JSGC Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Geothermal Energy Bonus Episode Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode Bryan discusses geothermal energy applications with Lydia Ring, a policy intern for JSGC during the Summer of 2025. Among the topics discussed are the similarities between oil and gas extraction and geothermal electricity, cities creating thermal energy networks, and using geothermal heat pumps to cool data centers.

This episode is based on "Unearthing the Potential for Geothermal Energy Systems in Pennsylvania," the full report and 1-page summary are available on the JSGC website.

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

Geothermal Energy Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interviewed Bryan DeWalt about geothermal energy opportunities within Pennsylvania. Topics covered include geothermal power plants, ground source heat pumps, and how the Commonwealth may be uniquely situated to benefit from our heritage as a coal mining state. This episode is based on “Unearthing the Potential of Geothermal Energy Systems in Pennsylvania” released in August of 2025. The full report and a summary can be accessed on the JSGC website.

To learn more about this topic we recommend “The Future of Geothermal Energy in Pennsylvania” created in a partnership between Project Innerspace and universities throughout the state. The JSGC would like to thank Swarthmore College, Kevin Sunday, Mike Korb, and Gale Blackmer for their assistance researching this report.

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

Urban Search and Rescue in Pennsylvania Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode the JSGC podcast crew interviewed project manager Allison Kobzowicz and legal analyst John Brettler about Pennsylvania’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) resources. Topics covered in this episode include how many of USAR teams are present in Pennsylvania, what elements comprise them, their history, how they are funded, and recommendations for how this system might be improved. The content of this episode is based on “Assessment of the Commonwealth's Urban Search and Rescue Capabilities,” released in July of 2025. The full report and a summary are available on our website.

JSGC would also like to thank the first responders working to keep Pennsylvania safe.

Acronyms appearing in this episode

FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency

PEMA – Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

CBRNE – Chemical Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive

CERF-P – CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package

UASI – Urban Area Security Initiative

SHSP – State Homeland Security Program

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

Independent Regulatory Review Commission Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

This episode focuses on one of our fellow state agencies, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). The JSGC podcast crew interviewed two guests from IRRC, Chairman George Bedwick and Executive Director David Sumner to learn more about them and to spotlight the important work done by this agency. Among the topics discussed are IRRC’s role in the lawmaking process, the history of the agency, the process of holding public meetings, and the importance of gathering feedback to shape regulations.

More information about IRRC can be found on their website.

https://www.irrc.state.pa.us/

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

Agrivoltaics: Balancing Energy and Agriculture Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interview project manager Yvonne Hursh and policy analyst Bryan DeWalt about the emerging practice of agrivoltaics, sometimes called dual-use solar. We discuss how solar panels can be combined with agricultural practices to protect Pennsylvania’s farmland, while increasing its productivity. The contents of this episode are based on "Agrivoltaic Farming in Pennsylvania," released in May of 2025. The full report and summary are available on the JSGC website.

Below are a list of resources to learn more about agrivoltaics:

To learn more, visit this overview from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and discover best practices with the 5 Cs of agrivoltaics.

More information about grazing animals under solar panels can be found at the American Solar Grazing Association's website.

More about Pennsylvania-based research to grow plants under solar panels can be found at the Temple University’s Ambler Campus.

We also recommend “Understanding and Addressing the Impact of Solar Development on Pennsylvania Farmland” by The Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

Short-term Rentals Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interview project manager Yvonne Hursh about short-term rentals. We discuss what makes short-term rentals different from other types of housing, how they are affecting our communities, and the response of local governments within the Commonwealth. The content of this episode is based on The Short-term Rental Industry in Pennsylvania. A full report and summary are available on the JSGC website.

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

Police Use of Body-worn Cameras Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, Susan and Glenn focus on police body-worn cameras. They discuss the many perceived benefits of their use for both civilians and law enforcement officers, as well as the current challenges of measuring the effectiveness of this technology. Staff Analyst Allison Kobzowicz joins us to speak on her experience creating and interpreting a survey on body-worn camera use and cost within Pennsylvania police departments. The content of this episode is based on Body-Worn Camera Footage Outcomes for Law Enforcement Officers and Civilians released in December of 2024. For a 1-page summary and full report, visit the JSGC website.

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

Police Academy Training Standards Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interview project manager Steve Kramer to discuss entry rates into Pennsylvania police academies, minimum training standards, and changes made to police recruitment in Philadelphia by Act 37 of 2023. The content of this episode is based on Minimum Eligibility Standards for Police Officer Training and Graduation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, released in December of 2024, which is available on the JSGC website.

More information about MPOETC and their Training Standards can be found on their agency page on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's website.

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

Women Veterans Healthcare Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Women have played a vital role in the U.S. military forces since its inception, but efforts to provide our female veterans quality healthcare from veterans affairs organizations has historically fallen short when compared their male counterparts. In recent decades, there have been federal and state efforts to improve the standards of health care for women veterans.
In this episode Susan sits down with Alli, project manager of our Women Veterans Health Care report to discuss barriers, available services, eligibility requirements, how to sign up, as well as how non-veteran healthcare organizations can improve the care of women veterans in Pennsylvania. For more information read our full report, containing policy recommendations informed by data collected on Pennsylvania veterans, available on the JGSC website. If you are a woman who served our country, please visit the links below to learn more about VA healthcare:

How to find out if you are eligible for VA care

https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/

How to apply for VA health care

By phone at 877-222-8387 from M-F, 8am to 8pm

By mail with an application for health benefits to Health Eligibility Center PO Box 5207 Janesville, WI 53547-5207

Online at https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply-for-health-care-form-10-10ez/introduction

How to look up your local VA facility’s performance

https://www.accesstocare.va.gov/FacilityPerformanceData

How to be notified on resources available to PA veterans through the DMVA

https://www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs/pages/outreach-and-reintegration/pennsylvaniaveteransregistry.aspx

Directory of PA County Directors of Veterans Affairs

https://dmvapa.service-now.com/csp?id=county_directors

Other Veteran Resources

https://www.dmva.pa.gov/VetConnect/Pages/VetConnect.aspx

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

Broadband in Pennsylvania: A Five Year Retrospective Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew return to a topic we've covered multiple times in the past: the infrastructure and adoption of broadband internet within the commonwealth. Since 2020, JSGC has released five broadband reports which have charted Pennsylvania's progress toward widespread and affordable broadband adoption. With 2024 being the final year of this project, we decided to interview project manager Yvonne, as well as staffers Alli and Bryan, on what they've learned from working on this project and to share their thoughts on what is still is left to do going forward.
The final report "Delivery of High-Speed Broadband Services in Unserved and Underserved Areas of the Commonwealth - Fifth Annual Report" was released in August of 2024, a copy of the report and a summary are available here. The broadband reports of previous years can also be found on our website.

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

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