Although the regular session for the Minnesota legislature concluded on May 23, we are still waiting to see if legislative leaders can come to agreement on a special session to address unfinished issues from the regular session: investments for public works projects and transportation. However, a few days after the end of regular session, Governor Mark Dayton signed the supplemental budget bill. Continue reading »
The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.
Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.
EIA Outlook Study Shows Jump in Expected Renewables Development
June 9, 2016 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok
On June 2, 2016, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released a preview of its Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) report for 2016, highlighting a marked increase in its projection of wind and solar generation capacity over the coming decades. Continue reading »
When I applied to the Capitol Pathways Program, I was looking for an opportunity to experience public policy and learn if it was a good career choice for me. I was given the opportunity to select a specific sector in the application process; I chose sustainability and environmental issues as a top choice. Capitol Pathways program organizers matched me with the Great Plains Institute and I was excited to begin my journey in this inaugural program. Continue reading »
In April 2016, the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs released a report, Transmission Planning and CapX2020; Building Trust to Build Regional Transmission¹, detailing the monumental effort a coalition of eleven Midwestern utilities² undertook from 2004-2012 to design, site, and build 800 miles of new high-voltage transmission lines worth over $2 billion across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The CapX2020 project was as much a feat in cooperation and coordination as it was in transmission capacity expansion. Continue reading »
New Program Offers Solar Development Technical Assistance for Local Communities
May 24, 2016 in Communities Author: Brian Ross
The Great Plains Institute is working with communities across the Midwest to develop local solar resources and capture the economic and environmental value of solar energy. Continue reading »
MINNEAPOLIS – Ulteig President and CEO Douglas Jaeger has joined the Great Plains Institute (GPI) board of directors. Continue reading »
Partnering with Argonne National Lab on Video Tutorials
May 15, 2016 in News & Press Author: Dane McFarlane
As part of the Great Plains Institute’s role as a nonpartisan facilitator of consensus-based agreements, we often benefit from sharing and utilizing impartial scientific data and technical reports to inform the policymaking process.
2015 – 2016 Collaboratory Report: Energy Certainties & Game Changers
May 12, 2016 in Reports & Whitepapers Author: Jennifer Christensen
In September of 2015, the Great Plains Institute invited 40 energy thought leaders and innovators to participate in a novel gathering to crowdsource their collective wisdom on the arc of the energy system over the next 5 to 20 years. To describe this gathering, we borrowed the term “Collaboratory,” which means “collaborative laboratory.” Think of it as an incubator for creativity and bold ideas among smart people who don’t often get together. Continue reading »
Collaboratory Report Outlines Our Energy Future
May 12, 2016 in Reports & Whitepapers Author: Rolf Nordstrom
There is a growing, global momentum among businesses, communities, states, and nations toward an economically and environmentally sustainable energy system.
To achieve such a system will require harnessing the speed and innovation that only the market, bound by the right policy framework, can deliver. And that will require fresh thinking: enter, the Collaboratory. Continue reading »
Electric Vehicles are Coming, and Minnesota Needs to Get Ready
April 26, 2016 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
In a year of divided government and low expectations for achieving big policy wins in Minnesota, we have the opportunity to move forward with a piece of energy policy that is broadly supported. Drive Electric Minnesota is advocating for a policy (SF 2405/HF3513) that would enable the state’s largest regulated utilities to begin planning for the arrival of mass-market electric vehicles. Continue reading »
Our Newsletter
Sign Up for Better Energy Community News
Sign up to receive the latest news and announcements from the Great Plains Institute.
