Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers unveiled the state’s comprehensive clean energy plan this week. The Great Plains Institute played a key role in assisting the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy in developing the plan. Continue reading »
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Q&A with Lola Schoenrich: EV Ready Communities Pilot Project in Michigan and Ohio
April 4, 2022 in Communities Authors: Jennifer Christensen, Lola Schoenrich
GPI will lead a new pilot project supported by General Motors’ Climate Equity Fund to help communities in Michigan and Ohio with making progress on equitable vehicle electrification. Continue reading »
Hydrogen Hubs: The State of Play
March 31, 2022 in Carbon Management Authors: Grace Olson, Kate Sullivan
New investment at the federal level has created an unprecedented opportunity for federal agencies and state governments to work together on a shared vision for a domestic hydrogen economy. State and regional activity is ramping up to take advantage of near-term federal funding opportunities. Continue reading »
Groundbreaking PV-SMaRT Project Publishes First Case Study: Ramsey, MN
March 21, 2022 in Communities Author: Rebecca Heisel
Photo courtesy of David Mulla
The first case study is now available from a groundbreaking project to establish the first science-based stormwater and water quality standards for solar farms. The Great Plains Institute is helping lead the Photovoltaic Stormwater Management Research and Testing (PV-SMaRT) project along with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Fresh Energy, and the University of Minnesota. PV-SMaRT is funded by the US Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technology office. Continue reading »
Duluth, Minnesota, Publishes Its First Climate Action Work Plan
March 8, 2022 in Communities Author: Abby Finis
In February 2022, Duluth became the latest Minnesota city to implement a plan to address climate change. In response to the city’s climate emergency resolution, city staff worked with the Great Plains Institute and Common Spark Consulting to develop a Climate Action Work Plan. The City of Duluth Climate Action Work Plan 2022-2027 focuses on near-term mitigation and adaptation measures, building upon ongoing city and community efforts. Continue reading »
Midwestern Clean Fuels Policies: State of Play
March 1, 2022 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi
Legislative sessions are underway across the United States, and climate legislation is a hot topic of debate at the federal and state levels. The Midwest is no different. Several Midwestern states are considering clean fuels policies as a tool to meet emissions reduction goals while benefiting the economy. We put together an inventory highlighting the state of play of clean fuels policies in Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Michigan. Continue reading »
Launch Event: Atlas of Carbon and Hydrogen Hubs for US Decarbonization
February 22, 2022 in Carbon Management Authors: Emma Thomley, Grace Olson
The Great Plains Institute (GPI) held a virtual launch event to introduce its first-of-a-kind Atlas of Carbon and Hydrogen Hubs for United States Decarbonization on February 1, 2022. The Atlas is a novel resource, identifying 14 areas across the United States with the potential to become carbon and hydrogen hubs. Continue reading »
EPA’s Class VI Well Program Key to Deploying CO2 Geologic Storage
February 17, 2022 in Carbon Management Author: Patrice Lahlum
Commercial interest in carbon management technologies and projects is growing rapidly, with nearly 90 publicly announced projects throughout the United States. More than 70 percent of the announced projects intend to store captured carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground safely and permanently in saline geologic formations. As more projects ramp up, the need for expanded permitting capacity by federal and state authorities could dramatically increase. Continue reading »
Q&A: Lessons Learned from Federal Funding of Local Energy and Climate Solutions
February 8, 2022 in Communities Authors: Abby Finis, Jennifer Christensen
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 »
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 »
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