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The Hidden Barrier to America’s Clean Energy Future
Antoine Vagneur-Jones, Head of Trade & Supply Chains at Bloomberg NEF, joins Steph Speirs to unpack what’s really happening at the intersection of tariffs, critical minerals, and the clean energy transition. From the “3x price gap” hitting U.S. solar modules to why the “New Oil” narrative is questionable, Antoine breaks down the massive geopolitical friction points holding back the next generation of environmental giants.
Learn why blanket tariffs might be hurting domestic manufacturers more than protecting them and how the global battle for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements is redefining the “Valley of Death” for clean tech startups.
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Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom
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Common Questions
Are critical minerals actually as scarce as oil?
Unlike oil, which is burned and lost, minerals like lithium are part of a hardware-based system and can be recycled, meaning we don’t face the same “scarcity” in the ground.
Why are solar panels more expensive in the U.S.?
Due to a “wall of tariffs,” solar module prices in the U.S. are approximately three times higher than the rest of the world.
Does the U.S. rely on China for refining?
Yes. China currently controls approximately 60% of lithium refining capacity and 85% of rare earth mineral processing.
How long does it take to move a clean tech factory?
While battery plants are complex, a solar module assembly facility can be relocated to a new geography in roughly six months to avoid trade barriers.
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#cleanenergy #tradewar #sustainability #climatetech #geopolitics #greenenergy
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Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions.
Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach.
Future in Bloom is supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment.
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About Me:
Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the Environment. She keynotes and advises philanthropists, investors, and companies on the future of climate tech and clean energy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club Foundation, Vote Solar, and on the Credit Committee of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool. Steph most recently cofounded and was CEO of Solstice, an enterprise dedicated to radically expanding the number of American households that can take advantage of clean energy using community-shared solar farms (acquired by MyPower/Mitsui). Steph previously worked at the White House National Security Council and in clean energy companies in India and Pakistan.
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By Yale Podcast NetworkAntoine Vagneur-Jones, Head of Trade & Supply Chains at Bloomberg NEF, joins Steph Speirs to unpack what’s really happening at the intersection of tariffs, critical minerals, and the clean energy transition. From the “3x price gap” hitting U.S. solar modules to why the “New Oil” narrative is questionable, Antoine breaks down the massive geopolitical friction points holding back the next generation of environmental giants.
Learn why blanket tariffs might be hurting domestic manufacturers more than protecting them and how the global battle for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements is redefining the “Valley of Death” for clean tech startups.
—
Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom
—
Common Questions
Are critical minerals actually as scarce as oil?
Unlike oil, which is burned and lost, minerals like lithium are part of a hardware-based system and can be recycled, meaning we don’t face the same “scarcity” in the ground.
Why are solar panels more expensive in the U.S.?
Due to a “wall of tariffs,” solar module prices in the U.S. are approximately three times higher than the rest of the world.
Does the U.S. rely on China for refining?
Yes. China currently controls approximately 60% of lithium refining capacity and 85% of rare earth mineral processing.
How long does it take to move a clean tech factory?
While battery plants are complex, a solar module assembly facility can be relocated to a new geography in roughly six months to avoid trade barriers.
—
#cleanenergy #tradewar #sustainability #climatetech #geopolitics #greenenergy
—
Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions.
Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach.
Future in Bloom is supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment.
—
About Me:
Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the Environment. She keynotes and advises philanthropists, investors, and companies on the future of climate tech and clean energy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club Foundation, Vote Solar, and on the Credit Committee of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool. Steph most recently cofounded and was CEO of Solstice, an enterprise dedicated to radically expanding the number of American households that can take advantage of clean energy using community-shared solar farms (acquired by MyPower/Mitsui). Steph previously worked at the White House National Security Council and in clean energy companies in India and Pakistan.