The Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 55: Settin' the Standard on Clean Energy Aug 27, 2021

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Clean electricity standard - you may have heard about it recently as part of Congress' infrastructure push, but what does it actually mean and what's the likelihood of it passing? On this episode, we're talking to Rebecca Leber, Senior Reporter at Vox for a deep dive on a clean electricity standard, how it would play out for utilities, and the benefits it'd provide to consumers all across the country. Rebecca also provides us an overview of all the clean energy policies on the table right now as part of the infrastructure package. Check out Rebecca's latest reporting on the clean electricity standard: https://www.vox.com/22579218/clean-energy-standard-electricity-infrastructure-democrats Elizabeth Biser's Senate Confirmation: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article253706003.html Person County Solar Moratorium: https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2021/08/17/person-county-solar-farm-pine-gate-rejected.html?utm_source=st&utm_medium=en&utm_campaign=me&utm_content=ra&ana=e_ra_me&j=24776982&senddate=2021-08-18 Duke Energy Political Spending: https://energynews.us/2021/08/13/as-duke-energy-promotes-controversial-legislation-in-n-c-money-pours-in-and-rumors-fly/?utm_source=Energy+News+Network+daily+email+digests&utm_campaign=759282d85e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_05_11_11_39_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_724b1f01f5-759282d85e-89273063 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 54: RGGI & North Carolina -> A Path to Carbon Reduction Aug 12, 2021

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On this episode, we're diving in deep to the topic of carbon reduction. Specifically, we talk with Nick Jimenez, Staff Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center about their recent petition with the NC Environmental Management Commission on the topic of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Will North Carolina be the next state to join this initiative and set a cap on carbon emissions? Tune in to find out. To view SELC's petition with the NC EMC, check out their website: http://www.ncclimateaction.org/. For additional background on the A-1 report mentioned in the interview, visit the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions website: https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/publications/power-sector-carbon-reduction-evaluation-policies-north-carolina Additional Updates on H951 and Smart Wires: NCSEA Statement on Stakeholder Energy Legislation: https://energync.org/ncsea-statement-on-stakeholder-energy-legislation/ North Carolina Business Letter to Legislators on H951: https://bit.ly/3fYeVsx California Power Technology Company Moves HQ to Durham after Landing NC Incentives: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article253062323.html This episode's dad jokes courtesy of Duncan Campbell via DER Taskforce: https://twitter.com/DER_Task_Force Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 53: Flexin' on Energy Storage in North Carolina Jul 29, 2021

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This episode completes our North Carolina focused energy storage supply chain mini-series. In this conversation with Jason Abiecunas, Vice President of Development at FlexGen, we cover the rapidly growing market for battery storage technology and its impact across the Southeast, but more importantly North Carolina. Abiecunas shares an overview of FlexGen’s history within the state, their diverse consumer base, as well as the benefits and challenges of the competitive storage market within the Research Triangle Park region. NCSEA’s Energy Program Manager Daniel Pate also gives us a quick download of “NC solar traveler,” this time stopping in Catawba County. Presented by North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 52: Zinc - Powering More Than Just Your Sunscreen Jul 15, 2021

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As a follow up to our conversation with David Roberts, we're diving in deep on the topic of zinc storage. On this episode, we sit down with our new friends Andrew Green and Morgan Frederick of the International Zinc Association to talk about zinc's advantages in medium and long duration storage applications. We also talk to Tom Fenimore of Duke Energy about the utility's use of zinc as a storage technology and the benefits they've seen through deployment. Mentioned in this episode is NCSEA’s recently published Economic Impact Analysis of Clean Energy Development in NC report in partnership with RTI International: https://energync.org/rti2021/. To register for the July 21 Making Energy Work webinar, visit www.makingenergywork.com. To check out NCSEA's resources on clean energy powered breweries, visit https://energync.org/nclovesclean/breweries/. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Bonus: Live and Back in Action - HOAs, Rooftop Solar Jul 09, 2021

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We've got a bonus episode coming at ya! Back on Earth Day, NCSEA participated in and recorded a live podcast episode out at Amberly Master Community's Earth Day Event in Cary. Residents in the 3200+ home community were invited out to visit with a host of vendors and organizations focused on sustainability and clean energy. In the mix included NCSEA, Plug-In NC, Yes! Solar Solutions, and NC Solar Now. Check out the episode as we chat with HOA board members, residents, and solar installers about installing solar on the home. If you've ever been interested in installing solar on your own home, then this episode is for you. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele)

Episode 51: David Roberts on the Future of Energy Storage Jun 24, 2021

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On episode 51 we sit down with David Roberts of Volts (@DrVolts on Twitter) to talk about the wide array of storage technologies starting to hit the market giving lithium-ion a run for its money. We talk flow, zinc, sodium-ion, and liquid metal batteries on this future looking episode. Tune in to hear about the advantages of each of these technologies and the role they may play on the grid here in North Carolina. This episode serves as a great primer for some of our upcoming episodes as part of this storage mini-series. Subscribe to David Roberts' Volts Newsletter: https://www.volts.wtf/ We also travel to Currituck County for the latest segment of the NC Solar Traveler to talk about the investments being made in clean energy on the Outer Banks of NC. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 50: Get the Scoop on Clean Energy with Gov. Cooper Jun 10, 2021

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To celebrate the 50th episode of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we’re sitting down with Governor Roy Cooper to discuss his ongoing support for clean energy throughout the years, starting with his time at the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA). We dig deep into Executive Order 80 and the progress we’ve made, while re-emphasizing the need for a strong legislative commitment to reach our state’s goals. We also chat briefly on the plans for offshore wind development in North Carolina as it is central to Cooper’s latest Executive Order 218 which was issued yesterday. Also mentioned in this episode is NCSEA’s 2021 report with RTI International featuring data on the economic impact of clean energy in North Carolina. The report will be released later this month and can be found at www.energync.org/publication Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 49: What's in Store(age) for North Carolina May 27, 2021

Show notes

We’re kicking off a mini-series focused on North Carolina’s role in the storage industry, starting from supply-chain, then highlighting research and innovation, and finishing off with markets and policy. On this episode, we’re highlighting the supply chain of storage and batteries here in North Carolina. We sit down and talk with Brian Risinger of Piedmont Lithium to highlight western North Carolina’s spodumene resource – a mineral used to make lithium ion batteries. We’ll talk about the process of extracting and refining this resource, along with the advantages of onshoring this industry that’s so important to the future of electric vehicles and storage. On this episode we also provide some short highlights from the NC legislative session to date and bills introduced. We also briefly touch on the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack. To wrap us up, Daniel Pate, NCSEA’s Energy Program Manager takes us on another virtual tour of installed clean energy projects on the NC Solar Traveler. On today’s episode we’re focused on Hertford and Northampton counties. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele)

Episode 48: Bringin' the Energy to the State Energy Conference Apr 30, 2021

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On this episode of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast – we’re LIVE! Say what?! Yes, we recorded this episode live from the 2021 (Virtual) State Energy Conference. This is a first for the pod, but definitely not the last. This episode kicks off a series of live recordings from the road that we’ll be sharing in the coming weeks. For this live recording, we’re recapping some of the highlights from this year’s State Energy Conference. We had a chance to sit down with Leah Cooper of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company to talk beer and sustainability, Melissa Malkin-Weber of Self-Help Credit Union to chat workforce development and diversity, Alex Miller of Alex Miller Government Affairs to highlight what’s going on down at the legislature, and Steve Kalland of the NC Clean Energy Technology Center for an overview of this year’s conference. Make sure to join us at next year’s State Energy Conference taking place April 26-27 in Raleigh, NC. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele)

Episode 47: Clean Energy and the Military Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

Join us for the latest episode of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast where we discuss the importance of the military in North Carolina to achieving our clean energy goals. We’re joined by Scott Dorney, Executive Director of the North Carolina Military Business Center along with Diane Cherry, Energy and Environmental Strategic Industry Professional at the NCMBC to talk about the intersection between military preparedness and clean energy. On today’s episode, we talk energy security and resiliency, clean energy innovation, and economic opportunities associated with the military in our state. As this episode, we mention the Fort Bragg floating solar project. If you’re interested in reading more about the 1.1MW solar installation paired with a 2MW storage system, check out this press release from Duke Energy: https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/largest-floating-solar-power-plant-in-the-southeast-coming-to-fort-bragg Daniel Pate, NCSEA’s Energy Program Manager takes us on another virtual tour of installed clean energy projects on the NC Solar Traveler. On today’s episode we’re focused on Bladen County. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele)

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