Inevitable

Russell Kenneth DeGraff, former Chief Climate and Technology Advisor to Nancy Pelosi, shares his extensive experience from 18 years on Capitol Hill. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of negotiating the Inflation Reduction Act and other key climate legislation. DeGraff discusses pivotal moments in the legislative process, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan efforts. He also reflects on the current political climate and the potential risks to climate progress in future elections, encouraging active engagement in climate advocacy.

Zach Dell, Co-founder and CEO of Base Power Company, aims to transform home energy services with innovative battery solutions. He discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration for Base, and the company's unique approach to distributed batteries in Texas. The conversation covers the challenges of clean energy, battery technology, and the importance of customer-centric models. Zach also delves into the significance of battery storage for grid support and the startup's strategy for affordability and reliability in home energy services.

Vicki Hollub, CEO of Occidental Petroleum, leads a frontier oil and gas company that's embracing carbon management. In a dynamic discussion, she highlights Oxy’s ambitious plans for direct air capture and the goal of 70 facilities by 2035. Vicki reflects on the industry’s adaptation to climate challenges, emphasizing the potential for carbon-negative oil extraction. She also shares her unique journey to leadership, discussing the importance of innovation and collaboration in navigating the energy transition and addressing public skepticism.

Tiernan Sittenfeld, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the League of Conservation Voters, joins a dynamic discussion about the intersection of climate action and the electoral process. They explore the significance of the upcoming election for environmental policies and how grassroots organizing can influence voter turnout. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for supporting climate-conscious candidates, the importance of tracking lawmakers' environmental records, and strategies for financial contributions and volunteer mobilization to champion climate initiatives.

Doug Bernauer is the CEO and Co-founder of Radiant. Radiant is developing a portable nuclear micro-reactor to replace diesel generators. They raised a $40 million Series B in 2023 led by a16z, after previously raising capital from investors including USV, Founders Fund, and DCVC. They're targeting the development of a portable, mostly self-contained, one-megawatt nuclear reactor that is roughly the size of a shipping container.We've been focusing more on nuclear energy lately, exploring whether the US could reclaim its position as a global leader. With bipartisan support reflected in recent legislation like the ADVANCE Act signed into law by President Biden, there are signs of progress, but significant challenges remain.In this episode, Doug discusses these challenges and delves into Radiant’s technology, use cases, fuel, and more.In this episode, we cover: [02:28]: Radiant's micro-reactor technology and applications [04:21]: Use cases for one-megawatt reactors, including disaster relief [06:36]: Description of Radiant’s reactor[10:26]: Cooling technologies used by Radiant[12:20]: Radiant's connection with Idaho National Lab's Pele design [13:40]: DOE and DoD funding for Radiant's nuclear technology[17:02]: Customer models and sales strategies for nuclear reactors [20:43]: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval processes for operating reactors [21:57]: Doug’s hopes for future regulatory parity with diesel generators [24:18]: Supply chain for High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel [28:38]: Challenges of NRC processes for micro-reactors [32:24]: Demand signals from remote and military applications for micro-reactors [35:31]: Current financing status and future fundraising plansEpisode recorded on Aug 8, 2024 (Published on Sep 12, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Jeff Chapin, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Haven Energy, and Philip Krim, Casper's Co-founder, explore the world of home energy solutions. They discuss the challenges and consumer demand for home battery systems, innovative approaches in retrofitting solar setups, and navigating California's evolving net metering regulations. The pair emphasizes the importance of customized energy management and the financial incentives for homeowners. They also share insights on fundraising in the green energy sector and strategies to reach underserved communities.

Matt Soule, CEO and Co-founder of Parallel Systems, shares his journey from SpaceX to transforming rail freight with automated battery-electric vehicles. He discusses the groundbreaking concept of self-assembling trains that drive independently and adapt on the fly. The conversation dives into the environmental advantages of rail versus trucking, the challenges of integrating new technology with traditional systems, and the innovative strategies being employed to redefine logistics in a sustainable way. Matt's insights shed light on the evolving future of rail transport.

Katie Siegel, CEO and Co-founder of Flipturn, shares her journey from Samsara to leading an EV charging management platform for fleets. They discuss California's Advanced Clean Fleets law, emphasizing its nationwide implications for zero-emission vehicle adoption. The conversation highlights the challenges fleet managers face in integrating efficient charging, power procurement, and energy management into their operations. They also touch on the innovative role of technology in transitioning to electrification, especially for last mile delivery.

Julia Strong, the Executive Director of Symbiosis Coalition, discusses her organization's groundbreaking effort to secure 20 million tons of nature-based carbon removals by 2030, with support from tech giants like Google and Microsoft. She explores the challenges in forestry credits and the importance of high-quality carbon removal projects. Julia emphasizes the role of local communities and innovative land-use models in reforestation. Listeners gain insights into mangrove restoration and the coalition's commitment to ecological integrity and transparency.

Joe Daniel, a Principal on the Carbon-Free Electricity Team at RMI, dives into the intricate world of coal's impact on the US electric grid. He explains the concept of non-economic dispatch, where coal plants operate despite being less cost-effective, disrupting energy efficiency. The discussion highlights how information asymmetry hinders renewables while Joe introduces tools like RMI's Economic Dispatch Hub aimed at facilitating a fair transition to cleaner energy. Insights on coal's declining role amidst rising renewables make for an engaging and enlightening conversation.