Renewing Licenses for the Nation’s Nuclear Power Plants

whitePaper | October 24, 2022

There is an urgent need to rethink the structure of the European energy system. The current geopolitical situation across the continent, combined with high dependency on imported natural gas, growing electricity demand, and consequently, higher bills for households and businesses needs the immediate attention of policymakers.

whitePaper | September 2, 2022

Cryptocurrency mining is an extremely energy-intensive process that threatens the ability of governments across the globe to reduce our dependence on climate-warming fossil fuels. If we do not take action to limit this growing industry now, we will not meet the goals set forth by the Paris Agreement and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to limit warning to 2 degrees Celsius. And cryptocurrency mining operations harm local communities now, including by increasing local pollution and impacting electricity rates and delivery. In our paper, we discuss several such examples where fossil-fueled cryptocurrency mining has increased local air, water, and noise pollution, increased costs on others, and increased climate pollution at a time when we should be doing everything in our power to move in the opposite direction to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

whitePaper | August 30, 2022

This study evaluates a variety of scenarios that achieve a 100% clean electricity system (defined as zero net greenhouse gas emissions) in 2035 that could put the United States on a path to economywide net-zero emissions by 2050. These scenarios focus primarily on the supply of clean electricity, including technical requirements, challenges, and benefit and cost implications. The study results highlight multiple pathways to 100% clean electricity in which benefits exceed costs. The study does not comprehensively evaluate all options to achieve 100% clean electricity, and it focuses largely on supply-side options.

whitePaper | January 7, 2020

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. Working across the US, we combine a unique consensus-building approach, expert knowledge, research and analysis, and local action to find and implement lasting solutions. Our work strengthens communities and provides greater economic opportunity through creation of higher paying jobs, expansion of the nation’s industrial base, and greater domestic energy independence while eliminating carbon emissions.

whitePaper | August 30, 2022

New renewable generation capacity is important as utilities retire existing coal plants. But often these new solar and wind resources are far from urban or industrial centers where the energy is needed, presenting transmission and distribution challenges. Utilities must find reliable methods to incorporate the energy mix from these green energy sources and maintain grid flexibility, while balancing supply and demand.

whitePaper | January 16, 2023

Electricity+ is a new framework that highlights the opportunities to create and optimize integrations between the electricity sector and other infrastructure to enable a transition to a net-zero economy. The framework has been developed during a series of dialogues with executives from the electricity industry and other sectors. It will serve as thought leadership to kick-start further planning and collaboration across sectors.