Blog

The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.

Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.

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.

Continue reading »

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

Matt Fry

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 »

Ethanol Producers, Advocates Aim for Net-Zero Ethanol by 2050

December 13, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Susanne Retka Schill

Aerial view of a manufacturing plant

As US and world leaders engage on climate change and carbon reduction efforts, leaders in the American ethanol industry have announced pledges and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The country’s largest ethanol producer, POET LLC, and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), representing another large portion of the industry, have separately pledged GHG reductions of 70 percent within a decade and goals of net neutrality by 2050. The American Coalition for Ethanol also supports state and federal policies that aid in ethanol reaching net neutrality by midcentury. Continue reading »

Coalition Releases Midwestern Framework for Electric Vehicle Credit Generation in Clean Fuels Policies

December 7, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Carolyn Berninger

Electric vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and reduce fuel and maintenance costs compared to conventional vehicles. Despite these benefits, the percentage of electric vehicles on roads in the Midwest is still relatively low. Clean fuels policies can spur electric vehicle deployment, as demonstrated in A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest: A White Paper from the Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative, which was published last year. Continue reading »

Electric Vehicle Programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

December 6, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: M. Moaz Uddin

Closeup of seats in a legislative body

In November, President Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the single largest infrastructure investment in American history. The bill includes significant funding at the federal and state levels for electric vehicles (EVs) and the infrastructure needed to support EV deployment. As state and local governments look to increase transportation electrification, this bill provides investment in several critical areas for deployment. Continue reading »

Hybrid Resources One Step Closer to MISO Market Participation

December 2, 2021 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok

Wind turbine sunset with an overlay of solar panels in the foreground

New electricity market rule changes will help hybrid resource projects advance in the Midcontinent region. The changes provide methods to determine hybrid resources’ capacity value, a vital metric for maintaining the reliability of the region’s electric grid. Since hybrid resources can combine multiple electricity generation technologies and storage devices, they are an important opportunity to increase carbon-free energy in the region. Continue reading »

Our Newsletter

Sign Up for Better Energy Community News

Sign up to receive the latest news and announcements from the Great Plains Institute.