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Leaders Discuss Scaling Net-Zero Infrastructure at CO2NNECT Virtual

April 27, 2021 in Carbon Management Author: Jill Syvrud

c02nnect

Great Plains Institute hosted the second CO2NNECT virtual event, Scaling Net-Zero Infrastructure: The Climate, Jobs, and Investment Benefits of Deploying CO2 Transport and Storage,” on April 20, 2021.

This virtual event highlighted the essential importance of carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage infrastructure in achieving global net-zero emissions and meeting midcentury climate goals, while sustaining and growing a high-wage energy, industrial, and manufacturing jobs base. Continue reading »

GPI Releases Statement on US Carbon Emissions Reduction Target

April 22, 2021 in News & Press Author: Rebecca Lentz

carbon emissions

MINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute released the following statement today, which can be attributed to GPI President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom, on the newly announced target to cut US carbon emissions in half by 2030:

“The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today is higher than ever in human history, making it all the more urgent for nations of the world to act with urgency to usher in a prosperous net-zero carbon economy that benefits all. More and more people, businesses, cities, states, and countries that account for 70 percent of global GDP, know we must cut emissions in half by the end of the decade if there is any hope of protecting both our environment and economy. Continue reading »

Carbon Capture Potential Spans US

April 21, 2021 in Carbon Management Authors: Elizabeth Abramson, Patrice Lahlum

Map showing geologic storage potential across the US

Capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential to achieving a clean energy, net-zero carbon future. And reimagining the alignment of industry and infrastructure presents exciting opportunities for states and regions across the country. Deploying CO2 transport and storage infrastructure will enable key sectors of our economy to dramatically reduce their carbon emissions while sustaining and growing domestic industry, manufacturing, and energy production and the high-wage American jobs they support.  Continue reading »

Stakeholder Group Report Recommends Key Steps for Modernizing Maine’s Electric Grid

April 14, 2021 in Energy Systems, News & Press Author: Trevor Drake

solar panel

Stakeholder Group Report Recommends Key Steps for Modernizing Maine’s Electric Grid  

For Immediate Release: April 14, 2021 

Media Contacts:
Jeremy Cluchey, [email protected], 207-233–2795
Rebecca Lentz, [email protected], 612-978-2849 

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — A stakeholder group representing environmental nonprofits, renewable energy developers, electric utilities, consumer advocates, and other energy sector stakeholders has issued a set of nine consensus-based recommendations for steps to plan, build, and operate the electric grid that is needed to meet Maine’s recently established climate and energy requirements.  Continue reading »

Game-Changing SCALE Act Could Enable Carbon Capture Infrastructure Needed for Net-Zero Goals

April 14, 2021 in Carbon Management Authors: Elizabeth Abramson, Jennifer Christensen

Bipartisan legislation re-introduced on March 17 could provide game-changing support for carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage infrastructure that will be essential to reaching midcentury climate goals. The Storing CO2 and Lowering Emissions Act (SCALE Act), re-introduced in both chambers and led by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in the Senate and Representatives Marc Veasey (D-TX) and David McKinley (R-WV) in the House would enable CO2 transport and storage infrastructure required to scale up carbon capture, removal, use, and storage across domestic industries, including those that are difficult to decarbonize. Continue reading »

Q&A on Best Practices for Standby Rates for Combined Heat and Power

April 5, 2021 in Energy Systems, Reports & Whitepapers Authors: Carl Linvill, Jamie Scripps, Lola Schoenrich

combined heat and power

Great Plains Institute is excited to publish a new white paper, Best Practices for Standby Rates for Combined Heat and Power (CHP), prepared for GPI by Jamie Scripps of Hunterston Consulting. This paper is a culmination of a years-long collaboration with Jamie and other partners to address barriers to deployment of CHP systems in the Midwest—including the design of standby rates, which are monthly charges to customers with on-site distributed generation like CHP systems. We are grateful for the thoughtful contributions of Carl Linvill of the Regulatory Assistance Project in advising on the starting point for this research, and for his review of the final product. Continue reading »

Future Fuels Act Receives First Hearing in Minnesota

March 17, 2021 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

fuel truck

Last week, the bipartisan and bicameral Future Fuels Act was introduced in the Minnesota State Legislature, authored by Minnesota House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Todd Lippert (DFL) and Senate Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee Chairman David Senjem (R). The House bill had its first hearing in the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee, marking the first time a clean fuels policy received a legislative hearing in the Midwest.

Continue reading »

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