Today's guest is Dr. Melissa Lott, Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.

Melissa and I have a great discussion, in which we dive into her background and origin story, what brought her to working in energy, how she sees the energy transition playing out, how we can successfully decarbonize power, and how energy and environmental justice can’t be decoupled. We also discuss how her team decides which projects to take on, and goes about doing their modeling and research.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Melissa's origin story
• Her focus on power and public health
• Why she chose energy
• Her time at Tokyo Asian Pacific Energy Center
• Motivation for choosing academia
• SIPA Center on Global Energy Policy projects
• How often research evolves and which models are used
• Who determines research topics and how are they chosen
• Ways to make the energy transition successful
• Decarbonization and the power sector
• What Melissa would like to see in Joe Biden's first 100 days as President
• Net Zero Carbon and how we get there

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Melissa’s articles in the Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/melissa-c-lott/
• Center on Global Energy Policy: https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/
• Professor Richard Smalley Explains Why Energy Is The #1 Challenge Facing Humanity Today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8SUlhNZvvw&ab_channel=BiancaM.Rhym
• What Are Biden’s Climate Options if the Senate Stays Republican?https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/06/biden-climate-policy-senate-republicans-congress/

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guests are Jon Goldberg, Founder & CEO of Carbon Direct and Julio Friedmann, Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct.

I learned a lot in the episode. Jon and Julio are the first pair to come onto the podcast and it led to a fascinating discussion. We dive into Carbon Direct, their place in the market, and how Carbon Direct is changing the game. We also discuss the areas Jon and Julio are most excited about as well as net zero commitments and the controversy of offsets. 

In today’s episode, we cover:

• How Carbon Direct works & its position in the market
• Net zero commitments comparison
• Assessing a company’s carbon footprint
• Jon & Julio’s stances on offsets
• Biggest problems facing large companies
• Companies’ motivations for working with Carbon Direct
• Areas Jon & Julio are most excited about
• Carbon Removal vs. Carbon Capture
• Where we are now and where we need to go

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Carbon Removal vs. Carbon Capture: https://www.american.edu/sis/centers/carbon-removal/explaining-carbon-removal.cfm#main-container
• Carbon Direct: https://carbon-direct.com/
• Net Zero Commitments: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/global-net-zero-commitments-double-less-year

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is David Hardy, CEO of Offshore NA at Ørsted, a Danish energy company.

We talked about a lot in this episode. David walked me through his path to Ørsted and where he sees the company going. We chatted about how the renewables landscape has changed since he first started working in this area, and the path forwards. Then, we had a great discussion about offshore wind, its penetration to date, its future, and how these projects come about and get implemented, at a granular level.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Ørsted's origins
• David's background
• Past, present, and future of renewables
• US v. European wind markets
• The U.S. hurdles to developing wind energy in the U.S.
• Ørsted's prioritizations of projects
• Who is buying the power & how is it being sold
• The permitting and regulatory hurdles for offshore wind projects
• The role of subsidies and incentives in project development
• The request for proposal (RFP) process
• Environmental considerations and objections to offshore wind

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Transporting wind energy: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-offshore-wind-needs-to-clear-a-key-hurdle-connecting-to-the-grid/
• US barriers to wind farms: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-01/why-it-s-so-hard-to-build-offshore-wind-farms-in-the-u-s
• The future of wind in the US: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/13/us-has-only-one-offshore-wind-farm-but-thats-about-to-change.html

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Rodrigo Prudencio, who works in Worldwide Corporate Development at Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund.

We discuss a lot in this episode, including what got Rodrigo initially passionate about climate change, the lessons he learned from the last cleantech wave, what led him back into cleantech and his role at Amazon, and a deep dive into the Climate Pledge Fund, its areas of focus, and how Amazon will measure its success.

This episode was recorded live on October 22, 2020 as part of the Co_Invest Cleantech annual flagship event. We’d like to thank Clean Energy Trust for putting on this event, and allowing us to participate.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Climate Pledge Fund profile, focus areas, and early investments
• Rodrigo’s history and background
• How cleantech has changed in the years since Rodrigo last focused on it
• Key lessons learned from Cleantech 1.0
• Amazon’s Climate Pledge
• Role of big companies like Amazon in the climate fight
• Role of policy and regulation vs innovation
• Role of activism
• Future of capitalism

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• The Climate Pledge: https://www.theclimatepledge.com/
• Amazon’s Carbon Footprint: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/environment/sustainable-operations/carbon-footprint
• Amazon Sustainability: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/
• Climate Friendly Badge: https://www.forbes.com/sites/prakashdolsak/2020/10/06/will-amazons-climate-pledge-friendly-label-transform-online-shopping/#743aa58ef9e5
• Chamath Palihapitiya Tweet: https://twitter.com/chamath/status/1318910679856807937
• Amazon PAC: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063716163
• Carbon Pricing: https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/7/20/17584376/carbon-tax-congress-republicans-cost-economy

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

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• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Adam Browning, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Vote Solar. 

We cover a lot in this episode from Adam’s beginnings to the future of solar in the U.S. We also dive into how solar works and the potential drawbacks of it. Finally, Adam talks in depth about policy advocacy on the local level and how Prop B came to fruition. 

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What is Vote Solar and its mission?
• How Adam found himself at Vote Solar and in climate.
• The origins of Vote Solar.
• How the passage of Prop B was a watershed moment in the solar movement in California.
• Factors driving down the cost of solar energy.
• The organization’s early mission of making solar cheap.
• The task of disintermediating the decision-makers to saying ‘yes’ to solar.
• The history and progress of clean energy compliance and regulations.
• Vote Solar’s definition of success.
• Adam’s thoughts on the intermittency problem associated with solar energy.
• Adam’s views on sustainability challenges with solar panels.
• How most energy regulation is set at the state-level.
• Wins Vote Solar has had.
• Adam’s belief in the need for a Federal clean energy standard.

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Vote Solar: https://votesolar.org/
• Power for All: https://www.powerforall.org/
• Prop B: https://www.sfgate.com/green/article/S-F-could-be-leader-on-solar-energy-Props-B-2864444.php
• Bifacial solar panels: https://solarmagazine.com/solar-panels/bifacial-solar-panels/

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What is Aspiration?
• Cherny's background & experiences that led him to the idea of Aspiration
• Cherny's time working for Al Gore
• How banks operate?
• Aspiration's model of success 
• Challenges Aspiration is faced with
• Cherny's perspective on fossil fuels & how it applies to banking
• Discussion on "do no harm"
• Collectivism versus individualism
• Divestment versus advocating within the existing systems
• How to create change within banking
• The power of consumers

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Banks & The Fossil Fuel Industry: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/18/global-banks-climate-crisis-finance-fossil-fuels
• Banks & investments: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/03/18/jpmorgan-chase-tops-dirty-list-of-35-fossil-fuel-funding-banks/#6ef48c215dfe
• Carbon Offsets & their controversy: https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/carbon-offsets-are-not-our-get-out-jail-free-card

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Daniel Kammen, Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley.

We have a long form discussion in this episode about Dan's background, how his perspective on the problem of climate change has evolved over the years and how he thinks about the problem today. Dan's perspective is particularly unique given the diverse background that he brings, which I find super interesting given the systems nature of the problem.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Daniel’s background and early academic career in energy research.
• How Daniel’s research has been implemented outside of his lab.
• Origins and history of nuclear energy.
• The question of nuclear energy as a solution to climate change.
• The stigma around nuclear energy and reasons for it.
• Tension between proponents of nuclear and advocates of solar.
• The possibility and feasibility of going 100% renewable energy.
• The prospects of long-term energy storage.
• The need for more and lower-cost storage.
• The importance of moving climate from the development of science and technology into a social movement.
• Daniel’s thoughts on a price of carbon.
• The implications of switching from a “dirty” economy to a “clean” one.
• How clean energy is aligned with the objectives of social justice.
• His recommendations for the next U.S. President in addressing climate change.
• Links to topics discussed in this episode:
• Daniel’s website: http://kammen.berkeley.edu/
• Joe Biden’s Climate Plan: https://joebiden.com/environmental-justice-2/#
• Circular economy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_economy

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Skelly’s background and journey as a renewable energy entrepreneur.
• His formative experience in canopy tourism.
• The reasons and motives that drove Skelly to get into wind energy.
• His reflection on the Industrial Revolution.
• What has changed in renewable energy since he first began working in it.
• Texas’ experience with renewable energy.
• Skelly’s thoughts on existing nuclear energy power plants.
• The prospect of putting a price on carbon.
• The importance of transmission line infrastructure and the current impediments.
• Skelly’s experience running for Congress in Texas.
• The Green New Deal and its viability.
• The role of big fossil fuel companies in renewable energy.

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Clean Line Energy Partners: https://www.cleanlineenergy.com/
• HBS Profile (with mention of Skelly’s experience in canopy tourism): https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=5899
• “Factfulness”: https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
• ERCOT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Reliability_Council_of_Texas
• Form Energy: https://formenergy.com/

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Nicolas Pinkowski, Co-Founder of Nitricity.

We cover a lot in this episode, including how Nitricity came to be, the impetus for its founding, progress made to date, and some of the twists and turns along the way. We also discuss the company’s longterm vision and what's coming next. We also touch upon the experience of starting a company within an academic environment and the pros and cons of doing so. Finally, we delve into what society can do to foster more of this type of innovation, that holds promise of delivering both impact and profit.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What is Nitricity?
• The background of the team and how they came to work together.
• How traditional fertilizers contributes to GHG emissions.
• How Nitricity arrived at the problem and discovered a solution.
• Experience with taking an entrepreneurial class and how it inspired Nitricity.
• The skills needed in developing their prototype.
• Pros and cons of prototyping on the farm versus in the lab.
• Nitricity’s pitch and value proposition for the farmer.
• Nitricity’s business model, expenditures and dependencies.
• The company’s financing efforts.
• Nitricity’s product vision moving forward.

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Nitricity: https://www.nitricity.co/
• Stanford Energy Ventures: https://energy.stanford.edu/energy-transformation-collaborative
• CalTech’s FLOW Competition: https://rocketfund.caltech.edu/
• Check out another interview with Nico on the MIT Energy Initiative podcast: http://energy.mit.edu/podcast/2020-mit-clean-energy-prize-winners/

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Jason’s work at SIPA and Center of Global Energy Policy.
• Jason’s time in policy in the Clinton and Obama Administrations and Brookings Institute.
• SIPA’s mission and how it serves as a resource for decision-makers in the energy industry.
• How the challenge among energy and climate policymakers is making research useful and actionable for industry.
• How Jason found his way in working on energy at Columbia.
• The early-optimism in Obama’s first-term to pass bipartisan legislation to address climate change.
• The optimal role for the U.S. in addressing climate change.
• What Jason would advocate a potential Biden Administration focus on to address climate change.
• The importance of bilateral cooperation, in particular with China, in tackling climate change.
• The significance of equity and justice in solving climate change.
• The implications of the U.S. passing a carbon price.
• How global sentiment toward climate change is encouraging and leading to social mobilization.
• The role of the big fossil fuel companies in the clean energy transition.

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Jason’s Faculty Page: https://sipa.columbia.edu/faculty-research/faculty-directory/jason-bordoff
• Columbia’s SIPA: https://sipa.columbia.edu/
• Columbia’s Center on Global Energy Policy: https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/
• “Earth Day at 50 Reveals What’s Missing in Climate Change Fight”: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/21/earth-day-50th-anniversary-climate-change/

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant