The Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast

Ever since the $8.5 Billion VC Sumner nuclear plant failure in South Carolina, the region has been exploring ways to better protect ratepayers from utility overreach and unchecked spending. This led to the introduction and passage of a bill in SC to study the benefits of market reform for the state. And the results are in…South Carolina ratepayers could save upwards of $360M a year by joining a regional wholesale market. Earlier this year, NC experienced our own utility challenges with Winter Storm Elliott, which knocked out power to more than 500k customers. These reliability concerns led to the NC General Assembly introducing our own version of a study bill to explore potential savings and reliability improvements that would come with alternative market structures. In fact, some third parties already authored a study that showed NC could save nearly $593M/year by joining an RTO market. On this episode, we discuss the latest developments on related to market reform in the southeast and the potential benefits it could bring to ratepayers. We’re joined by Chris Carmody of the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Alliance and Reese Rogers of the Clean Energy Buyers Association who break down the latest! Additional resources from today's episode: SC Brattle Study: bit.ly/43LShtR NC Brattle Study: bit.ly/42tAaHU Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On this episode of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we’re back and in action at the 2023 State Energy Conference. In this live recording, we host a conversation with some of the leading influencers in the electric transportation sector to cover all angles of the federal investments being made via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. The keynote plenary panel conversation features Dr. Shelley Francis of EVNoire, Walter Thorn of ChargerHelp!, and Richard Ezike of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. Tune in to this conversation to hear how the public and private sectors are combining forces to ensure we map out an equitable and accessible electric transportation future. Additional resources from today’s episode: NEM Extension Order: https://bit.ly/3IkBaH4 HB 488 Action Alert: https://bit.ly/42Mcvn4 NC NEVI Plan: https://bit.ly/3o5PI6L Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Just a few weeks ago, the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) issued a long-awaited order determining the future of rooftop solar compensation in North Carolina. The order comes after a large group of settling parties, including utilities, solar installers, and clean energy advocates, filed multiple compromise agreements in 2021/2022 to determine a path forward for rooftop solar in the state. Taylor Jones (NC Sustainable Energy Association), Will Giese (Solar Energy Industries Association), Lon Huber (Duke Energy), and Bob Kingery (Southern Energy Management) join the podcast to discuss the order and how it’s set to transform the industry moving forward. Additional resources from today’s episodes: NC Utilities Commission Order: https://bit.ly/3AW5DHC NCSEA’s Blog on 2023 Net Metering Updates: https://bit.ly/44wPu92 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @Matt Abele)

NASCAR driver and sports icon Leilani Münter joins the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast to talk about her commitment to clean energy and how she’s used her vehicles as a platform to promote solar over the years! In this episode, we talk about her career as a high-speed professional, and as a star on the silver screen. We also dive into her own experience with EVs and solar right here in the Carolinas. Tune in to hear how this icon has helped to transform public perception around clean energy and what she’s doing next! Additional resources from today’s episode: State Energy Conference: https://www.ncenergyconference.com/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

The NC Governor’s Office just released their Deep Decarbonization Pathways Analysis which outlines potential strategies that the state can adopt to reach carbon neutrality across the economy by 2050. In this episode, we sit down with Zach Pierce, Senior Advisor for Climate Change Policy for Governor Roy Cooper, to discover the interplay between emissions reductions efforts in electricity, transportation, and harder-to-abate sectors. Equipped with the latest standards and scenarios, the report gives a better understanding of the progress we’ve made and recommends how NC can achieve the Governor’s goals moving forward. Deep Decarbonization Pathways Analysis: https://bit.ly/3nlcruN Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On one of our shorter episodes of the podcast, we travel out to Pembroke, NC to learn more about a commercial PV system installed for the Lumbee Regional Development Association. Eagle Solar & Light, along with Sunwealth, put together a financial package for the non-profit, allowing them to install the solar system with no upfront costs via a monthly lease. Learn more about why solar leasing hasn’t taken off yet in North Carolina and what the loss of the Duke Energy rebate program means for disadvantaged communities. What unrealized benefits do scalable solar leasing models offer marginalized communities across state? Tune in to find out! Building Code Council Meeting: https://bit.ly/3wT2ztD South Carolina RTO Study: https://bit.ly/3T3dCKX Duke Rate Increase Proposal: https://bit.ly/3J3Dimf Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On the latest episode of the podcast, we sit down with Ben Catt, CEO of Pine Gate Renewables to talk about the secret sauce of scaling a clean energy business. We cover the company’s success along the way, some of the unforeseen challenges, and how the clean energy market as a whole has changed over the past 10 years. The conversation also covers the intersection of policy, business model, and timing as crucial factors to growing a leading clean energy company.

Imagine a future where EVs can travel 50% further with batteries that are cheaper than they are today. What if that future was being led by research and development stemming out of North Carolina? Well that’s exactly what we’re covering on this episode of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, where we feature an interview with Dr. Glen Merfeld, Chief Technology Officer with Albemarle. Tune in to hear about the exciting investments they’re making right here in North Carolina, and the innovations they have in store for the next generation of storage technologies. Additional resources from today’s episode: Albemarle Technology Park Announcement: https://prn.to/3DD56vI NCSEA’s CLE Event: https://bit.ly/3joHgfS Building Code Council Meeting: https://bit.ly/3wT2ztD Customer Clean Energy Programs Filed: https://bit.ly/3l5ZCmO Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 84, we’re highlighting what really happened during Winter Storm Elliott, which led to millions of customers without power across the southeast. Despite some who were quick to blame renewables, the outages actually were caused by natural gas and coal plants, forecasting miscalculations, and issues importing power from neighboring states. We talk with Simon Mahan of the Southern Renewable Energy Association about what really happened and what can be done in the future to prevent similar outages from occurring. Additional resources from today’s episode: NCSEA’s CLE Event: https://bit.ly/3joHgfS Winter Storm Elliott Coverage: https://bit.ly/3wgnUgo Southern Renewable Energy Association: https://www.southernrenewable.org/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Episode 83 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast is the episode you’ve been waiting for. The Carbon Plan order from the NC Utilities Commission is finally here and we’re diving into all the details. How does it compare to what advocates asked for? Does it set us on a path to 2030 emissions reduction compliance? Does this mean more fossil generation in North Carolina? All your questions and more answered by Tyler Norris of Cypress Creek Renewables, Taylor Jones of NCSEA, and Ben Smith of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton. Additional resources from today’s episode: NC Utilities Commission Carbon Plan Order: https://bit.ly/3GiiMwE SELC/NCSEA Press Release on Carbon Plan Order: https://bit.ly/3i9OyUA Carbon Plan Analysis from CPSA: https://bit.ly/3QFOcSk NCSEA’s Carbon Plan Webinar: https://bit.ly/3XyQZiN Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

The first episode of 2023 features a conversation with Shakaya Cooper, Program Associate at Generation180. We delve into findings from the organization’s recent report ‘North Carolina Drives Electric 2022’ to highlight consumer readiness for EVs across the state. In fact, over half of North Carolinians are likely to consider an EV for their next vehicle, getting us one step closer to Governor Cooper’s goal of 1.25 million EVs on the road by 2030. Tune in to learn more about the report, effective mechanisms to incentivize EV adoption, and the many benefits that transportation electrification offers our state moving forward. Generation180’s North Carolina Drives Electric Report: https://bit.ly/3QfjRdl NC Utilities Commission Carbon Plan Order: https://bit.ly/3GiiMwE SELC/NCSEA Press Release on Carbon Plan Order: https://bit.ly/3i9OyUA Duke Energy’s Rolling Blackouts: https://bit.ly/3ZaRW23 NCSEA’s CLE Event: https://bit.ly/3joHgfS Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On the final episode of the year, we are joined by Sagarika Subramanian, Senior Research Analyst at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). She shares results from the most recent report card on North Carolina’s energy efficiency efforts and discusses the common threads of top performing states. Our conversation covers the latest in energy efficiency trends and the roles that policy, building codes, utility market structure, and equity play for national leaders in the space. Tune in to learn how North Carolina stacks up and discover ways that we can improve moving forward. Additional resources from today’s episode: NC Utilities Commission Carbon Plan Docket: https://bit.ly/3WiwPci NCSEA’s CLE Event: https://bit.ly/3joHgfS Past Clean Energy Champions Episodes: https://bit.ly/3WxY1ng, https://bit.ly/3VpHFwc Clean Energy Champions Event Winners: https://bit.ly/3FPIZCH ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard: https://bit.ly/3WjlSrd North Carolina’s Scorecard: https://bit.ly/3G8jjCD Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On the 80th episode of the podcast, we bring on Wall Street Journal Reporter Katherine Blunt to unearth the issues that arise when a utility neglects grid maintenance and community resilience in pursuit of profits. On this episode we cover how a series of regulatory and corporate missteps led to the deadliest wildlife in California’s history. We then contextualize this situation for the grid and energy system in North Carolina and the southeast, and talk more about our own challenges with increasingly severe flooding and hurricanes. Additional resources from today’s episode: 2022 North Carolina Clean Jobs Report: https://bit.ly/3h9D3M7 Governor Cooper’s EO 271: https://bit.ly/3U0R3WV NC MHD MOU: https://bit.ly/3t0rh9i WFAE Story on EO271 and NC’s Advanced Clean Trucks Rule: https://bit.ly/3sW3lE8 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Earlier this fall, we headed down to Atlanta for the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (SEEA) Southeast Energy Summit to delve into the complexities of distributing funds from the IRA, environmental and housing justice, and considerations for overarching systemic change. In this live-recorded conversation, we are joined by Joe Gehrdes, Director of Community Relations for Huntsville Utilities, and Odetta MacLeish-White, Director of Georgia Initiatives at the Center for Community Progress, to discuss solutions to these pressing issues. Check out this episode to learn more about the importance of equitably engaging with historically disadvantaged communities and how to effectively address the energy burden in the southern US and beyond. Additional resources from today’s episode: Making Energy Work (Oct. 25-27, 2022): https://www.makingenergywork.com/ Huntsville Utilities: https://www.hsvutil.org/ Center for Community Progress: https://communityprogress.org/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On this episode, Justin Gillis of The New York Times and Hal Harvey of Energy Innovation talk about their new book, The Big Fix: 7 Practical Steps to Save Our Planet. In the conversation, the authors highlight inspirational carbon emission reduction stories at the state and local level and ways in which clean energy solutions can transcend political divide. We also discuss the interplay of the seven areas most critical to focus carbon cutting efforts — electricity, transportation, buildings, industry, urbanization, use of land, and investment. Tune in to hear these stories and how they offer comprehensive, scalable strategies for clean energy policy in North Carolina! Additional resources from today’s episode: The Big Fix: 7 Practical Steps to Save Our Planet by Hal Harvey and Justin Gillis: https://bit.ly/3Svrnk0 Making Energy Work: www.makingenergywork.com NCUC Carbon Plan Proceedings: https://bit.ly/3dPhLlt Episode presented by: https://kilpatricktownsend.com/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele). Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 77, Representative John Szoka reflects on his time in the NC General Assembly and how clean energy has become a staple of his legacy in the state. We talk through his journey from being a non-supporter to strong supporter of clean energy technology and the important role it plays in the generation mix to ensure reliability while keeping prices low. We also talk about the path both HB589 and HB951 took to receive the Governor’s signature. Tune in to find out what’s next for Representative John Szoka! Additional resources from today’s episode: Making Energy Work: www.makingenergywork.com Episode presented by: https://kilpatricktownsend.com/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On the latest episode, we’re joined by a group of carbon plan intervenors who discuss more cost-effective pathways to achieving meaningful emissions reductions in North Carolina. Tyler Norris of Cypress Creek Renewables, David Neal of the Southern Environmental Law Center, and Adrienne Mouton-Henderson of the Clean Energy Buyers Association break down why Duke Energy’s proposed carbon plan doesn’t go far enough. Further, our guests talk about the importance of proactive transmission planning and large customer renewable programs, as well as the cost-effectiveness of clean energy as compared to other generation sources. Making Energy Work: www.makingenergywork.com Synapse Carbon Plan: https://bit.ly/3cqmBVO Brattle Group Study: https://bit.ly/3AVxHLN CEBA Carbon Plan Comments: https://bit.ly/3R6hE3i Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

In episode 75, Bob Keefe, Executive Director of E2, joins us to talk about the exciting news of the week – the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. In our conversation, we break down what’s in the bill for clean energy, while contextualizing how this investment would further increase the number of jobs in the clean energy sector across the country. Speaking of jobs – we hit on the National Clean Jobs Report released last week to highlight the year over year job growth coming out of the pandemic. Additional resources from today’s episode: NC A&T State University Clean Energy Workforce Grant: https://abc11.tv/3pbG5Am NC’s New Clean Energy Director: https://bit.ly/3Pmzy0o Climatenomics: Washington, Wall Street and the Economic Battle to Save Our Planet: https://bit.ly/3QwjABE E2 – Environmental Entrepreneurs: https://e2.org/ National Clean Jobs Report: https://bit.ly/3BXnZJQ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On the latest episode of the podcast, we sit down with Lauren Bowen, Senior Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, to shed light on the quickly evolving rooftop solar market in North Carolina. It’s no secret that this has been a hot topic in the clean energy industry over the past year or so, including proposals for time of use rate structures and new HOA updates resulting from recent NC Supreme Court ruling. We dive into what led to these changes and how homeowners should plan to navigate incentives, rebates, and HOAs moving forward. Additional resources from today’s episode: Federal Clean Energy Deal: https://wapo.st/3Jso9uF Clean Energy Advocates’ Carbon Plan Filing: https://bit.ly/3PYALeQ Residential NEM Settlement: https://bit.ly/3OPUbSo Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On the latest episode, we sit down with Dan Whitten, VP of Public Affairs with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), to talk about international trade and tariffs in the solar energy industry. Specifically, we delve into the weeds of the latest Auxin Petition and the Biden Administration’s Executive Action waiving new tariffs on imported solar panels for the next two years. We discuss what these policies could mean for the solar industry, along with the legislative efforts currently underway on Capitol Hill to address policy uncertainties moving forward. Additional resources from today’s episode: NCUC Carbon Plan Public Hearing Schedule: https://bit.ly/3nU5OfQ NCSEA Solar and Agriculture Report: https://bit.ly/3nYlQoW Auxin Petition Background: https://bit.ly/3O9hpTa Federal Clean Energy Bill Negotiations: https://bit.ly/3c50S59 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.