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Capturing Carbon at Industrial Facilities Leads to Billions of Dollars in Annual US Health Benefits

August 7, 2023 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Ben Finzel

First-of-its-kind study quantifies health impact of the co-benefits of reducing other air pollutants with carbon capture technologies

August 7, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—Installing technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial and power facilities has the potential to result in billions of annual health benefits nationwide. These health benefits are directly tied to the reduction of other air pollutants that would also be removed in a carbon capture system, according to a first-of-its-kind study—Carbon Capture Co-benefits: Carbon Capture’s Role in Removing Pollutants and Reducing Health Impacts—from the Great Plains Institute and Carbon Solutions, LLC.

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GPI to Help More Communities Become Solar Ready with SolSmart

July 11, 2023 in Renewable Energy Author: Sydne Tursky

Man installing solar panels on a roof

Since 2016, the federal SolSmart program has helped 500 communities become solar ready. Now, the program is aiming to designate 500 more communities over the next few years. The Great Plains Institute is a SolSmart liaison. Through our recruitment efforts, we’ve helped about 100 communities become solar ready. Most recently, we helped Minnetonka, Minnesota, achieve Bronze designation in the program’s new phase. Continue reading »

Next Steps for a Clean Transportation Standard in Minnesota

June 22, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Mariem Zaghdoudi

Cars in a parking lot

Despite the national and state momentum and the consistent support from the growing Future Fuels Coalition, the proposed Minnesota clean transportation standard did not pass during the state’s recently adjourned legislative session. Yet progress will continue this summer thanks to legislation requiring the establishment of a working group on a clean transportation standard in the state. Continue reading »

Minnesota’s Historic Legislative Session Delivers Clean Energy, Climate Wins

June 14, 2023 in Communities, Transportation & Fuels Author: Carolyn Berninger

Minnesota legislators and advocates seized a unique opportunity this spring to pass transformative clean energy and climate policy that will jump-start the state’s transition to a lower-carbon economy. The state’s legislative session adjourned on May 22, and it was a busy few months at the Capitol. The state’s historic budget surplus, unified Democrat-Farmer-Labor (DFL) control of state government, and significant federal investments in clean energy set the stage for ambitious policymaking in 2023. Continue reading »

Michigan and Ohio Communities Become the First EV Smart Cohort

June 8, 2023 in Communities Author: Lindsay Stauner

Between good-natured jabs about which state has the better trail system and shared enthusiasm for supporting their communities, 24 local governments from Michigan and Ohio became the first cohort in the novel EV Smart program. EV Smart is a technical assistance program focused on electric vehicle (EV) readiness for local governments. This first cohort was facilitated by Great Plains Institute (GPI), with technical assistance provided by GPI along with in-state partners Clean Fuels Ohio, Michigan Municipal League, and Ecology Center. This cohort was funded by General Motors’ Corporate Giving Climate Fund. Continue reading »

Minnesota Approves Comprehensive Statewide Electric Vehicle Readiness Assistance

May 24, 2023 in News & Press, Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren Goode

 Budget deals significantly elevate state’s effort to expand transportation electrification

May 24, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed into law a sweeping set of first-time incentives and other funding approved by the state legislature that significantly elevates the state’s efforts to expand transportation electrification.    Continue reading »

Minnesota Approves Clean Transportation Standard Working Group In Budget Deal

May 23, 2023 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Darren Goode

Adds momentum toward finalizing nation’s strongest standard next year

May 23, 2023, MINNEAPOLIS—Taking decisive action to move Minnesota to the forefront of national transportation policy, the Minnesota State Legislature has approved funding for consideration of a statewide clean transportation standard, following a concerted push by a diverse coalition of automakers, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and charging providers, biofuel producers, and clean energy and conservation advocates. Continue reading »

The State of Solar: Insights on Distributed Solar Installations in Minnesota

May 11, 2023 in Renewable Energy Authors: Monika Vadali, Rachel Percy

Local governments are setting aggressive climate and clean energy goals in Minnesota. Encouraging distributed solar energy will play a key role in meeting them. The Great Plains Institute (GPI) has conducted an analysis of Minnesota Public Utilities Commission data on where and what types of distributed solar installations are occurring in the state. Continue reading »

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