In this episode of Experts Only, host Jon Powers sits down with Laura Lightbody of The Pew Charitable Trusts to discuss how distributed energy resources can help shape a cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable power system.

Laura shares her unexpected path into climate and energy advocacy — from growing up in Michigan’s auto culture to working on fuel efficiency campaigns and now leading work through Pew’s Energy Modernization Initiative.

Jon and Laura explore Pew’s new distributed energy policy playbook, the role of DER in meeting rising electricity demand, and why state policymakers have a critical opportunity to modernize the grid. They also discuss affordability, reliability, resilience, microgrids, virtual power plants, and how clean energy solutions can move forward across red, blue, and purple states.

Tune in for a timely conversation on the future of distributed energy and what it will take to scale practical clean power solutions across the country.