Blog


The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.

Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.

Bioeconomy Bill Introduced in the Minnesota Legislature

March 5, 2014 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
Capitol GraphicSenator Tom Saxhaug, and Representative Jeanne Poppe have introduced a bill in the Minnesota legislature to help establish an advanced biofuel and renewable chemicals industry in Minnesota. The Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota, a multi-stakeholder partnership, is strongly supportive and will be working closely with Sen. Saxhaug and Rep. Poppe to advance the bill during the 2014 legislative session.

Continue reading »

GPI Joins Partners GRE and the Brattle Group in Presenting Innovative Approach for Compliance with EPA GHG Regulations

February 5, 2014 in News & Press

Press Release Graphic

Cambridge, MA, February 5, 2014. Working with Minnesota-based Great River Energy, Brattle Group economists developed a regional market-based approach to implement EPA’s forthcoming rule under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing power generating sources (“Existing Source Rule”). The approach uses existing energy market infrastructure to achieve emission reduction targets while ensuring reliability and minimizing cost impacts. Continue reading »

Biogas Projects Can Help Establish Energy Crop Supply

January 25, 2014 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Amanda Bilek
The U.S. biogas sector has done an outstanding job developing projects using livestock manure, landfill gas and municipal biosolids to generate clean energy. Although there is still a large amount of untapped potential to use these three feedstock sources, the use of crop residues and energy crops are completely underutilized in the U.S. biogas market. International biogas project development experience has demonstrated that the use of crop residues and energy crops are valuable feedstocks to produce increased levels of biogas and project stability.

Continue reading »

Unexpected Agreement Reached on Power Plant Regulation

January 16, 2014 in Energy Systems Authors: Brad Crabtree, Franz Litz

Acting on a directive from the President, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently developing draft federal regulations to guide states in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants under the Clean Air Act.  States will use the federal guidelines to devise plans that take into consideration state-specific and regional concerns.  Continue reading »

Midwestern Power Sector Collaborative: 2013 Recommendations to the EPA

December 6, 2013 in Reports & Whitepapers

Coal-based power companies, environmental organizations and state regulators achieved common ground on recommendations to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding potential regulation of carbon emissions from existing power plants in a region that generates most of its electricity from coal.  These recommendations were developed by the Midwestern Power Sector Collaborative, which is convened by the Great Plains Institute, Pace Center and World Resources Institute. 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.