The signatory states of the CO2 Transport Infrastructure Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) have released a Regional Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Transport Infrastructure Action Plan which includes potential policies for states to consider to facilitate carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage project deployment. The MOU and Action Plan were developed as part of state engagement in the Regional Carbon Capture Deployment Initiative. Continue reading »
Today, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz directed state agencies to explore ways to reduce climate change impacts from transportation fuels in a way that is market-driven and fuel-neutral, according to a news release from the State of Minnesota. Led by the Minnesota departments of Agriculture and Transportation, the process will engage a broad cross-section of stakeholders statewide to identify shared goals and opportunities that will help to inform what a Clean Fuels Standard could look like in Minnesota. The agencies will provide a report summarizing the results and recommendations in February 2022, according to the release. Continue reading »
The site design of a solar project impacts whether a project will improve or negatively impact water quality. Yet solar developers regularly face inconsistent stormwater permitting requirements and standards that were not developed with solar in mind. This can lead to project delay, higher costs, and missed opportunities for environmental benefits. The Photovoltaic Stormwater Research and Testing (PV-SMaRT) project, funded by the US Department of Energy, was created to resolve these issues. Continue reading »
Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future! You have probably seen that headline before. The last decade has seen all-electric and plug-in hybrid EVs from many automakers become part of the mainstream market. One cannot help but wonder, where do medium- and heavy-duty EVs stand in the transition to electrification? That is the question this post aims to answer. Our second post will focus on the unique charging needs of medium- and heavy-duty EVs. Continue reading »
The Great Plains Institute hosted the third CO2NNECT Virtual webinar on September 14, Achieving Net-Zero by 2050: Critical Bipartisan Carbon Management Priorities in Congress. Continue reading »
Solar is a ubiquitous, economically-competitive energy resource across much of the United States. In communities with active solar development, there is often debate about how utility-scale solar might affect existing land uses or natural resources. GPI recently analyzed the potential land use impact of solar on agricultural communities in the continental US. Continue reading »
Statement from Rolf Nordstrom, President & CEO, Great Plains Institute
Today we learned that President Biden’s Administration has nominated Great Plains Institute’s Brad Crabtree as Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management within the Department of Energy. Brad has spent nearly two decades at GPI, working to build broad consensus around energy policies that meet our climate obligations and maintain a strong economy—and then see those policies enacted. He has played an outsized role in making carbon capture in all its forms part of the nation’s arsenal of emissions reductions strategies that also bring economic opportunity.
Photo courtesy of Jean Christoffels
Community-driven decision-making on land use is critical to the continued buildout of large-scale renewable energy. GPI recently piloted a process and design tool for communities to identify local solar development sites with multiple benefits. The pilot project involved residents of Murray County in southwest Minnesota who used community-informed geospatial analysis to help plan for solar development in the area. The project united community values like clean drinking water and agricultural preservation with future solar development. Continue reading »
In April, EVHybridNoire and the Great Plains Institute hosted “Drive the Future: Best Practices for Equitable Transportation Electrification in the Midcontinent,” a panel discussion with experts in the fields of e-mobility, equity, and workforce development training. Continue reading »
This blog was originally published by Forbes Business Council.
Most of us remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance each school day, ending with “and liberty and justice for all.” But what does justice mean in practice? What does it have to do with climate change? And why should business and the growing throng of people, institutions and governments pushing for a net-zero carbon economy care? Continue reading »
