164. 'Duke Energy's Strategy to Harness the IIJA Opportunity' with Cynthia Klein, Duke Energy

Since being passed into law, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, affectionately dubbed "Biden Bucks," has held an ever-present hold on the U.S. energy landscape. From speeding up deployment of U.S. renewables to incentivizing domestic manufacturing of clean tech, to the investment into innovative R&D opportunities, the legislation has been integral for stakeholders like utilities to account for when looking to the future. Today's guest to the podcast, Cynthia Klein, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Duke Energy, brings her invaluable perspective to the table, shedding light on the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned in navigating the IIJA process. From the initial reactions to the strategic maneuvering within Duke Energy, Cynthia provides a candid glimpse into the realities of securing federal funding amidst regulatory constraints. With a keen focus on collaboration and prioritization, Cynthia shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester her firsthand accounts of Duke Energy's efforts to drive meaningful change through IIJA, offering tangible examples of successful projects and invaluable insights into resilience in the face of setbacks. Listen in as this conversation unravels the complexities of energy transformation and the pivotal role of IIJA in shaping the future of utilities. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-164-duke-energys-strategy-harness-iija-opportunity-cynthia-klein-director Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/ 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