Decarbonize: The Clean Energy Podcast

In this episode, Fresh Energy's Isak Kvam, Anjali Bains, and Nick Haeg dig into the true cost of oil and why our dependence on it extends far beyond what we pay at the pump. From its outsized role in transportation and climate pollution to decades of subsidies, lobbying, and policy decisions that have entrenched fossil fuels in our economy, they explore how oil has shaped our energy system and the challenges of moving beyond it. 

They also examine the hidden costs borne by taxpayers, the impacts of global conflicts and market volatility on household budgets, and why investments in clean transportation, renewable energy, and electrification offer a path to greater affordability, energy security, and healthier communities. 

Join them for this conversation as they separate myth from reality and uncover what it will take to build a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

Additional reading and in-podcast book recs!:

• "The true cost of oil" blog post from Fresh Energy
• Fire weather rec: Fresh Energy’s favorite climate books for 2025 - Fresh Energy
• Merchants of Doubt: Climate Book Club - Fresh Energy

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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In 2025, over one-third of U.S. households skipped or cut back on medication, food, or other necessities to pay an energy bill. A quarter were unable to pay an energy bill in full, and in 2024, 2.7 million households had their utility service shut off due to non-payment.

A lack of affordable housing, rising energy bills, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions threaten the health and wellbeing of all Americans.

These interconnected problems won’t go away on their own. Energy prices are likely to keep going up. But despite volatility and upward pressure on energy prices, there is still a lot that Minnesota’s decision makers can do to keep bills from skyrocketing.

One of the best policy tools we have to address these problems is the energy code: by making our homes more energy efficient, we can also make them more affordable and emit fewer climate-polluting gases.

In this podcast episode, Eric Fowler and Isak Kvam go deep on why efficient homes are affordable homes and what role the energy code has to play.

Additional reading from the Fresh Energy blog:

• Efficient homes are affordable homes, Pt. 1
• Efficient homes are affordable homes, Pt. II

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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In this episode of Decarbonize: The Clean Energy Podcast, Fresh Energy's Isak Kvam is joined by Anjali Bains and Brandon Isakson to explore how Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and green hydrogen can help tackle one of the toughest transportation sectors to decarbonize: aviation. 

The conversation breaks down how power-to-liquid SAF, made from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 90% while serving as a drop-in replacement for conventional jet fuel. Listeners will also learn why Minnesota is well positioned to become a leader in this emerging industry thanks to new state policies, abundant feedstocks, and growing private-sector investment. 

Tune in for an inside look at the technologies, policies, and economic opportunities that could help Minnesota chart a cleaner future for flight.

Further reading:

• Minnesota now incentivizes green hydrogen to produce SAF, a key climate technology
• What's up with Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Minnesota?
• The true cost of oil

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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Let’s talk about what happened at the Minnesota Legislature in 2026! Join Fresh Energy policy experts for a webinar we recorded the day after the legislative session ended to learn what we're celebrating, what was defended, what's next, and more.

Webinar guests:

• Justin Fay, chief program officer
• Brynn Kirsling, director, legislative and grassroots advocacy
• Molly McMullen, session associate 
• Anjali Bains, managing director, transportation 

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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 As Minnesota advances toward its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 — what are some of the most actionable and cost-effective decarbonization opportunities for this sector?  

 In April, Fresh Energy and The 2035 Initiative co-authored a new study, “Advancing Industrial Electrification in Minnesota,” that charts practical policy pathways for decarbonizing the manufacturing sector.  

Listen to this latest episode to hear from the report's authors, including The 2035 Initiative’s Dr. Leah Stokes and Dr. Eric Masanet and Fresh Energy’s Brandon Isakson, with opening remarks from Pete Wyckoff, Deputy Commissioner of Energy Resources at the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Kate Knuth, Climate Director at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The group will dig into the details of the report, discuss policy pathways, and answer audience questions. 

Resources:

• Download the study
• View a recording of the webinar

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

Pollution doesn't affect everyone equally — and Minnesota is doing something about it. 

In our latest episode of "Decarbonize: The Clean Energy Podcast" Fresh Energy's Isak Kvam sits down with Fresh Energy staff Janiece Watts and Ethan Culver, and Sasha and Monse from our partner organization, COPAL, to discuss the Cumulative Impacts law, environmental justice history in Minnesota, and ways you can take action. 

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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Electricity demand is growing in Minnesota and across the country. Much of this growth is coming from large electricity users such as hyperscale data centers, electrified industrial processes, and beyond. It is crucial that these new electricity needs be met with clean energy solutions — not with new fossil generation.

Join us for a conversation about how distributed energy solutions can help meet growing electricity demand while also creating opportunities to strengthen workforce and supplier diversity.

Guests: 

Tim Hade, Air Force veteran and Co-Founder, Scale Microgrids
Will Mulhern, Director, Electricity, Fresh Energy
Mark Sebree, President, Sebree Consulting 

Moderator:
Shubha Harris, Chief Equity Policy Officer, Fresh Energy 

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

The 2026 session of the Minnesota Legislature begins on February 17. Join the Fresh Energy team for a conversation about what we expect for the coming session and our plans to meet the challenge of climate change.

Podcast Guests:

• Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer
• Justin Fay, Chief Program Officer
• Brynn Kirsling, Director, Legislative and Grassroots Advocacy

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Belem, Brazil from November 10-21, 2025. J. Drake Hamilton, managing director, science policy at Fresh Energy, attended the conference virtually and recently sat down with Isak Kvam for a webinar to debrief outcomes and take questions. Tune in and check out J.'s blog series with frequent updates throughout COP.

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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Join Fresh Energy's Eric Fowler and Isak Kvam for a conversation about why building energy codes matter for Minnesota's climate goals and to unpack upcoming residential building code updates that will make our buildings more efficient, affordable, and climate-friendly. This wide-ranging conversation covers everything from air tightness to insulation requirements and everything in between. 

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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