Clean Energy Today

Lisa Cohn
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How innovators, businesses and consumers are shaping the clean energy transition. Hosted by longtime energy writer Lisa Cohn.

Episodes

  1. OCT 10

    Tears, Hope and Prosumer Stories at Sun Day Rally for Clean Energy

    At the Sun Day event Sept. 21 in Portland, Ore.--a rally for clean energy--attendees shared their opinions about the Trump administration's policies targeting clean energy.  They described the energy savings and resilience they're experiencing installling solar and storage at home. One atttendee started to shed tears recalling her involvement in the first Earth Day and the clean-energy inroads that effort yielded. A representative from the Sunrise Movement explained why it's important for youth to be included in clean energy discussions. And two solar prosumers outlined the benefits they're experiencing from their solar and storage deployments. A team of women sporting solar panel outfits marched around the park where the event was held. The organizers of the event included Third Act and Indivisible.  Divest Oregon also partcipated in the event. Visit CleanEnergyWriters to learn about host Lisa Cohn. Email her at Lisa@CleanEnergyWriters.com

    9 min

  2. SEP 27

    Plug-In Solar is for "Everyone, Everywhere," Says Nonprofit. But Regulatory Changes Needed.

    Plug-in solar systems can be installed on balconies, sheds, walls and any other areas exposed to solar. Users plug them into standard wall outlets and immediately begin producing electricity. Bright Saver, a nonprofit organization that aims to make plug-in solar accessible to "everyone, everywhere," particularly to renters and those who can't access rooftop solar, seeks to overcome the legislative and regulatory barriers that prevent U.S. consumers from utilizing this technology, which is popular in Germany. Working with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), Bright Saver has drafted legislation that it plans to introduce in the Vermont Legislature in January and is talking to other states about adopting the legislation, which would remove legislative roadblocks to plug-in solar. Bright Saver now offers a plug-in solar system for $400 and has a waitlist of 2,000 people. Paybacks can be as low as a few years, depending on the price of electricity, said Cora Stryker, co-founder of the nonprofit.  Guests: Cora Stryker, co-founder, Bright Saver. Ben Edgerly Walsh, climate and energy program director, VPIRG. Background reading: Why Can't Solar and Microgrids be Plugged in Just Like Hairdryers and Toasters?   Visit Clean Energy Writers to learn more about host Lisa Cohn Email her at Lisa@CleanEnergyWriters.com

    42 min

  3. SEP 13

    4 Challenges to Advanced Nuclear Reactor Deployment for Data Centers

    Hadron Energy says its micro modular reactors will produce power at 15 cents/kWh. How will the company make that possible? Do small modular reactors create more radioactive waste than conventional nuclear reactors? Which states have a moratorium on nuclear energy deployment? These are some of the questions my guests addressed in this podcast. Advanced nuclear reactors are seen as key to meeting soaring data center, AI and electrification demand because they provide baseload power and are carbon-free. But the advanced nuclear reactor industry faces a number of challenges, including regulatory delays, state bans on nuclear, high costs and waste-disposal issues. Guests: Samuel Gibson, founder and CEO at Hadron Energy Woody Hastings, program director at The Climate Center    Tom Bailey, vice president of energy at Flexential Background reading:’ Google Announces Tennessee Site for Small Nuclear Reactor Small Modular Reactors Produce High Levels of Nuclear Waste How Geothermal Energy Can Fill in Solar and Wind Energy Gaps in Clean Microgrids   Visit CleanEnergyWriters.com to learn more about host Lisa Cohn Email: Lisa@CleanEnergyWriters.com

    31 min

  4. AUG 28

    Crunching the EV Numbers in Rural Areas with EVmath

    In rural Oregon, electricity prices are low compared to those of gasoline and diesel fuel, as low as 6 cents/kWh. EVmath is a nonprofit that aims to help rural drivers crunch the numbers on buying EVs--beginning with Oregon and Washington. The nonprofit organization wants to show rural drivers that, whatever their politics, it might make sense economically to drive EVs.  Here's an example: A gasoline-fueled car that gets 25 miles per gallon costs about 20 cents per mile at current gas prices. An EV that goes 4 miles/kWh charged at a rate of 6 cents/kWh costs 1.5 cents per mile. Economics aside, EVs offer a number of benefits to rural residents and businesses. People are using bidirectional EVs, such as the Ford F-150 Lightning, to power pizza ovens, water pumps, power tools and other electric vehicles. Guests: Robert Wallace, EV convert who works with rural small businesses in Oregon at Wy'East. Steve Gutmann, co-founder, EV Math, along with Mark Jacobs    Background information: Crunch the EV numbers with this EVmath calculator.   Email host Lisa Cohn with podcast episode ideas or comments at Lisa@CleanEnergyWriters.com Visit her at CleanEnergyWriters

    28 min

  5. AUG 16

    Black Church Plans Resilience Hubs with Bidirectional Charging: Five Move Forward, in Spite of Challenges

    The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Georgia plans to build 18 resilience hubs--and eventually up to 482. Five are moving forward right now. Churches are being offered a menu of options, with the highest level of resilience including solar, storage, bidirectional electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy efficiency. Since this interview was recorded, the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" law phased out investment tax credits for solar, wind and EVs, which is expected to undermine the church's ambitious efforts. But the first five hubs are set to be completed, providing sanctuaries for church members and their larger communities. Some Black community members may see the resilience hubs as "science fiction,"  so it's important to use the first hubs to educate people about their benefits, said James Gaymon, director of operations for social justice for the Sixth District AME Church in Georgia. He describes the numerous hurricane-sparked outages these communities face in Georgia--at least one a year, with a recent power loss lasting 18 days.  Background reading:  Where Black Communities Fit into the Energy Transition Low-Income Communities are the First to Lose Power. How RMI is Helping Deploy Resilience Hubs   Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts Visit CleanEnergyWriters.com to learn more about host Lisa Cohn

    25 min

  6. JUL 22

    What's Next for Renewables, Post "Big Beautiful Bill?"

    At a July 10 conference, "The Great Transformation: A Data Center and Energy Innovation Summit,"  three panelists and attendees answered the question: Where do renewables go from here, given that the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill," will phase out the investment tax credit for solar and wind? Separate from the conference, longtime solar industry member Mike Hall, CEO at Anza, answered the question and provided details about how to deal with President Trump's tariffs. More on the industry members interviewed for this podcast episode: Adib Nasle, CEO and co-founder, Xendee Thomas Lang, CTO and director of business development, AccuSolar Laurel Hamilton, head of growth at Mayfield Renewables Mike Hall, CEO at Anza

    18 min

  7. JUL 3

    Musician AY Young Makes Clean Energy Cool

    Musician AY Young has produced more than 950 renewable-energy powered concerts. The artist, who was recognized as one of 17 U.N. Youth Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals, was inspired by his parents, who were community leaders and activists. His father transformed his neighborhood--which had four drug houses--block-by-block and created a neighborhood development plan. His mother became a state representative. Young's aim is to produce 1,000 renewable-energy powered concerts and create an album, along with other artists. Each of 17 tracks will focus on a U.N. sustainable development goal. He also donates proceeds from his concerts to pay for clean energy in the communities he visits. His work is important to the music industry, which generally powers off-grid events with diesel and fossil-fuel generators. For example, producing the Coachella Music and Arts Festival requires about 26 MW of power for site lighting, sound systems, video walls, production offices and catering infrastructure for a site that's 1 mile wide and 1.5 miles long. Background reading: Visit Young at AYmusik.com To learn about the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill's" effect on clean energy, check out Bob Keefe's posts on LinkedIn Also, this is an interesting take on the measure from Elisa Wood: Energy Trends Inadvertently Unleashed by the Big Beautiful Bill Lower or Higher Prices for Renewable Energy in 2025?  Energy Changemakers Flexible Interconnection Programs from Utilities on the Rise Microgrid Knowledge

    31 min

  8. JUN 21

    Stymied DER Developers See Relief Via Flexible Interconnection Programs

    DER develoeprs, frustrated by interconnection delays, see the potential for cost and time savings through flexible interconnection programs. Pilot projects from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and other utilities are demonstrating the value of flexible interconnection programs in which utilities allow customers to interconnect to the grid much more quickly than they would under traditional interconnection programs. In exchange, the customers agree to scale back or eliminate consumption when the utility needs power. Jessie Bauer, ComEd's manager of DER engineering and capacity planning, and Alex Collins, PG&E's manager of DERMS execution and operations, describe their pilot programs. Two hardware and software providers explain what's needed on the customer side, and a customer deploying fast chargers points to the benefits of such programs. Background reading: The Latest Version of the Big Beautiful Bill in One Chart :  Energy Changemakers  With New Microgrid Funding, Texas Seeks to Avoid the Devastation of Storms Like Winter Storm Uri :  Microgrid Knowledge  Recent Climate Setbacks Will Not Derail the Green Transition:  World Resources Institute Visit CleanEnergyWriters.com to learn about host Lisa Cohn. Email her at Lisa@CleanEnergyWriters.com with clean energy news and trends.

    11 min

  9. JUN 5

    Clean Energy Today Preview of People and Projects

    This Clean Energy Today preview describes some of the topics that will be covered in this podcast, including distributed energy, microgrids, bidirectional charging, equity, research and consumer choices. Background reading:  Do You and I Mean the Same Thing When We Say Local Energy? Microgrids Aren't What They Used to Be Deploying Bidirectional Vehicles to Support the Grid Takes a Leap Forward Low-Income Communities are the First to Lose Power. How RMI is Helping Deploy Solar & Storage Resilience Hubs Research Project Uses 2020 Nashville Tornado Simulation to Study (Solar and Storage) Microgrid Support for Essential Services How Renewables Can Start a Consumer Energy Revolution  Email Lisa@CleanEnergyWriters.com with feedback and episode ideas.

    7 min
  10. Oregon Solar Companies Describe How Trump's Policies are Hurting Them

    MAY 23

    Oregon Solar Companies Describe How Trump's Policies are Hurting Them

    Oregon solar companies describe how the Trump administration's policies are hurting them and say how they're coping. They also provide some good news. Interviews were conducted at the Oregon Solar and Storage Industries Association's conference May 15, 2025.  Visit CleanEnergyWriters.com. to learn more about host Lisa Cohn News stories mentioned during the episode: Oregon Bills Would Advance Microgrids by Creating Resiliency Corridors and Boosting Community Powers What Do All Big Power Outages Have in Common? A Big Grid Don't Mention Climate. Now Clean Energy is All About the Money Email Lisa@CleanEnergyWriters.com with ideas for episodes.

    16 min
  • 10 Episodes

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About

How innovators, businesses and consumers are shaping the clean energy transition. Hosted by longtime energy writer Lisa Cohn.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Cohn
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Clean Energy Today

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