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 »
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.
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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.
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 »
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 »
Tracking greenhouse gas emissions, understanding where emissions come from, and determining strategies to reduce them are all relatively new concepts for cities. Continue reading »
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 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 »
In September 2018, award-winning former WCCO-TV anchor Don Shelby and Minnesota Public Radio’s Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner were the featured speakers at a private event in support of the Great Plains Institute (GPI). The September 26 fundraiser was held at the home of GPI board member Amy Skoczlas Cole and her husband Jason Cole in Deephaven, Minnesota and brought together friends and colleagues to learn more about how GPI is transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. Continue reading »
There’s growing global recognition that technologies which capture carbon, and in some cases remove it from the atmosphere, will be vital to achieving a decarbonized economy. There is also increasing interest in these technologies given their potential economic value since carbon can be used to develop products through beneficial use or conversion. Continue reading »
