The US Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced two awardees for managing an expansion of the SolSmart program over five years to “increase solar deployment and expand access to clean energy.” The $10 million dollar award is shared by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the International City/County Management Association. Continue reading »
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Q&A: Abby Finis Reflects on Local Climate Action Planning Progress
May 26, 2022 in Communities Author: Jennifer Christensen
Abby Finis has been a recognized leader in local climate action and renewable energy development in the Midwest. In her recent years at GPI, she worked with cities like Saint Paul, Duluth, and Red Wing in Minnesota and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to develop local climate action plans. And she’s developed an innovative approach that focuses on near-term action through Climate Action Work Plans. Continue reading »
PV-SMaRT Demonstrates Stormwater Benefits of Solar: Plains, GA
April 27, 2022 in Communities Author: Rebecca Heisel
Photo courtesy of Jill Stuckey
The second 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 »
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 »
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 »
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