Please join me in welcoming GPI’s newest staff person, Jill Rook, who will be working as a program assistant with the fossil energy team. Jill brings a great deal of experience, including a Master’s of Science in Science Technology and Environmental policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Continue reading »
Earlier this fall, the Great Plains Institute hosted our third annual Energy Innovation Celebration with a focus on “Solutions from the Ground Up.” Ahead of the big event, the Metro Clean Energy Resource Team, in collaboration with Drive Electric Minnesota, hosted a pre-workshop focused on electric vehicles (EVs). More importantly, the workshop invited conversations centered around collaboration among utilities, local governments, and corporations on how to increase EV adoption in Minnesota. While the workshop helped to confirm some things we already knew, it also brought forth new context from additional voices in the room. Continue reading »
As part of its September quarterly meeting, the Midcontinent Power Sector Collaborative (MPSC) had the unique opportunity to tour General Motors’ Battery Lab and learn about the power behind electric vehicles. Led by GM employee Douglas Drauch, the tour consisted of multiple stops including the Pack Lab, Cell & Module Lab, and Shaker Room. Continue reading »
Since its launch in 2014, Xcel Energy’s solar garden program in Minnesota has driven a growing conversation about solar energy options and opportunities, especially among local government staff and elected officials. Local governments are sought after as solar garden subscribers for their large and often stable electric loads, excellent credit scores, and interest in opportunities to reduce energy costs and meet public goals on clean energy. Continue reading »
The Great Plains Institute is excited to announce a one-day workshop to be held in Austin, Texas on December 11, 2017. “Powering the Plains and Beyond: Energy Policy in America’s Heartland” will bring together experts, state officials, and stakeholders from across the Plains and beyond to explore energy developments and trends in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) region. Continue reading »
The November GreenStep Cities workshop focused on energy and climate data and action planning. After introductions by Great Plains Institute’s Abby Finis, Brian Ross, and Becky Alexander of LHB, covered Tools and Best Practices for Local Energy Planning (11:04).Then Alexis Troschinetz of Clean Energy Resource Team shared insights on community led bulk buys and opportunities in her presentation, Saving Watts and Drops Bulk Buys (1:14:15). The workshop concluded with a discussion of solar financing, by Peter Lindstrom (1:36:00). Continue reading »
Last month, leaders from local governments, businesses, and other organizations came together at GPI’s third annual Energy Innovation Celebration to discuss energy and climate “Solutions from the Ground Up.” Continue reading »
October’s GreenStep Cities workshop focuses on waste management and reduction. The workshop began with introductions by Phillipp Muessig, GreenStep Cities, who then moved on to provide an overview of recent changes to best practice 22: Solid Waste Prevention and Reduction. Continue reading »
Autumn is quickly underway in Minnesota, which means it’s the perfect time to head north and witness the spectacular fall colors along the North Shore of Lake Superior. And now, thanks to the addition of DC Fast Chargers between the Twin Cities and Tettegouche State Park, drivers of all electric vehicles (EVs), even those with lower ranges, can enjoy a Fall road trip along Minnesota’s new electric highway. Continue reading »
GPI’s Diana McKeown, who directs the Metro region of Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resource Teams, interviews Ellen Anderson, Executive Director of the University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab, about an important new project to help communities reach and measure progress toward emission reduction goals. Continue reading »
