Grounded: a Podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy

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!...

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; Sustainab...

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-202...

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: http...

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 Com...

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. freemusicarch...

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-sici...

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-con...

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...

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. Musi...

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.g...

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 w...

On this episode of Grounded we learn about Arcimoto's electric three-wheel vehicles with founder and CEO, Mark Frohnmayer. Visit https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2021/6/11/grounded-podcast-hello-arcimoto?rq=arcimoto 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 interactive episode of Grounded, we sit down with ODOE’s Director, Janine Benner, and walk through the Oregon Energy History Timeline section of the 2020 Biennial Energy Report. Visit https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2021/4/23/grounded-podcast-back-in-time-with-janine-benner for photos and helpful links. Learn more about our work at www.oregon.gov/energy. Music: “If” by Broke for Free. f...

On this special episode of Grounded, we meet up with ODOE’s Senior Energy Policy Analyst, John Cornwell, who takes us through the fundamentals of the exciting renewable energy resource that is biomass. Then we’ll dig deeper into to the electricity potential for Oregon with Oregon Torrefaction’s CTO, Dr. Wayne Lei. Visit https://energyinfo.oregon.gov/blog/2021/3/17/grounded-podcast-biomass-special...

On this episode of Grounded we meet with Charles Sekafetz, the Program Chair for Chemeketa Community College's Electronics Program, and learn about the Renewable Energy Management path. As the renewable energy industry continues to grow, so do these specialized jobs. We learn from Charles what the program offers and how this new wave of energy workers are preparing for the future.  Visit https://e...

On this episode of Grounded we meet DEQ's Clean Fuels Program Manager, Cory Ann Wind, and learn about the program's work towards decreasing the amount of pollution allowed from transportation fuels in Oregon. In fact, their goal is 25% by 2035! Cory Ann shares with us some of the program's growing pains, how their clean fuel incentives work, and a few unexpected successes. The program also just la...

Grounded is back this month with a new episode so we can bid a fond farewell to Oregon Department of Energy's own Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ken Niles. After 31 years with the agency, Ken is retiring and moving on to new adventures! Join us as we talk to Ken about his time with ODOE and his thoughts on what is to come for Oregon and the Hanford cleanup. Learn...

We’re in Portland for our latest episode of Grounded, talking with TriMet, the metro area’s public transit agency. TriMet has been helping Oregonians on the move for 50 years – and they’re on the leading edge of sustainability in transportation. Public Information Officer Tia York tells us all about the agency’s latest electric bus pilot, mini wind turbines, and more. See photos and get helpful li...

Everybody poops. On our latest episode of Grounded, we’re joined by Paul Suto, Engineering Manager with the City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services. BES is working on its “Poop to Power” project, which will convert methane from wastewater treatment processes into useable, renewable energy. See photos and get helpful links at https://energyinfo.oregon.gov. Music: “If” by Broke for Free....

Today on Grounded, we’re talking to Matt Teske, founder and CEO of Chargeway, an Oregon-based company focused on making it easy to charge your electric vehicle. Chargeway’s innovative platform takes the guesswork out of how and where you charge your electric vehicle, using color-coded plug types and simple numbers for charging speed. Visit energyinfo.oregon.gov for helpful links. Download Chargewa...

On our latest episode of Grounded, we’re talking solar energy and virtual net metering in Ashland, Oregon. Stu Green, the City of Ashland’s Climate and Energy Analyst, talks about the city’s bold strategy for expanding access to renewable solar electricity to more Oregonians. Ashland is committed to fighting climate change, and was an early adopter of solar policies in the 1980s – they are walking...

For our latest episode of Grounded, we are in Southern Oregon at Rogue Disposal and Recycling. This episode was a fun one to record on site at Rogue’s White City transfer station – so don’t be surprised if you hear a collection truck or two traveling by! It might seem unusual to be talking garbage and landfills on an energy podcast, so get ready to geek out about some of the amazing things this co...