The Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast

On episode 131 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with a former regulator about the rising costs of electricity and the impacts on ratepayers across the country. We spend time digging in to the reasons behind rising electricity rates, along with some of the strategies public utility commissions can take to slow those rising costs. This episode features a conversation with Tremaine Phill...

On episode 130 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we’re taking some time to digest the comprehensive piece of energy legislation that made its way through the NC General Assembly in 2025, and what it means for the future of our electricity (and electricity prices) in the state. We’re joined by Justin Somelofske of NCSEA and Will Scott of EDF to break down NC’s Senate Bill 266. More information o...

We’re now more than a year removed from North Carolina’s worst natural disaster in history. On this episode, we are joined by Will Heegaard from Footprint Project and Sara Nichols from Land of Sky Regional Council. As the state continues to recover, we talk about the role that microgrids have played in bringing power to vulnerable populations, and the continued investments necessary to help the re...

On episode 128 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we’re turning back the clock to go back to the news of a little bit earlier this summer with the reconciliation bill. On this episode we’re spending time with the CEO of Rewiring America to talk specifically about the impacts to residential household electrification and what the US needs to do to keep the downward pressure on technology and insta...

On episode 127 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Jeremy Kalin, Attorney at Law, at Avisen Legal, and Albert Lin, Consultant with Gizmo Global. We discussed fuel costs and the current regulatory structure that allows utilities to pass along 100% of the cost of the fuels that go in to powering natural gas and coal generation facilities. We also took a closer look at the concept of f...

Episode 126 of the Squeaky Clean Energy podcast features a live recording from the 2025 State Energy Conference. This year, we feature a panel with a few of the region’s energy leaders: * Bill Malcolm, AARP, Government Affairs Director - Utilities * Lon Huber, Duke Energy Corporation, Senior Vice President, Pricing and Customer Solutions * Lakin Garth, Smart Electric Power Alliance, Senior Directo...

On episode 125 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Tim Echols, a commissioner at the Georgia Public Service Commission. We discussed topics like load growth and data centers, new electricity generation, including the Vogtle Nuclear plant, and the role that clean energy plays in meeting new electricity demand in the state.   Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by M...

On episode 124 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Josh Kaplowitz, a lawyer at Troutman Pepper Locke focusing on regulatory, policy, contractual, and litigation matters related to offshore wind and renewable energy. We discussed recent wind energy federal executive actions, what impacts they have on current projects under development, and what’s likely to shake out as time goes on f...

On episode 123, we feature a conversation with Clinton Britt and Eric Fins of Grove Climate Group to talk about recent changes in the federal government and how these changes will impact clean energy policy in the country. Britt and Fins provide additional background on the current makeup of the U.S. House and Senate, energy-related changes at the federal level, and energy priorities we can expect...

On episode 122, we feature a conversation with Heather Patti of Montrose Environmental to talk about solar permitting and development best practices in the era of rapid clean energy proliferation throughout the country. Heather shares some insights on agrivoltaics, surveys and permitting, and some of her most interesting experiences from the field. If large-scale clean energy development and deplo...

On episode 121 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Mark Duda, a board member of Solar United Neighbors, about the benefits of virtual power plant programs across the country. We outline what defines a virtual power plant program, the successful characteristics of a VPP program, and also dig in to the model VPP tariff developed by Solar United Neighbors. Additional Resources: Solar U...

On episode 120 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Nick Jimenez of the Southern Environmental Law Center, Casey Collins from Duke University, and Lucas Grimes from the Center for Resource Solutions about the recently approved Green Source Advantage Choice customer clean energy program in North Carolina. These experts break down the details of this large customer program, along with...

On episode 119, Justin Somelofske, Senior Regulatory Counsel at NCSEA helps to break down the NC Utilities Commission’s 2024 Carbon Plan Order. We dive in and talk about the new generation resource additions, implications of the order, and what’s to come next on the path to deploying these resources. This is a can’t miss episode if you’re interested in the future of electricity generation in North...

On episode 118 of the podcast, we’re joined by Tyler Norris, James B. Duke Fellow and PhD student at Duke University’s Nicholas School for the Environment. Tyler talks interconnection and the challenges experienced by utility-scale renewable developers across the country. We also dive into some potential solutions to expedite deployment of low-cost renewable solutions in order to meet decarbonizat...

On episode 117 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, Zoe Gamble from CleanChoice Energy joins to talk about retail choice electricity markets across the country. We cover how these markets operate and how customers are electing more and more to consumer electricity from clean resources. Tune in to hear about how retail choice is helping to drive down utility rates, while accelerating decarbonizatio...

On episode 116 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Richard Bunch and Win Dale from Apex Clean Energy about the Timbermill Wind Project currently under construction in Chowan County, NC. Once completed, this 45-turbine project will have a total capacity of 189MW, enough to power 47,000 homes every year. This project will not only add clean electrons to the grid, but it will also driv...

On this episode, we’re talking with Brett Henderson, CEO of SolarPanelRecycling.com, about solar module end of life and solar farm decommissioning. We’ll dive in to the process of recycling solar modules and the facilities in place across the country equipped to handle these modules. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to...

On episode 114 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with an expert on land use and zoning to talk about solar farm development across the state of North Carolina. Tom Terrell of Fox Rothschild breaks down the benefits that solar brings to farmers across the state with the unique perspective of being a farmer himself. Additional Resources: NCSEA Increased NC County Tax Revenue from Solar D...

For Episode 113 we talk with John Larson of Dominion Energy about the development efforts currently underway on the 176 turbine, 2.6GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. John shares how this project has fueled significant economic development in the region while helping the utility diversify their generation portfolio and save on fuel costs. Additional Resources: NCSEA/CICE CVOW Tour: https:/...

On this episode, Justin Somelofske shares the details of NCSEA’s expert testimony filed in the 2024 Carbon Plan (CPIRP) proceedings with a focus on generation resources that require longer development timelines. In particular, Justin outlines the need for expedited offshore wind development activities in the state, along with the need for authorization of funding for early development of these fac...

On Episode 111, Katie Southworth of the Clean Energy Buyers Association and John Burns of the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association join the podcast to highlight the current demand for clean energy by large commercial utility customers across the state of North Carolina and the current lack of available programs to serve that demand. We also talk about the current state of Duke Energy’s Gree...

On Episode 110, Rob Gramlich of Grid Strategies LLC helps us breakdown FERC Order 1920 and what it means for transmission planning across the country. In particular, we talk through how this order may accelerate renewable deployment and what it may mean for utilities in the Carolinas like Duke Energy. We also cover the procedural process and when the order may go into full effect. Additional Resou...

On Episode 109, we’re bringing you the live keynote conversation from the 2024 State Energy Conference focused on distributed energy resources in North Carolina. On this live episode we feature a panel of experts that break down the current state of behind the meter resources and the opportunities that lie ahead with new incentive programs like PowerPair and Solar for All. Tune in to hear from Cai...

On Episode 108, we’re talking about a topic that has become more prevalent as residential solar has taken off across the country - consumer protection. As the industry grows and matures, it’s incredibly important that the clean energy ecosystem is focused on protecting and educating consumers to help them make well-informed, financially advantageous decisions. On this episode, Amir Yazdi from the...

On Episode 107, Jen Banks, Permitting & Development Director for TotalEnergies joins the podcast to talk about offshore wind development efforts currently underway in the state of North Carolina and the importance of the Carbon Plan proceedings to determining how future investments could continue to play out moving forward. We talk at length about TotalEnergies’ offshore wind projects further in t...