Category: Blog

  • Next Steps on the US Journey Toward Industrial Decarbonization

    Next Steps on the US Journey Toward Industrial Decarbonization

    Cement, concrete, and steel make up much of the buildings, roads, and other structures we rely on every day, but they come with a climate cost. Production of cement, as the key ingredient in concrete, and steel together produce around 16% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The good news is that momentum around industrial…

  • 2022: A Year of Industrial Innovation

    2022: A Year of Industrial Innovation

    2022: A Year of Industrial Innovation  As the year draws to a close, we reflect upon the many strides the US took down the path toward industrial decarbonization in 2022. The federal government passed and began implementing historic climate legislation, while states made their own commitments and plans to cut emissions from the industrial sector….

  • Learning from Louisiana: Key Takeaways from I3’s 2022 Annual Meeting

    Learning from Louisiana: Key Takeaways from I3’s 2022 Annual Meeting

    On October 27, 2022, the Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) organized an event in New Orleans, Louisiana, setting industrial innovation against the backdrop of an unprecedented year of investment in climate and clean energy. I3 members were joined by a select group of local business leaders and observers ranging from refineries and labor unions, to think…

  • One Year Later: Celebrating the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

    One Year Later: Celebrating the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

    It has been one year since the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law. Now commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), this legislation marked the beginning of a historic run of climate, energy, and infrastructure wins, changing the US industrial landscape as we know it.   To date, the Biden-Harris…

  • Laying the Foundation of Cement and Concrete Decarbonization

    Laying the Foundation of Cement and Concrete Decarbonization

    Decarbonizing the industrial sector has long been challenging due to the number of different subsectors and the variety of emissions sources. This is the first post in a series that will break down the complexities of industrial emissions by walking through the top four industrial subsectors and how we can decarbonize them. First up, decarbonizing…

  • Industrial Innovation: The Wins & The Work Still Ahead

    Industrial Innovation: The Wins & The Work Still Ahead

    I3 published its first consensus policy blueprint for decarbonizing the US industrial sector in November of 2021. Since then, the political and legislative landscape has changed significantly and the opportunities for industrial decarbonization have never been greater. Through recent industrial innovation policies, including Executive Orders, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the budget reconciliation package,…

  • DOE Releases Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap

    DOE Releases Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap

    The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) released the following statement regarding the Department of Energy’s Industrial Decarbonization Road Map earlier this week. This statement may be attributed to Gabrielle Habeeb, Project Manager for the Industrial Innovation Initiative:   “This week, the Department of Energy (DOE) released the DOE Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap. The announcement came during Wednesday’s…

  • President Biden Signs Landmark Inflation Reduction Act

    President Biden Signs Landmark Inflation Reduction Act

    The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) released the following statement today regarding the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This statement may be attributed to Gabrielle Habeeb, Project Manager for the Industrial Innovation Initiative:  “Today, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 into law, marking a historic investment in the solutions necessary…

  • House Passes Inflation Reduction Act

    House Passes Inflation Reduction Act

    The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) released the following statement today regarding the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This statement may be attributed to Gabrielle Habeeb, Project Manager for the Industrial Innovation Initiative:  “Today’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 by Congress marks a monumental investment in the solutions necessary to…

  • Senate Passes Inflation Reduction Act

    Senate Passes Inflation Reduction Act

    The Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) released the following statement today regarding the Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This statement may be attributed to Gabrielle Habeeb, Project Manager for the Industrial Innovation Initiative:  “After a busy weekend of negotiations, Senate Democrats passed historic budget reconciliation legislation on Sunday. The Inflation Reduction Act…

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.