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 »
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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 »
Minnesota Cities Charging Ahead Around Electric Vehicles
February 20, 2018 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
There has been a growing interest from cities in Minnesota to explore options for adding electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure in their communities. Continue reading »
St. Louis Park Climate Action Plan: City Lays Out Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality by 2040
February 16, 2018 in Communities Author: Abby Finis
With the adoption of the St. Louis Park Climate Action Plan in early February, the Minnesota city became a leading example of a community moving from setting ambitious energy and carbon emission goals to laying out a roadmap for implementation. Continue reading »
Broad Coalition, Bipartisan Leadership Key to Passage of Landmark Carbon Capture Legislation
February 15, 2018 in Carbon Management Author: Brad Crabtree
The wide-ranging budget bill passed by Congress and signed by the President includes the FUTURE Act; legislation introduced last year in the U.S. Senate to reform the federal Section 45Q tax credit for capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from power plants and industrial facilities. Continue reading »
Cummins Global Energy Ventures Director Joins GPI Board of Directors
February 15, 2018 in News & Press Author: Rolf Nordstrom
Satish Jayaram, director of Cummins Global Energy Ventures, has joined the Great Plains Institute’s (GPI’s) board of directors. Continue reading »
Great River Energy VP Joins Great Plains Institute Board
February 14, 2018 in News & Press Author: Rolf Nordstrom
Priti Patel, Great River Energy’s vice president and chief transmission officer, has joined the Great Plains Institute’s (GPI’s) board of directors. Continue reading »
Press Release: Major Win for the Economy, Jobs, and the Environment Within New Federal Budget Bill
February 12, 2018 in News & Press Author: Gail Nosek
Great Plains Institute co-convened coalition of industry, labor, and environmental interests which boosted support for the FUTURE Act. Continue reading »
Governors Urge Congress to Enact Federal Financial Incentives for Carbon Capture
February 7, 2018 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Jennifer Christensen
A bipartisan group of six governors wrote to U.S. Senate and House leadership urging them to enact federal financial incentives for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from power plants and industrial facilities and policies to develop and finance CO2 pipeline infrastructure. Continue reading »
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