We are excited to announce an opportunity for you to invest in our work to transform the energy system this giving season.
Thanks to a generous $25,000 Challenge Match from Great River Energy, your gift to GPI today will be doubled!
The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.
Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.
New Series on Electric Vehicle Progress in the Central US – Part One: Utility Programs
November 7, 2018 in Transportation & Fuels Authors: Brendan Jordan, Charles Griffith, Nick Nigro
When we talk about the parts of the US that have most enthusiastically embraced electric vehicles (EVs), most experts will point to California, and for good reason. Nearly half of all the EVs on the road today are in California and nearly four out of every 100 cars that are sold in the state are EVs. Given the broad benefits of EVs, including lower emissions, lower fuel and maintenance costs, and a great consumer experience, it begs the question: Are there efforts to promote and expand EV adoption throughout the rest of the country? [hint: yes, as we’ll describe] Continue reading »
Dedicated City Staff Crucial to Setting and Implementing Energy Goals
November 6, 2018 in Communities Author: Jenna Greene
Sustainability issues such as energy, water quality, and climate mitigation and resiliency are becoming increasingly important to cities in Minnesota and across the country. At the same time, it is challenging for city staff to focus on improving citywide sustainability given the daily needs and priorities of government service delivery and operations. Continue reading »
The Great Plains Institute Earns Gold Seal of Transparency
October 30, 2018 in News & Press Author: Rolf Nordstrom
I am pleased to share that the Great Plains Institute (GPI) has achieved the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar!
Earning the Gold Seal places GPI in the top 0.5 percent of the 2.7 million organizations listed on GuideStar’s site, the largest source of information on nonprofits in the world.
Continue reading »
Best Public Affairs Campaign Award Goes to Carbon Capture Coalition and RENEWPR
October 29, 2018 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Gail Nosek
I am thrilled to share that the Carbon Capture Coalition, along with its communications partner RENEWPR, received the inaugural Best Public Affairs Campaign Award from the Cleanie Awards. The award recognizes the Coalition’s collaborative effort to garner support for the reform of the federal 45Q tax credit for carbon capture technology development and deployment, which was signed into law earlier this year.
GPI Welcomes Jenna Greene to Communities Program
October 28, 2018 in Communities Author: Lola Schoenrich
I am excited to welcome Jenna Greene to GPI’s Communities Program. Jenna joins us as a program assistant working on GPI’s efforts to expand solar deployment, increase energy efficiency and solar deployment opportunities for small businesses, and support community energy and climate planning. Continue reading »
GPI Welcomes Jordana Palmer to Electricity Program
October 26, 2018 in News & Press Author: Trevor Drake
We are thrilled to welcome Jordana Palmer to GPI’s Electricity Program. Jordana joins us as a program assistant working to support our convenings around utility business model and regulatory innovation, as well as efforts to better engage small businesses in demand side energy programs. Continue reading »
Planning Tools Boost Cities’ Capacity to Tackle Emissions Reduction & Energy Savings Goals in Minnesota
October 19, 2018 in Communities Author: Abby Finis
Tracking greenhouse gas emissions, understanding where emissions come from, and determining strategies to reduce them are all relatively new concepts for cities. Continue reading »
GPI hosts GreenCorps member to work on electric vehicle readiness in Minnesota communities
October 17, 2018 in News & Press Author: Katelyn Bocklund
We are fortunate to serve as a Minnesota GreenCorps host site for another year and to welcome Joe Cella, who is now serving as GPI’s GreenCorps member. Continue reading »
GreenStep Cities October Workshop: Climate Smart Municipalities
October 10, 2018 in Communities Author: Abby Finis
GreenStep Cities hosted a workshop on Climate Smart Municipalities with presenters from both Minnesota and Germany. For the past three years, five Minnesota GreenStep Cities communities have partnered with five communities from the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia to advance climate action. At this October workshop, presenters discussed this partnership and innovative electric vehicle practices in both states. Continue reading »
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