The Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 75: Out with Inflation, In with Clean Energy Aug 11, 2022

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In episode 75, Bob Keefe, Executive Director of E2, joins us to talk about the exciting news of the week – the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. In our conversation, we break down what’s in the bill for clean energy, while contextualizing how this investment would further increase the number of jobs in the clean energy sector across the country. Speaking of jobs – we hit on the National Clean Jobs Report released last week to highlight the year over year job growth coming out of the pandemic. Additional resources from today’s episode: NC A&T State University Clean Energy Workforce Grant: https://abc11.tv/3pbG5Am NC’s New Clean Energy Director: https://bit.ly/3Pmzy0o Climatenomics: Washington, Wall Street and the Economic Battle to Save Our Planet: https://bit.ly/3QwjABE E2 – Environmental Entrepreneurs: https://e2.org/ National Clean Jobs Report: https://bit.ly/3BXnZJQ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 74: Raising the Roof on NC's Residential Solar Market Jul 28, 2022

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On the latest episode of the podcast, we sit down with Lauren Bowen, Senior Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, to shed light on the quickly evolving rooftop solar market in North Carolina. It’s no secret that this has been a hot topic in the clean energy industry over the past year or so, including proposals for time of use rate structures and new HOA updates resulting from recent NC Supreme Court ruling. We dive into what led to these changes and how homeowners should plan to navigate incentives, rebates, and HOAs moving forward. Additional resources from today’s episode: Federal Clean Energy Deal: https://wapo.st/3Jso9uF Clean Energy Advocates’ Carbon Plan Filing: https://bit.ly/3PYALeQ Residential NEM Settlement: https://bit.ly/3OPUbSo Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 73: SEIA Later Solar Tariffs Jul 12, 2022

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On the latest episode, we sit down with Dan Whitten, VP of Public Affairs with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), to talk about international trade and tariffs in the solar energy industry. Specifically, we delve into the weeds of the latest Auxin Petition and the Biden Administration’s Executive Action waiving new tariffs on imported solar panels for the next two years. We discuss what these policies could mean for the solar industry, along with the legislative efforts currently underway on Capitol Hill to address policy uncertainties moving forward. Additional resources from today’s episode: NCUC Carbon Plan Public Hearing Schedule: https://bit.ly/3nU5OfQ NCSEA Solar and Agriculture Report: https://bit.ly/3nYlQoW Auxin Petition Background: https://bit.ly/3O9hpTa Federal Clean Energy Bill Negotiations: https://bit.ly/3c50S59 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 72: Cooperatively Electric - Addressing the Energy Burden in NC Jun 24, 2022

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On the latest episode, we sit down with Marshall Cherry, President & CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative. Cherry continues to have a transformative impact on clean energy across the state after nearly three decades with the cooperative. In our conversation, we delve into the innovative programs offered to its member-owners in Northeastern North Carolina, including proven initiatives like a tariffed on-bill energy efficiency program, community solar options, and a recently rolled out electric vehicle specific rate structure. We also discuss the importance of expanding clean energy access to all North Carolinians, especially historically underrepresented communities, and the effective actions that the industry can take to confront the energy burden challenge. Additional resources from today’s episode: NC Supreme Court HOA Ruling: https://bit.ly/3NiU1lA Duke Energy CPRE Troubles: https://bit.ly/3Oj1jaj Upcoming NCSEA Events: https://bit.ly/3xhRdPG Additional Background on REC's EV Efforts: https://bit.ly/3A2A4MH Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 71: So, What's the Plan for All of That Carbon?? Jun 13, 2022

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On this episode, we sit down with three experts in the clean energy sphere to talk about Duke Energy's proposed Carbon Plan filed at the NC Utilities Commission. In the conversation, Maggie Shober of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, highlights the plan's over reliance on technologies not yet commercially available, and its proposals to build out new natural gas resources. Claire Williamson, joining from the NC Justice Center, elevates the lack of considerations for low- and moderate-income ratepayers, often left behind in utility planning conversations. Eddy Moore from the Coastal Conservation League, helps to contextualize the plan by providing updates from South Carolina and potential implications on the region. You don't want to miss this well-rounded discussion on the path to decarbonization and increasing importance of cross-sector collaboration as clean energy advocates prepare their own Carbon Plan modeling by July 16th. Additional resources from today’s episode: Energy News Network Clean Energy Legislation Story: https://bit.ly/3xLeISz Duke Energy, Residential Solar Installers Amended Settlement Agreement: https://bit.ly/3mECE3Q Upcoming NCSEA Events: https://bit.ly/3xhRdPG NCSEA’s Carbon Plan Analysis: https://bit.ly/3xofYcT SACE’s Carbon Plan Analysis: https://bit.ly/3MRg8z7 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 70: Buckle Up! On the Road to Electrification with NC's Clean Transportation Plan May 26, 2022

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On the latest episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Jen Weiss, Senior Advisor for Climate Change Policy at the NC Department of Transportation. With the transportation sector emerging as the largest emitter in the state, NC DOT has been tasked with developing a Clean Transportation Plan by April 2023. In our conversation, we cover NC’s goal of deploying 1.25 million ZEVs on the road by 2030, synergies that exist between decarbonizing the power and transportation sectors, and the importance of stakeholder engagement to usher in an inclusive and comprehensive clean energy future. Additional resources from today's episode: NC’s Offshore Wind Lease Auction: https://bit.ly/3LSnFx8 NCSEA’s Carbon Plan Analysis: https://bit.ly/3GqMFKT NC Clean Transportation Plan & Survey: https://bit.ly/38mkVL1 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 69: Farm to Table for Electrons May 12, 2022

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On episode 69, we talk with Bill Nussey, a serial entrepreneur, successful tech executive, and NC State alum. Bill is the CEO & Founder of Freeing Energy, along with the CEO & Co-Founder of Solar Inventions. In the conversation, Bill dives deep into the details of local solar and storage with host, Matt Abele, to discuss the opportunities that the technology presents for wide-scale disruption, while highlighting the benefits it brings to local communities. Additional resources from today's episode: Updates on NC’s Wind Energy Areas: https://bit.ly/3ymMLBs NCUC Carbon Plan Docket: https://bit.ly/3P8Mgkb NCSEA’s Clean Energy in the Mountains: https://bit.ly/3EE6AW5 Freeing Energy: https://www.freeingenergy.com/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 68: They Invited us Back?! Live from the '22 State Energy Conference Apr 29, 2022

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NCSEA was lucky enough to be invited back to the 2022 State Energy Conference to host another live recording of the podcast. This year, we feature a fireside chat with a few of the region’s leading clean energy reporters. Elizabeth Ouzts, of Energy News Network, and Catherine Morehouse, of Politico, rejoined us as alums of the pod while David Boraks, new to our microphone but Climate Change Veteran Journalist with WFAE out of Charlotte, also sat in on the discussion. In the conversation, we cover trending clean energy topics impacting the nation, region, and state including HB951, EVs, and global energy politics. Steve Kalland from the NC Clean Energy Technology Center is also featured with introductory remarks on the episode. Fingers crossed we get invited back for the 2023 SEC!

Episode 67: Canary in the Retired Coal Mine Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

On episode 67, we talk with Julian Spector, Senior Reporter with Canary Media, about his time in North Carolina at Duke University and the News & Observer, along with the career path that led him to reporting on clean energy on the national and international stage. We also discuss clean energy trends that he’s following, including hard to decarbonize sectors of the economy and the bipartisan nature of North Carolina’s energy transition. Additional resources from today's episode: NCSEA’s Carbon Plan Blog: https://bit.ly/37nz6z0 North Carolina State Energy Conference: https://ncenergyconference.com/ NCSEA’s Clean Energy in the Mountains: https://bit.ly/3EE6AW5 Canary Media: https://canarymedia.com/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 66: DEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser Stops by the Pod Mar 24, 2022

Show notes

On episode 66, NC Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser stops by the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast to talk about her agency’s role in building the clean energy economy within the state. Specifically, we spend some time talking about VW and federal infrastructure funding, along with workforce development, and Governor Cooper’s latest executive order focused on clean energy (EO246). We also have a chance to sit down with Dr. Rita Joyner, Senior Advisor and lead of NCSEA’s Women in Clean Energy (WICE) initiative. In our conversation, we talk more about Dr. J’s clean energy journey, along with the important role an organization like WICE serves in North Carolina. Additional resources from today's episode: Canary Media’s Net Metering Story: https://bit.ly/3Ld4XR7 NCSEA’s Blog on Net Metering: https://bit.ly/359vRdl NCSEA’s Women in Clean Energy Networking Reception: https://bit.ly/3Mx6p24 State Energy Conference: https://bit.ly/3L7xCqw NC DEQ VW Settlement Funding Information: https://bit.ly/37O6iPM Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

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