DEADLINE: IJNR Workshop on the Great Lakes Energy Future

Over the next three decades, deadlines for state and federal carbon neutrality pledges will come due. Minnesota has committed to 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2040. Illinois by 2045. The federal government is striving for net-zero emissions by 2050.

Meeting these ambitious goals will require dramatic changes to our energy and transportation systems in a relatively short time, but time isn’t the only challenge. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables will cost billions, require new sources of critical minerals and need skeptical citizens to adjust to solar farms in their backyards and wind farms in their viewsheds.

IJNR’s Great Lakes Energy Future program will feature a series of virtual one-day webinars capped off with a multi-day in-person workshop to introduce a group of up to 20 journalists to the current work being done to chart a greener course in America’s Rust Belt and what these efforts mean for the region and the country. The workshop will explore the political, technological and social dynamics of this transition through state and federal regulators, utility representatives, researchers, local citizens, equity advocates and more.

The scheduled dates and proposed themes of each session are:

• January 17, 2024 (virtual): Producing Energy
• February 7, 2024 (virtual): Delivering Energy
• February 28, 2024 (virtual): Energy Equity
• March 19-21, 2024: Chicago-based In-person Workshop

All applicants must be able to attend all four sessions. Priority consideration will be given to journalists of color.

Deadline: January 3, 2024

Details and application.