Great Plains Institute launches “solar+EV” market transformation initiative as part of national effort to capture renewable energy opportunities. Continue reading »
The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.
Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.
Capitol Pathways Intern at GPI
April 9, 2018 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Gail Nosek
The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is thrilled to again serve as a host organization for the Capitol Pathways internship program. Organized by the Citizens League, the program “opens access to the Minnesota Capitol to the next generation of leaders of color.” The long-term goal is to make government truly representative of the communities it serves. Continue reading »
How to Set Renewable Electricity Goals that Align with Community Priorities
March 27, 2018 in Communities Author: Abby Finis
Communities can forge their own path to achieve a broad range of benefits from renewable electricity and efficiency by setting clear goals at the outset. Across the country cities are setting 100 percent renewable electricity goals. Is that the right goal for every community? It depends. For some communities, setting such a renewable electricity goal may be at odds with what a community actually wants to achieve. Continue reading »
Welcome to GPI’s new and improved website!
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of our work or only know a little about GPI, we hope you enjoy our new look and more user-friendly design. Continue reading »
The March GreenStep Cities workshop focused on invasive species and kicked off with introductions from Kristin Mroz (EQB), followed by an overview of terrestrial invasive species by Angie Ambourn of MDA (2:15). Next, Michael Orange (Orange Environmental, LLC) discussed management plans for Emerald Ash Borer, particularly the strategy of “Save the Best, Replace the Rest.” (34:35) After some time for questions, Tina Wolbers’ (DNR) talked about Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and DNR AIS Prevention Planners & Local AIS Plan Framework. Finally, Kristin Mroz (EQB) touched on helpful resources related to invasive species. Continue reading »
It’s Time for Long-Term Planning for North Dakota’s Legacy Fund
March 19, 2018 in Carbon Management Author: Patrice Lahlum
A handful of North Dakota state legislators recently put forth a proposal to tap into the principal of the state’s constitutionally-established Legacy Fund to establish a loan program for infrastructure projects. The plan is expected to come before the 2019 State Legislature and will likely be one of many ideas and proposals that surface in the coming months which aim to utilize either the earnings or a portion of the principal of the Fund. Continue reading »
Improving Standby Rate Design Would Help Industries Increase Efficiency, Reduce Emissions, and Save Money
March 13, 2018 in Energy Systems Authors: Anna Dirkswager, Jamie Scripps
What is Combined Heat and Power?
Combined heat and power (CHP) is a system that not only generates electricity, but also harnesses the thermal energy from power generation for heating and cooling applications (typically burning natural gas for electricity and capturing the exhaust for steam heat). By combining these two processes, some CHP systems can achieve thermal efficiencies of 60-80 percent, which is up to twice the efficiency of traditional power generation. Continue reading »
As part of the Grow Solar Partnership, toolkits have been assembled to equip local governments in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois with information regarding solar development as it relates to planning, zoning, and permitting. The toolkits were created in 2016, then model ordinances are being updated in 2020 to reflect new best practices and lessons learned since 2016. Minnesota and Iowa are updated and Illinois and Wisconsin are in process, with ordinance for Indiana and Michigan under development. The purpose of these toolkits is to provide resources that will assist communities in addressing barriers to solar energy installations in a manner tailored to each community’s needs. Continue reading »
Three Things to Know About Changes to the 45Q Tax Credit for Carbon Capture and Storage Projects
March 5, 2018 in Carbon Management Author: Jennifer Christensen
As part of the recent budget bill, Congress passed legislation to expand and reform a key tax credit called 45Q for deployment of carbon capture and storage projects in the United States. Continue reading »
Before & After: How the FUTURE Act Reformed the 45Q Carbon Capture and Storage Tax Credit
March 5, 2018 in Carbon Management Author: Jennifer Christensen
As part of a larger budget bill earlier this year, Congress passed legislation to expand and reform a key tax credit called 45Q for deployment of carbon capture and storage projects in the United States. The legislation, introduced in 2017 as the FUTURE Act, received broad bipartisan support in Congress and was supported by state leaders and by an unprecedented coalition called the Carbon Capture Coalition. Continue reading »
Our Newsletter
Sign Up for Better Energy Community News
Sign up to receive the latest news and announcements from the Great Plains Institute.
