A Consensus Driven Approach
Engaging perspectives across the Midwest
Designing a successful clean fuels policy means achieving consensus across a wide array of stakeholders including fuel producers and marketers, environmental nonprofit and research organizations, scientists and engineers, agriculture and industry groups, and more. Thirty-one groups spanning these stakeholder sectors informed the policy considerations presented in A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest. Today, there are over 100 groups actively participating in the Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative.
Members
As part of the Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative, the Great Plains Institute also facilitates a steering committee, several policy committees, and state implementation committees. Together, these committees assure that proposed clean fuel policies are designed with the support of Midwestern voices.
Beyond our formal stakeholder groups, we encourage broad participation in events like this webinar series that demonstrated how various industries may benefit from Midwestern clean fuel policies.
Absolute Energy, LLC
AJW*
Alliance for Automotive Innovation
American Coalition for Ethanol
Amp Americas
Bp*
Chargepoint
Christianson PLLP
Clean Fuels Michigan
Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas*
Columbus Yellow Cab
DKarlen Consulting LLC
DriveClean
Ecology Center
Electrify America
Fresh Energy
Iowa State University Bioeconomy Institute
Low Carbon Fuels Coalition
New Mexico Environment Department
Oberon Fuels
Partnership on Waste and Energy (Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties)
Renewable Fuels Association
Rivian
SREC Trade
Union of Concerned Scientists
Verbio North America
Observers
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Minnesota Department of Transportation
*Members providing financial support
A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest
A technology-neutral policy supporting development and deployment of lower carbon fuels
Since 2017, GPI’s Transportation and Fuels team has been working with stakeholders across the Midwest (the Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative) to design and implement clean fuels policies in the region. A clean fuels policy is a fuel-neutral program that achieves emission reductions in the transportation sector by supporting the deployment of lower carbon fuels (including electricity, biofuels, hydrogen, and emerging technologies). Unlike other policies and programs, a clean fuels policy does not pick technology winners and losers, does not require government expenditure on incentives, and does not involve collecting taxes. It is based on evaluating all transportation fuels based on greenhouse gas benefits that are demonstrated through lifecycle greenhouse gas assessment. Over time, it results in a gradual but steady increase in the supply of lower carbon transportation fuels and a decline in the supply of higher carbon fuels. Because clean fuels policies support private sector innovation and deployment of a portfolio of lower carbon fuels, they enjoy broad stakeholder support.
In January 2020, the Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative released its recommendations, A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest, on how to tailor clean fuels policies to the Midwest with the goals of the region in mind.
Benefits for rural communities
Benefits for urban communities
Past Work
Publications:
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- A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest
- Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy 101
- Economic Benefits of a Clean Fuels Policy in Minnesota and Iowa
- Fuel-specific case studies demonstrating how each fuel could benefit from a Midwestern clean fuels policy: Electric vehicle charging stations, electric vehicles, ethanol, renewable diesel, and renewable natural gas
- Midwestern Framework for Electric Vehicle Credit Generation in a Clean Fuels Policy
- Supporting Climate-Smart Farming Practices through Midwestern Clean Fuels Policies
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Webinars:
Brendan Jordan
Vice President, Transportation and Fuels
Carolyn Berninger
Public Policy Manager
Mariem Zaghdoudi
Bioeconomy Program Senior Specialist
M. Moaz Uddin
Senior Electric Vehicle Policy Specialist
Emmy Curtiss
Research Analyst
Support the Midwest Clean Fuels Policy Initiative
The Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative is making great strides, but we need your help to keep the momentum going. If your organization is interested in supporting our clean transportation standard efforts, please complete the form by clicking the button below.
How to Get Involved
The Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy Initiative is a robust and growing network across the US that meets quarterly online. To join the initiative, please submit the form below.