The Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast

In episode 35, we’re sitting down with Rachel Gold of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy to discuss the findings of their most recent report – How Energy Efficiency Can Help Rebuild North Carolina’s Economy. https://www.aceee.org/research-report/u2007 The report outlines a series of benefits energy efficiency could afford our state, including $5.9 billion in savings for businesse...

In episode 34 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we’re talking jobs – clean energy jobs that is. We’re jumping back in the time machine to talk about the inception of NCSEA’s NC Clean Energy Jobs Census – developed to track the impacts of clean energy policy in creating new jobs across the state. Since then, this work has expanded into a partnership with the national organization E2, who also tr...

In this episode, we sit down with David Neal of Southern Environmental Law Center to discuss the recent cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP). The ACP was initially a $4.5 billion proposed project, but eventually ballooned to $8 billion until it was finally cancelled. This decision was a shocker to many in the industry, but not surprising that the project was too expensive, infeasible,...

In this episode, we speak with Kiersten Williams, who is the host of a new clean energy podcast being presented by the Cleantech and Innovation Program at UNC Chapel Hill's Institute for the Environment. The new show is called "Innovating to a Clean Economy." We talk about IE Cleantech's work in North Carolina, and how this exciting new show will continue to advance the growth of NC's clean energy...

The Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast turns 1! After a year of "bringing the latest in clean energy, right to your ears," we are looking back on the highlights that have made Squeaky Clean the leading podcast for clean energy developments in North Carolina. Tune in for the greatest hits, featuring Governor Roy Cooper, NC DEQ Sec. Michael Regan, Fifth Third Bank CEO Greg Carmichael, NBA All-Star David W...

In this episode, we are learning about a national development that could upend the rooftop solar industry and reduce the amount that rooftop systems, both residential and commercial, are compensated for their excess generated energy. We sit down with the head of Solar United Neighbors (SUN), Anya Schoolman, about how people can step up and stop this attack on solar rights. NCSEA's Daniel Brookshir...

In this episode, we're sitting down with one of North Carolina's top clean energy advocates and lobbyists, Julie Robinson. Julie has spent more than a decade working to advance clean energy policy in her home state. We discuss the major clean energy developments in NC, and Julie shares key insight on the best ways to communicate the importance of clean energy to leaders and lawmakers. You can foll...

In this episode, we sit down (virtually, of course) with two clean energy leaders in NC who are advancing electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Featured in this episode are Cassie Gavin of the Sierra Club and Marcy Bauer of EVGo. From the NC Zero Emissions Vehicle Plan to policy developments at the NC General Assembly, we've got you covered with everything you need to know about EVs in ou...

In this episode, we sit down (at a safe virtual distance) with clean energy business leader and entrepreneur Zack Hobbs, who founded Carolina Solar Services in 2015. Zack is a North Carolina native and speaks about what it's like to start a clean energy business in NC, how he started in clean energy, and how COVID-19 has affected his company and others in the clean energy industry. Presented by NC...

In this episode, we are sitting down (at a very safe virtual distance), with Susan Munroe, who is the Director of Economic Development for Chambers for Innovation in Clean Energy. Susan has been hard at work guiding Chambers of Commerce as they provide relief and COVID-19 recovery assistance to their clean energy business members. From NC's emerging off-shore wind industry, to the success of solar...

In this special kid-friendly episode, we are talking with some very smart students who are home from school about our favorite subject-- clean energy! We learn what clean energy is, what fossil fuels are, and what kids can do at home to reduce energy usage. We also talk about electric vehicles, and we learn why these super-smart kids love clean energy! The kids featured in this episode are: Ruxin,...

In this episode, we sit down with nationally-renowned political science professor and researcher, Leah Stokes. Leah works at the intersection of clean energy and politics, which is exactly where we are in this episode. We are talking about how clean energy might fare in the upcoming elections, as well as the growing bipartisan support for the transition to a clean energy future. Presented by NC Su...

In this episode, we sit down with Dave Rogers of the Sierra Club, who is working to decommission coal resources in the southeast. With six coal plants in our state, North Carolina is working to move beyond coal and replace the dirtiest fossil fuel with clean energy resources that serve the grid, the economy, and the communities who are most often affected by the negative impacts of fossil fuels. T...

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Parker of NCSEA to talk about an energy that flies under the radar-- literally. Geothermal energy comprises nearly half of all clean energy systems in North Carolina, yet represents a small percentage of the overall clean energy economy. What explains this? We uncover this and more as we dig deeper on this important source of clean energy. Presented by NC S...

In this episode, we sit down with Tiffany Hartung of the NC Chapter of The Nature Conservancy to talk about the best practices of solar design. Pollinators, sheep, donkeys, and "deer-buster fencing" are just a few of the topics discussed on this important episode! We look at the wildlife impacts of utility-scale solar and address some of the concerns that low-impact design can help alleviate. For...

In this episode, we sit down for two conversations with leaders from NASA. Dan Lockney, head of Technology Transfer, talks about how NASA's R&D work produces spin-off technologies that drive private industry innovation. Then, we talk with Paul Stackhouse, a Senior Research Scientist, who leads clean energy data initiatives that are helping utility-scale solar developers site projects, as well as b...

In this episode, we're back at it with NCSEA's Executive Director, Ivan Urlaub. We're hopping back into the time machine, but this time, we're going into the future. We talk about what the 2020s might hold, and we even make some far-future predictions for the year 2050. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by Ben Stockdale and Jarvis Arrington.

In this episode, we sit down with NCSEA's Executive Director, Ivan Urlaub, and cover the most important highlights (and lowlights) of the 2010s. We talk about the growth of clean energy in the past decade, the challenges that the industry faced, and Ivan reveals his number one most significant development of the decade. Presented by North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by Ben Stoc...

In this episode, we sit down with Creighton Blackwell, VP of Corporate Affairs and Community Engagement for Coastal Federal Credit Union. Creighton is a nationally recognized leader in clean energy, banking, and clean energy. We explore the true impact of clean energy on all communities, and discuss how financial institutions view clean energy. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. To le...

In this episode, we sit down with 2-time NBA All-Star and 2-time NBA Champion, David West, and Jerome Ringo, the founder and chair of Zoetic Global. Jerome is a historic figure within clean energy and was the first African-American head of a national environmental organization as board chair of the National Wildlife Federation. David served as a clean energy advocate under President Barack Obama a...

In episode 15, we are continuing our coverage of the 2019 long legislative session at the NC General Assembly. We're talking Senate Bill 559 with NCSEA lobbyist Tom Bean, and discussing the key takeaways from the long session. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by Jarvis Arrington and Ben Stockdale. Produced by Ben Stockdale.

In this episode, we sit down with NCSEA lobbyist Tom Bean, who has over 30 years advocating for environmental and energy policies. In part one of this 2-part coverage, we are talking about policies advancing EVs, battery storage, and how we stopped a ban on wind energy. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by Jarvis Arrington and Ben Stockdale. Produced by Ben Stockdale.

In this episode, we sit down with a host of The Energy Gang podcast, Katherine Hamilton. We talk emerging clean energy trends, the federal regulatory structure, and learn about the relationship between state and federal energy policy. As always, this episode comes fully loaded with a Policy Update. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Created by Ben Stockdale.

In this episode, we sit down with Tammy Agard, Co-Founder and CEO of EEtility, which provides energy efficiency upgrade opportunities to low and moderate income earners. We talk about EEtility's innovative tariff on-bill investment program that creates immediate savings for participants, and provides energy efficiency upgrades at no upfront cost. As always, this episode comes fully loaded with a P...

In this special episode, we sit down with NC Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan. We talk about North Carolina's clean energy future, the recently released NC Clean Energy Plan, and get Secretary Regan's insight on Senate Bill 559. [SPOILER ALERT] Secretary Regan will be advising Governor Cooper to veto SB559 if it passes the house, and Regan said a veto is "likely." As alw...