Grounded: a Podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy

Earlier this month, ODOE was excited to release the 2024 Biennial Energy Report that tells Oregon’s energy story. The report shows how the state’s energy system has evolved over time to include new technologies, address changes in the availability of different generation resources, and to meet state energy goals. Learn more: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2024/11/22/a-new-chapter-in-oregons-energy-story Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman

Class is back in session, and nearly 550,000 students in Oregon make the trip to and from school every school day. On this episode of Grounded, we tag along and venture into the magic world of clean-running and electric school buses. Learn more: Theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman

Grounded host Bryan Hockaday meets OSU Assistant Professor Chad Higgins and takes listeners on a tour of a solar research farm outside of Wilsonville. On the farm, they’re fine tuning the practice of agrivoltaics and experimenting with what crops respond best to integrated solar electricity production. Learn more: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2024/9/4/grounded-podcast-episode-44-harvesting-solar-the-science-of-agrivoltaics Theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman

On Episode 43 of Grounded, host Bryan Hockaday catches up with Sarah Moehrke, ODOE’s Community Navigator. In her role, Sarah is often on the road and meeting with Oregonians all across the state. In just over this past year, Sarah has logged nearly 15,000 miles as she connects cities and counties with resources to help with community-scale sustainable improvement projects. Learn more: 2024/7/31/grounded-podcast-episode-43-road-trip-across-oregon Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

On Episode 43 of Grounded, host Bryan Hockaday catches up with Sarah Moehrke, ODOE’s Community Navigator. In her role, Sarah is often on the road and meeting with Oregonians all across the state. Enjoy a bonus episode, where Sarah takes listeners on a vividly narrated tour, starting on the stunning shores of the Oregon coast, going through the mid-Willamette Valley, and heading across to the spectacular vistas in eastern Oregon. Learn more: 2024/7/31/grounded-podcast-episode-43-road-trip-across-oregon Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

Summers in the Pacific Northwest are spectacular, but it’s starting to feel like Oregon’s summers keep getting hotter. On this episode of Grounded, host Bryan Hockaday learns about ODOE’s Heat Pump Incentive Programs and talks with Oregon’s Climatologist Larry O’Neill. Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

We also got to speak with Oregon’s official State Climatologist, Larry O’Neill. We had such a great conversation and he shared really interesting insights into Oregon’s climate, how it’s changing, and even how we measure these changes and how that data can be used to inform policies. So, we thought we’d share this extended interview with Larry O'Neill in this special bonus episode. Hope you enjoy! blogs.oregonstate.edu/orcs/oregon-cl…vice/our-team/ Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

On this episode of Grounded, join host Bryan as he heads out to the Columbia River Gorge to attend the annual Cherry Pre-Harvest Tour and see an all-electric, autonomous tractor. The event attracts regional cherry and fruit growers, and this year’s demonstration was organized by partners including Oregon State University and Wy’East Resource, Conservation and Development; Forth Mobility; Sustainable Northwest; and Bonneville Environmental Foundation. Grounded theme music by Oregon artist, Jana Cushman.

Grounded is back in action! We’re excited to welcome Bryan Hockaday as host, who recently joined the Oregon Department of Energy’s communications team. In this first episode of the Grounded reboot, join Bryan as he begins his expedition across the state to learn all about energy in Oregon. Learn More: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2024/4/29/grounded-podcast-welcome-bryan-hockaday

On this episode of Grounded, we explore ODOE's second Biennial Zero Emission Report with EV expert, Jessica Reichers. We take the opportunity to learn about report topics, policy and consumer resources, and some interesting differences between the 2023 and 2021 EV landscape. Find links and resources mentioned in the interview here: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2023/11/28/grounded-podcast-2023-biennial-zero-emission-vehicle-report https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/IIJA.aspx Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

On this episode, Jen Senner joins the podcast to help us understand federal funding that has been allocated for energy and climate programs here in Oregon. Jen is a Federal Grants Officer here at ODOE and does a wonderful job at explaining the background of this funding and how ODOE is working hard to get it in the hands of Oregonians. Find links and resources mentioned in the interview here: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2023/8/29/grounded-podcast-recent-federal-investments-in-energy-and-climate https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/IIJA.aspx Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

On this timely Grounded episode, we’re joined by the Oregon Global Warming Commission’s Chair, Cathy Macdonald, and ODOE’s Senior Climate Policy Analyst, Zach Baker. We dive into three important reports the Commission published earlier this year: an Oregon Climate Action Roadmap to 2030, a companion TIGHGER Project Report, and the Commission’s usual biennial 2023 Report to the Legislature. The Commission typically issues a report to the Legislature every two years that includes an update on progress toward achieving Oregon’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and recommendations for making progress. This year, the Commission also provided a new Oregon Climate Action Roadmap to 2030. The Roadmap includes extensive recommendations to inform state climate action, which were developed using an analysis of data and pathways as part of the Transformational Integrated Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Project (AKA TIGHGER). Based on the best available science, the reports considered what it would take to accelerate achievement of Oregon’s existing 2035 goal to instead reach it by 2030. This is a fascinating conversation with two of Oregon’s hardest working climate specialists — let’s listen! Find links and resources mentioned in the interview here: https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2023/6/26/grounded-podcast-2023-oregon-global-warming-commision-reports Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

Congressman Peter DeFazio shares how the Northwest Power Act was created and some of the disastrous events of that surrounded that event. Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

On the third episode of a special Grounded series called Oregon Energy Timeline Conversations, we sit down with the Energy Trust of Oregon's founding executive director, Margie Harris. Learn about the early days of ETO and the passionate energy work lead by Margie in this intimate and candid interview. Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

On the second episode of a special Grounded series called Oregon Energy Timeline Conversations, we meet with ODOE’s Hanford Hydrogeologist, Tom Sicilia. Tom will share the state of nuclear energy in Oregon and a little about it’s past and potential future! Visit https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2022/9/28/grounded-podcast-oregon-energy-timeline-conversations-nuclear-energy-in-oregon-with-tom-sicilia for fun media and resources. Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

On this special Grounded series called Oregon Energy Timeline Conversations, we meet with Mr. Sun- John Patterson. John has earned the name "Mr. Sun" as a solar pioneer whose company installed more than 3,000 solar systems, and who helped get legislation passed to make alternative energy more affordable. Visit https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2022/5/27/grounded-podcast-oregon-energy-timeline-conversations-mr-sun for fun media and resources. Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

On this episode of Grounded we talk with Oregon Home Energy Score experts Roger Kainu, Peter Brandom, and Dacia Bakkum. For homeowners, buyers, sellers, assessors, and real-estate agents- this episode is a must! Visit https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2022/4/27/grounded-podcast-oregons-home-energy-score-program for fun photos and topic resources. Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

On this episode of Grounded we sit down with Jessica Reichers, ODOE's Energy Technology & Policy Manager and EV expert. We discuss the inaugural Biennial Zero Emission Report and how to make it work for you! Visit https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2021/11/12/grounded-podcast-2021-bizev-amp-ev-extravaganza for fun photos and topic resources. Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

On this episode of Grounded we dive into the hot topic of energy storage, specifically- pumped-storage hydropower. Rebecca Smith from ODEO joins us as well as Erik Steimle from Rye Development for this fascinating and timely discussion! Visit https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2021/9/28/grounded-podcast-pump-up-the-hydro for fun photos and topic resources. Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If

On this episode of Grounded, we learn about Oregon's first net-zero preschool with New Day School teacher, Didi Jayagitta and Green Hammer team members, Laura Squillace and Alex Boetzel. Visit https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2021/7/14/grounded-podcast-new-day-school-green-hammer-oregons-first-net-zero-preschool?rq=alex%20boetzel for fun photos and topic resources. Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…Free/Layers/If