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Why Large Competitive Electricity Markets Benefit Wind Energy

April 22, 2017 in Energy Systems Author: Steve Dahlke

On April 1, 2005, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) launched a wholesale energy market and began centrally dispatching power generation throughout the central United States. One result from this market reform was the reduction of wind energy curtailments. In fact, our recent analysis indicates wind capacity factors on the MISO system increased about 5-7% after the market launch. For a large 100 MW wind plant, a 5-7% increase is equivalent to about an extra $2 million in revenue per year at typical prices. Continue reading »

President and Congress to Include Carbon Capture Projects & Pipelines in National Infrastructure Plan

April 20, 2017 in Carbon Management, Reports & Whitepapers

Capitol Graphic

Today, companies and organizations that the Great Plains Institute works with jointly released a list of carbon capture projects and CO2 pipelines in a broader national infrastructure initiative and portfolio of projects, together with extension and reform of the Section 45Q tax credit and adoption of tax-exempt private activity bonds and other financial incentives to support carbon capture deployment. Continue reading »

Charging Up the Midwest

March 29, 2017 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn Bocklund

EV Vehicle Graphic

It’s no lie that electric vehicles (EVs) have taken off along the east and west coasts, especially in California. However, EV adoption in other parts of the country is happening at a slower pace. This includes the Midwest, which is home to roughly one-fifth of the population of the United States. An increase in EV deployment in Midwest has the potential to significantly reduce national transportation emissions, in addition to increasing opportunities for more Midwestern consumers to realize the many benefits of driving an electric vehicle. Continue reading »

Dutcher to Lead GPI Development Efforts

March 14, 2017 in News & Press Author: Rolf Nordstrom

Amanda Dutcher

Over our nearly twenty year history, the Great Plains Institute has been extremely fortunate to be supported by a diverse group of philanthropic foundations—which today provide some 95% of GPI’s revenue—along with a small but growing group of committed individuals and institutions who believe in GPI’s nonpartisan, consensus-based approach to crafting effective, broadly-shared energy and climate solutions: now more urgent than ever. Continue reading »

Report Documents First-Ever Collaborative Procurement of Solar Garden Subscriptions by Group of Local Governments

March 13, 2017 in Communities Author: Trevor Drake

Community solar programs are gaining increasing interest from electric utility customers across the nation. Unlike individual solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, community shared solar systems, also known as Solar Gardens, create an opportunity for multiple individuals and organizations to receive the benefit of a larger solar installation without requiring it to be located on-site. For local government entities, these benefits include supporting clean energy and its positive local economic impacts, saving on energy bills for public facilities, and hedging against the future price volatility of electricity. Continue reading »

Analysis: Electric Vehicles Pay Their Fair Share in State Taxes

March 9, 2017 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Dane McFarlane

Recent tax policy analysis by the Great Plains Institute (GPI) for Drive Electric Minnesota found that electric cars pay just as much or more taxes as comparable gasoline vehicles. Like most other states, Minnesota uses a tax on the sale of gasoline and other motor fuel to pay for transportation infrastructure like highways and bridges, among other uses. Continue reading »

21st Century Energy Infrastructure: Policy Recommendations for Development of American CO2 Pipeline Networks

February 22, 2017 in Carbon Management, Reports & Whitepapers

21st Century Energy Infrastructure Cover

The State CO2-EOR Deployment Work Group recommends that President Trump and Congress incorporate the development of long-distance, large-volume carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines as a priority component of a broader national infrastructure agenda. The state officials, industry leaders and other experts in the Work Group launched their work in 2015 with the development and deployment of carbon capture and CO2 pipeline infrastructure as a top priority. Thus, Work Group members and participating states support the Administration and Congress’ new focus on our nations’ infrastructure, and they would welcome the opportunity to be partners in this effort. Continue reading »

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