrastructure, Markets, Research, and Development. Fry is the state and regional policy manager for the Great Plains Institute’s carbon management program and will work with other committee members to assess carbon utilization infrastructure, research, and development needs. Continue reading »
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