Over 3,000 Minnesotans have begun to experience the benefits of electric vehicles – including lower operating costs, zero tailpipe emissions, and a fun driving experience. Many Minnesotans are also challenging themselves to further lower the carbon footprint of EVs by powering them with 100% renewable power. Continue reading »
The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.
Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.
Successful biomass-based projects, including biogas projects, require several project pieces to come together and hold, with some adjustments over the operational life of a project. Some of those pieces include project financing, public policy, feedstock supply, logistics, infrastructure, permitting and end-use markets. Continue reading »
Visiting Unique Concentrated Solar Power Facility in the Desert
July 24, 2015 in Energy Systems Author: Dane McFarlane
On July 22nd, four of us from GPI visited a concentrated solar power (CSP) facility, the only one of its kind in North America, located near the Mojave Desert in Ivanpah, California. The Ivanpah facility is operated by NRG Energy and has been producing electricity since January, 2014, through a 5 mile wide network of mirrors that concentrate sunlight onto three 450 foot tall towers. Continue reading »
We’re a couple days into our renewable energy and energy storage road trip, and are already seeing some common threads emerge. Continue reading »
The Great Plains Institute is taking a road trip; a few of us decided to get out and see firsthand the changes shaping the electric industry. Continue reading »
GreenStep Cities Wraps Up Workshop Series and Celebrates 5 Years of Programming!
July 22, 2015 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown
The final workshop of the GreenStep Cities workshop series focused on Climate Resiliency with examples of tools and planning cities could employ to prepare themselves for changes.
Continue reading »
More than 400 people from the Midcontinent region and around the country took part in a recent workshop – Midcontinent States Regional Workshop: Implementation Options for EPA’s Clean Power Plan – hosted by the Great Plains Institute and the Bipartisan Policy Center, June 5, 2015, in Detroit, Michigan. Continue reading »
2015 Minnesota Legislative Session Recap: Bioeconomy Edition
July 6, 2015 in Transportation & Fuels Authors: Amanda Bilek, Brendan Jordan
It took the regular session, plus a one-day special session, but the Minnesota legislature has completed its work for 2015. The legislature convened in early January with a $1.9 billion projected budget surplus and had the task of setting a two-year state budget. Continue reading »
News Release: Great Plains Institute Lauds Passage of New MN Bioenergy Program
June 16, 2015 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Amanda Bilek
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Legislature has established a new program aimed at enabling the commercial construction of Minnesota-based facilities that will produce advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, or biomass thermal energy utilizing agriculture and forestry feedstocks.
“We are pleased that a new bioenergy program has been signed into law. The Bioeconomy Production Incentive Program received $2 million in funding for the next two years, providing a strong foundation for future project development,” said Great Plains Institute (GPI) Government Affairs Manager Amanda Bilek. Continue reading »
Neighborhood Leaders in Minneapolis Learn About Community Solar Gardens
May 18, 2015 in Communities Author: Trevor Drake
Over 70 neighborhood leaders gathered at Mayflower Church in Minneapolis on Thursday, April 30th to learn about community solar gardens, including key considerations and specific roles for neighborhoods. Continue reading »
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