

Factor This
Factor This
Launched in 2022, the Factor This Podcast has featured many of the most influential leaders driving the energy transition. From solar and battery storage executives to utility CEOs, the Factor This Podcast brings unique insights and answers to the energy industry’s most pressing challenges. Go beyond high-level trends and mainstream talking points with actionable takeaways. The Factor This Podcast grew in 2023 with the addition of This Week in Cleantech, a weekly roundup of the biggest stories in climate and clean energy in 15 minutes or less. With new episodes every Friday, Factor This content director Paul Gerke and Mike Casey, a cleantech commentator and president of Tigercomm, bring listeners the most important headlines of the week while featuring the leading journalists behind the stories.The all-new FactorThis.com is your best source for news, commentary, and analysis of renewable energy and the power grid.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 6, 2025 • 16min
This Week in Cleantech (06/06/2025) - Trump wants to repurpose Biden's green bank
Tell us what you think of the show! This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate in 15 minutes or less featuring Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm’s Mike Casey.This week’s episode features special guest Ari Natter from Bloomberg, who wrote about how the Trump administration plans to repurpose Biden’s $400 billion green bank to fund loans for nuclear, geothermal, and critical mineral projectsThis week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Mayor Mondale Robinson of Enfield, North Carolina. He led a plan to build a solar farm, resilience hub, and weatherization center in Enfield, cutting $650 monthly energy bills, replacing crumbling grid infrastructure, and using clean energy to bring jobs and economic independence to a historically Black, underserved rural community.This Week in Cleantech — June 6, 2025The Supreme Court Just Started a Permitting Revolution — HeatmapU.S. Oil Companies Are ‘Battening Down the Hatches’ — The New York TimesWhy Wind And Solar Make Grids More Vulnerable to Blackouts — The Wall Street JournalChinese battery glut plugs into solar boom to power Pakistan — The Financial TimesTrump Plans to Tap Biden’s Green Bank to Make Billions in Loans — BloombergWant to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

May 30, 2025 • 20min
This Week in Cleantech (05/30/2025) - The solar industry needs a win
In this episode, the hosts discuss BYD's impressive achievement of surpassing Tesla in European EV sales. They also tackle a pivotal court ruling that questions the administration's tariff policies, which could reshape the clean tech landscape. Attention turns to the future of nuclear energy with new executive orders, while the solar industry faces challenges from potential legislative changes in Ohio. The highlights include a creative student project that showcases the power of solar energy, embodying the hope for a brighter, greener future.

May 23, 2025 • 18min
This Week in Cleantech (05/22/2025) - A breakthrough in EV batteries?
Tell us what you think of the show! This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate in 15 minutes or less featuring Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm’s Mike Casey.This week’s episode features special guest Jack Ewing from The New York Times, who wrote about how Massachusetts start-up Factorial Energy, led by Siyu Huang, has successfully tested its solid-state battery in a Mercedes-Benz EQS sedanThis week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Carlo Angeles, of the Biodiversity Credit Alliance who posted about how defaunation is breaking our forests. He shared that there is a 68% decrease in forest regeneration when key dispersers are gone, along with other information that we’ll include in our episode writeup. Congratulations, Carlo!This Week in Cleantech — May 22, 2025 Tax bill passed by House Republicans would gut Biden-era clean energy tax credits –– AP NewsSwiss Clean-Energy Startup Produces Diesel From Solar Power –– The Wall Street JournalTrump orders the government to stop enforcing rules he doesn’t like –– The Washington PostRenewable Energy Is Booming in Texas. Republicans Want to Change That. –– The New York TimesA Decade-Long Search for a Battery That Can End the Gasoline Era –– The New York TimesWant to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

May 16, 2025 • 18min
This Week in Cleantech (05/16/2025) - Is it time for a zeppelin resurgence?
Tell us what you think of the show! This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate in 15 minutes or less featuring Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm’s Mike Casey.This week’s episode features special guest Nico Rivero from The Washington Post, who wrote about how some startups are are reviving zeppelins as a low-emissions option for cargo and tourism.This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is one of our previous ‘This Week in Cleantech’ guests, Michael Thomas, founder at Cleanview and Distilled. He analyzed Cleanview data showing that 78% of post-IRA clean energy projects—and $100 billion in investment—benefit Republican districts, warning that repealing the IRA would hurt those communities most. Congratulations, Michael!This Week in Cleantech — May 16, 2025 US House targets big climate, clean energy rollbacks in budget proposal — ReutersHow Donald Trump blew the offshore wind industry off course — The VergeHow this coal company could help break U.S. dependence on China for rare earths — CNBCEnergy prices push chemicals groups to explore exit from Europe — The Financial TimesWhy these start-ups think zeppelins could be the future of air travel — The Washington PostNominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.comWant to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

May 14, 2025 • 17min
Utilities, data centers, and grid flexibility: How does the customer benefit?
Tell us what you think of the show! Utilities are doing all they can to accommodate large load customers like AI data centers, but some worry those efforts come at a cost to other customers. On this episode of the Factor This podcast, West Monroe Partner Sam Uyeno explains how the proliferation of data centers could actually lower electricity prices. In a far-reaching discussion, Uyeno and host Paul Gerke touch on demand flexibility, the potential benefits of AI in grid planning, and the complexities of co-location and supply chain issues. Uyeno also previews his participation in the upcoming DTECH Data Centers & AI event in San Jose, California.Want to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

May 9, 2025 • 21min
This Week in Cleantech (05/09/2025) - Are Trump's cleantech cuts undermining his mineral plans?
Tell us what you think of the show! This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate in 15 minutes or less featuring Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm’s Mike Casey.This week’s episode features special guest Alex Kaufman, who wrote for the The Atlantic about how Trump’s administration is fast-tracking domestic mining projects, pushing executive orders and green-lighting new rare earth and mineral ventures to reduce reliance on foreign sources like China.This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Meredith Connolly, who shared a story from her first road trip in an electric vehicle. Charging her car cost just $22, but the station was in front of a Target so she ended up spending more inside the store than she did on charging. Her point: businesses should want EV chargers, because they bring in more customers.This Week in Cleantech — May 6, 2025Why Going Nuclear Is the Only Good Choice: Merryn Talks Money — BloombergRepublicans say EVs don’t pay their fair share. Here’s the math. — The Washington PostIndia Sees a Future Making Solar Panels for Itself, and Maybe the World — The New York TimesUnited Bets on Photosynthesis and Limestone to Fuel Net-Zero Flight Path — The Wall Street JournalThe Missing Part of Trump’s Minerals Math — The AtlanticNominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.comWant to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

May 2, 2025 • 21min
This Week in Cleantech (05/02/2025) - Is the NRC stifling nuclear innovation?
Tell us what you think of the show! This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate in 15 minutes or less featuring Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm’s Mike Casey.This week’s episode features special guest Molly Taft from WIRED, who wrote about how several states and startups are suing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), arguing its strict, slow regulations stifle innovation in small nuclear reactor development.This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Maddy Mowrey, Event Specialist at National Grid Renewables. She was the point person for the National Grid Executive Parnter Summit event in Nashville last week. Congratulations Maddy!This Week in Cleantech — May 2, 2025 U.S. Needs More Power for AI—but Critical Equipment Is Pricey and Scarce — The Wall Street JournalVideo: Underwater windmills could revolutionize our energy systems — CNN BusinessHow a Carbon Pipeline Is Turning Iowa Against Wind — Heatmap NewsFarmers are making bank harvesting a new crop: Solar energy — GristStates and Startups Are Suing the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission — WIREDNominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.comWant to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

Apr 25, 2025 • 16min
This Week in Cleantech (04/25/2025) - Climate tech's shaky footing in 2025
Tell us what you think of the show! This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate in 15 minutes or less featuring Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm’s Mike Casey.This week’s episode features MIT Technology Review's Casey Crownhart, who wrote about how $8 billion of US climate tech projects have been canceled so far this year. This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Rev. Nate Pyle, senior pastor at Christ’s Community Church in Fishers, Indiana for supporting rooftop solar on his church and helping show the community how caring for the planet is part of their faith.This Week in Cleantech — April 25, 2025US Imposes Tariffs Up to 3,521% on Asian Solar Imports — Bloomberg NewsThe Heat Coming Out of Your Car’s Tailpipe? Some Can Be Turned Into Electricity — The Wall Street JournalScientists say they can calculate the cost of oil giants’ role in global warming — The Washington PostAs Tesla Falters, These New EVs Are Picking Up the Pace – Bloomberg$8 billion of US climate tech projects have been canceled so far in 2025 — MIT Technology ReviewNominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.comWant to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

Apr 22, 2025 • 27min
How utilities can 'shield' equipment from wildfire risk
Tell us what you think of the show! Sponsored content.In the territories of many electric utilities, wildfires loom as an increasing threat, becoming larger and more frequent, necessitating proactive solutions.In this episode of the Factor This podcast, host Paul Gerke taps into the brain of a leading expert, Craig Clements of San Jose State University, to discuss the evolving threat wildfires pose to utility infrastructure and explore how a rigorously tested product, Hexion's ArmorBuilt, could stand as an effective means of protecting vital equipment.Want to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

Apr 18, 2025 • 20min
This Week in Cleantech (04/18/2025) - Trump's clash with offshore wind escalates
Tell us what you think of the show! This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate in 15 minutes or less featuring John Engel and Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm’s Mike Casey.This week’s episode features Jake Spring from The Washington Post, who wrote about how the Trump administration ordered an immediate halt to construction on the Empire Wind project, a major offshore wind development off the coast of New York. This week's "Cleantechers of the Week" are Andrea Giampoli & Alyssa Edwards who were Chairs for the (sold out!) ACP Siting + Permitting Conference in Seattle this week. Congratulations Andrea and Alyssa!This Week in Cleantech — April 18, 2025This Massive Hydrogen Project Could Hurt the Climate More Than It Helps — Heatmap NewsGoogle’s geothermal energy ambitions are growing — The VergeNew technologies are helping to regrow Arctic sea ice — GristBringing back evaporative cooling for data centers — Latitude MediaTrump administration halts New York offshore wind project — The Washington PostNominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.comWant to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com


