A Think Tank with Action.
As time goes on and the need for cleaner technologies increases, the
collaboration between investors, corporations and other individuals becomes a
necessity. There are a number of clean technologies that need to be implemented
around the world, with a focus on the larger emitters; however, if every
institution goes and attempts this transition on their own, many opportunities
could and will be missed. There is a nonprofit organization which exists that
facilitates the connections between these institutions named the Great Plains
Institute. The GPI acts as an “in” for institutions with differing opinions and
ideas for transitioning to cleaner technology to develop methods and
technologies which might not have been conceived.
The GPI was created after a small group of people asked themselves,
‘”What if there was a place where people with different opinions about how to
provide clean, secure energy for generations could come together and create
common solutions?’” This had happened in 1997 and since then they have made
quite a few accomplishments.
They focus on energy efficiency, infrastructure, renewables, transportation
and international collaboration. Some of their current projects include a
Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System, a new infrastructure for alternative
transportation, creating energy models
for the future of Minnesota (Where they are based) and GreenStep Cities.
GreenStep Cities is a program which is voluntary. Its mission is to
increase the quality of life of Minnesota cities through known environmental
practices such as lighting, transportation, land use, management and community
development. GreenStep Cities won two Environmental
Initiative Awards for 2012: Sustainable Communities Project of the Year
and Partnership of the Year.
One of the initiatives GPI had created was Powering the Plains (PTP). Its
goals were to…
- - Realize the region’s full energy potential
- - Add value to agriculture
- - Stimulate economic development
- - Reduce risks of global warming
PTP’s goals were supported by GPI’s main goals, which are to…
- - Develop better energy policy via consensus
- - Catalyze deployment of the best energy
technologies, practices & programs
- - Provide reliable analysis & decision tools
What GPI actually does is meet up with companies and investors and
figure out what their goals are regarding the clean technologies and environmental
growth. Not only does GPI help with formulating what the best options are for
the companies based on financial feasibility, location, renewable energy
potentiality amongst other factors. They will also help in the development of
policies and regulations; addendums and brand new ones that will affect in a
more efficient or strict way of how things are done. I suppose they could be
taken up with the state, but from what I gather, these policies are solely for
the collaborating industries that participate with GPI.
GPI is a network-based form of governance. They collaborate and share
information among many different entities and give develop solutions based on
the needs of many participating organizations, which can be carried out with
the assistance of GPI as well. They are a non-governmental non-profit organization
which is funded mostly by charitable foundations and corporations with some
help from individual investors as well.
http://www.betterenergy.org/
GPI seems like they play a crucial role in the transition to clean energy use. I believe that organizations like this should be required to monitor agreements between actors. Attitudes toward alternative energy sources are of high variability. The presence of a "middle man" to put it in simple terms, can go along way when proposing solutions.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post, Morgan! I had never heard about the GPI before, however it sounds like they are playing a pretty critical role in bringing renewable energy down out of the "theoretical" sphere and into plausible business terms for companies in the Midwest. That's incredible that the organization has roots in the Midwest as well!
ReplyDeleteI found it particularly interesting how they rely on consensus and collaboration to offer better energy policy. Do you know who is involved in this? (types of actors)
Also, since the projects already completed prove that this organization is pretty well established in the social and financial markets, do you know if this organization receives any funding from the federal government? (i.e. in grants or direct channels?)
This organization reminds me of an environmental consultancy to be honest.
Along this note, I'd definitely recommend you check out the World Resources Institute, headquartered in Washington D.C. This is a similar organization that works across the world to build a comprehensive research base, then offer potential solutions to governments, municipalities, companies, and independent institutions regarding energy, climate change, food, forests, water, urban planning, etc.
I'd be curious to see if GPI is also part of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council--a (nonprofit) network of businesses across WI and the Midwest that brings actors together to share and encourage peer-peer corporate sustainable practices. (CSR)
Here are the links if you'd like to take a look!
-http://www.wri.org/our-work
-http://www.wisconsinsustainability.com/