Shift Key with Robinson Meyer and Jesse Jenkins

In this discussion, John Henry Harris, the cofounder and CEO of Harbinger Motors, delves into the electrification of medium-duty trucks, a surprising focus for sustainability efforts. He explains how these vehicles are prime candidates for electric power due to their daily mileage needs. The conversation covers the intricacies of designing long-lasting electric trucks, the economic advantages over diesel alternatives, and the impacts of trade policies on U.S. manufacturing. Harris also shares insights on the specific maintenance benefits and potential savings for operators.

Jessica Green, a political science professor at the University of Toronto and author of 'The Existential Politics of Climate Change,' dives into the complexities of decarbonization. She critiques traditional views on climate action, proposing a focus on asset ownership instead. The conversation highlights the political risks of transitioning away from fossil fuels and the challenges posed by collective action. Green advocates for a pragmatic approach to climate policy, underscoring the need to navigate the nuances of ownership dynamics and regulatory hurdles in achieving net zero emissions.

Nicholas Bagley, a law professor at the University of Michigan and former Chief Legal Counsel to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, delves into the Supreme Court's landmark decision on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The ruling, which could favor fossil fuel expansion, sparks a debate on the balance between infrastructure development and environmental protection. Bagley explores the implications for future environmental litigation and the evolving landscape of permitting laws, highlighting a potential transformation in how NEPA is interpreted.

Kate Marvel, an associate research scientist at Columbia University and the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, discusses the critical importance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. She highlights how even slight temperature increases can have devastating effects, explaining the complex dynamics of climate tipping points and feedback loops. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for significant emissions reductions and addresses the political challenges in climate action. Marvel also offers optimism amidst these concerns, advocating for collective human agency in shaping a sustainable future.

Republicans are poised to dismantle key clean energy tax credits, raising alarms about future emissions and the energy economy. The discussion reveals how these changes could cripple electric vehicle production and hurt grid stability. Insights from a Princeton report detail projected increases in greenhouse gas emissions, while the challenges facing U.S. EV manufacturing and supply chains are highlighted. The podcast also touches on the implications of potential policy shifts on fuel prices and future electricity demand, painting a complex picture of the energy landscape.

Luke Bassett, a former senior advisor for domestic climate policy at the U.S. Treasury, joins to dissect the brewing battle over the Inflation Reduction Act. He reveals the GOP's recent proposal to reshape energy tax provisions, emphasizing its potential to significantly impact clean energy funding. The conversation covers critical aspects of the legislative process, including budget reconciliation's role and navigates the complexities of new tax credit regulations on sectors like electric vehicles and renewable energy. Bassett highlights the stakes for manufacturers and working families amidst these political shifts.

A massive blackout in Spain and Portugal left millions in the dark, prompting a deep dive into the complexities of grid management. The discussion highlights the impact of renewable energy and the critical role of engineers in maintaining reliability. Listeners learn about the delicate balance between voltage, frequency, and demand. The show also explores varying grid systems across continents and the future of electricity transmission as countries transition to sustainable energy sources.

Texas is one of the country’s biggest producers of zero-emissions energy. Last year, the Lone Star State surpassed California to become the country’s No. 1 market for utility-scale solar. More solar and batteries were added to the Texas grid in 2024 than any other energy source, and the state has long dominated in onshore wind.But that buildout is now threatened. A new tranche of bills in the Texas House and Senate could impose punitive engineering requirements on wind, solar, and storage plants — even those already in operation — and they could send the state’s power bills soaring.Doug Lewin is the founder and CEO of Stoic Energy Partners in Austin, Texas. He writes the Texas Energy and Power Newsletter, and he is the host of the Energy Capital podcast. On this week’s episode of Shift Key, Jesse and Rob talk with Doug about how Texas became a clean energy powerhouse, how it has dealt with eye-watering demand power growth, and why a handful of bills in the Texas statehouse could break its electricity market. Shift Key is hosted by Robinson Meyer, the founding executive editor of Heatmap, and Jesse Jenkins, a professor of energy systems engineering at Princeton University.Mentioned: A round-up of the anti-renewables bills now in TexasA map of renewables across TexasElectrifying the PermianThe economic impact of renewables & storage in TexasRural Texans speak out against SB 819How Texas consumers benefit from the renewables expansion Rob’s upshift; Jesse’s upshift.--Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In just the past few years, Chinese EV-maker BYD has become the most important car company most Americans have still never heard of. It is China’s biggest private employer, the world’s third most valuable automaker (after Tesla and Toyota), and it’s capable of producing more than 5 million cars a year. It’s also just one of dozens of innovative new Chinese auto companies that are set to transform the global mobility market — regardless of what happens with Trump’s tariffs. On this week’s episode of Shift Key, Jesse and Rob talk with Michael Dunne, the founder of Dunne Insights and a longtime observer of the Chinese automotive sector. Dunne was president of GM Indonesia from 2013 and 2015, and was once managing director of JD Power and Associates’ China division. We talk about the deep history of BYD, the five non-BYD Chinese car companies you should know, and how Western automakers could (with difficulty and a lot of policy help) eventually catch up.Shift Key is hosted by Jesse Jenkins, a professor of energy systems engineering at Princeton University, and Robinson Meyer, Heatmap’s executive editor.Mentioned:Michael Dunne on BYDWhy BYD Keeps Shocking the WorldHow China Created an EV JuggernautJesse’s upshift; Rob’s downshift.--Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The discussion navigates the fallout of the U.S. trade war and its dire implications for global decarbonization efforts. Tariffs on key partners could cripple America's role in combatting climate change, while China might seize the opportunity to expand its clean tech sector. The podcast also highlights the significant responsibility of middle-income nations in balancing development with clean energy needs. Legislative changes in the U.S. threaten clean energy initiatives, potentially undermining innovation and leadership in the global energy landscape.