180. 'Balancing Clean Energy Expansion & Wildlife Protection' with Veronica Ung-Kono, NWF

As the demand for renewable energy grows, the expansion of transmission infrastructure has become a critical need for facilitating the clean energy transition. However, this expansion often runs up against the need to protect vital wildlife habitats and natural ecosystems. Striking a balance between advancing clean energy and preserving biodiversity is an increasingly complex challenge that utilities, policymakers, and environmental advocates must navigate. In this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, we welcome Veronica Ung-Kono, Staff Attorney and Clean Energy Transmission Policy Specialist at the National Wildlife Federation, to discuss how these two worlds intersect. Listen in as Veronica shares with podcast host Jason Price and produce Matt Chester her unique perspective on how to expand the nation’s transmission infrastructure while protecting wildlife. From understanding migration patterns to safeguarding lesser-known ecosystems, Veronica explores how her team is working to ensure that clean energy development doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. Listen in as this conversation covers these critical issues and learn how early collaboration between developers and environmental advocates can lead to more sustainable outcomes. Key Links: Post on Energy Central with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-180-balancing-clean-energy-expansion-wildlife-protection-veronica-ung NWF's Transmission Webpage: https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Climate/Climate-Change/Greenhouse-Gases/Transmission 2022 MIT Study, Sources of Opposition to renewable energy projects in the United States: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421522001471 Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast? Do you want to hear your voice on a future episode? Well starting in 2024, we’re offering you that opportunity! Head to this link where you can leave us a recorded message, including a question you’re eager to have answered on a future episode of the podcast. We’ll listen through them, pick out the right guests in our upcoming lineup to address them, and you’ll hear yourself as a part of the conversation! Energy Central on SpeakPipe: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast