Decarbonize: The Clean Energy Podcast

Fresh Energy
  • 4.6 (10)
  • Science
  • Updated Bimonthly

Fresh Energy is speeding Minnesota’s transition to a clean energy economy, which will ensure that our region enjoys good health, a vibrant economy, and thriving communities today and for generations to come. Working purely in the public interest, Fresh Energy’s team of scientists, economists, policy analysts, and educators develops and advances solutions that secure a clean energy future where all can thrive. Sign up for our monthly listserv focused on clean energy issues in Minnesota here: https://fresh-energy.org/

  1. Aug 12

    Efficient homes are affordable homes with Eric Fowler

    In 2025, over one-third of U.S. households skipped or cut back on medication, food, or other necessities to pay an energy bill. A quarter were unable to pay an energy bill in full, and in 2024, 2.7 million households had their utility service shut off due to non-payment. A lack of affordable housing, rising energy bills, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions threaten the health and wellbeing of all Americans. These interconnected problems won’t go away on their own. Energy prices are likely to keep going up. But despite volatility and upward pressure on energy prices, there is still a lot that Minnesota’s decision makers can do to keep bills from skyrocketing. One of the best policy tools we have to address these problems is the energy code: by making our homes more energy efficient, we can also make them more affordable and emit fewer climate-polluting gases. In this podcast episode, Eric Fowler and Isak Kvam go deep on why efficient homes are affordable homes and what role the energy code has to play. Additional reading from the Fresh Energy blog: Efficient homes are affordable homes, Pt. 1Efficient homes are affordable homes, Pt. IIFresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org. Follow us on Social Media! Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/ Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

  2. Jul 21

    SAF, green hydrogen, and Minnesota’s opportunity

    In this episode of Decarbonize: The Clean Energy Podcast, Fresh Energy's Isak Kvam is joined by Anjali Bains and Brandon Isakson to explore how Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and green hydrogen can help tackle one of the toughest transportation sectors to decarbonize: aviation.  The conversation breaks down how power-to-liquid SAF, made from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 90% while serving as a drop-in replacement for conventional jet fuel. Listeners will also learn why Minnesota is well positioned to become a leader in this emerging industry thanks to new state policies, abundant feedstocks, and growing private-sector investment.  Tune in for an inside look at the technologies, policies, and economic opportunities that could help Minnesota chart a cleaner future for flight. Further reading: Minnesota now incentivizes green hydrogen to produce SAF, a key climate technologyWhat's up with Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Minnesota?The true cost of oilFresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org. Follow us on Social Media! Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/ Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

  3. May 20

    2026 legislative session debrief with Fresh Energy

    Let’s talk about what happened at the Minnesota Legislature in 2026! Join Fresh Energy policy experts for a webinar we recorded the day after the legislative session ended to learn what we're celebrating, what was defended, what's next, and more. Webinar guests: Justin Fay, chief program officerBrynn Kirsling, director, legislative and grassroots advocacyMolly McMullen, session associate Anjali Bains, managing director, transportation  Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org. Follow us on Social Media! Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/ Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

  4. May 15

    Policy pathways for decarbonizing the manufacturing sector

    As Minnesota advances toward its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 — what are some of the most actionable and cost-effective decarbonization opportunities for this sector?    In April, Fresh Energy and The 2035 Initiative co-authored a new study, “Advancing Industrial Electrification in Minnesota,” that charts practical policy pathways for decarbonizing the manufacturing sector.   Listen to this latest episode to hear from the report's authors, including The 2035 Initiative’s Dr. Leah Stokes and Dr. Eric Masanet and Fresh Energy’s Brandon Isakson, with opening remarks from Pete Wyckoff, Deputy Commissioner of Energy Resources at the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Kate Knuth, Climate Director at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The group will dig into the details of the report, discuss policy pathways, and answer audience questions.  Resources: Download the studyView a recording of the webinarFresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org. Follow us on Social Media! Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/ Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

  5. May 11

    Minnesota's Cumulative Impacts Law: History and what's next

    Pollution doesn't affect everyone equally — and Minnesota is doing something about it.  In our latest episode of "Decarbonize: The Clean Energy Podcast" Fresh Energy's Isak Kvam sits down with Fresh Energy staff Janiece Watts and Ethan Culver, and Sasha and Monse from our partner organization, COPAL, to discuss the Cumulative Impacts law, environmental justice history in Minnesota, and ways you can take action.  Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org. Follow us on Social Media! Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/ Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

  6. Mar 23

    Distributed solutions to large load growth

    Electricity demand is growing in Minnesota and across the country. Much of this growth is coming from large electricity users such as hyperscale data centers, electrified industrial processes, and beyond. It is crucial that these new electricity needs be met with clean energy solutions — not with new fossil generation. Join us for a conversation about how distributed energy solutions can help meet growing electricity demand while also creating opportunities to strengthen workforce and supplier diversity. Guests:  Tim Hade, Air Force veteran and Co-Founder, Scale Microgrids Will Mulhern, Director, Electricity, Fresh Energy Mark Sebree, President, Sebree Consulting  Moderator: Shubha Harris, Chief Equity Policy Officer, Fresh Energy  Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org. Follow us on Social Media! Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/ Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

  7. Feb 6

    Our Clean Energy and Climate Plans for the 2026 Legislative Session

    The 2026 session of the Minnesota Legislature begins on February 17. Join the Fresh Energy team for a conversation about what we expect for the coming session and our plans to meet the challenge of climate change. Podcast Guests: Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, Chief Executive OfficerJustin Fay, Chief Program OfficerBrynn Kirsling, Director, Legislative and Grassroots Advocacy   Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org. Follow us on Social Media! Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/ Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

  8. 12/03/2025

    Debriefing COP30 with J. Drake Hamilton

    The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Belem, Brazil from November 10-21, 2025. J. Drake Hamilton, managing director, science policy at Fresh Energy, attended the conference virtually and recently sat down with Isak Kvam for a webinar to debrief outcomes and take questions. Tune in and check out J.'s blog series with frequent updates throughout COP. Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org. Follow us on Social Media! Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/ Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Fresh Energy is speeding Minnesota’s transition to a clean energy economy, which will ensure that our region enjoys good health, a vibrant economy, and thriving communities today and for generations to come. Working purely in the public interest, Fresh Energy’s team of scientists, economists, policy analysts, and educators develops and advances solutions that secure a clean energy future where all can thrive. Sign up for our monthly listserv focused on clean energy issues in Minnesota here: https://fresh-energy.org/

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