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Federal Hydrogen Hubs Funding Launches New Clean Economy Opportunities

October 13, 2023 in News & Press Author: Darren Goode

MINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute (GPI) released the following statement by President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom on the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement of seven regional clean hydrogen hubs selected to receive $7 billion in federal funding:

“Today’s announcement of federally supported hydrogen hubs launches a new opportunity to equitably build a clean hydrogen economy, and GPI looks forward to working with the new hubs to accelerate decarbonization across the economy. GPI is working to enable the development of a robust and equitable clean hydrogen economy to expand our nation’s portfolio of options for decarbonizing some of the hardest-to-decarbonize sectors, such as agriculture, heavy industry, and parts of the transportation sector. Continue reading »

Learn about the Clean Fuel States Collaborative

October 9, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

Group of employees in a meeting

If you ask the average American how many entities they think are involved in designing a complex policy, they’ll likely say: “Many.” We at the Great Plains Institute (GPI) have found that to be true. To design policy to achieve multiple objectives, it’s critical to engage as many of the stakeholders that would be impacted by that legislation as early in the process as possible. Continue reading »

New Online Tool Consolidates Social, Environmental Data for Louisiana Carbon Management Projects

September 28, 2023 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Darren Goode

Interactive maps give communities, stakeholders unique access to key data for siting carbon management projects

September 28, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—A first-of-its-kind tool will provide a central hub for Louisiana decision makers and the broader interested public to consider social, environmental, legal, and community data and factors when determining where to locate carbon management projects in the state. Continue reading »

Seed Grant Applications Open for Community-Based Clean Energy Projects in Minnesota

September 11, 2023 in Communities Author: Diana McKeown

Large group posting for CERTs photo

Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), the Minnesota statewide partnership to support community-based clean energy projects, is now accepting applications for seed grants for 2024! Applications are due at noon on October 10, 2023, and projects will be conducted from January 2024 through January 2025. Read the request for proposal for the full criteria and eligibility. Continue reading »

Cities Across Minnesota Are Becoming EV Smart

August 25, 2023 in Communities, Transportation & Fuels Authors: Alejandro Nakpil, Diana McKeown

Green electric vehicle charging sign

This blog was updated from a blog originally authored by Diana McKeown on November 15, 2022. 

In November of 2022, the Great Plains Institute launched the EV Smart program in Minnesota. EV Smart is a voluntary certification and recognition program funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Clean Transportation Pilot Program. GPI designed EV Smart to provide communities with a road map to electric vehicle (EV) readiness and help them equitably achieve their EV-readiness goals through technical assistance and a peer cohort model.   Continue reading »

Inflation Reduction Act Anniversary Highlights Essential Role of Engaging Communities

August 16, 2023 in News & Press Author: Rolf Nordstrom

Closeup of a microphone in a room with the people in the background blurred

Although less than a quarter of Americans know much about the Inflation Reduction Act even a year later, it still has the potential to improve people’s lives and transform our energy system and economy for the better. Whether we will realize the full potential of this historic legislation depends on how we approach public engagement, who is at the proverbial table, and what outcomes we’re optimizing for. Continue reading »

DOE Selects Awardees to Deploy Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs

August 11, 2023 in Carbon Management, Energy Systems Author: Ben Finzel

The following statement may be attributed to Patrice Lahlum, vice president of Carbon Management (interim) at the Great Plains Institute:

“The Great Plains Institute welcomes today’s announcement by the US Department of Energy (DOE) of their selection of two commercial-scale and 19 early-stage projects for award negotiations for the Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs program. This selection is pivotal for advancing the development and implementation of direct air capture (DAC) technologies essential for curbing US carbon emissions and achieving midcentury climate goals. Continue reading »

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