Author: Kate Sullivan

  • Supporting Lower Emissions Labeling for Construction Materials

    Supporting Lower Emissions Labeling for Construction Materials

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a key role to play in ensuring the responsible advancement of the solutions needed to decarbonize the industrial sector, by providing assistance for environmental product declarations (EPDs), validating emissions reductions with data, and supporting low emissions labeling for construction materials. The Industrial Innovation Initiative has prepared a response to EPA’s request for information to…

  • Centering Industrial Solutions for States

    Centering Industrial Solutions for States

    In February 2023, the Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) hosted an introductory webinar on industrial decarbonization for states, given the critical role they will play in reducing US industrial emissions. Supported by recent federal funding, namely from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, states are positioned to create a regulatory and policy landscape…

  • Hydrogen Hubs: The State of Play

    Hydrogen Hubs: The State of Play

    New investment at the federal level has created an unprecedented opportunity for federal agencies and state governments to work together on a shared vision for a domestic hydrogen economy. State and regional activity is ramping up to take advantage of near-term federal funding opportunities. As a versatile energy carrier with a diverse range of applications…

  • Letter of Support: Clean Hydrogen

    Letter of Support: Clean Hydrogen

    I3 supports several bills currently under consideration in Congress, including the Energy Infrastructure Act, the Clean H2 Production Act, and the Clean Energy Hydrogen Innovation Act. These bipartisan bills will push the US towards achieving net-zero emissions while retaining and creating high-wage jobs. We stand ready to work with Congress to implement policies that incentivize…

  • Letter of Support: Section 48C Investment Tax Credit

    Letter of Support: Section 48C Investment Tax Credit

    I3 commends the introduction of S. 622, the American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021, which would update and revise the Section 48C investment tax credits to help incentivize investment in domestic manufacturing facilities.

  • 2022 Appropriations Letter

    2022 Appropriations Letter

    Significant funding authorizations in the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Omnibus incentivized investment in low-carbon technologies, processes, products, and markets within the industrial sector. These authorizations are vital to the broader efforts to decarbonize industry, which are essential if we are to achieve net-zero emissions by midcentury. I3 asks that these bipartisan provisions included in the…

  • Letter of Support: SCALE Act

    Letter of Support: SCALE Act

    I3 supports the SCALE Act, which will foster the development of interconnected CO2 transport and storage infrastructure and provide incentives for carbon utilization to help the US reach net zero emissions and meet midcentury climate goals. We urge Congress to prioritize the inclusion of this critical legislation in any broader infrastructure package.

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.