Frank Jossi

Frank Jossi is an independent journalist and consultant based in St. Paul, Minnesota and a longtime contributor to Midwest Energy News. His articles have appeared in more than 50 publications, including Minnesota Monthly, Wired, the Los Angeles Times and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Jossi has also been a Humphrey policy fellow at the University of Minnesota, a Fulbright journalism teacher in Pakistan and Albania, and a program director of the World Press Institute at Macalester College.

The Latest from Frank Jossi

Virtual power plants

Xcel Minnesota looks to mimic power plants with solar and storage

The utility’s “virtual power plant” proposal taps an emerging model to replace retiring fossil fuel generation, but advocates say the devil is in the details.

By Frank Jossi . 28 August 2024
Solar

Minnesota creates new ombudsperson role to help connect solar faster

Solar developers have long complained about the state’s lengthy process for connecting to the grid. The ombudsperson will work to resolve disputes.

By Frank Jossi . 11 July 2024
Emissions reduction

Aza Power wants to swap diesel for ammonia in trucks, tractors, and more

If produced using renewable energy, ammonia could significantly reduce emissions from industrial applications.

By Frank Jossi . 30 April 2024
Geothermal

Geothermal cuts emissions and costs at these Minnesota public schools

With federal incentives, the state’s second-largest school district is using geothermal to revamp school heating and trying out a novel aquifer-based system.

By Frank Jossi . 28 March 2024
Utilities

Minnesota utility’s plan for getting off gas isn’t enough, critics say

CenterPoint Energy’s "innovation plans" won’t put the state on track to achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by midcentury.

By Frank Jossi . 12 March 2024
Clean energy jobs

Why this manufacturer helped start an electrification training program

Thermo King has made diesel-powered machinery for decades. But once it pivoted to electrified products, it needed to retrain its workers — fast.

By Frank Jossi . 6 September 2023
Solar

Pioneering project helps renters cash in on solar savings

By cleverly stacking an array of incentives and credits, two nonprofits are helping Minneapolis apartment dwellers slash their power bills by up to one-third.

By Frank Jossi . 14 April 2023
Hydrogen

This utility is blending hydrogen into fossil gas. Can it scale?

Some households in Minnesota have been using a gas blend with 5% hydrogen to cook and heat their homes. Results have been positive so far.

By Frank Jossi . 31 January 2023

Frank Jossi

The Latest from Frank Jossi

Xcel Minnesota looks to mimic power plants with solar and storage

Minnesota creates new ombudsperson role to help connect solar faster

Aza Power wants to swap diesel for ammonia in trucks, tractors, and more

Geothermal cuts emissions and costs at these Minnesota public schools

Minnesota utility’s plan for getting off gas isn’t enough, critics say

Why this manufacturer helped start an electrification training program

Pioneering project helps renters cash in on solar savings

This utility is blending hydrogen into fossil gas. Can it scale?