Shift Key with Robinson Meyer and Jesse Jenkins

Exploring the importance of how power bills are calculated, the need for redesigned electricity rates, and fixing issues with rooftop solar in America. Discussing challenges of rooftop solar, implementing time of use pricing, and restructuring electricity billing. Highlighting innovative solutions for electricity bills and retail competition, challenges in the US energy market, and advancements in carbon capture technology and Europe's energy transition.

Severin Borenstein, an economist, discusses rooftop solar's high cost impact, shifting burdens to non-solar users in California. They debate electricity bill fairness, cost structures, and potential government interventions. Topics include income-graduated charges, fair billing, and societal implications. Also covered are system cost allocation, historical rate evolution, and the necessity for updated billing models aligned with current trends.

Mary Powell, CEO of Sunrun, discusses the high costs of rooftop solar in the U.S. compared to Australia. The podcast explores the evolution of rooftop solar companies, storage solutions, bureaucratic hurdles in solar installations, and the importance of PR in the climate tech sector. They also delve into optimizing energy generation and concerns over slow wind additions in US renewable capacity.

Transmission obstacles in decarbonizing America's power grid, recent DOE and FERC initiatives, special guests discussing Biden's climate policy, challenges in permitting reform, and the importance of accelerating transmission development for renewable energy integration.

Discussion on Tesla's crisis, layoffs, and shift towards AI, raising concerns about its impact on the EV transition. Analyzing Tesla's challenges in Q1 earnings and supercharger network strategy. Exploring Musk's decisions, risks, and US offshore wind sector developments. Examining the growth of US electricity generation from renewables.

The podcast delves into the EPA's new rules targeting climate pollution from coal and gas plants, emphasizing carbon capture technology. It discusses the end of coal in America, the implications for gas plants, and the importance of transitioning to renewables. The hosts analyze the EPA's regulations, industry concerns, and the political challenges in decarbonizing the grid.

Jigar Shah, overseeing $400 billion in DOE lending, discusses financing EV factories, geothermal wells, and more. Exploring cash flow, tech innovation, and risk in new projects. Analyzing investment risks in cutting-edge tech and the bridge to bankability. Evolution of clean energy technologies and challenges in the energy and automotive sectors. State initiatives for clean energy financing and local entrepreneurship support.

Discussion on the slump in EV sales in the US, Tesla's challenges, potential solutions with hybrids, and Detroit's EV strategy. Also, the evolving identity of Tesla, automakers' growth patterns, profitability strategies, emissions standards, and the dynamics between plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles in the market.

Author Akshat Rathi and VC Sophie Purdom discuss how capitalism can drive climate solutions, highlighting profitable ventures, Chinese EVs, and interest rates' impact. They explore carbon pricing, international trade challenges, and diverse country approaches. The conversation also delves into the intersection of climate capitalism, venture capital, and macro interest rates in funding climate solutions.

Jonathan Koomey discusses the impact of AI on energy consumption and the history of computing's energy use. The episode explores data centers, AI-related computing, and electricity demand growth. Topics include energy efficiency improvements in GPU for AI training, balancing energy demand growth, and AI models in pricing and sustainability.