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The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.

Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.

Bringing National Solar Resources to Midwest Communities

September 27, 2016 in Communities Author: Brian Ross

The Great Plains Institute is working in partnership with the SolSmart national team to get local governments across four Midwestern states certified as “solar-ready.”

SolSmart is a new national designation program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative through the Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) initiative, designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and foster the growth of mature local solar markets. Continue reading »

Klimaschutz Part II: Doing Is Believing

September 27, 2016 in Communities Author: Abby Finis

Part II of our Klimaschutz series will summarize and highlight key achievements in each of the cities and major takeaways from the trip. 

I want to point out an added value gained from this effort beyond learning from our German partners, and that is how much was learned from each other. For the Minnesota participants, the time we had together to talk through issues and think about how we can solve them within our own political reality was an incredibly important aspect of this partnership, and will be extremely valuable as these cities work together to lead Minnesota in its effort to minimize our impact on a changing climate. Continue reading »

Stakeholder-Driven Process Results in Minnesota Energy Action Plan

September 26, 2016 in Energy Systems Author: Amanda Bilek

October is National Energy Action Month and the MN Department of Commerce will be hosting a webinar to provide an overview of Minnesota’s 2025 Energy Action Plan.

The MN 2025 Energy Action Plan lays out a path for Minnesota to help advance a clean, reliable, resilient, and affordable energy system. The Plan contains strategies, technologies, and opportunities that can be advanced to strengthen Minnesota’s clean energy leadership. Continue reading »

Preview of the 2016 Energy Innovation Celebration

September 26, 2016 in Carbon Management Author: Amanda Dutcher

Over the last two decades, GPI has been successful in tackling complex energy challenges because we know how to bring people together to work toward building a Better Energy future.

Over time, we’ve come to call many of these people – and those who support our work – partners, colleagues, and friends. In other words, this is our Better Energy Community. Last year, we launched the Energy Innovation Celebration as an annual gathering of this community and an opportunity to celebrate positive change on energy and climate. Continue reading »

Illinois Solar Toolkit

August 22, 2016 in Communities Author: Brian Ross
As part of the Grow Solar Partnership, toolkits have been assembled to equip local governments in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois with information regarding solar development as it relates to planning, zoning, and permitting. 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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