Legislative sessions are underway across the United States, and climate legislation is a hot topic of debate at the federal and state levels. The Midwest is no different. Several Midwestern states are considering clean fuels policies as a tool to meet emissions reduction goals while benefiting the economy. We put together an inventory highlighting the state of play of clean fuels policies in Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Michigan. Continue reading »
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax taught us about the dangers that can occur when over-harvesting any resource, though the book focused on trees. However, it may have also led us to believe that any amount of harvesting trees harms the environment. A recent study, “Innovative Wood Use can Enable Carbon-Beneficial Forest Management in California,” by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, could help change that misconception. The study finds that innovative wood use might actually be a critical tool to combat climate change and reduce wildfires simultaneously. Continue reading »
As we close out the end of 2021, you can find out what made GPI’s list of most-read stories from the year. Reflecting on these stories energizes us for what we can accomplish together with our many collaborators, partners, and colleagues as we head into the new year. Continue reading »
Five new case studies published by the Great Plains Institute demonstrate how various clean fuel sectors could benefit financially from implementing a Midwestern clean fuels policy, such as the Future Fuels Act proposed in Minnesota.
Today, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz directed state agencies to explore ways to reduce climate change impacts from transportation fuels in a way that is market-driven and fuel-neutral, according to a news release from the State of Minnesota. Led by the Minnesota departments of Agriculture and Transportation, the process will engage a broad cross-section of stakeholders statewide to identify shared goals and opportunities that will help to inform what a Clean Fuels Standard could look like in Minnesota. The agencies will provide a report summarizing the results and recommendations in February 2022, according to the release. Continue reading »
The Future Fuels Act introduced in the Minnesota State Legislature during the 2021 legislative session set a goal of reducing transportation fuel carbon intensity by 20 percent by 2035 and promised to boost the state’s economy and prove a host of co-benefits. As we talked to Minnesota legislators about the proposed clean fuels policy for the state, the question always arose—what impact will this have in my community? Continue reading »
New analysis shows that a Midwestern clean fuels policy (CFP) can deliver positive economic benefits while reducing carbon emissions in the region. This is the conclusion of an ICF study commissioned by the Great Plains Institute in partnership with the American Coalition for Ethanol, and with support from the Union of Concerned Scientists and the McKnight Foundation. ICF was commissioned to investigate the economic impacts of a Midwestern CFP, and used Minnesota and Iowa as representative states of the region. Legislators in Minnesota are considering the Future Fuels Act, a proposed CFP. Continue reading »
As part of the Great Plains Institute’s work to develop a Midwestern clean fuels policy, we are hosting a webinar series about clean fuels on the market and how those industries could benefit from a regional policy. The most recent webinar explored how a clean fuels policy can create markets for underutilized wood through the production of wood-based renewable diesel in the Midwest. Continue reading »
The transportation sector is the highest-emitting sector of greenhouse gases (GHG) in Minnesota. This post summarizes two of the major transportation policies being developed in Minnesota to address the state’s GHG emissions—Clean Cars Minnesota and the Future Fuels Act. Continue reading »
This blog post is the first of a new series where we examine the interrelationship between renewable natural gas (RNG) and anaerobic digestion, address the challenges that have hindered commercialization, and highlight exciting opportunities in the industry. Continue reading »
