The e21 Initiative developed its phase I report on a consensus basis; the ideas and recommendations in in the report were intended as a cohesive package to be taken together and supported as a whole by the e21 stakeholders. Consensus did not mean that each participant is equally enthusiastic about every idea, and, importantly, consensus did not require participants to give up their right to object to future implementation details. Continue reading »
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Minnesota Solar Pathways Grant to Advance Solar Energy Progress
December 6, 2016 in Communities, Energy Systems Author: Brian Ross
The Minnesota Department of Commerce has been awarded a $2 million grant that will help realize Minnesota’s goal of generating 10 percent of its electricity from the sun by 2030. Continue reading »
The Time is Now for Carbon Capture Incentives
December 4, 2016 in Carbon Management Author: Brad Crabtree
*The post originally appeared in the Grand Forks Herald as an opinion piece.
Our region’s coal and electric power industry stands at a crossroads. Low-cost natural gas, declining costs of renewable energy, and shifts in consumer and industry preferences toward lower emission technologies are transforming our energy economy. Fossil fuels contribute to energy security, affordability and reliability. Thanks to technology, they can also play an important role in a low-carbon energy future. Continue reading »
Press Release: 14-State Work Group Releases Federal and State Recommendations on Carbon Capture
December 2, 2016 in Carbon Management, News & Press
MINNEAPOLIS – Wyoming Governor Matt Mead and Montana Governor Steve Bullock, along with colleagues and officials in 12 other states, released a new report today outlining growing opportunities for capturing carbon dioxide for use in enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) with geologic storage. Continue reading »
What do Sweden, the U.S., Brazil & India All Have in Common?
December 2, 2016 in News & Press Author: Rolf Nordstrom
So back in June I get this email out of the blue from a very gracious woman at the Swedish Embassy inviting me to be part of a U.S.-Brazil-India delegation to Sweden. All I need to do is get myself there and back. Continue reading »
GPI Awarded 4-star Rating from Charity Navigator
November 30, 2016 in News & Press Author: Eric Schroeder
We’re proud to share that the Great Plains Institute earned a 4-star rating – the highest rating possible – from America’s premier independent charity evaluator, Charity Navigator. Continue reading »
Making Lemonade from VW’s Diesel Emissions Lawsuit
November 22, 2016 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
Volkswagen (VW) and the US Justice Department signed a historic agreement last week to settle the lawsuit over its emissions cheating scandal. VW will pay more than $15 billion to make things right. In a twist of fate – a lawsuit over diesel engines may end up being a catalytic event in moving towards a much lower emission transportation system. Continue reading »
Community Efforts in the Spotlight at Metro CERT 2016 Annual Event
November 11, 2016 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
*This post originally appeared on the Clean Energy Resource Teams website here.
An energy-efficient venue: Elise Amel, psychology professor welcomed attendees to the Anderson Student Center, the first LEED certified project on the St. Thomas campus. Continue reading »
Greenway Office Building in Minneapolis Adds Solar Electric System Using PACE Financing
November 7, 2016 in Communities, Energy Systems Author: Diana McKeown
*This post originally appeared on the Clean Energy Resource Teams website here. To learn more about Metro CERT, please visit GPI’s Metro CERT project page here.*
Built in 1999, the Greenway Office Building (GPI is a key building tenant) includes solar PV, geothermal heating and cooling, and a green roof. Constructed to many of the design points of LEED (Leadership Energy Efficient Design) this ENERGY STAR building hosts many nonprofit and for-profit tenants working toward better housing and a more energy independent future. Wellington Management recently utilized PACE financing to replace the building’s aging solar PV array. Continue reading »
Deciding Whether to Cover New Units under the Clean Power Plan
October 26, 2016 in Reports & Whitepapers
States that decide to pursue a mass-based trading approach to meet federal Clean Power Plan (CPP) requirements have the option of covering new electric generating units in addition to existing units. States that choose to cover new units will receive what EPA calls the “new source complement,” which consists of additional allowances added to the state’s mass-based emissions goal. Continue reading »
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