The Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota, facilitated by the Great Plains Institute, and the Natural Resources Research Institute are partnering to raise the profile of biochar in Minnesota. At its upcoming member meeting on November 23, 12:00-2:00 p.m. central, the Bioeconomy Coalition will feature a “Biochar in Minnesota Roundtable” with a panel of experts to talk about the opportunities and limitations of commercializing biochar in Minnesota. Continue reading »
As part of the Great Plains Institute’s work to develop a Midwestern clean fuels policy, we are hosting webinars that focus on clean fuels on the market today and how those industries could benefit from a regional policy. The first two webinars, available to watch below, brought together leading experts to discuss electricity for electric vehicles (EVs) and how a clean fuels policy could drive transportation electrification in the Midwest. Our speakers covered existing clean fuels policies, how the EV industry has benefited from those policies, and how a Midwestern policy would support adoption of EVs for different use cases. Continue reading »
A new state-level analysis shows that retrofitting existing facilities with carbon capture and deploying carbon dioxide (CO2) transport infrastructure can deliver jobs and economic benefits while reducing emissions across industries. The Great Plains Institute recently commissioned Rhodium Group to conduct an independent, state-by-state analysis exploring the economic benefits of carbon capture deployment opportunities in the US. GPI identified the facilities examined in this analysis as carbon capture retrofit projects with near- to medium-term feasibility. Continue reading »
GPI is pleased to announce that Dr. Deidre Sanders will join our board of directors in October 2020. Dr. Sanders brings more than 20 years of experience in energy policy related to environmental justice, equity, and climate change. Continue reading »
The Sustainable States Network has a brand-new online presence to showcase its growing impact on sustainability and clean energy at the local and state levels, and across an increasing footprint in the US. The new website, SustainableStates.net, provides information about the network, specific state programs, and how large, medium, and small local governments are putting sustainability on the local policy agenda and taking action on thousands of clean energy goals. Continue reading »
As most things in 2020, the Metro Clean Energy Resource Team (CERT) at the Great Plains Institute made our 13th Annual Resource and Networking Event virtual, minus the networking part. We rescheduled the event from April 30 to October 1, hoping we would be able to meet in person by the fall. Of course, that was not in the cards. We shifted the topic of the event from electrification to rebuilding efforts in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd while in police custody on May 23.
A new report lays out how Minnesota can link solar power with electric vehicle (EV) charging and enable the state to maximize both technologies’ broad benefits. Leading a project team that included utilities, EV and solar industries, local governments, state agencies, and clean energy advocates, the Great Plains Institute developed the report on capturing the synergies that can be realized through solar plus EV applications. The report presents the detailed case for solar plus EV synergies, the barriers and opportunities for capturing them, and the needed next steps for a market transformation effort.
The Great Plains Institute works with local governments across the Midwest, and nationally, to help communities prepare for utility-scale renewable energy development. We’ve partnered with counties to host workshops across the Midwest and developed several guides tailored to states in the region. Through these conversations with local government staff, elected officials, and community members, we heard about similar concerns and the need for more information on specific topics related to utility-scale solar and wind siting. Continue reading »
In September, the Great Plains Institute and World Resources Institute held a virtual Capitol Hill briefing to hear how Congress can spur economic activity in the US industrial sector, helping to create and maintain jobs in the near term, while putting American industry on a long-term path to deep emissions reductions, high-wage job retention and creation, technology leadership, and economic competitiveness.
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Dear Better Energy Community,
While so much is uncertain in our country right now, I am sure of one thing; Midwestern and Gulf Coast states are essential to the economic recovery in the US.
The recovery is even more challenging with an already devastating hurricane season on the Gulf Coast, destructive wind storms in Iowa, and wildfires in the west. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by these disasters. It has added even more urgency to our already urgent work.
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