Great Plains Institute

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $371M for 20 projects in 16 states to boost high-voltage transmission and community infrastructure. Four siting and permitting projects will receive $17M, and 16 economic development projects will get $353M. These awards will support job training, new community centers and resources, water and energy needs, and economic development and growth in communities across the country impacted by the development of needed transmission. Learn more about the projects: https://bit.ly/3Yjb685 #Energy #TransmissionSiting #EconomicDevelopment

BREAKING: New briefs provide state and local leaders with easy-to-understand information on the key carbon management issues. There is broad agreement that carbon capture and storage will be vital in reaching 2050 climate goals. Empowering leaders with accessible and transparent information about this growing and rapidly shifting field is one way we’re creating market conditions to accelerate the clean energy transition. If you are a state policy maker, project developer, public or community advocate, and anyone working to advance carbon management, you’ll want to check out these new briefs, which summarize the main points and examples from states on two critical topics: pore space management and the long-term liability considerations for Class VI injection wells. Find them at https://lnkd.in/g3g4Nq3R under our Policy Best Practices! #Callout to partners on these briefs: Environmental Defense Fund and University of Wyoming #CarbonManagement #CCS #Climate #NetZero

Tonight in Minneapolis, 6:00-8:00 p.m.! The Minnesota Department of Commerce will hold the first of six in-person public forums throughout the state on the Home Energy Rebate (HER) program. Through programs like the Home Energy Rebate program, communities across the US are in a position to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act's $500 billion investment in the #cleanenergy economy to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Find out the full details for the upcoming events and register: https://lnkd.in/gSB9V4Nk

📝 The USDA is seeking input "on procedures for the quantification, reporting, and verification of the effect of climate-smart farming practices on the greenhouse gas" impact of #biofuel feedstock production. This input may be used to inform a rulemaking to establish voluntary standards that could be used in clean transportation fuel policies. 📅 The deadline to submit comments is July 25, 2024. Visit this link for more information: https://bit.ly/4cRz66m #ClimateSmart #farming #transportation

📣 Spread the word—GPI is hiring a development manager! Visit betterenergy.org/careers to submit your application today. #ClimateJobs #NowHiring #FundraisingJobs

📣 Attention all #cleanenergy startups! Applications are now open for the Grid Catalyst 2025 Demonstration Cohort, a program designed to accelerate market-ready startups by connecting them with Minnesota-based public and private partners eager to showcase emerging technologies and pave the way for commercialization. Grid Catalyst works to support the next generation of big ideas and practical solutions to make our energy system more resilient and to achieve urgent decarbonization objectives. GPI is a proud member of Grid Catalyst’s Minnesota CleanTech Consortium, an initiative to accelerate the state’s clean technology sector. Learn more about the 2025 Demonstration Cohort and apply today: https://lnkd.in/gVCKJq8U #cleantech #innovation

🎉 Celebrate with us! Earlier this month, La Crescent, MN became just the fourth municipality nationwide (and the first in MN) to achieve SolSmart Platinum designation. To achieve the highest level of designation, La Crescent increased solar readiness in their community and adopted an automated solar permitting platform. GPI is a partner of SolSmart, a national solar readiness program that helps cities, towns, counties, and regional organizations become solar energy leaders. Read more on our blog: https://bit.ly/3W2XtHB #solar #SolarReady #BeSolSmart #zoning #planning #renewables #renewableenergy

GOOD NEWS!! 📣 The deadline is extended for applications for Minnesota GreenCorps another week! GPI is a host site, and we want to highlight the contributions of all our Corps members to our mission of accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. They have shared with us some projects they worked on during their service term and reflections on their time at GPI. Learn more about GreenCorps and apply! https://lnkd.in/g3aCNfPB ▶️ Keely Rau Energy resilience, Communities team “As someone who was looking for a career transition, this was an amazing way for me to see where I fit in this space and quickly get up to speed on clean energy topics. One of my main projects this term is to reduce the energy burden for underserved communities. I connect this audience with clean energy resources and energy conservation opportunities. Working at GPI for the last nine months has allowed me to connect with various organizations in the clean energy space, learn about the various aspects of clean energy, and understand what it means to decarbonize the economy.” ▶️ Kyle Young Electric vehicles, Communities team “An AmeriCorps term can be the perfect professional development tool for people beginning their careers. My work took many forms throughout my service term, such as planning electric vehicle (EV) ride and drive events to introduce EVs to new communities. I was also able to create several educational resources that can help address the various barriers that communities face in adopting EVs. I’m sad to leave GPI but happy to have gained the connections and knowledge that will propel me to the next step on my journey!” Photo 1: Tabling for Clean Energy Resource Teams (GPI is a CERTs partner) Photo 2: Presentation for CERTs Photo 3: GPI office Photo 5: Tabling for GPI's Drive Electric Minnesota Photo 6: Winter Ride and Drive in Ely Minnesota cc: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

We think our team is award-winning each and every day, but it's always nice to hear others say. The North American Agrivoltaics Awards nominated our own Brian Ross for the Solar Eco-Steward of the Year for leading our work to realize the community co-benefits of renewable energy development through smart engineering and authentic stakeholder engagement. In particular, the groundbreaking PV-SMaRT initiative on solar and water quality which is helping transform how we think about solar farms and the benefits they provide to local water management. Help us recognize his leadership and our entire Renewables team, vote for Brian today! https://bit.ly/3VK46iO (ballots close on Friday) #solar #renewables #renewableenergy #agrivoltaics

Registration is open for CO2NNECT 2024—the three-day conference hosted by GPI's Carbon Action Alliance. CO2NNECT 2024 will take place in person from the evening of Sunday, September 29, to the afternoon of Tuesday, October 1, at the picturesque Keystone Resort, about an hour and a half from Denver, Colorado. CO2NNECT brings together experts and enthusiasts in the field of carbon management. The roles of carbon management, public engagement, workforce development, financing mechanisms, and education and advocacy tools are some of the priority topics that will be addressed at CO2NNECT 2024. Visit the CO2NNECT web page to learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4ef1S2k #CarbonManagement #CO2NNECT2024