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Innovation, Collaboration Lead to First-Ever Commercial Flight Using Low-Carbon Fuel Produced from Captured Waste Gas

January 8, 2019 in Carbon Management, Transportation & Fuels Author: Jennifer Christensen
the tail of a Virgin Atlantic Aircraft

Manchester, United kingdom – August 30, 2015: Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 747-443 cn 30885-1268 G-VROS moment after take off from Manchester Airport.

The power of innovation and collaboration was on full display as the first-ever transatlantic, commercial flight using fuel produced from waste gases captured at a steel plant flew from Orlando, FL to London’s Gatwick airport last fall. The flight was the result of a collaboration between Virgin Atlantic and LanzaTech, with support from their partner Boeing. Continue reading »

GPI 20th Anniversary Leadership Interview Series: President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom

December 28, 2018 in Carbon Management Authors: Jennifer Christensen, Rolf Nordstrom

Rolf Nordstrom

Over the last year, 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.

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Top Ten Stories of 2018

December 27, 2018 in News & Press Author: Jennifer Christensen

A view of the US Capitol

Over the past year, we’ve shared stories, news, and publications on that make progress toward our mission of transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and are grateful for our donors, partners, and collaborators who enable us to make an even greater impact.

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2019 EV Summit: Electrifying Transportation in the Midcontinent

December 19, 2018 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Authors: Brendan Jordan, Jill Syvrud

Chicago, over the lake

Electric vehicles (EVs) are an essential part of the effort to decarbonize the transportation sector—and the energy system as a whole—by midcentury. When combined with a decarbonized electricity sector, EVs can contribute to rapid decarbonization of transportation while bringing many other economic and public health benefits.

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Opportunities to Increase Small Business Engagement on Energy

December 11, 2018 in Communities, Energy Systems Authors: Jordana Palmer, Matt Kazinka, Trevor Drake

A woman demonstrating higher efficiency dishwashing in a retaurant

In 2014, we wrote about “A New Approach to Small Business Energy Efficiency,” in which we described the unique barriers—time, knowledge, and trust—that small businesses face in identifying and enacting energy efficiency improvements. We proposed that the best solution may not be a technological one, but a social one—partnering with individuals who have existing relationships with small businesses in their community and training them as “energy coaches” who can provide the commitment, information, and trust that resource-limited business owners require. Continue reading »

Powering the Future in Rural Minnesota: Assessing Views of Solar Energy as a Local Resource

December 7, 2018 in Communities Authors: Brian Ross, Jenna Greene

a rural road

Like many parts of the US, communities in rural Minnesota are experiencing growing interest among residents and businesses in development of an untapped, local economic resource: solar energy. To help communities understand and plan for development of solar resources, the Great Plains Institute has engaged local leaders to identify key gaps in information, challenges, and opportunities associated with such development. Continue reading »

Cities Need Forecasted Data to Make Impactful Emissions Reductions

December 6, 2018 in Communities Author: Abby Finis

A view of the city of St. Paul

Cities have a greater ability than they realize to bend the emissions curve toward a low-carbon future. From zoning, to line-items in the city budget, to projects included in a capital improvement program; there are touchpoints in the regulatory, policy, and planning authority of local governments that can be leveraged to ­influence carbon emissions within their jurisdictions. Continue reading »

Event: Looking Ahead – Big Challenges in 2019, an Expert Stakeholder Workshop for States & Stakeholders in the PJM Region

December 5, 2018 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Jennifer Christensen

A view of the US Capitol

The Great Plains Institute and Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions hosted an expert workshop in Washington, D.C. for state officials and stakeholders exploring recent energy and environmental policy developments in the PJM region and the potential challenges in 2019. You can view the full event video below.

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Enabling Local Action on Energy Goals through Engagement on State Policy

November 29, 2018 in Communities Author: Jenna Greene

The Minnesota state capitolLocal governments of all sizes are setting energy goals across Minnesota. They see the rapid advancements in technology and the economic benefits that come with renewable energy and electrification of transportation. Yet when it comes to implementation, communities regularly face barriers to enact the programs and projects that will help them achieve their goals. Continue reading »

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