Recorded on Zoom in January 2022, episode 51 features a conversation with Serge Abergel, Chief Operating Officer of Hydro-Québec Energy Services , a Hydro-Québec division responsible for energy export. We talk about the Canada-Us electricity relationship, the role Quebec hydropower plays in meeting current and future energy needs in the Northeast, GHG emissions reductions, and the challenges of building infrastructure in New England and New York. We also talk about engagement with indigenous communities, including the partnership HQ has struck with the Mohawks of Kahnawá:ke on a cross-border transmission project. We close the conversation with Serge’s recommended addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Recorded on Zoom in early December 2021, episode 50 features a conversation with Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro Ottawa, the local distribution company in Canada’s capital, and a number of other lines of business, including as a cross-border electricity generator. Bryce and I talk about Hydro’s sustainability practices, its recent designation as a Sustainable Electricity CompanyTM (the 11th in Canada), how sustainability helps in recruiting top talent, and customer-centricity. We also talk about climate change, net-zero targets, and the impacts of extreme weather, something Hydro Ottawa has seen a lot of recently, including floods and tornadoes. We close the conversation with some book banter, and Bryce’s two recommendations to add to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Recorded on Zoom in early December 2021, episode 49 features a conversation with Dan Balaban, President and Executive Chair of Greengate, an Alberta-based company in the centre of the energy transformation. Greengate has been developing renewable energy projects at scale, and boasts the largest wind, and soon the largest solar project in Canada. In our discussion, we talk about some of Greengate’s signature projects, electrification and decarbonization, and the pivotal role energy storage will play. Dan also gives us his take on policy changes that will be required to hit our targets, and we close the conversation with some book banter, and Dan’s recommendation to add to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Recorded in person late November 2021, episode 48 features a conversation with President and CEO of SaskPower Mike Marsh. On the eve of Mike’s retirement from SaskPower, we talk about the pandemic, how its changing work and the workplace. We also discuss the challenges of GHG reductions, and the role new technologies will play to help meet climate change targets. Mike talks about his journey to his seven years as the head of SaskPower, and some of his mentors along that journey. And we end with some book banter, and Mike’s out-of-this-world recommended addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Recorded on Zoom in late October 2021, episode 47 is the ninth in a series of podcasts seeking to unpack Canada’s Net Zero 2050 greenhouse gas target. For this episode, Meredith Adler, the Executive Director of Student Energy joins me to talk about the next generation of energy leaders and net-zero GHG ambitions. Student Energy is a global youth-led organization empowering young people to accelerate the sustainable energy transition through a variety of initiatives, some of which we talk about on this podcast. We also touch on generational differences, some of Student Energy’s priorities, the next generations expectations for GHG reductions and ED&I, and what to expect at COP26 in Glasgow. We close the conversation with some boom banter, and Meredith’s recommendation to add to the Flux Capacitor Book Club. The Theory of Change diagram mentioned in the podcast can be found on Student Energy’s website here.

Recorded on Zoom in early October 2021, episode 46 is the eighth in a series of podcasts seeking to unpack Canada’s Net Zero 2050 greenhouse gas target. For this episode, Peter Gregg, President and CEO of Nova Scotia Power and I talk about the challenges of meeting GHG reduction targets, and Nova Scotia Power’s plans to decarbonize their electricity system, taking into consideration customer affordability and reliability. We touch on technologies, the importance of regional interconnections (Maritime Link, Atlantic Loop), and the need for clear policy direction. As with previous podcasts, we wrap up the conversation with a book recommendation.

Recorded from a webinar two days following the 2021 Canadian Federal election with Michael Powell, CEA’s VP of Government Relations, and Julia Muggeridge, VP of Communications and Marketing, Michael provides a general overview of the campaign, results, and key campaign commitments, followed by a three-way conversation on implications and next steps. We also take questions sent in by the live webinar audience on GHG reduction targets, a net-zero electricity grid and electric vehicle mandates.

Recorded on Zoom in late-August 2021, in the second week since the launch of the Federal election, episode 44 is a deep dive into the views of the electorate and the salience of energy and environmental issues in the campaign. For this episode, Greg Lyle, founder and President of Innovative Research Group, discusses the drivers in the election campaign relevant to the electricity sector (environment, affordability, jobs), evolving views on climate change, and how campaigns and the media set priorities. Greg also shares what he sees as customer priorities for electricity companies. And, as with previous podcasts, we wrap up the conversation with two book recommendations, books a pollster would recommend during a Canadian election campaign.

Recorded on Zoom in mid-August 2021, episode 43 is the seventh in a series of podcasts seeking to unpack Canada’s Net Zero 2050 greenhouse gas target. For this episode, Tonja Leach, Executive Director of QUEST, discusses the importance of community level engagement, potential net zero barriers due to regulatory constructs and policy environments, and the importance of spurring investment at the community level for GHG reductions. As with previous podcasts, we wrap up the conversation with some book banter.

Recorded on Zoom in late July 2021, episode 41 is the sixth in a series of podcasts seeking to unpack Canada’s Net Zero 2050 greenhouse gas target. For this episode, Wayne O’Connor, President and CEO of ENMAX, discusses his company’s Net Zero 2050 target, in the context of their ESG commitments, and what this means for their regulated T&D business, and their generation fleet. We also talk about other ESG elements, including diversity, inclusion and belonging, and how ENMAX is addressing energy poverty. And as with previous podcasts, we close the conversation with a book recommendation.