Electric vehicles (EVs) are an essential part of the effort to decarbonize the transportation sector by midcentury. Recently, a diverse coalition of stakeholders released analysis, findings, and recommendations on how to accelerate EV adoption in “A Road Map to Decarbonization in the Midcontinent: Transportation Electrification.” This post highlights the findings from the road map, which were developed to help inform decision-making by state and local leaders, policy makers and private sector actors. Continue reading »
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Aime Bita Shares Her Experience as a Capitol Pathways Intern
March 29, 2019 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Aime Bita
My name is Aime Bita, and I am the Capitol Pathways intern for the 2019 legislative session at the Great Plains Institute. As GPI’s Capitol Pathways intern I am working at the Minnesota State Capitol and at GPI’s office with a focus on transportation policy. This internship is a continuation of my interest in making a positive impact and pursuing new experiences. Continue reading »
GPI 20th Anniversary Leadership Interview Series: Vice President Lola Schoenrich, Communities
March 12, 2019 in Communities, News & Press Author: Gail Nosek
Over the last year, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) celebrated our 20th anniversary as an organization dedicated to transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. As GPI staff, partners, and supporters reflect on the progress we’ve made together and look ahead to future opportunities for even greater impact in 2019 and beyond, we’re sharing a Q&A series we’ve created with our CEO and program leadership team. Continue reading »
Treasury Action Needed on 45Q Carbon Capture Tax Credit Implementation
March 5, 2019 in Carbon Management Author: Patrice Lahlum
Proper implementation of the 45Q tax credit is crucial to realizing the significant carbon emission reduction, energy and industrial production, and job creation benefits that will come from economy-wide deployment of carbon capture technology. Congress enacted the reformed and strengthened 45Q tax credit—which is for the geologic storage and beneficial use of carbon captured from industrial facilities and power plants—more than a year ago as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.
e21 Forum Focuses on Integrated Systems Planning for a Decarbonized Electric System in Minnesota
March 4, 2019 in Energy Systems Authors: Jordana Palmer, Trevor Drake
Beginning in 2019, Minnesota’s three investor-owned utilities will file resource plans that will chart a path into a time period of significant change and opportunity. With nearly all the state’s power sector CO2 emissions coming from fossil-fuel plants that are retiring or potentially retiring in the next 20 years, the state has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a transformation towards decarbonized electricity generation. Continue reading »
How the 2019 Polar Vortex Helped Long-Term Renewable Energy Integration in the Midwest
March 1, 2019 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok
At the end of January, the polar vortex brought bitter cold temperatures to the Upper Midwest of the United States. Some parts of northern Minnesota hit -45°F temperatures with wind chills down to -65°F. The record-setting low temperatures and frigid wind chills posed a safety and reliability threat to the region’s people and infrastructure alike. Continue reading »
New Interactive Tool Helps St. Louis Park Visualize Solar Potential
February 28, 2019 in Communities, Reports & Whitepapers Author: Jessi Wyatt
The City of St. Louis Park in Minnesota passed an ambitious Climate Action Plan in 2018 which documented the city’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Within the plan, the city also details a goal to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and supply 10 percent of building electricity consumption with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) by the same year. Continue reading »
Get to Know Our New Director of Research, Dane McFarlane
February 27, 2019 in News & Press Author: Rolf Nordstrom
Credible research and analysis have always been fundamental to achieving GPI’s mission of transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. Yet while many know GPI as a convener and consensus-builder among diverse interests, we also have rigorous research and analysis capability in-house. Continue reading »
Minneapolis Funds Clean Energy Projects for Businesses with a Focus on Green Zones
February 20, 2019 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
A recent expansion of Minneapolis’ Green Cost Share Program to solar energy projects, with a priority placed on those in Green Zones, has led to significant investments in solar projects in the city that will contribute to increased economic development and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading »
Minnesota Releases a Vision for an Electric Vehicle Future
February 14, 2019 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Gail Nosek
The Great Plains Institute collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on the newly released vision for the future of electric vehicles in the state.
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