Volts

Minnesota passed a transportation bill that requires consideration of state climate goals in planning. Representative Larry Kraft discusses the significance of the bill and the impact on transportation projects and emissions. The podcast also explores transportation initiatives in Minneapolis, equity in planning, and the politics surrounding transportation in Minnesota politics.

Maine is considering replacing its unpopular investor-owned power utilities with a single non-profit utility called Pine Tree Power. The utilities are opposed and have spent $27 million to campaign against it. The podcast explores the need for a public utility in Maine, the advantages of Pine Tree Power, financing options, the campaign against the initiative, and the potential impact on other states.

This podcast discusses the need for the environmental movement to shift from blocking projects to actively participating in building renewable energy infrastructure. It explores organizing strategies, connecting vulnerable communities with IRA money, and the role of workers in effective tactics. The focus is on building sustainable solutions, renewable energy in developing countries, investing in schools, mobilizing people for building projects, the role of the donor community, and local activism for decarbonization.

Why is rooftop solar adoption slower and more expensive in the US compared to Australia? In this podcast, Mary Powell, CEO of Sunrun, discusses speeding up the solar interconnection process, net metering, vehicle charging, virtual power plants, and the future of distributed energy. Other topics include labor shortages, supply chain challenges, higher interest rates, virtual power plants, advancements in solar energy and storage, and the potential of rooftop solar and household batteries in the US.

The podcast discusses the lack of transmission capacity in the US and the potential of grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) to improve existing infrastructure. It explores dynamic line ratings as a real-time capacity determination method, topology optimization to reduce congestion, and the role of public advocacy in enhancing the grid. The chapter also highlights the resistance from utilities to deploy GETs at scale and the need for policy support to facilitate their adoption.

Reed Hundt, CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital, discusses the merits of green banks and Biden's proposed federal green bank. They explore the role of a green bank in addressing climate change, the potential for public investment to catalyze private sector funding, and the funding needed for a federal green bank. They also assess Biden and the Democrats' actions, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate change.

Eric Hittinger, a researcher on grid-scale batteries and carbon emissions, discusses the current state of grid-scale batteries and their impact on carbon emissions. He highlights how most batteries on today's grid actually increase emissions and introduces Tierra Climate, a startup aiming to incentivize emission-reducing behavior in batteries through carbon offsets. The podcast explores the challenges faced by grid-scale batteries in reducing emissions, the lack of financial incentives for battery investments, and the differences between avoidance and removal offsets. It also discusses the price points for nature-based offsets and batteries, and the importance of carbon offsets in achieving sustainability goals.

Matt Sheffield, a prominent figure in right-wing media criticism, and David Roberts discuss the disinformation crisis, climate change, and their deep connection. They explore the importance of narrative and context in journalism, trust in science and environmentalism, tensions within fundamentalist Christianity, implications of climate change, ethics of billionaires, carbon capture technology, giving credit to progressive policies, benefits of wind energy in Sherman County, overcoming challenges in the energy transition, and the power of persuasion in driving change-oriented politics.

The podcast explores the progressive take on the permitting debate for clean energy infrastructure in the US. It discusses the impact of permitting on the clean energy transition and proposes reforms. The role of Independent System Operators and Regional Transmission Organizations in renewable energy development is examined. The frustration with the slow permitting process is highlighted, along with the need for coordination and planning for addressing climate change. The podcast also delves into phasing out fossil fuels and involving communities in economic development.

Australian comedian Dan Ilic and climate change advocate David Roberts discuss topics such as indigenous land acknowledgement, the upcoming voice referendum, small modular nuclear reactors, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, innovation in connected appliances, and their journeys in energy and climate.