71 episodes
The Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast NC Sustainable Energy Association
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4.7 • 28 Ratings
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Welcome to the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, a fresh take on North Carolina’s evolving clean energy policy landscape. Covering technologies such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biogas, electric vehicles, battery storage, and the whole nine yards. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele on behalf of NC Sustainable Energy Association.
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Episode 69: Farm to Table for Electrons
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
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!
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Episode 67: Canary in the Retired Coal Mine
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
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. -
Episode 65: Electric Vehicles – Arriving Just on Time
On episode 65, we’re talking EV manufacturing in North Carolina with Suzanne Merkelson, Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, US States, with Arrival. In this fascinating conversation, we’re diving into why the company selected Charlotte for its North American headquarters, the concept of microfactories, and how medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles will serve as important players in the decarbonization of the transportation sector.
Additional resources from today's episode:
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s Carbon Plan Blog: https://bit.ly/3vINHPa
Duke Energy ‘Make Ready’ Program Story from Charlotte Business Journal: https://bit.ly/3Mssm2r
NCSEA’s Making Energy NetWork Policy Forum: https://bit.ly/3MxKSXe
NCSEA’s Women in Clean Energy Networking Reception: https://bit.ly/3Mx6p24
Arrival: https://arrival.com/us/en
Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele)
Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast. -
Episode 64: Cowboy Boots, Country Music, and Energy Efficiency?
On episode 64, we’re going to Nashville to listen to our favorite country musicians and meet up with some of our friends in the energy efficiency world at the AESP Annual Conference. We get a full rundown of trending EE topics from Jen Szaro, President and CEO of AESP. We also sit down with Quinn Parker, Founder & CEO of Encolor Consulting, to talk about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion with utility programs. Lastly, we sit down with Jeff Smith, Energy Efficiency Strategy & Regulatory Manager with Georgia Power, along with Aimee Skrzekut, President of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance.
Additional resources from today's episode:
NCSEA PBR Blog Post: https://bit.ly/35899lc
Duke Energy Coal and Carbon Announcement: https://bit.ly/357VISk
NCSEA’s Making Energy NetWork Policy Forum: https://bit.ly/3p1vCaZ
NCSEA’s Clean Energy in the Mountains: https://bit.ly/3BurmWs
AESP Annual Conference: https://bit.ly/3sPuxnx
SEEA Southeast Energy Summit: https://bit.ly/3I1S37b
Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele)
Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.
Customer Reviews
Relevant beyond North Carolina
Although the podcast often focuses on North Carolina, the issues are relevant to all the bigger clean energy community. Issues in North Carolina are the microcosm of the other communities that are focused on a clean energy transition. The hosts are respected clean energy leaders. The podcast offer great insights, lessons and is making a meaningful impact on the our clean energy transition. Great work!
Utility bias
The show has become a bit of a utility defender and really not defending clean energy in NC. Heavily noticed this in the episode on Net Metering 2.0 (NEM 2.0) where they defended the new policy, as not much worse than existing net metering policy in the state. This is really not the case. The new net metering policy is a huge win for Duke Energy and a huge loss in benefits for residential solar customers in NC. Moving to the avoided cost rate compensation in net metering during for basically all solar generation hours wipes out a huge portion of the benefit for solar customers.
Otherwise the show does a good job of keeping up to date on current NC clean energy topics. Just a bit of a utility plug piece as well.
THE Podcast on Clean Energy
This podcast explains complex policy on clean energy in a way that any listener could understand. Ben has a great voice for keeping listeners engaged, guests on the show primed, and communicating the message of each episode. I’m excited to follow this podcast as it continues to grow!