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 »
The medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) market is growing. However, mass electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles will require charging infrastructure and standards tailored to meet their high energy needs. Leaders have an opportunity to increase electrification of these vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by closing this infrastructure gap. Continue reading »
Photo Courtesy of Jessi Wyatt
Residents of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, know firsthand the urgency of addressing climate change. The city, Iowa’s second largest and located along the Cedar River, has experienced several major flooding events in recent years. Now the city is home to an ambitious plan to address climate change.
Colorado is solidifying a commitment to reduce emissions made in the state’s latest Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap by developing and implementing strategies to reach net zero. The state’s ambitious and binding goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at least 26 percent by 2025, 50 percent by 2030, and 90 percent by 2050, all below its 2005 levels, require comprehensive climate action, including strategies to decarbonize its industrial sector. To help achieve its goal, Colorado created a diverse CCUS Task Force (CCUS stands for carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration) to research CCUS, engage community members, and provide recommendations to state policy makers. Continue reading »
We recently reached out to Sam Wade, the director of public policy at The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, to learn more about the opportunities and challenges associated with renewable natural gas (RNG) from anaerobic digestion.
Five new case studies published by the Great Plains Institute demonstrate how various clean fuel sectors could benefit financially from implementing a Midwestern clean fuels policy, such as the Future Fuels Act proposed in Minnesota.
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 »
