We’re now more than a year removed from North Carolina’s worst natural disaster in history. On this episode, we are joined by Will Heegaard from Footprint Project and Sara Nichols from Land of Sky Regional Council. As the state continues to recover, we talk about the role that microgrids have played in bringing power to vulnerable populations, and the continued investments necessary to help the region fully recover. We also highlight the state’s $5 million investment in permanent and mobile microgrid solutions for western and eastern North Carolina. Make sure to give this episode a listen to hear more about the life-saving impacts of technologies like solar and battery storage.

Footprint Project Beehive Microgrids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_apblwKhOA

State Energy Office Microgrid Investment: https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/08/12/north-carolina-launches-clean-energy-microgrid-initiative-boost-disaster-resilience

Microgrid Interest Form (For Potential Site Hosts in NC): https://footprintproject.jotform.com/form/250285897063163

Vendor Registration Form: https://footprintproject.jotform.com/252294035063957

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele), produced by Taylor Wanbaugh.

On episode 128 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we’re turning back the clock to go back to the news of a little bit earlier this summer with the reconciliation bill. On this episode we’re spending time with the CEO of Rewiring America to talk specifically about the impacts to residential household electrification and what the US needs to do to keep the downward pressure on technology and installation costs to continue seeing widespread deployment post-25D and 25C. 

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele). Edited by Yash Mistry. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @nccleanenergy.

On episode 127 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Jeremy Kalin, Attorney at Law, at Avisen Legal, and Albert Lin, Consultant with Gizmo Global. We discussed fuel costs and the current regulatory structure that allows utilities to pass along 100% of the cost of the fuels that go in to powering natural gas and coal generation facilities. We also took a closer look at the concept of fuel cost risk sharing and the current model in North Carolina.

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele). Edited by Yash Mistry. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @nccleanenergy.

Link to AMPlify Appalachia tickets: http://wncconcert.com/

Episode 126 of the Squeaky Clean Energy podcast features a live recording from the 2025 State Energy Conference. This year, we feature a panel with a few of the region’s energy leaders:

* Bill Malcolm, AARP, Government Affairs Director - Utilities

* Lon Huber, Duke Energy Corporation, Senior Vice President, Pricing and Customer Solutions

* Lakin Garth, Smart Electric Power Alliance, Senior Director, Grid Strategy

* Matthew Winslow, NC General Assembly, Representative

* Jeremy Keltner, Novo Nordisk, Project Manager - Industrial Symbiosis

We discuss the fast-changing conversations around load growth and the impacts that meeting demand could have on all customer classes, and the strategies necessary to help ensure we’re maintaining affordable electricity rates in North Carolina. 

Federal energy tax credit defense action alert: https://p2a.co/wjhjnqx

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele). Edited by Yash Mistry. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @nccleanenergy.

On episode 125 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Tim Echols, a commissioner at the Georgia Public Service Commission. We discussed topics like load growth and data centers, new electricity generation, including the Vogtle Nuclear plant, and the role that clean energy plays in meeting new electricity demand in the state.  

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele). Edited by Yash Mistry. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @nccleanenergy.

On episode 124 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Josh Kaplowitz, a lawyer at Troutman Pepper Locke focusing on regulatory, policy, contractual, and litigation matters related to offshore wind and renewable energy. We discussed recent wind energy federal executive actions, what impacts they have on current projects under development, and what’s likely to shake out as time goes on for this resource that’s integral to meeting future load growth in the electricity sector.

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele). Edited and produced by Taylor Wanbaugh.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @nccleanenergy.

On episode 123, we feature a conversation with Clinton Britt and Eric Fins of Grove Climate Group to talk about recent changes in the federal government and how these changes will impact clean energy policy in the country. Britt and Fins provide additional background on the current makeup of the U.S. House and Senate, energy-related changes at the federal level, and energy priorities we can expect to hear about in the future.

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele). Edited and produced by Taylor Wanbaugh.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @nccleanenergy.

On episode 122, we feature a conversation with Heather Patti of Montrose Environmental to talk about solar permitting and development best practices in the era of rapid clean energy proliferation throughout the country. Heather shares some insights on agrivoltaics, surveys and permitting, and some of her most interesting experiences from the field. If large-scale clean energy development and deployment is up your alley, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele). Edited and produced by Taylor Wanbaugh.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 121 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Mark Duda, a board member of Solar United Neighbors, about the benefits of virtual power plant programs across the country. We outline what defines a virtual power plant program, the successful characteristics of a VPP program, and also dig in to the model VPP tariff developed by Solar United Neighbors.

Additional Resources:

Solar United Neighbors VPP Model Tariff: http://bit.ly/4gRl2eY

Canary Media Story on VPPs: https://bit.ly/4gujNT8

NCSEA’s End of Year Fundraising Campaign: https://www.energync.org/2024-annual-giving-campaign-2

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele)

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 120 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Nick Jimenez of the Southern Environmental Law Center, Casey Collins from Duke University, and Lucas Grimes from the Center for Resource Solutions about the recently approved Green Source Advantage Choice customer clean energy program in North Carolina. These experts break down the details of this large customer program, along with some of its shortcomings that may lead to low or no uptake.

Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele)

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.