Author: Kate Sullivan

  • Industrial Innovation Initative Statement on the 2024 Election

    Industrial Innovation Initative Statement on the 2024 Election

    The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) released the following statement today on the 2024 election. The statement may be attributed to David Soll, Industrial Decarbonization Manager, Great Plains Institute. “Since 2020, the Industrial Innovation Initiative and its diverse membership has demonstrated an unwavering commitment – no matter the balance of power in Washington – to our…

  • Industrial Innovation Initiative Releases State Toolkit for Industrial Decarbonization

    Industrial Innovation Initiative Releases State Toolkit for Industrial Decarbonization

    Key Takeaways Meeting midcentury climate goals will require an industrial transformation, and states will play a vital role. The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) is excited to announce the release of its State Toolkit for Industrial Decarbonization. The toolkit aims to help state officials and industry leaders make informed decisions and take actionable measures to reduce…

  • Initiative Responds to 45V Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit

    Initiative Responds to 45V Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit

    In early 2024, the Initiative convened its members to review the regulations and draft a consensus-based response to DOE’s draft regulations for the 45V Clean Hydrogen tax credit program. In the spring, the Initiative convened again to draft a second consensus-based response to DOE related to the Provisional Emissions Rates portions of the 45V regulations.”

  • Letter of Support: PROVE IT Act

    Letter of Support: PROVE IT Act

    I3 supports the PROVE IT Act, which enjoys bipartisan backing in both chambers of Congress. Determining the carbon intensity of American-made goods can enhance US competitiveness and increase transparency. We look forward to working with Congress to pass this important legislation.

  • EPA Awards $636 Million in Grants for Industrial Projects

    EPA Awards $636 Million in Grants for Industrial Projects

    On July 22, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $4.3 billion in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) to states, tribes, municipalities, and coalitions of these entities. Authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, the CPRG program supports the development and implementation of ambitious state and local plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air…

  • I3 Responds to DOE Request for Information on Transforming Industry

    I3 Responds to DOE Request for Information on Transforming Industry

    Responding to DOE’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office RFI on Transforming Industry presented a significant opportunity for I3 to shape DOE’s overall strategy for industrial decarbonization, as the RFI will inform a new DOE vision study, Pathways for US Industrial Transformations: Unlocking American Innovation. The RFI was expansive and asked dozens of questions. The Initiative…

  • State Best Practices Guide for Decarbonizing Industry

    State Best Practices Guide for Decarbonizing Industry

    A new guide from the Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) – a partnership among industrial, labor, and environmental stakeholders – recommends a suite of state policies and approaches to scale industrial decarbonization solutions.    The State Best Practices Guide for Decarbonizing Industry pairs state-level policy recommendations with real-world examples of state legislation in use or under consideration across…

  • Statement for the Record: Senate EPW Committee

    Statement for the Record: Senate EPW Committee

    I3 commends Chairman Carper and the Committee for convening the hearing, Opportunities in Industrial Decarbonization: Delivering Benefits for the Economy and the Climate. This hearing demonstrates that the Committee understands there is more work to be done in expanding demand-side programs, removing barriers to building hydrogen and carbon dioxide pipelines, and constructing long-distance electrical transmission…

  • Department of Energy Announces First Round of Hydrogen Hub Awards 

    Department of Energy Announces First Round of Hydrogen Hub Awards 

    The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) released the following statement today regarding the Department of Energy’s announcement that seven hydrogen hubs were selected to receive a total of $7 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program. This statement may be attributed to David Soll, Industrial Decarbonization Manager at the Great Plains Institute: “Today’s selection of seven…

  • New Report: The Landscape of Clean Hydrogen

    New Report: The Landscape of Clean Hydrogen

    Minneapolis, MN/Washington, DC, May 24, 2023 – Clean Hydrogen production must quickly scale beyond the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) initial H2Hubs program locations in order to reach DOE’s clean energy targets over the next three decades, according to The Landscape of Clean Hydrogen: An Outlook for Industrial Hubs in the United States released today by Carbon…

Labor Engagement Manager for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Alejandro comes to GPI from Labor Union SEIU-United Service Workers West. He represented union workers from downtown Los Angeles and LA’s westside corridor of Century City, Westwood, and Beverly Hills. Alejandro enforced various collective bargaining agreements for union workers, ensuring annual wage increases, health insurance, and other benefits and protections. In addition, he worked with union leaders and outside stakeholders, such as community partners, public agencies, politicians, and industry experts, to develop and execute union campaigns. Alejandro was also part of the Los Angeles-Justice for Janitors 2021 union contract campaign—he helped execute and coordinate large-scale actions across LA’s metropolitan area. Previously, he served as the Nevada state canvassing director at For Our Future Action Fund. He holds a BA in international studies and Italian from the University of Kansas.

Senior Program Coordinator for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Carrie Danner joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as the operations coordinator for the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team. In her work, she supports all projects within the program to elevate operations, particularly in grant-making and event planning. Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree from Knox College in environmental studies. Prior to joining GPI, she supported programs at the Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa as their member experience administrator.

Industry Program Coordinator, GPI

Alana joined GPI in 2024 as a program associate on the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team, specifically supporting the Industrial Innovation Initiative, where she helps to advance industrial decarbonization through GPI’s consensus-building approach. Alana previously worked as an account executive at Jamf, where she helped current K-12 education customers improve and scale the management and security of their Apple device deployments. Alana has spent most of her professional years working with Minnesota nonprofits, including two years as an AmeriCorps member with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. She holds a bachelor’s degree in community environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Zachary Byrum, Research Analyst, WRI

Zachary Byrum is a Research Analyst in WRI's U.S. Climate Program, where he provides technology and policy analysis for carbon removal and deep decarbonization. His work focuses on pathways to reduce industrial emissions as well as bolstering technological carbon removal. Prior to WRI, Zach was a research assistant in the Carbon Management Research Initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy. In the preceding years, he served as White House Intern in the National Economic Council under the Obama Administration and then an assistant analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. Zach holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Goucher College.

Senior Advisor of Industrial Innovation, WRI United States

Angela Anderson is the Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal in the Climate Program. She leads WRI's growing portfolio of work in industrial decarbonization and carbon removal and aims to change narratives around “hard-to-abate” sectors and promote the natural and technological interventions required to achieve net-zero targets. Prior to joining WRI, Angela worked as a program director, coalition builder, international advocate, and campaign strategist. She led the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists for ten years; facilitated US-NGO engagement in the international climate negotiations while at US Climate Action Network and at the Pew Environmental Trust; and founded Clear the Air, a national coalition to reduce pollution from power plants. Angela holds a B.A. in political science from Colorado State University.

Vice President of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Patrice Lahlum is the Vice President of the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management program at the Great Plains Institute. The Institute, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, works with diverse stakeholders and communities across the country to transform the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment. We strive to combine our unique consensus-building approach, expert knowledge and analysis, and local action to promote solutions that strengthen communities, shore up the nation’s industrial base, and enhance domestic energy independence, all while eliminating carbon emissions. Patrice oversees several initiatives, including the Carbon Capture Coalition, Industrial Innovation Initiative, Carbon Action Alliance, and the Regional Carbon Capture Deployment Initiative.

Senior Content Specialist for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Kate Sullivan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019. As Senior Content Specialist, Kate uses her analytical and design skills to provide research, writing, and logistical support across the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team. Prior to joining GPI, Kate worked as an Energy Counselor in the Center for Energy and Environment’s residential department, assisting homeowners with their energy needs and providing resources for efficiency upgrades. Kate earned her BA in Biology from St. Olaf College with an emphasis in Environmental Studies.

Senior Program Manager for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Jill Syvrud joined the Great Plains Institute in 2017 and serves as the program manager for the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management Program. In addition to overseeing the overall program, Jill directly supports the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors. Jill earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and a master of science degree in science technology and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Jill’s past experience includes multiple graduate research assistantships concentrating on technology innovation and sustainable megacities, as well as a previous position as an administrative and outreach coordination intern with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.