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Factor This

Launched in 2022, the Factor This Podcast has featured many of the most influential leaders driving the energy transition. From solar and battery storage executives to utility CEOs, the Factor This Podcast brings unique insights and answers to the energy industry’s most pressing challenges. Go beyond high-level trends and mainstream talking points with actionable takeaways.

The Factor This Podcast grew in 2023 with the addition of This Week in Cleantech, a weekly roundup of the biggest stories in climate and clean energy in 15 minutes or less. With new episodes every Friday, Factor This content director Paul Gerke and Mike Casey, a cleantech commentator and president of Tigercomm, bring listeners the most important headlines of the week while featuring the leading journalists behind the stories.

The all-new FactorThis.com is your best source for news, commentary, and analysis of renewable energy and the power grid.

Latest Episodes:

A new solar tariff fight is here. It may be even worse than the last Jun 10, 2024

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Christian Roselund has a strategy for when a new solar tariff petition drops.
Turn off your phone. Then get to reading. Had he failed to follow these rules in April, Roselund, a senior policy analyst at Clean Energy Associates, would have gotten an ear full from developers fearful of yet another tariff fight.
U.S. solar manufacturing giants First Solar and QCells are putting their weight behind the latest threat to an already fragile supply chain, and it could be much worse than the one that brought the industry to its knees just two years ago.
Roselund joined Episode 78 of the Factor This! podcast to break down the impact of the newest attempt to tamp down China's solar dominance.
Watch the full episode on YouTube

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

This Week in Cleantech (6/7/24) — Michigan fights off NIMBY push against clean energy Jun 07, 2024

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This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.
This week's episode features The Guardian's Dharna Norr, who reported on an effort by Vermont leaders to force fossil fuel companies to pay for their emissions impacts.

This Week in Cleantech — June 7, 2024
This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is CleanCapital co-founder Jon Powers!

Renewable Energy Wins for Now in Michigan as Local Control Measure Fails to Make Ballot — Inside Climate News
World’s biggest solar farm goes online, big enough to power a country — The Independent
How Electric Car Batteries Might Aid the Grid (and Win Over Drivers) — The New York Times
How a simple fix could double the size of the U.S. electricity grid — The Washington Post
‘Game-changing’: Vermont becomes first state to require big oil to pay for climate damages — The Guardian

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Help make This Week in Cleantech the best it can be. Send feedback and story recommendations to rew@clarionevents.com. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Join us every Friday for new episodes of This Week in Cleantech in the Factor This! podcast feed, and tune into new episodes of Factor This! every Monday.
This Week in Cleantech is hosted by Renewable Energy World senior content director John Engel and Tigercomm president Mike Casey. The show is produced by Brian Mendes with research support from Alex Petersen and Clare Quirin.

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

This Week in Cleantech (5/31/24) — How Texas topped California for utility-scale solar May 31, 2024

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This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.
This week’s episode features Stephen Robert Miller, who wrote for Yale E360 about an effort to convert existing oil wells for long-duration storage of solar energy.
This Week in Cleantech — May 31, 2024
This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Gregg Patterson, CEO of Origami Solar!

The U.S. just took its biggest step yet to end coal mining — The Washington Post
Opinion | Can Biden Win America’s Green Tech Trade War With China? — The New York Times
How red Texas became a model for green energy — The Financial Times
Biden’s Long Game on Climate — Heatmap News
Can a California Oilfield Be Retrofitted to Store Solar Energy? — Yale Environment 360

Watch the full episode on YouTube
Help make This Week in Cleantech the best it can be. Send feedback and story recommendations to rew@clarionevents.com. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Join us every Friday for new episodes of This Week in Cleantech in the Factor This! podcast feed, and tune into new episodes of Factor This! every Monday.
This Week in Cleantech is hosted by Renewable Energy World senior content director John Engel and Tigercomm president Mike Casey. The show is produced by Brian Mendes with research support from Alex Petersen and Clare Quirin.

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

What FERC did, and didn't, do to jumpstart transmission May 20, 2024

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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has unveiled landmark new rules in attempt to jumpstart the beleaguered transmission system in the U.S. Many are already calling it the most impactful action by the agency in decades, providing a path to meet the needs of the energy transition.
Taken together, Orders 1920 and 1977 total more than 1,500 pages, requiring long-term, proactive transmission planning and providing a backstop to some key siting disputes.
But experts say there's still plenty of work ahead, and challenges to the rules are likely.
Episode 77 of the Factor This! podcast features Tory Lauterbach, a partner in the energy and climate practice at Foley Hoag LLP, who breaks down what FERC did, and didn't, do to boost transmission.
Watch the full episode on YouTube

Disclaimer: This interview was recorded on May 14, 2024. Relative time references like “yesterday” or ”two days ago” refer to the timing on the date of recording. Tory Lauterbach's commentary is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

This Week in Cleantech (5/17/24) — Biden slaps new tariffs on Chinese imports May 17, 2024

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This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.
This week's episode features Oliver Milman, an environment reporter for The Guardian, who covered a new report that casts doubt on sustainable aviation fuel prospects.
This Week in Cleantech — May 17, 2024

This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Paul Carp, Independent Climate Consultant for his recently launched Carpe Diem Climate Consulting
1. Biden sharply hikes US tariffs on an array of Chinese imports — Reuters
2. FERC shakes up power industry with landmark grid rule — E&E News
3. What Trump promised oil CEOs as he asked them to steer $1 billion to his campaign — The Washington Post
4. As Ohio clamps down on clean energy, recent changes make it easier to force landowners to allow oil and gas drilling — Energy News Network
5. ‘Magical thinking’: hopes for sustainable jet fuel not realistic, report finds — The Guardian
Watch the full episode on YouTube

Help make This Week in Cleantech the best it can be. Send feedback and story recommendations to rew@clarionevents.com. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Join us every Friday for new episodes of This Week in Cleantech in the Factor This! podcast feed, and tune into new episodes of Factor This! every Monday.
This Week in Cleantech is hosted by Renewable Energy World senior content director John Engel and Tigercomm president Mike Casey. The show is produced by Brian Mendes with research support from Alex Petersen and Clare Quirin.

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

This Week in Cleantech (5/10/24) — The giant battery boom is here May 10, 2024

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Tell us what you think of the show!

This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.
This Week in Cleantech — May 10, 2024

This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Lara Hamsher, Director of Stakeholder Relations, Social Impact and Sustainability for AES Clean Energy!
1. Battery Recycling Shatters the Myth of Electric-Vehicle Waste — Bloomberg
2. Renewable energy passes 30% of world’s electricity supply — The Guardian
3. A Century-Old Company The Government Owns Wants To Solve A Big Energy Problem — HuffPost
4. Giant Batteries Are Transforming the Way the U.S. Uses Electricity — New York Times
5. Biden's tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel allow a big role for corn ethanol — Semafor
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Help make This Week in Cleantech the best it can be. Send feedback and story recommendations to rew@clarionevents.com. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Join us every Friday for new episodes of This Week in Cleantech in the Factor This! podcast feed, and tune into new episodes of Factor This! every Monday.
This Week in Cleantech is hosted by Renewable Energy World senior content director John Engel and Tigercomm president Mike Casey. The show is produced by Brian Mendes with research support from Alex Petersen and Clare Quirin.

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

This Week in Cleantech (5/3/24) — The EPA is cracking down on power plant emissions. Will it stick? May 03, 2024

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Tell us what you think of the show!

This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.
This week’s episode features Washington Post climate reporter Maxine Joselow, who reported on a new ruling by the EPA to curb power plant emissions.
This Week in Cleantech — May 3, 2024

This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Justina Whipkey, the mill supervisor at a JM Steel plant outside Pittsburgh that just tripled capacity to supply trackers to solar projects throughout the region.
1. In America’s Biggest Oil Field, the Ground Is Swelling and Buckling — Wall Street Journal
2. Musk Plans More Layoffs as Two Senior Tesla Executives Depart — The Information
3. Sodium Batteries From Michigan Challenge Lithium’s Grip on Energy Transition — Bloomberg
4. Biden completes permitting rule — Axios
5. New rules will slash air, water and climate pollution from U.S. power plants — Washington Post
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Help make This Week in Cleantech the best it can be. Send feedback and story recommendations to rew@clarionevents.com. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Join us every Friday for new episodes of This Week in Cleantech in the Factor This! podcast feed, and tune into new episodes of Factor This! every Monday.
This Week in Cleantech is hosted by Renewable Energy World senior content director John Engel and Tigercomm president Mike Casey. The show is produced by Brian Mendes with research support from Alex Petersen and Clare Quirin.

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

This Week in Cleantech (4/26/24) — A new solar tariff fight begins Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

Tell us what you think of the show!

This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.

This week’s episode features AP News climate solutions reporter Alexa St. John, who reported on new polling that tests whether or not the Inflation Reduction Act is resonating with voters.
This Week in Cleantech — April 26, 2024

This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is Antoine Wagschal, Sales Director of Southeast Asia at Nextracker!

1. Why Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth — NPR
2. Biden wants to triple China tariffs on steel, aluminum imports — CNBC
3. U.S. Solar Factories Urge Biden To Crack Down On China — HuffPost
4. Energy-Guzzling AI Is Also the Future of Energy Savings — Wall Street Journal
5. Climate change concerns grow, but few think Biden's climate law will help, an AP-NORC poll finds — AP News
Help make This Week in Cleantech the best it can be. Send feedback and story recommendations to rew@clarionevents.com. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Join us every Friday for new episodes of This Week in Cleantech in the Factor This! podcast feed, and tune into new episodes of Factor This! every Monday.
This Week in Cleantech is hosted by Renewable Energy World senior content director John Engel and Tigercomm president Mike Casey. The show is produced by Brian Mendes with research support from Alex Petersen and Clare Quirin.

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

This Week in Cleantech (4/5/24) — The final battle over green hydrogen tax rules Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

Tell us what you think of the show!

This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.

This week’s episode features E&E News reporter Christian Robles who covered the controversial debate over federal green hydrogen incentive rules.
This Week in Cleantech — April 5, 2024
This week’s “Cleantecher of the Week” goes to Bill Weihl, who is transitioning from ClimateVoice’s Co-Executive Director to the role of Founder & Chief Strategic Advisor.
1. Berkeley Will Repeal Its Landmark Ban on Natural Gas in New Homes — The New York Times
2. BlackRock Issued Legal Warning Over ESG Strategy by Mississippi — Bloomberg
3. Can We Engineer Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis? — The New York Times
4. NOAA gets dire warning about solar geoengineering — POLITICO
5. How do you ensure hydrogen is ‘clean’? Treasury rules draw fire. – E&E News
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Help make This Week in Cleantech the best it can be. Send feedback and story recommendations to rew@clarionevents.com. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts.

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

This Week in Cleantech (3/29/24) — Can the White House stop China's clean energy dominance? Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

Tell us what you think of the show!

This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less.
This week's episode features Kelly Livingston of ABC News who covered the EPA's new vehicle standards meant to spur the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles.
This Week in Cleantech — March 29, 2024
This week’s “Cleantecher(s) of the Week” are Michael Tekabe, chief operating officer, and Hayat Bedane, engineering lead at Kubik, an Africa-based startup.
1. Yellen Warns China Against Flood of Cheap Green Energy Exports — The New York Times
2. Oil Executives Are Getting Refreshingly Honest These Days — The New Republic
3. US Announces $6 Billion to Clean Up Heavy Manufacturing — Bloomberg
4. The Last Coal-Fired Power Plants in New England Are to Close — The New York Times
5. New EPA vehicle standards would cut US emissions, ramp up pressure for more EVs — ABC News
Watch the full episode on YouTube

Help make This Week in Cleantech the best it can be. Send feedback and story recommendations to rew@clarionevents.com. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts.

Energy policy on your mind? Check out all episodes of the Factor This Policycast

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