AWESome EarthKind

Quantum Quote: "The good you do today, may be forgotten soon, but do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it'll never be enough. But give your best anyway. Life is never easy. " – Mother Theresa

Do you have old landfills in your town and think how ugly they are and want to have something useful instead?

Are you interested in using solar and wind energy to help save the environment - and save money at the same time?

There are over 50,000 landfills in the United States, and there's a big need for solar and wind energy. Converting landfills into renewable energy power centers is a great match.

Paul Curran and BQ Energy convert brownfields and landfills into solar and wind energy power centers. Paul explains that those properties should not be used for parks or for people's homes.

Paul got interested in clean energy in the late 1970's when he heard the president of the United States say that getting energy independence in the country was the moral equivalent of war. Sadly, neither the technology nor the politics were ready. But 20 years after that, the world said we needed clean energy, the technology had advanced, the policies were ready, and the economics made it possible.

In this episode, Paul talks about why BQ only works on brownfield and landfills. He also shares how he was doing Steel Winds years ago, and how the project changed the logo of the City of Lackawanna.

SuperNova #1. "So we took a timeout, and about 20 years after that, things started to catch up to where now, this is not only the right thing to do, it's a very easy thing to do. It's the right thing to do from a societal and an economic point of view.." – Paul Curran

SuperNova #2. "Lackawanna is a great story of how you can transform a brownfield into a wind and solar power plant in what was a steel company town. When you do the right things, great things happen for everybody. There were no losers on that project."

SuperNova #3. "It's an awesome responsibility, frankly, on people like us to be put in a position to impact people's lives for generations. Turning a landfill into a clean energy center fulfills a need to turn around a bad situation.. That type of return is not dollars and cents - it's measured in how well we do the job."

Worst Clean Energy Moment: "Most of my down moments have to do with how am I going to pay the bills? How are we going to keep this thing going. And most of them relate to government tax and utility structures that vary from state to state and change over time."

Aha Moment: When a management trainee's research said that putting a wind farm on an oil refinery was a bad idea.

Best Advice He's Ever Received: Keep your head head straight, keep your eye on the prize and do what you should be doing.

Most Energized about Today: That the use of solar energy is very much common and normal now.

Personal Habits that Contribute to Success: Understanding people - figuring out what they like doing and what they are great at doing.

Internet Resource: For data about energy statistics - BQEnergy.com

Book Recommendation: "The Century Trilogy" by Ken Follett.

Magic Wand: "Take away the subsidies from the coal mine operations, take away the subsidies from the nuclear industry, take away the subsidies from the oil industry, natural gas depletion allowances, and all this kind of stuff - and take it away from solar and wind. Then we'd see the real economics and solar and wind would grow even faster".

WTF or F: Lake Erie was frozen on May 7 of 1963. It will never be frozen in May again. The climate has changed.

Parting Advice: "We're doing the right things here. The world has caught up with it, which is a scary thing to think. But I think it is the right path to be going on. I think that's being proven more and more every day."

Connect:

• www.bqenergy.com

Quantum Quote: "The People who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world - are the ones who do." – Steve Jobs

In the quest for the clean energy transition to a low-carbon economy, what do we consider a triple win? How about... customers save money, more jobs are created, AND we reduce carbon emissions?

Scott Smith is the Clean Heating & Cooling Program Manager for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). He manages the Clean Heating and Cooling Community Campaigns, helps electrify New York's Low- & Moderate-Income Housing stock, and is currently promoting clean energy solutions to communities throughout New York State.

Scott considers himself a thermodynamics geek and a heat pump advocate. He decided to focus the remainder of his career on building electrification, a hard choice but super important work.

In this episode, Scott talks about the mission at NYSERDA and New York State Clean Heat to accelerate the decarbonization of heating of buildings in New York to help achieve the state's energy savings, greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, and increase the pool of skilled labor for clean energy opportunities through heat pumps.

Sign up for a free webclass to discover how easy it is to get ultra-efficient geothermal heating and cooling installed in your home – without the pain of emptying your savings account.

In "The Power Of Earth with Comfort" From ClimateMaster free webclass you'll discover the answers every homeowner needs to know, including:

• How geothermal heating and cooling can draw energy from the ground beneath our feet (for pennies)
• Why homeowners everywhere are making the switch
• The secrets to securing utility incentives and tax credits to pay for a large portion of your new geothermal system

and much more …

Why is New York State moving to clean energy? Why are you personally involved with this program?

Clean Energy is a win-win-win. Customers save money, we create jobs and reduce our carbon emissions.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's nation-leading climate and clean energy agenda outlined within the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) requires a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an 85 percent reduction by 2050 as well as a transition to a carbon-neutral economy across all sectors.

In order to accomplish this, we must drive electrification into our new and existing building stock, which is one of the leading sources of greenhouse gas emission in New York State. We have to switch buildings' heating and cooling to energy-efficient electric heat pumps to replace fossil fuel heating and reduce the number of harmful carbon emissions, especially as we reduce the carbon output from the electric grid and/or when we combine heat pumps with on-site renewables.

What types of clean energy actions is New York State involved with?

We're ramping the installation of large scale renewables to achieve a zero-emissions electricity sector by 2040 as mandated by the CLCPA. We're investing in the infrastructure needed for the vast majority of vehicles in New York to be all-electric, and increasing our investment in building electrification.

What are the goals of the New York State Clean Heat Program?

Beginning April 1, 2020, the NYS electric utilities launched the NYS Clean Heat Statewide Heat Pump Program to administer over $450 Million in available incentives. Visit your local utility's website for more details on heat pump incentives.

NYSERDA is also investing $230 Million in Heat Pump Market Development including consumer awareness, workforce and supply chain development, and technology innovation and development.

New York State Clean Heat helps achieve the state's energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets using the installation of heat pumps. Increase the pool of skilled labor needed to grow a quality-oriented industry, training 14,000 workers across the heat pump supply chain by 2025 and reduce the cost of heat pump installations to increase affordability to drive adoption.

Between the $450 Million+ the utilities are investing in projects and the $230 Million that NYSERDA is investing in market development, our collective goals are to:

• Achieve 3.6 TBtu of energy savings through the installation of heat pumps in approximately 130,000 buildings
• Create 14,000 jobs across the heat pump supply chain
• Reduce the installed costs of heat pumps by 25%
• Increase shipments of heat pumps to NY by 50% with 90% of those shipped being cold climate

How do New York State residents access the programs? Where can people find information?

NYS Clean Heat Incentives are provided to qualifying contractors. Each of the utilities has program information on its website. There's also a page on our website nyserda.ny.gov. Choose "Find a Program" and look for "NYS Clean Heat". That page has a statewide list of eligible contractors and links to the utility program pages.

One BIG and UNIQUE Value SUPER NOVA

Heat pumps are super-efficient and the future of heating because they don't create heat. They concentrate heat and move it around, thereby eliminating losses due to combustion, and are 2 to 4 times more efficient than the most efficient fossil fuel system.

Heat pumps not only provide environmental benefits, they can provide energy bill savings, increase comfort levels, and provide health benefits compared to conventional heating and cooling technologies. All are priorities for us as we look to give consumers smarter, cleaner energy choices.

I'm pretty energized by the heat pump I got for Christmas. My family room, which had baseboard electric heat, was never comfortable in the winter. Now it's comfortable AND I've already saved $100!

A parting piece of guidance: "It's important to insulate and air seal your house when you get your heat pump system!"

Important Links:

• The New York Virtual Sustainable Energy Expo: Happening April 14-15, 2021, New York's Premiere Commercial Sustainable Energy Event: Register Today: https://virtual.sustainableenergyexpo.org/

Connect with Scott Smith:

• www.nyserda.ny.gov
• Email: [email protected]

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Quantum Quote: "80% of homes and businesses can't install rooftop solar because they have an old house, or trees shade the roof, or they're facing in the wrong direction, or they rent. In 48 states, Community Solar let's people purchase the electricity from solar farms and get credit on their monthly electricity bill, just like they would if the panels were on the roof of their house " – David Amster-Olszewski

Would you like to put solar panels in your home, but you don't have space to do so, or have too much shade to make it economical?

Are you hesitant to purchase solar services due to long-term contracts, or do you rent your home?

With community solar, you can have both the ease of service and the freedom to choose to cancel or renew the contract on short notice - even if you're a renter.

Situated in Colorado, David Amster-Olszewski and his company SunShare has been helping the world in making an impact on Earth's sustainability through clean, affordable electricity with community "solar gardens".

David pioneered the concept of solar farms in Colorado starting in 2011. Now, over twenty states have legislation that mandates community solar programs, and the addition of voluntary utility programs makes community solar available in 48 states.

David originally got interested in clean and renewable energy back in his freshman days in Colorado College. This led to the inspiration of building his own solar farm right after his mother told him about the passage of the first Colorado Community Solar legislation in 2010.

In this episode, David talks about how Community Solar works as an easy, affordable way to enjoy clean, renewable energy and the subscription process to a community solar garden that uses the utility grid to continue to deliver energy while you are incentivized with solar credits on your monthly electricity bill.

We'd like to hear from you! Please help us understand how AWESomeEarthkind can help you achieve your clean energy goals – and you'll automatically be entered into a Sweepstakes for a Free LED Light Fixture:

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK TODAY

SuperNova #1. "If you believe in something, don't give up." – David Amster-Olszewski

SuperNova #2. "All of the things we've talked about here, don't think that they're out of your reach. Start looking into it. Start looking at the numbers. Look for options around you, and if there isn't an option… make that option around you… Now's the time to do it." - David Amster-Olszewski

SuperNova #3. "If each of us gets out there and does one thing, we could make a significant difference. Don't think that it's a big problem you can't possibly solve that's outside your control. It's totally in your control, and your friends' and families' too. So just get out there and do something. Take one small step." - David Amster-Olszewski

Worst Clean Energy Moment: When Minnesota was opening up in late 2014 and 2015, the program had so many applications that caused the utility to freak out. This led to them pausing the program for 18 months.

Best Advice He's Ever Received: Stay focused.

Most Energized about Today: The connectivity between renewable energy, energy storage, vehicle electrification and home electrification, and how close we are at achieving low-cost energy that will reduce carbon emissions by 80% - 90% in the next decade.

Personal Habits that Contribute to Success: Persistence. Not giving up.

Internet Resource: For solar news and renewable energy news - PV Magazine. https://www.pv-magazine.com/

Book Recommendation: "The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future" by Gretchen Bakke.

Magic Wand: "If I could change one thing for everyone in the world, it would be empowerment. The mental perspective for people to realize there that they really can achieve their full potential."

Parting Advice: "All of the things mentioned in the interview, don't think that they're out of your reach. Start looking into clean energy, and look for options around you. If an option doesn't come your way, create that option yourself.It's in your control.Take one small step."

Connect:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/david-amster-olszewski-4ba7355

Please Go to iTunes / Apple Podcast to Rate & Review AWESome EarthKind! Thanks!

Quantum Quote: "The UN estimates that by 2050, approximately 3 billion people will require additional housing, 3d printers are being promoted as one potential solution. In Shanghai, they've got 3d printers that made six houses in 10 days."

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Are you like most people and think about energy as a commodity? Have you ever thought to look at energy as a capital expenditure?

Shifting how we look at energy and water can eliminate the risk of rising prices and provide huge financial savings.

"Helping people to think" is what Carl Nettleton and Nettleton Strategies is all about. Carl is an award-winning writer, acclaimed speaker, and a subject matter expert regarding water, climate, sustainability, the ocean, and binational U.S. - Mexico affairs. He has been working on the topics of water, climate, energy, and oceans, and its connection to clean energy for over 3 decades, and Nettleton Strategies is a trusted source of analysis and advice on issues at the forefront of public policy, business and the environment.

Carl is a California Chapter Director of E2 - the Environmental Entrepreneurs. He is also the founder of a non-government organization currently focused on solving the ocean plastic crisis – OpenOceans Global – fueled by unified and empowered global communities.

They say that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. Sometimes, history shows us the things to come decades ahead of their emergence into everyday life.

Carl originally got interested in clean energy as kid when he read an article about climate change - in the 1950s!. Through combining passion, experience, and knowledge, Carl makes it possible for the public to consume energy in a cheaper - and cleaner - manner.

If you're tired of rising energy costs and want to save up to 70% on your energy bills, go to www.AWESomeEarthKind.com and register now for a FREE special web class that will show you exactly how to get geothermal heating and cooling installed in your home.

We'd like to hear from you! Please help us understand how AWESome EarthKind can help you achieve your clean energy goals – and you'll automatically be entered into a Sweepstakes for a Free LED Light Fixture:

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK TODAY:

https://awesomeearthkind.com/feedback/

SuperNova #1.

"I think one of the challenges is that we've got to recognize that there are limits to the resources that are available to us. We've got an economy that's built on consuming a lot of energy that for all the things that we'd like and need to have, it's going to require more and more energy, and we can't be blind to that. We've got to figure out what's real about the future of resources and how much are available to us. It is not endless."

SuperNova #2.

"We really have to have people understand that the transition to clean energy is critical… We have to figure out how to transition these industries that are a major part of our economy. It's about an economic question, not an environmental one."

SuperNova #3.

"When you come into thinking about changing the energy mix in the world, you're talking about changing the global economy in a major, major way."

SuperNova #4

"I wrote an article for fortune several years ago. A lot of what happened in Syria had to do with a serious drought that displaced 1.5 million people that had otherwise lived on agriculture. They ended up being in refugee camps around the major cities that made them susceptible to not having any money and being recruited by some of the rebel groups like Al-Qaida and the others that needed bodies. Whether they were believers or not, they did it because they could make some money. Drought played a role in all of that unrest."

Worst Clean Energy Moment: "When I went to a Scripps institution of Oceanography conference and heard how the military plans for what's possible. People were worried because they knew that disruptions from climate change would cause unrest that would then lead to deploying the military."

Best Advice he's ever received: Think about energy not as a commodity, but as a capital cost.

Most Energized about today: The move of companies to recognize that their primary goal is no longer just to make as much money as they can - they've got to address stakeholders interests, too.

Internet Resources: Non-US news services.https://www.nettstrategies.com/Published-Stories and register to receive The Nett Report https://www.nettstrategies.com/Contact to get important information about issues that affect us nationally and internationally. Primary among those will be the climate pandemic, as it affects health, global security, and our economic well-being, along with other information and insights of broad interest.

Parting Advice:

To solve any problem, we need to recognize that we have one. Everyone's got to wake up.

Connect:

• [email protected]
• https://twitter.com/nettstrategy?lang=en
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-nettleton-1802914/
• https://www.facebook.com/carl.nettleton.9

Quantum Quote: "Anything that works for big buildings you can do for your house. It's just a matter of scale" – Gibson Craig

"The Power of Earth, with Comfort" by ClimateMaster empowers homeowners with the knowledge of Geothermal - the most efficient (and environmentally sustainable) form of heating and cooling - as well as the utility and government incentives that make the transition financially smart.

Today's program is with Westchester Homeowner Gibson Craig. "Gib" and his wife built a new home in Westchester, NY in 2017. They innovated and took advantage of developing technology to have a robust, insulated house that is heated and cooled with the power of the earth - and saw a 25% return on their investment.

Geothermal has been keeping consumers comfortable for more than 50 years, and can cut energy bills by up to 70% compared to traditional HVAC units. A 26 federal tax credit reduces the cost, and the local utility - ConEdison - provides both an up-front incentive - and a reduced electric rate.

Gibson Craig is Director of Preconstruction for a local developer of multi-family apartments. He is involved in pre-planning, purchasing, and roll-out of major trades.

In this episode, Gib shares with us the considerations he and his wife made in deciding to install a geothermal heat source for their home, the opportunity for significant energy savings and comfort, and how government and utility incentives helped them in making their clean energy investment easier and seamless.

If you're considering installing a GHP system for your home or business - here are the things you need to know about geothermal.

Sign up for a free webclass to discover how easy it is to get ultra-efficient geothermal heating and cooling installed in your home – without the pain of emptying your savings account.

In "The Power Of Earth with Comfort" From ClimateMaster a free webclass, you'll discover the answers every homeowner needs to know, including:

• How geothermal heating and cooling can draw energy from the ground beneath our feet (for pennies)
• Why homeowners everywhere are making the switch.
• The secrets to securing utility incentives and tax credits to pay for a large portion of your new geothermal system

and much more …

Why did you choose a geothermal (ground source) heat pump for your home?

"There was a generous federal tax credit at the time. That made the first cost almost the same While Geo still cost more, I had a payback of three or four years on the system. Now I have less bills, and less operating costs."

What type of system did you install? Does it provide heating, cooling & hot water?

Closed-loop system that provides heating and cooling, and supplements our hot water in the summer months when the excess heat would be sent back into the ground.

How did you decide on geo vs. alternatives - and how did you choose the particular manufacturer & installers?

For equipment decisions, we relied on our installer's recommendations. We got bids from 3 or 4 HVAC contractors and we went with Bell HVAC. Keith Bell (the owner) had a really great price, understood some of the complexities of our house and our goals to integrate a wood burning stove with the overall heating strategy. On top of that, we could tell he was a genuinely good person.

How do you like the system? What do you like best about it?

Little to no maintenance, no oil deliveries, quiet, no combustion in our basement. Which also means less risk of CO poisoning. The last thing you want to think about is something breaking and it's been great.

Did you have any problems with the decision process, incentives, installation, on-going operations, or maintenance?

Really not very many problems. Just learning experiences. When you build something new, you're gonna learn.

Where there any lessons learned that you'd care to share? Anything you would do differently next time?

Wouldn't really do much different. It was just a process. When you go on construction, the unexpected happens. And as long as you stay the course, you'll get there.

Recommendation. What are the biggest things people should do when they are evaluating their heating & cooling system options?

You should really think about this 100%, especially if you don't have access to gas right in the street. If you don't have access to gas, I'd say you definitely 100% should be sure to go to geothermal. If you have access to gas, it's a little bit more of a question. But in the end, it would still pay for itself in time (especially with the utility and government incentives.)

What is your next step with your home?

We are looking at Solar, we have a 100-foot tall ridge with tall trees on the south and west side of our home so the payback isn't quite there without performing a logging operation. With Covid going on, our next project will probably be building a small office studio in our side yard.

Best advice - "If you are afraid to fail, you will never succeed" and "The easiest thing to do in the world is pull the covers up over your head and go back to sleep."

Habits - "Getting up really early and going for a 20 or 30-minute jog in the morning before breakfast. Helps me disconnect, get exercise, and energizes me for the day."

Internet source – The US Green Building Council (USGBC)

Book Recommendation: Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

Magic Wand: Aside from the obvious answers of COVID being a thing of the past and political tensions being eased…I would say that cleaning up our oceans is a really important issue. Currently, more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic litter the ocean, which has a profound and devastating impact on ecosystems. The Ocean Cleanup is a very cool non-profit organization that's dedicated to cleaning up 90% of ocean plastic pollution by the year 2040. They've also implemented a great solution that gives all the plastic they collect a new life by developing durable products out of the trash. You can purchase things like really cool sunglasses, and the profits pay for more trash to be removed from the ocean and re-used.

Most energized today - Upcoming company projects: Geothermal for multifamily. Geothermal often isn't used in commercial buildings, as there are some logistical challenges with fitting (60) 500-foot wells under a parking garage that is 25' below grade. But these are the problems I enjoy participating in and finding solutions for.

Piece of parting advice - Stay healthy. Try not to catch the virus and keep good care of yourself

Connect:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gibson-craig-68a05b88/

Quantum Quote: "There's a big misconception with geothermal that you need a huge lawn, a massive yard. That's not the case." - Mark Brescia

The clean energy future is here. Consolidated Edison of NY is providing opportunities for all their customers to reduce the carbon footprint we leave on this earth.

Transitioning to geothermal for your cooling and heating helps accelerate the reduction of fossil fuels and reduce other pollution. An additional piece of good news is that the federal investment tax credit of 26% was recently extended for 2021and 2022.

The tax credits and ConEdison's clean heat incentives dramatically reduce the total cost of the geothermal installations.

If your concern is not having a lawn to install your geothermal - don't worry. Cutting edge technology takes care of that issue by drilling straight down - so that you don't have to use much of your yard at all.

Mark Brescia is a Program Manager in the Energy Efficiency & Demand Management Department at Consolidated Edison. Mark manages the second Non-Pipeline Solutions market solicitation, Residential Ground Source Heat Pump and Residential Weatherization programs.

Prior to joining Con Edison in 2018, Mark worked for National Grid managing their Residential, Multi-Family and Commercial Kitchen energy efficiency programs for New York City and Long Island. He was also previously employed by ICF as part of the NYC Clean Heat initiative of Mayor Bloomberg accelerating conversion of large New York City buildings off heavy heating oil. Mark began his sustainability career in his home state of New Jersey managing a fundraising program transitioning residents to CFL bulbs that supported local schools, community groups and houses of worship.

In this episode, Mark discusses ConEdison's program to provide cash incentives that reduce the cost of geothermal. He talks about existing buildings (including St. Patrick's Cathedral) that have gone through retrofitting geothermal installations, and new construction that provides heating, cooling and hot water with geothermal wells drilled directly under a building. He shares that, if you're cooling / heating systems are not keeping you comfortable and you are experiencing high energy costs, then it's time for you to consider upgrading to geothermal.

Sign up for a free webclass to discover how easy it is to get ultra-efficient geothermal heating and cooling installed in your home – without the pain of emptying your savings account.

In "The Power Of Earth with Comfort" From ClimateMaster free webclass you'll discover the answers every homeowner needs to know, including:

• How geothermal heating and cooling can draw energy from the ground beneath our feet (for pennies)
• Why homeowners everywhere are making the switch
• The secrets to securing utility incentives and tax credits to pay for a large portion of your new geothermal system

and much more …

Why is ConEdison moving to clean energy, and why are you involved with this program?

"ConEdison is really committed to leading and delivering the transition to the clean energy future that our customers deserve and expect. We work together with governments, our customers, industry, various stakeholders to help rapidly reduce the use of fossil fuels. And for me, it isn't my job, it really is my passion. And I've turned that passion into a career."

Tell us a little bit about the geothermal heating and cooling systems and how those work and what kind of incentives you offer to consumers?

"Geothermal is one of the programs that I work on, primarily focused on our residential customers.

Geothermal technology is the best of the heat pump technologies. It is the highest efficiency because it's exchanging energy with the earth, and the earth is at a constant temperature.

What's the total incentive that you're looking at? On average, for a single family home in Westchester, it's about $12,000. And that's per heating capacity. For our larger customers, we have incentives of $150 per mmbtu of energy savings.

If somebody is looking at a geothermal system, though, the average family can expect somewhere around $12,000 worth of cash incentives from ConEdison to help them make that transition.. How does it work?

"There's no real paperwork for the customer to fill out, you don't have to wait for a check. It's actually right off the top of the install price. So there are no additional forms or waiting. This is money just to reduce your out of pocket costs right upfront and get you going on geothermal or heat pumps right away."

What are the goals of ConEd's clean heating program?

"It's the New York State Clean Heat Program. This is not just an effort of ConEdison. ConEdison is the local electric utility here in New York City and Westchester. But all of the NYS electric utilities are doing this. The goals are to accelerate the reduction of fossil fuels for heating and achieve those larger New York State goals for a low carbon future."

How can customers access the program - where can people find information? Save With Clean Heating and Cooling Technology - Visit: coned.com/heatpumps

Supernova: "There's a big misconception with geothermal that you need a huge lawn, a massive yard. That's not the case. There's another type of geothermal system called direct exchange that can be installed in even small spaces."

"With new construction, you can build underneath the building straight to the lot lines. And it's great."

I was blown away to find out that in ConEd territory, St. Patrick's Cathedral, one of the most famous icons in the world, just recently did a geothermal retrofit with wells 2,000 feet underground in Manhattan.

"It's a beautiful install. I had a chance to take a look at the mechanical room and it's amazing ConEdison is really proud of that project."

One thing you're most energized about today: "I would say, it's very recent news that the federal investment tax credit is held at 26% for 2021. But what's really exciting is that it was scheduled to be reduced, but is now extended through 2022.

"The most incentives you can receive are right now. Plan your upgrade, think about your system, and take advantage of these tax credits and clean heat incentives from ConEdison."

Piece of Parting Advice: "Heat pumps, including geothermal, are good for customers to provide affordable heating and cooling. They're good for the utility, as they reduce our peak energy use. And they're good for the environment by reducing CO2 and other air pollution."

Connect

Important Links:

• Save Thousands on Geothermal: https://coned.com/geothermal
• Clean Energy for All : https://coned.com/cleanenergyforall
• Heat pumps for multifamily & local businesses: https://coned.com/heatpumps

Connect:

• E: [email protected]

Please Go to iTunes / Apple Podcast to Rate & Review AWESome EarthKind! Thanks!

Today's podcast is for homeowners who want to understand the basics about ultra-efficient geothermal heating and cooling, why your neighbors are moving to geothermal, and how easy it is to have geothermal installed in your home - without the pain of emptying your savings account.

I'm your host, Ron Kamen. My life mission is to empower everyday people like you to make clean energy transitions that reduce your carbon footprint, save you money, and create a proud legacy for your grandchildren.

For more than three decades, I've energized thousands of homeowners, communities, governments, non-profits, and businesses with the ability to "Go Clean & Save Green".

As the host of the AWESome EarthKind Podcast, I explain how technology is now capturing the Forces of Nature to meet our electricity, heating, cooling and transportation needs – and saving people money when they make that evolution.

Burning any type of fossil fuel – whether it's oil, coal, natural gas, propane, or wood -provides energy efficiencies that are significantly less than 100% efficient. A brand new high tech gas burner can have efficiencies in in the 97% range. But with older systems – and with hot water during the summer – energy efficiency drops dramatically, sometimes wasting 1/3rd to 2/3s of the energy that we're paying for.

Heat pumps create heat with dramatically better efficiencies.

Sign up for a free webclass to discover how easy it is to get ultra-efficient geothermal heating and cooling installed in your home – without the pain of emptying your savings account.

Virtually everyone has a least one type of heat pump — our refrigerator and freezer. Heat pumps use compression and expansion to move heat from one location (inside the box) to the outside via heat dispersion coils.

An air conditioner is another type of heat pump that moves the heat from inside our buildings to the outside air. An Air Source Heat Pump is an Air Conditioner that reverses that process during the winter to move heat from the outside air into our buildings. Cold Climate Heat Pumps can now concentrate heat even when the air temperature is as low as minus 15 F.

The energy efficiency of an Air Source Heat Pump is 200-300%. Since we start with the temperature of the air, for every unit of electricity we put into the system, we get 2 to 3 units of heating and cooling out.

A Ground Source — or Geothermal — Heat Pump does the same thing. But, instead of starting with the ambient air temperature, a Geothermal Heat Pump sends a fluid into pipes underground where the earth's constant temperature of ~55 F in the northeast US is transferred and returned to our utility rooms.

The same type of Heat Pump compression and expansion then bumps the temperature up to provide hot water year round and heat during the winter - or starts with the 55 degree temperatures to cool our homes during the summer.

Geothermal Heat Pumps provide efficiencies of 400 to 500%. For every unit of electricity put into a ground source heat pump, we get 4 to 5 units of heating and cooling out.

Geothermal systems tap into the largest heat storage system in the world - right under our feet. For billions of years, the earth has been absorbing the sun's energy. The planet's constant temperature just a few feet underground can meet all our heating, cooling, and hot water needs — with a minimum amount of energy to move that heat in or out of our buildings.

There are actually 2 types of Geothermal. In the western United States and Hawaii, Geothermal electric power plants use steam from hot water reservoirs a few miles below the earth's surface. That steam rotates turbines in generators that produce electricity. While California & Nevada are the biggest generators of geothermal electricity in the country, the Big Island of Hawaii gets actually 25% of their electricity from geothermal electricity power plants.

But everywhere else in the US, Geothermal refers to Ground Source Heat Pumps - the most efficient technology for heating, cooling, and creating hot water.

Geothermal –vcan provide savings up to 70% less than traditional fossil fuel technologies.

Saint Patrick's Cathedral – one of the best know icons in New York City - has Geothermal. The geothermal wells reach 2000' down into the Manhattan bedrock. The system was the LEAST cost option for this historic building- AND it is saving them over 30% a year in energy costs.

In the next the Power of Earth with Comfort podcast, you'll hear how your local utility provides cash incentives for your transition to clean heat.

In another episode, you'll also hear from a homeowner about why they decided to move to geothermal, and how they now have a clean, healthy, comfortable, sustainable, and economic geothermal heating and cooling system in their home.

In "The Power Of Earth with Comfort" From ClimateMaster a free webclass, you'll discover the answers every homeowner needs to know, including:

• How geothermal heating and cooling can draw energy from the ground beneath our feet (for pennies)
• Why homeowners everywhere are making the switch.
• The secrets to securing utility incentives and tax credits to pay for a large portion of your new geothermal system

and much more …

Quantum Quote: "To do good. You actually have to do something." - Yvon Chouinard

"About four years ago, I went through a long process of convincing my client that they just needed to sell ExxonMobil because it was not a good investment anymore.", as shared by Chris Parker.

Do you want to know if his client listened?

How does climate change affect your business, what's at stake? Protecting the planet required business and social transformation, as well as an energy revolution.

Drawing on 24 years in global markets & finance, business & nonprofit development, conservation, and sustainability, Chris Parker partners with purpose-driven organizations to create solutions on critical challenges.

Chris uses learned insights from the private and NGO sectors to benefit the scope of client impact. By marrying passion and pragmatism, client partnerships expand the reach and power of a mission.

Originally Chris got into clean energy for his personal passion for environmental and climate change. But it became clear that it was really a business opportunity that the energy world and the business world was eventually going to go through - a transformation from fossil fuel to renewable clean energy.

Sign up for a free webclass to discover how easy it is to get ultra-efficient geothermal heating and cooling installed in your home - without the pain of emptying your savings account.

In "The Power Of Earth With Comfort" From ClimateMaster webclass, you'll discover the answers every homeowner needs to know, including:

* How geothermal heating and cooling can draw energy from the ground beneath our feet (for pennies)

*Why homeowners everywhere are making the switch.

* The secrets to securing utility incentives and tax credits to pay for a large portion of your new geothermal system

and much more ...

If you tired of rising energy costs and want to save up to 70% on your energy bills, Go to www.AWESomeEarthKind.com and register now for this FREE special event that will show you exactly how to get geothermal heating and cooling installed in your home.

We'd like to hear from you! Please help us understand how AWESome Earthkind can help you achieve your clean energy goals – and you'll automatically be entered into a Sweepstakes for a Free LED Light Fixture:

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK TODAY

SuperNova #1. "Practice empathy. Everyone that you're trying to do business with, everyone that you're trying to help change policy with, everyone that you're trying to help make a new business decision, everyone's fighting a battle that you knew nothing about... take a step back from your position.

Through an empathetic lens, look about where their needs are in the whole business, and energy equation and try and come at it from that angle, as opposed to what you're trying to achieve."

SuperNova #2. "A message I keep trying to put out is to look at these companies as future partners if we really want to accomplish what we need to accomplish with a global system transformation. Everyone's got to benefit. Everyone's got to play a part. Everyone's got to help solve their own personal solutions."

SuperNova #3. "Businesses are saving money and gaining financial predictability by sourcing clean energy, as opposed to relying on fossil fuels. As they move their operations out of climate-damaging fossil fuel, businesses are taking away their long term liability to the world at the same time. So it's reducing risk, reducing costs, increasing predictability. And if done right, increasing your market, share as a business, and also increasing both shareholder and employee happiness, which has its own return."

Worst Clean Energy Moment: Career changing moment - working as an energy trader in New York City when SuperStorm Sandy hit.

Best Advice he's ever received: Take a little more time.

Personal Success: I have become a huge proponent of the morning routine. Take 20 minutes to breathe, center yourself, and envision your goals for the day

Internet Resources: Looking at non-US news services and sites

Book Recommendation: Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire

Magic Wand: Change one thing for everybody in the world: Let them go for a year and live in another culture.

WTF or F: WTF. Caught out in a boulder field with a hail storm during an Alpine climb.

Parting Advice: Just take an Action.

Connect:

• Website: https://www.kingfisherparker.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-parker-23226726/
• Twitte: https://twitter.com/nycwildlife

Please Go to iTunes / Apple Podcast to Rate & Review AWESome EarthKind! Thanks!

Quantum Quote: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Dave Belote

Clean energy isn't just good for our environment; it's good for our economy - and it's essential to our national security.

Climate change and dependence on fossil fuels are creating additional instability around the world - and threatening US military bases everywhere.

If you want to know how supporting renewable energy also secures national defense, this episode is for you.

Dave Belote is a retired Air Force colonel and, since 2017, the managing partner of DARE Strategies LLC, an energy and defense consulting firm that advises renewable energy developers on Federal and state-level siting policy and legislative strategy.

He has served as an installation commander, Pentagon senior executive, and energy developer, and was the founding executive director of the Department of Defense Siting Clearinghouse.

Dave has earned two Bronze Stars, two Legion of Merit awards, and White House recognition as a Champion of Change: Veteran Advancing Clean Energy and Climate Security. He is also a five-time Jeopardy! champion.

In this episode, Dave shares his efforts to deliver clean, renewable power to federal customers and promote renewable energy solutions on military bases, public lands, and the outer continental shelf. Through DARE Strategies LLC, he continues to work at the intersection of his twin passions: Defense and Renewable Energy.

We'd like to hear from you! Please help us understand how AWESome Earthkind can help you achieve your clean energy goals - and you'll automatically be entered into a Sweepstakes for a Free LED Light Fixture:

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK TODAY

SuperNova #1. "My unique little niche is help utility scale wind and solar developers deal with the Pentagon and figure out how close you can put wind turbines to a radar, how many wind turbines you can put close to a military training area for flight training, how close you can put solar panels to a runway or a control tower."

SuperNova #2. "I had no thought during my 25 years in uniform that I'm going to get into renewable energy. But once I was there, I was thrilled at trying to leave the place a little better than I found it, trying to help the planet get towards a clean energy future."

SuperNova #3. "I am incredibly proud that as a consultant, I had a lot of involvement with what is I think, still the Army's largest and perhaps the Department of Defense's only hybrid project: 15 megawatts of solar on-base at Fort Hood, and 50 megawatts of off-base wind in Floyd County, about 50 miles away."

SuperNova #4. "The biggest thing that's happening right now is wind turbines are getting taller - and both wind and solar prices are coming down - because the technology is getting better."

Worst Clean Energy Moment: The day when a political appointee and a three star Admiral overturned years of work for an offshore wind project for California.

Ah-Ha: "The biggest challenge, especially in my niche of trying to make sure that the military and the renewable energy industry coexist peacefully, is to explain and translate to people on both sides the languages and experiences that they don't really get."

Best Advice he's ever received: "Love your people. If you want to accomplish anything, invest yourself wholly in the team that you are part of, or have a chance to lead. And then get out of the way and watch good things happen."

Personal Success: "Curiosity. And trying to always ask the underlying question and recognizing the mental biases that make us leap to lots of conclusions."

Internet Resources: DOD Siting Clearinghouse

Book Recommendation: Once An Eagle by Anton Myrer

Magic Wand: Batteries or storage.

One thing that Energizes today: An incoming administration that is going to prioritize climate and renewable energy sources.

WTF or F: Fudge: Getting caught in a squall while sailing in Florida.

Parting Advice: Don't get into ridiculous arguments, follow the market and let the investment flow to where it's obviously going.

Connect:

• Email: [email protected]
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-belote-23ba257/

Please Go to iTunes / Apple Podcast to Rate & Review AWESome EarthKind! Thanks!

Happy New Year & Welcome to the 2nd season of the AWESome EarthKind Energy Podcast!

Our goal is to empower & energize YOU to take the next step in your personal clean energy journey for your home, workplace and community.

Almost every day, extreme weather events demonstrate the incredible power of the 4 elements – the Air , Water , Earth , and Sun . Our entire civilization is now at the tipping point. To divert the catastrophic consequences, we MUST make the transition to clean energy.

The GOOD News is that the AWESome Forces of Nature offer us a thousand times more energy than we need.

The BETTER News is that human ingenuity and innovation are harnessing these 4 Elements. We can now use this AWESome EarthKind Energy for all our electricity, heating, cooling, and transportation.

And the BEST News is… we can save money doing it!

2021 is promising to be the year that changes everything.

YOU, me, and the 7 Billion people on the planet are the 5th Element. Woman and Mankind - all "EarthKind – are beginning to take the personal, professional and political actions that can stop and reverse the catastrophic impacts of climate disruption – and create a brighter, healthier, more just and prosperous civilization for our children.

AWESome EarthKind is a community of people who want to learn how to move to clean energy and save money when they make the transition.

I'm Ron Kamen - your host & clean energy guide. For more than 3 decades, I've helped businesses, governments, non-profits and communities take their next step in clean energy transformations that reduce carbon footprints and save money. AWESome EarthKind is here to empower and energize YOU - so that you can take your next step.

In the last episode of 2020, we reviewed our first season's topics:

• Awareness, Hope, & Opportunity of clean energy technologies

• Health Impacts and how clean energy technologies can reduce the risk of asthma & other respiratory illnesses

• Efficiency & The Big 3 of Clean Energy: Renewable Electricity, Clean Heating & Electric Vehicles

• The Business Voice & New Business Models that have created 3.4 Million American jobs – 3x more than those in the fossil fuel industry

• Environmental Justice and how clean energy "empowers the people that most need the work with the ability to do the work that most needs doing"

• Clean Energy Investments that provide superior returns while protecting & promoting your values

• Starting your own Ecopreneur Business

You can help us create an even better program for year 2. Please go to AWESomeEarthKind.com and let us know what you're most interested in learning.

Based on your feedback to date, Season 2 will focus on:

• The Basics of how to access clean energy technologies and save money

• Small Actions that make a big difference

• Specific steps we can each take to reduce energy costs with solar electricity, clean heating, and electric cars

• Deep dives into utility and government incentives

• How to evaluate your unique situation, build a vision of where you'd like to be, and create a strategy that will reduce your energy costs, improve your family's health, and create a proud legacy for your grandchildren

• How to generate additional income – or build your own clean energy business – without having to learn complex technologies - in the $13 TRILLION clean energy economy.

On our website, AWESomeEarthKind.com, you'll discover a community of fellow AWESome EarthKind people who will answer your questions about clean energy - and help you figure out how to have an impact and save money in your personal transition.

AWESome EarthKind Energy releases new podcast episodes every Monday with interviews of fascinating EarthKind people doing AWESome things with clean energy. We introduce you to individuals who are "walking the talk" and share SuperNova ideas that aim to entertain, enlighten, and inspire you.

You'll hear what other homes, workplaces, and communities are doing to evolve to clean energy technologies, the challenges they faced, and the solutions they created.

On the podcast, we'll explain how LED lightbulbs are so much more efficient that regular incandescent lights because LEDs provide the same visible light - without wasting 90% of the energy creating heat.

We'll let you know that, wherever you live or work, you can have some type of renewable electricity. Even if you can't put solar on your roof, there are other options on your property; additional ways to gain the benefits of solar in your community; and even options to purchase clean electricity from your utility or energy service company.

We'll enlighten you with the knowledge that your refrigerator is one type of heat pump that we all have - and how you other types of heat pumps can you save money when you shift to clean heating & cooling in your home, school, and workplace.

We'll be examining air source heat pumps, which are simply air conditioners that both cool AND heat.

We'll be doing deep dives into the most efficient forms of heating and cooling – ground source, or geothermal heat pumps. You'll hear how St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City installed a zero-emission, quiet, and comfortable geothermal system that was less expensive in upfront capital costs – and reduced their energy expenses by 30%

And how geothermal systems under new homes, multi-family and office buildings are providing all the heating, cooling, and hot water for buildings as tall as 25 stories.

Lastly, we'll be energizing you with the ability to transition to your choice of over 50 Electric Vehicles that are Faster, Cheaper & more Reliable than gas cars, trucks & SUVs.

We launched this podcast on Aug 6, 2020 – the 75th anniversary of humanity's destructive use of nuclear power.

Today, Covid-19 has given everyone on Earth a massive wakeup call that reminds us that life is short, and fragile. Our lives, and the lives of all we love and everyone we know, now depend on our making the transition to clean energy.

Together, we are all now an AWESome Force of Nature.

Thank you for joining with fellow AWESome EarthKind Energy people who are taking their next step to create a clean, safe, just, prosperous & sustainable future for our children & all future generations.

Please go to our website, AwesomeEarthKind.com. Send us a message with your questions, comments and ideas. Take a survey telling us what you'd most like to hear, and gain the opportunity to win a high-efficiency LED Light Fixture.

Please subscribe to our podcast on the platform of your choice, and rate and write a review us on i-Tunes.

You are AWESome, and we're looking forward to meeting you.

To take your next step toward the clean energy future you want – and our children need and deserve – please go to AWESome EarthKind dot com.

Go Clean, Save Green, and… Energize!