Shift Key with Robinson Meyer and Jesse Jenkins
Heatmap News
Every week, Heatmap News Executive Editor Robinson Meyer and Princeton University Professor and energy systems expert Jesse Jenkins make sense of the biggest shift of our time -- navigating the energy transition away from fossil fuels. Drawing on their years of experience reporting on and researching climate change and decarbonization, Meyer and Jenkins unpack the most important issues of the week and how the impacts of climate change and efforts to address it are transforming our economy, politics, and society at large. Music by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 52min
The Lesson Nuclear Companies Should Take From the Dot-Com Boom
Skanda Amarnath, executive director of Employ America and former Federal Reserve analyst, joins the conversation about New Jersey's electricity crisis amid the gubernatorial race. He discusses the reasons behind skyrocketing electricity prices and whether the nuclear boom reflects a speculative bubble. The impact of AI on energy demand is examined, along with lessons for today's investors drawn from the dot-com boom. Skanda also shares insights on the feasibility of nuclear restarts and the broader economic landscape.
18 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 60min
The Startup Trying to Put Geothermal Heat Pumps in America’s Homes
In this conversation with Dulcie Madden, founder and CEO of Dig Energy, listeners discover how her startup is revolutionizing geothermal heat pumps. Dulcie reveals the technology behind ground-source systems and discusses how Dig's small drilling rigs could slash installation costs by 80-90%. They explore the efficiency, energy savings, and market potential for geothermal solutions in various U.S. regions. The discussion also touches on policy incentives and the future of geothermal infrastructure, painting an optimistic picture for cleaner energy.
Oct 15, 2025 • 53min
How Julian Brave NoiseCat Changed His Mind About Climate Politics
Julian Brave NoiseCat, a writer, Oscar-nominated filmmaker, and former climate organizer, shares insights from his new book, 'We Survived the Night.' He discusses the evolution of his views on climate politics, emphasizing the importance of persuasion over direct action. Julian illustrates how Native American stories, particularly coyote trickster narratives, connect personal and political history. He also delves into the complexities of Native identity, the dynamics of political recognition, and the challenges faced by Indigenous nations in environmental stewardship.
56 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 13min
How China’s Power Grid Really Works
Michael Davidson, a UC San Diego professor specializing in Chinese electricity and climate policy, delves into China’s recent climate commitment to reduce emissions by 7-10% by 2035. He discusses the complexities of China’s energy grid, revealing the tension between central and provincial governments. Davidson explains why China may under-promise yet over-deliver on renewable energy targets and addresses the challenges of integrating renewables and coal into the power system. The conversation also touches on the rapid growth of electricity demand and what that means for future planning.
25 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 1min
Heatmap’s Reporters Talk About Electricity, Inflation, and the New Era in Climate Politics
In this discussion, Matthew Zeitlin, a staff writer focused on energy politics, Emily Pontecorvo, an expert on climate policy, and Jillian Goodman, deputy editor and producer, dive into key takeaways from New York Climate Week. They address the shifting focus towards electricity affordability, the political ramifications for Democrats, and the complexities of messaging around the affordability of clean energy. They also explore recent changes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and emerging concerns about climate science, while reflecting on the broader implications for future energy policy.
53 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 4min
Live From New York Climate Week: The AI and Electricity Moment
Sean Casten, a Democratic U.S. Representative and clean-energy advocate, discusses the Cheap Energy Act and how it aims to align utility interests with consumers. Arushi Sharma Frank, a former Tesla energy executive, highlights her work with Emerald AI, focusing on how data centers can adapt to support grid flexibility. Amanda von Allman from Salesforce dives into leveraging AI for corporate sustainability. Together, they explore the urgent need for regulatory changes, tech-utility collaboration, and innovative solutions to manage rising electricity demand.
60 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 1h 12min
Nobody in the West Knows How to Respond to the ‘Electrotech Revolution’
Kingsmill Bond, an energy strategist at Ember and co-author of 'The Electrotech Revolution', shares insights on the transformative shift to electricity technologies like solar and EVs. He argues that a global electrotech revolution is underway, led by China's scale and policy. Bond discusses how efficiency and falling costs are driving this change, the importance of proactive policy responses, and the risks of Western inaction. He also highlights how emerging markets are leapfrogging to clean energy, positioning the world for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.
47 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 46min
What J.P. Morgan’s Chief Climate Advisor Is Telling Energy Startups
Dr. Sarah Kapnick, Global Head of Climate Advisory at J.P. Morgan and former chief scientist at NOAA, shares her insights on the evolving energy landscape. She discusses how global politics, driven by renewable resources, affect decarbonization efforts. The conversation dives into the importance of blending adaptation and mitigation strategies in climate policy. They explore North America's shift from fossil fuels to renewables and compare U.S. and China's paths in clean technology, highlighting the need for stable investments to foster innovation.
53 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 7min
Utility Regulation Really Sucks
Electricity prices are soaring, mainly due to aging infrastructure and regulation issues. The U.S. can learn from international approaches to better control costs and improve utility management. The podcast unpacks the unique challenges of monopolistic utilities, the moral hazards in regulation, and the need for greater efficiency. It also touches on the importance of energy storage innovations and discusses global solar trends, particularly China’s massive installations and their impact on the market.
53 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 59min
What Carbon Dioxide Has to Do With the Meaning of Life
In this captivating discussion, Peter Brannen, a contributing writer at The Atlantic and author of 'The Story of CO2 Is the Story of Everything', dives into the crucial role of carbon dioxide in our planet's history. He explores how CO2 has shaped life on Earth, intertwined with energy dynamics and mass extinctions. Brannen highlights the transformation of coal in the industrial age and examines humanity's relationship with energy consumption and its impact on climate change, stressing the urgent need for innovative solutions in our decarbonization efforts.
