Category: Blog

  • 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit

    48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit

    A recap, update, and next steps for a $10 billion investment On January 10, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service announced six billion in allocations in the second round of the 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit, a 30 percent investment tax credit. The 48C program, originally established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act…

  • Treasury Department Releases Final 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit Rules 

    Treasury Department Releases Final 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit Rules 

    On Friday, January 3, 2025, the Treasury Department released the final version of the rules for the 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit. The final rules replace the proposed rules issued in 2023 and they were published in the Federal Register on January 10, 2025.  I3 and Clean Hydrogen Hydrogen has the potential to be…

  • 2024: Winds of Change

    2024: Winds of Change

    As 2024 draws to a close, we celebrate a year of significant milestones for industrial decarbonization and the Industrial Innovation Initiative’s (I3) role in shaping the implementation of existing supportive laws and crafting next-generation policies. Encouraged by billions of dollars in tax credits and federal funding, the government at all levels took critical steps to…

  • New Report: The National Blueprint for a Clean & Competitive Industrial Sector 

    New Report: The National Blueprint for a Clean & Competitive Industrial Sector 

    Disclaimer: The use of this material does not imply endorsement by The Department of Energy or the United States Government. This week, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the White House Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP) released The National Blueprint for a Clean & Competitive Industrial Sector. The announcement came during COP29, the annual…

  • 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…

  • OCED Awards $6 Billion in Grants for Industrialization Decarbonization

    OCED Awards $6 Billion in Grants for Industrialization Decarbonization

    On March 25, the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) at the Department of Energy announced that it had selected thirty-three projects to receive up to $6 billion in funding through the Industrial Demonstrations Program. Matching funds provided by recipients will generate a total investment of more than $20 billion in these projects. The awards…

  • Industrial Innovation Initiative Brings Industrial Decarbonization Recommendations to Capitol Hill

    Industrial Innovation Initiative Brings Industrial Decarbonization Recommendations to Capitol Hill

    Industry, labor, and nonprofit representatives recently headed to Capitol Hill to advocate for federal policies that can put the industrial sector on track to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, both a national and global goal to curb the worst potential effects of climate change. The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3), run by the Great Plains Institute (GPI)…

  • Hubs on the Horizon: Scaling Carbon and Hydrogen Decarbonization Solutions

    Hubs on the Horizon: Scaling Carbon and Hydrogen Decarbonization Solutions

    The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) and partners at Clean Air Task Force (CATF), the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), hosted its first in-person convening of participants and industrial decarbonization stakeholders on June 8, 2022, in Washington D.C. The event served as a forum to discuss the latest developments…

  • Decarbonizing Industry by 2050: A Federal and State Policy Blueprint

    Decarbonizing Industry by 2050: A Federal and State Policy Blueprint

    Minneapolis, MN/Washington, DC – A new report from the Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3), an industry-labor-NGO partnership, recommends a suite of policies for congressional and state action designed to help American industry decarbonize while retaining high-wage jobs, technological leadership and economic competitiveness. The report, Decarbonizing Industry by 2050: A Federal and State Policy Blueprint, is the…

  • 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…

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.