Smart Energy Voices

In this episode of Plugged In, Chuck Hanna welcomes Rich Powell, CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), to discuss the future of grid infrastructure and associated emerging technologies. Powell highlights the importance of enhancing the current grid through innovative technologies like dynamic line rating, advanced conductors, and virtual power plants. He emphasizes the need for better utilization of existing assets and explores how grid-enhancing technologies can improve efficiency and support clean energy generation. Powell also touches on the role of policy shifts in enabling these advancements, sharing insights into the ongoing legislative efforts around tax incentives for clean energy. He stresses the potential impact on electricity prices and the importance of maintaining support for new clean energy generation. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Overview of  CEBA's sustainability vision for 2030 and beyond (02:36) Addressing  regulatory changes and industry shifts (07:29) How CEBA balances near-term needs with long-term vision (11:34) CEBA initiatives and their impact on corporates (14:35) Key emerging grid-enhancing technologies (18:12) Tech-neutral tax credits and their possible effects (23:03) For full show notes, click here. Resources: Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA) Connect with Rich Powell  On LinkedIn Rich Powell is the CEO of Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA). Prior to CEBA, he was the CEO of ClearPath and ClearPath Action, the DC-based organizations advancing policies that accelerate breakthrough innovations to reduce emissions in the energy and industrial sectors. Powell advises policymakers on investing wisely in energy innovation, removing roadblocks to building and exporting American clean energy and industrial technology, and maintaining and promoting our flexible clean energy resources. He frequently testifies before Congress on climate change and energy innovation. His work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, FoxNews.com, Washington Examiner, The Hill, Morning Consult, RealClear Energy, and several regional publications. His views are regularly featured in national publications including the National Review, NPR, Politico, USA Today, Axios, E&E, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Forbes, LA Times, Houston Chronicle, MIT Tech Review, Bloomberg, Green Tech Media, Utility Dive, the Guardian, and many others. Powell serves on the boards of the 2040 Foundation and the Conservative Climate Foundation, is a Strategic Advisor to the Silverado Policy Accelerator, and is part of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center's Advisory Group. Rich served on the Advisory Committee to the Export Import Bank of the United States from 2019 to 2021. Previously, Powell was with McKinsey & Company in the Energy and Sustainability practices. He focused on corporate clean energy strategy, government low carbon growth strategy, and clean tech market entry. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to Smart Energy Voices onApple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart RadioIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil speaks with Andrew Dempsey, Director of Climate at REI, about the cooperative's evolving approach to sustainability. Andrew shares REI's commitment to local and accessible renewable energy and how the co-op is working to ensure its energy procurement has meaningful community impact. They explore the growing convergence of energy and climate within corporate structures, and how REI's climate strategy is directly tied to protecting the outdoor experiences that define its brand. Andrew discusses the role corporates can play in advancing climate solutions beyond compliance by leading with voluntary commitments and supporting innovation. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… REI's cause and its structure as a co-op (01:29) How REI approaches its sustainability work (04:51) How REI's corporate sustainability team operates (07:05) The co-op's renewable energy journey and strategy (10:10) REI's climate programs and tools to achieve their goals (14:15) REI's approach to community impact and accessibility (20:45) Role of corporates in driving climate action (24:43) For detailed show notes, click here. Connect with Andrew Dempsey On LinkedIn Andrew Dempsey is the Director of Climate at REI, where he focuses on driving transformational change throughout the organization by leading the co-op's climate, energy, and waste strategies. His work is centered on achieving impactful outcomes for REI's business, employees, and broader community of members. Prior to REI, Andrew worked at Google, focusing on sustainable design and organizational strategy at the intersection of technology, experience, and human health. Andrew holds a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In today's episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna speaks with Kyle Tafuri, Vice President of Sustainability at Hackensack Meridian Health, about the organization's ambitious sustainability initiatives. Kyle shares perspectives on balancing long-term environmental goals with the immediate challenges of operating a healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships, incremental progress, and innovative solutions like offsite solar, carbon capture, and geothermal energy. He also discusses Hackensack Meridian Health's proactive approach to supply chain sustainability, energy efficiency, and patient-centered environmental strategies.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... The challenges of incorporating sustainability into healthcare operations (02:04) Implementing key energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives (06:24) How Hackensack measures its sustainability success (09:50) Balancing long-term sustainability goals with practical progress (14:50) How Hackensack is expanding sustainability efforts (18:39) For detailed show notes, click here. Connect with Kyle Tafuri  On LinkedIn Kyle Tafuri, Vice President of Sustainability at Hackensack Meridian Health, is not just a leader in healthcare sustainability – he's a visionary. For over a decade, Kyle has been instrumental in weaving sustainability into the very fabric of Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), transforming the health system into an industry leader in environmental responsibility. Under Kyle's leadership, HMH and its hospitals were the first in the country to receive the Joint Commission Sustainability Certification. The flagship hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, has been recognized as one of the top 25 green hospitals by Practice Greenhealth for nine consecutive years. All of HMH's hospitals are in the process of implementing 30 MW of on-site solar and battery storage, which is the most of any health system in the U.S. His dedication to green building, sustainable food practices, waste reduction, and responsible purchasing has set a new standard for healthcare institutions nationwide. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn  Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sits down with Matt Howard, Vice President of Water Stewardship at The Water Council, for perspectives on the evolving landscape of water stewardship and its critical role in corporate sustainability. From record-breaking droughts to new regulations, Matt unpacks the challenges companies face, strategies to build resilience, and why water stewardship goes beyond conservation. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Importance of water stewardship (01:33) The nexus of water and energy efficiency (04:35) Why water is key to climate strategy (09:50) Balancing AI growth with water sustainability (12:18) What water stewardship should look like (22:36) For detailed show notes, click here Connect with Matt Howard On LinkedIn Matt Howard oversees The Water Council's stewardship initiatives including WAVE: Water Stewardship Verified, water stewardship advisory services and comprehensive professional water stewardship training. Previously, TWC helped establish the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) System globally with specific oversight of North America. Matt created the world's first professional credentialing program for water stewardship professionals and made the business case for use of the International Water Stewardship Standard (“AWS Standard”) in the North American marketplace. His 15+ years in sustainability program development and management include serving as Milwaukee's sustainability director and leading sustainable manufacturing initiatives during his time in Washington, D.C., where he worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce and as a staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has an MA from George Washington University and a BA from Valparaiso University. He is AWS and Lean Six Sigma accredited and serves on the WELL Water Advisory and the Wisconsin Governor's Wetlands Study Council. He served on the U.S. EPA's National Advisory Council on Environmental Policy and Technology from 2014 to 2019. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Plugged In, Chuck Hanna speaks with Pat Lynch, Executive Managing Director at CBRE Data Center Solutions, about the evolving data center and AI landscape. They discuss the rapid growth of AI and its significant impact on data centers, including the shift from large training models to inference-based AI and private AI, which demands more distributed, latency-sensitive facilities in urban areas. Pat emphasizes the growing need for infrastructure investments in connectivity and power to support AI advancements and cloud growth. They also explore the challenges of meeting energy demands, the emergence of enterprise-built data centers, and innovations in sustainable practices–offering a forward-looking perspective on the industry's exciting trajectory. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Companies embracing technology solutions (01:55) Challenges and opportunities in data center development (04:38) Innovations in data center to enhance efficiency (06:58) How CBRE is supporting clients in managing sustainability initiatives (11:52) Differences and overlaps between AI and data centers (18:19) Ramp-up schedules of large data centers and AI facilities (22:56) Pat's favorite data center location (24:43) Insights on how the industry is evolving (27:34) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Pat Lynch On LinkedIn Pat Lynch, Executive Managing Director for CBRE's Data Center Solutions, acts as an advisor, advocate, and partner in navigating the dynamic technology needs for his clients. Pat and his team of professionals develop custom mission-critical strategies that address specific industry challenges and help meet business objectives. Through creative problem-solving and transaction structuring, clients experience improved reliability and expense management, and operational efficiencies. CBRE's Data Center Solutions has experienced significant growth under Pat's leadership, resulting in a diverse client base in terms of size and industry. Prior to joining CBRE in 2011, Pat led global real estate services for a number of technology companies including Level 3 Communications, Carlyle Group/Coresite, First Data Corporation, and MFS Communications. Having successfully completed multimillion-dollar transactions for site acquisitions and developments, his professional acumen includes data center and mission-critical facilities, global corporate service delivery, portfolio optimization, and leadership as a senior manager. Pat volunteers as a coach for a competitive junior high boys basketball team. He also serves on the board for the rocky mountain region chapters of the Association for Data Center Management (AFCOM) and CoreNet Global. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions   Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com.

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil speaks with Shannon Carroll, AVP of Global Environmental Sustainability at AT&T, about the company's innovative approach to sustainability and its commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral future. Shannon highlights AT&T's ambitious goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2035 and reduce their business customers' emissions by one gigaton by 2035 through Smart Climate Solutions. He discusses the challenges businesses face, such as capital allocation and energy optimization, and how AT&T addresses these with solutions that reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency. Shannon also shares insights into efforts to enhance climate resilience through advanced climate data tools and its contributions to the circular economy. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… AT&T's environmental sustainability portfolio (05:05) Initiatives to achieve AT&T's goals (07:28) Approaches to renewable energy (10:46) Smart Climate Solutions and AT&T's gigaton goal (15:20) Challenges in driving sustainability (17:51) The importance of climate data and how it works (19:28) Circular economy initiatives (24:41) Next steps in sustainability and climate resilience (27:16) For detailed show notes, click here. Resources: ClimRR Portal  AT&T's Goals and Progress AT&T Environmental Sustainability Website AT&T Carbon Neutrality Work Webpag  AT&T Climate Resilience Webpage   Connect with Shannon Thomas Carroll On LinkedIn   Shannon Thomas Carroll is AVP of Global Environmental Sustainability at AT&T. He is responsible for overseeing the company's environmental leadership strategy, including its 2035 goals to be carbon neutral across its global operations and to save its business customers a gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions through AT&T connectivity solutions. The company is also using cutting-edge climate projections to build a more climate-resilient network and sharing that data publicly to help communities better prepare for extreme weather events. Shannon brings over 20 years of broad AT&T experience to his current role, including expertise in sustainability program management and supply chain sustainability.   Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Plugged In, Constellation's Managing Director Melissa Zimmerman speaks with Ed Socia, Director, North America at datacenterHawk, about the evolving energy demands and sustainability challenges of data centers. Ed discusses trends such as the growing influence of AI, increasing rack densities, and the adoption of liquid cooling to optimize energy use. He highlights the role of real-time monitoring tools like SCADA and DSIM in improving efficiency while addressing regional variations in energy strategies and the balance between carbon reduction goals and business viability. He also touches on the potential of emerging technologies like small modular reactors and green hydrogen, the importance of adaptive reuse of sites, and the need to enhance grid reliability as the industry continues to grow rapidly. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Trends in data centers and energy demand (02:00) Energy procurement today and on-site generation methods (03:59) Monitoring energy usage in data centers (12:04) Sustainability challenges and regional variations (14:38) Teams involved in siting, sourcing, and building data centers (16:38) Innovative energy solutions for data centers (19:59) The importance of grid reliability (22:42) For detailed show notes, click here. Connect with Ed Socia  On LinkedIn Hailing from Syracuse, New York, Ed has a background in sustainability, focusing on renewable power generation and the growth of digital infrastructure. Before joining datacenterHawk as its Director for North America, Ed was the Director of Research for North America at CBRE. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his fiancée Brittany and their pug, Sherman. Connect with Melissa Zimmerman    On LinkedIn Melissa Zimmerman is a seasoned professional with over 17 years in the energy industry, currently serving as the Director of Commercial Strategy at Constellation. In this role, she supports the growth of Constellation's commercial business, which markets electricity, natural gas, and other energy-related products and services to various customer segments, including wholesale, commercial, industrial, and residential clients. Prior to her current position, Melissa held several key roles within the company, including Chief of Staff, Manager of the Mid-Atlantic Sales Support team, and Account Manager for commercial real estate customers in the DC and MD area. She began her career at Constellation as a pricing analyst, where she was responsible for pricing and validating energy contracts for retail customers. Melissa holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Economics from Towson University and a Master of Science degree in Applied and Computational Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn  Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil speaks with Mike Van Brunt from ReWorld and Sean Trambley from the Circular Economy Coalition about the integration of circular economy principles in the energy sector. Both guests emphasize the economic and environmental benefits of circularity, including waste reduction and energy efficiency, and offer advice for businesses starting to embrace circular economy practices. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Circularity and how it differs from other sustainability practices (02:57) Overview of U.S. Circular Economy Coalition (05:20) What a circular economy would look like in the U.S. (07:41) How the federal government defines a circular economy (09:40) How Reworld is incorporating circular economy policies (15:15) The federal government's role in building a more circular economy (18:55) Benefits of incorporating circular economy practices (25:27) Ways to approach circularity (28:27) For detailed show notes, click here. Resources: Federal Circularity Audit and Report Connect with Michael Van Brunt On LinkedIn Michael Van Brunt is currently VP Environmental and Sustainability at Reworld Waste, where he is responsible for corporate sustainability strategy and reporting and environmental compliance, permitting, and monitoring. He leads Reworld's lifecycle analysis team and is a licensed professional engineer with over twenty years of experience in industry and consulting. He is currently the board chair of the Circular Economy Coalition. He earned a B.S. and Masters in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Cornell University. Connect with Sean Trambley On LinkedIn With more than a decade of government relations and strategic communications experience. Sean Trambley began his career in Washington, D.C. as Sr. Policy Advisor to former Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA). Since 2016, Sean has worked as a California-based consultant and strategist. In 2020, Sean joined the Breakthrough Institute as Communications Director, a global research center focused on energy, agriculture, and technological solutions to climate change. He earned a B.A. in American Studies and Legal Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna talks with Chris Pennington, Director of Energy and Sustainability for Iron Mountain Data Centers, about the company's ambitious decarbonization efforts and commitment to 24/7 carbon-free energy. They dive into the challenges and solutions of tracking and achieving hourly energy matching, the changing landscape of clean energy products, and the importance of granular data in setting sustainability goals. Chris also shares insights on the growing intersection of environmental and business performance, offering valuable lessons for organizations at all stages of their sustainability journey. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Changes in global reporting requirements (01:34) Data centers and “digital footprints” (04:52) Tracking carbon at a granular level (08:42) Shifting to hourly energy matching goals (11:30) Data tracking and reporting tools (15:12) Insights for companies starting their sustainability journey (18:06) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Chris Pennington On LinkedIn Chris Pennington is the Director of Energy and Sustainability for Iron Mountain Data Centers. In this role, Chris oversees global energy procurement and aligns this with wider Sustainability objectives. In 2021 Chris received the Leader of the Year award from the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) for work in developing innovative retail supply contracts and developing onsite solar at Iron Mountain Data Centers. Today Chris leads Iron Mountain's work on grid interactive data centers, developing demonstrator projects at two sites that he hopes will catalyze further deployment of on-site storage to convert data centers into flexible grid resources. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn  Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Peter Kelly-Detwiler delves into the latest advancements and challenges in decarbonization and clean energy across the U.S. He highlights progress in geothermal energy, nuclear energy, and long-duration storage solutions while addressing efficiency hurdles. Kelly-Detwiler explores the rising energy demands of AI-driven data centers and their implications for power grids, alongside updates on electric vehicles, hydrogen projects, and virtual power plants as utilities shift toward decentralized capacity. He also examines the volatility of voluntary carbon markets due to credibility issues and stresses the need for collective effort and innovative strategies to tackle the complexities of decarbonizing our global economies. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... The evolving gen mix (02:57) Geothermal energy updates (15:25) The rapid growth of AI-driven data centers (20:16) Insights on EVs (25:20) The credibility of carbon markets today (28:11) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Peter Kelly-Detwiler On LinkedIn Peter Kelly-Detwiler has 30 years of experience in the electric energy industry, with much of his career in competitive power markets. He's currently a leading consultant in the electric industry, providing strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate the rapid evolution of the electric power grid. Mr. Kelly-Detwiler offers numerous keynotes and workshops on a wide range of topics. He has also written widely on energy issues for Forbes.com and GE, with over 300 articles to his credit. His book on the transformation of electric power markets – “The Energy Switch” – was published by Prometheus Books in June of 2021. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Plugged In, Host Chuck Hanna from Constellation talks with Adrian Anderson, General Manager of Carbon-Free Electricity, Renewable Energy & Carbon Dioxide Removal at Microsoft, about advancing carbon-free energy and data-driven sustainability. Adrian shares Microsoft's sustainability goals, including their 100% renewable energy targets and the crucial role of data granularity for accurate carbon reporting. He highlights Microsoft's investments in carbon reduction and innovation, such as the company's Carbon Innovation Fund and its work in long-term power offtake agreements. They also cover the challenges and strategies around Scope 3 emissions, building carbon-free infrastructure, and fostering collaboration with utilities to support a sustainable future. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Importance of data in energy management (03:47) Microsoft's initiatives to achieve targets (08:53) Microsoft's Carbon Innovation Fund (13:46) Scope 3 emissions and building infrastructure challenges (15:38) Collaboration with utilities to address constraints (16:25) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Adrian Anderson On LinkedIn Adrian Anderson is General Manager of Carbon-Free Electricity, Renewable Energy & Carbon Dioxide Removal at Microsoft. He has worked for a decade at the intersection of hyperscale and clean energy for Apple, Amazon, Google, and now Microsoft. Prior to leading teams in this capacity, he worked in renewable energy for a decade. In his current role, Adrian leads the organization within Microsoft responsible for all wholesale carbon-free electricity purchases and carbon dioxide removal programs. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Brent Trenga, Director of Sustainability at Kingspan North America, shares the company's ambitious Planet Passionate program and its progress over the first four years of this 10-year initiative. Brent dives into the challenges they faced and the innovative solutions they have implemented to overcome them. He also highlights the value of benchmarking, setting aggressive sustainability targets, and internal buy-in from company leadership and employees to drive impactful change in sustainability efforts for this global building products manufacturer.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Overview of Kingspan's Planet Passionate program (03:08) Earning company-wide engagement in sustainability (05:23) Kingspan's approach to whole life carbon (13:42) Challenges in implementing the Planet Passionate program (16:42) Advice for companies starting sustainability programs (21:23) Click here for detailed show notes Resources: Kingspan Certifications Planet Passionate Program Connect with Brent Trenga On LinkedIn Brent Trenga has truly run the construction industry gamut serving in various roles including architect, developer, and even project owner, allowing him to fully understand the sustainability ecosystem. As Sustainability Director for Kingspan North America, Brent is committed to reducing the environmental impact of business operations, products, and services through continuous improvement and environmental transparency. Since 2015, Brent has led Kingspan North America's material health and transparency program while driving a culture of healthier building, healthier planet, healthier people across Kingspan's global footprint. Brent also leads Kingspan's global Planet Passionate 2030 program looking after the Americas, supports strategic planning for the business development group, and provides insight on current and future sustainability initiatives keeping Kingspan at the forefront of our industry. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

Welcome to the first episode of Plugged In: Exploring Energy. In this podcast miniseries, host Chuck Hanna from Constellation sits down with Benton Arnett from the Nuclear Energy Institute to discuss how nuclear power is transforming to meet today's energy needs. They also explore emerging tech like small modular reactors (SMRs) and the growing demand for clean energy in sectors like AI and data centers.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Changes in the nuclear energy sector over the past decade (01:23) Role of SMRs in meeting future energy needs (06:28) Tech giants and the shift to clean nuclear power (11:00) Evolving role of microreactors in various industries (14:58) Policy and regulatory actions for nuclear advancement (18:26) Click here for detailed how notes Connect with Benton Arnett On LinkedIn Benton Arnett, Senior Director of Markets and Policy at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), leads the development and execution of policy advocacy strategies to advance the interests of the nuclear energy industry. With over a decade of experience in government affairs, issues management, and strategic partnerships, he has a proven track record of influencing policy outcomes, building coalitions, and effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders. Arnett holds a Master's in Public Administration (MPA) from Texas A&M University, where he specialized in energy, transportation, and technology policy. He is passionate about promoting energy policy that supports national security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn  Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Zephyr Taylor, Global Commercial Head and Category Director for Renewable Energy at Mars, Inc., takes a close look at the topic of Scope 1 emissions and industrial heat decarbonization. While many companies are comfortable sourcing renewable electricity for their Scope 2 targets, Scope 1 — specifically the challenge of decarbonizing industrial heat — is a different story. This episode tackles the technology, economics, and internal company dynamics required to make progress in this area. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Understanding Scope 1 decarbonization (02:37) Technological solutions for renewable thermal (05:01) Challenges and market dynamics of renewable thermal (09:11) Mars' renewables projects (13:30) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Zephyr Taylor On LinkedIn As the Global Commercial head for Renewable Energy & Carbon Credits at Mars Inc., Zephyr Taylor oversees Mars' renewable energy sourcing throughout the world – including market assessment, supplier engagement, deal structuring and negotiation, and key internal stakeholder partnering, alongside team oversight and organizational alignment. Zephyr has led the development and execution of strategic sustainability initiatives in the public and private sector globally. His expertise spans policymaking, commercial negotiation, project development and transaction structuring, and thought leadership on organizational reform and stakeholder mobilization. Zephyr holds an MBA and Master of Environmental Management degrees from Yale University. He received his undergraduate degree with Highest Honors in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Savannah Goodman, Data and Software Climate Solutions Lead at Google, talks about Google's ambitious 24/7 carbon-free energy goal and the innovative tools Google is developing to decarbonize not only its operations but also to influence the broader energy grid. She reveals their use of Time-Based Energy Attribute Certificates (T-EACs) and how this technology can change the procurement of energy across all industries and deliver clean energy to the grid in times and places where it's needed.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Google's commitment to using 24/7 carbon-free energy (02:19) Google's Time-Based Energy Attribute Certificates (T-EACs) (05:54) Load flexibility and demand response solutions at Google (09:15) Impact of smart energy programs on small companies (11:20) Broader net-zero goals by 2030 (13:02) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Savannah Goodman On LinkedIn Savannah Goodman leads the team that incubates data and software solutions to enable Google and our partners to meet ambitious climate targets, including Net Zero and 24/7 Carbon-free energy by 2030. Her ultimate goal is to accelerate system-level grid decarbonization. In addition to incubating new solutions, her team spearheads technical ecosystem development and thought leadership, as well as drives strategic direction and expertise across Google. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Charles Benisch, Director of Renewable Advisory at ENGIE Impact, covers how to move from admirable renewable energy goals to actionable strategies that align with executive priorities, as well as the rising risks of climate-related lawsuits, the impact of skyrocketing energy costs, and the looming pressure on supply chains. For organizations committed to sustainability, he outlines how innovative solutions like community solar programs and tax credit transfers can be leveraged to create budget-free paths to achieving green goals while still benefiting the bottom line. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... ● The concept of exponential growth in the renewable energy industry (02:18) ● Challenges in scaling renewable energy (03:45) ● Climate-related risks, lawsuits,and reputational risks (05:29) ● Energy costs and operating profits (11:12) ● Scope 3 emissions and supply challenges (14:07) ● The use of tax credits to support sustainability goals (18:54) ● Flexible solutions for advancing renewable energy (23:32) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Charles Benisch On LinkedIn Charles Benisch is the Director of Renewable Advisory at ENGIE Impact where he helps F500 companies and institutional buyers develop and manage renewable energy portfolios. Charles brings 12+ years' experience in the renewable energy market, and he specializes in the development of renewable energy strategies that reduce cost, drive earnings, and manage risk. Building upon years in product development and commercial strategy at two of the world's largest renewable advisory companies, Charles is an expert in helping clients develop business cases, communicate value internally, and align stakeholders. Prior to his role at ENGIE Impact, Charles helped build and scale Enel X's renewable advisory practice. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, listen to insights from a session at the 2024 Renewable Energy Forum (REF) featuring Seyed Madaeni, co-founder and CEO of Verse. Madaeni discusses the complexities of planning an optimal clean energy roadmap at the lowest cost. He outlines the various factors that organizations need to consider when planning their sustainability programs and the importance of understanding the financial implications of these decisions. Live polling at REF revealed insights into attendees' experiences with PPAs and their organization's clean energy goals. Among those results, many organizations responded that they have clean energy goals, but there is still a need for more robust strategies to achieve them, including technology-driven solutions. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... ● The complexities of a clean energy goal (05:23) ● Important questions in setting up a clean energy program (09:21) ● A case study on evaluating approaches to sustainability (13:10) ● The importance of data-driven insights (18:34) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Seyed Madaeni On LinkedIn Seyed has been building software products to optimize the electricity sector for 10+ years. Before founding Verse, he served as the Chief Digital Officer at Fluence, where he played a central role in the company's successful $5B+ IPO, overseeing its digital business unit. Seyed was instrumental in growing Fluence's renewable portfolio to over 10GW. Earlier in his career, Seyed was the CEO of AMS, where he pioneered a flagship market bidding product that eventually led to the company's acquisition by Fluence. Seyed also contributed significantly to Tesla, SolarCity, and PG&E, providing technical oversight for several groundbreaking wholesale market-facing software applications. Seyed holds a BS and MS in electrical engineering from the University of Tehran and a PhD in Systems Engineering (Operations Research) from Ohio State University. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sits down with Megan Lorenzen, Director of Climate and Energy at Salesforce, to discuss the intersection of AI, energy and sustainability. Megan shares insights on Salesforce's efforts in clean energy deployment, including their 100% renewable energy commitment and their role in the global energy transition. They also explore Salesforce's innovative approaches to AI, including the balance between AI's potential to drive climate action and its environmental impact. Megan shares Salesforce's new sustainable AI policy principles and discusses their engagement with policymakers to promote effective climate legislation, while providing a comprehensive look at how leading technology firms are navigating the complex landscape of energy and AI for a sustainable future. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Salesforce's 100% renewable energy commitment (02:57) The rise of AI and its impact on the electricity grid (08:11) The intersection of AI and sustainability (11:14) Salesforce's best practices (12:36) AI as a tool to drive climate action (15:30) Sustainable AI policy principles (18:04) Guidance for companies or organizations exploring AI (27:54) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Megan Lorenzen On LinkedIn As Director of Climate & Energy at Salesforce, Megan Lorenzen leads Salesforce's global climate policy program, advocating for policies that set the world on a path to a just transition to a 1.5-degree future. Megan also leads the company's power sector decarbonization efforts. This includes catalyzing new, high-impact, renewable energy projects to maintain Salesforce's global 100% renewable energy commitment and deploying the company's cross-functional energy transition strategy. Megan has a BS from Santa Clara University and an MBA from CU Boulder's Leeds School of Business. Megan is the co-author of More than a Megawatt: Embedding Social & Environmental Impact in the Renewable Energy Procurement Process. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Luke Penne, Senior Business Development Manager at Constellation Energy, in an interview from the 2024 Renewable Energy Forum, “The Continued Evolution of Offsite Renewable Purchasing.” This insightful episode covers recent developments in offsite renewable purchasing, including factors affecting the rising prices of power purchase agreements (PPAs), the importance of more impactful renewable purchases, and increasing demand for PPAs and integrated solutions as companies face challenges in meeting their 2025 and 2030 sustainability goals.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Impactful PPA transactions (05:51) The increased demand for PPAs and integrated solutions (07:42) Meeting the challenges of increasing demand (09:41) Navigating the changing market (11:59) Hourly carbon-free electricity (12:59) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Luke Penne On LinkedIn With 10 years of energy and finance experience, Luke is currently a Senior Business Development Manager for Constellation, helping businesses decarbonize their operations hour-by-hour. Prior to his current role, Luke held several positions, both with Constellation and a sell-side investment bank, in energy and fixed-income trading operations. Luke achieved a master's in finance through the University of Baltimore and also holds a Bachelor of Science from Towson University. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in Net Zero Forum Fall this September, visit sednetzeroforum.com/fall or email our team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com to get started.

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil speaks with Melissa Banks, Regulatory and Utility Advocacy Director at Trane Technologies, about the complex landscape of building decarbonization and sustainability. Banks discusses the increasing importance of regulatory compliance, utility incentives, and tax benefits in making energy efficiency projects financially viable for businesses and building owners. She explains the significance of understanding local utility incentives and shares examples of utility programs that offer substantial rebates for energy-efficient upgrades and emphasizes leveraging these incentives and working with experts to help maximize the financial benefits of their sustainability efforts — making the path to decarbonization both achievable and affordable. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… How regulations are impacting organizations' decarbonization efforts (02:09) National, state and local energy codes (03:47) Building performance standards, electrification policies, and climate and emissions reporting regulations (06:06) Available incentives to reduce emissions (14:52) How to leverage tax incentives (18:39) Click here for full show notes Connect with Melissa Banks On LinkedIn As the Regulatory and Utility Advocacy Director at Trane Technologies, Melissa Banks is responsible for leading Trane's climate-related regulatory thought leadership, market intelligence, and influence in the energy sector. She has over 15 years of experience in helping industry stakeholder groups advocate for sustainable and resilient community infrastructure solutions.    Melissa holds a B.S. in Public Relations from California State University and an M.B.A. from Rutgers University. She can be found hiking trails throughout the Pacific Northwest with family in her spare time. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode, Debra Chanil welcomes Emily Freeman, Circular Economy Policy Advisor of the City of Boulder. Freeman highlights strides in three core principles of the circular economy and how Boulder's initiatives align with the city's ambitious climate action goals.  As Boulder continues its journey towards carbon neutrality, Freeman's insights offer a blueprint for other cities and organizations seeking to integrate circular economy principles into their sustainability strategies and policies. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… The role of a Circular Economy Policy Advisor (04:21) The value of building material reuse in reaching net-zero goals (06:02) City of Boulder's sustainable deconstruction ordinance (08:07) The deconstruction of Boulder Community Hospital (9:40) Future applications of the ordinance (19:48) The City of Boulder as a circular economy leader (22:00) Click here for detailed show notes Resources & People Mentioned: Metabolic KL&A Connect with Emily Freeman On LinkedIn Emily Freeman is a Circular Economy Policy Advisor for the City of Boulder. She oversees the success of Boulder's deconstruction ordinance to keep carbon-intensive building materials available for reuse and recycling. Since ordinance implementation, Boulder has diverted 85%, or 111,168,000 pounds, of building materials from the landfill. Boulder's landmark hospital deconstruction saw 93.5% diversion with the true highlight being the innovative approach to direct structural steel reuse from the hospital into new city construction. Emily leads efforts to identify policy mechanisms to further deconstruction opportunities, engage with contractors, and drive progress towards the city's climate goals. Emily is an experienced public and private sector sustainability professional adept at developing sustainability roadmaps, analyzing waste audits, managing environmental management systems, and developing circular economy policies. She holds a Masters in Sustainability from Arizona State University. She currently serves on the Board of Build Reuse and is a Commissioner for Colorado's Solid & Hazardous Waste Commission. In her downtime, Emily enjoys getting outside with her husband and their dog and loves teaching her three-year-old to ride a bike. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sat down with Marshall Duer-Balkind, Director of Policy Programs at the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), to talk about building performance standards (BPS) and their implications for the energy transition. He also gives an overview of IMT's mission and work, focusing on their efforts to improve the efficiency and performance of buildings through policy development and equitable decarbonization. Duer-Balkind delves into the specifics of BPS policies and the need for long-term planning by building owners and tenants to meet their requirements, emphasizing that "doing nothing ain't free." He discusses how building performance standards intersect with other market trends such as climate change mitigation, financial considerations, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements, as well as the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to achieve sustainability goals. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… BPS policies, and their implications to owners and tenants (04:29) How BPS policies intersect with other market trends (20:30) The importance of long-term planning (27:46) Click here for detailed show notes Resources & People Mentioned: DOE Better Buildings Better Climate Alliance Connect with Marshall Duer-Balkind On LinkedIn Marshall Duer-Balkind is the Director of Policy Programs at IMT, where he works to develop and implement policies for driving high-performance buildings, grounded in community priorities and technical quality. Marshall is an international expert in policies and technologies to improve the energy and carbon performance of buildings and communities, with over a dozen years of experience in the for-profit, government, and non-profit sectors. Prior to starting his current role with IMT in April 2023, he worked as a consultant at the deep green engineering firm Introba, where he managed cutting-edge decarbonization plans and policies for over 20 cities and 15 institutions across North America. He has also worked for the District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), where he built and ran one of the first benchmarking and disclosure programs in the U.S., supported the groundbreaking Clean Energy DC plan, and evaluation, measurement, & verification of the DC Sustainable Energy Utility's energy savings and other performance targets. Prior to that, he was one of IMT's first “City Advisors” embedded in a local government.  Marshall is a key contributor to the first building performance standard programs in both the U.S. and Canada, as Co-Chair of Washington, D.C.'s Building Energy Performance Standards Task Force, and a member of the City of Vancouver's Carbon Pollution Limits Technical Advisory Committee. Marshall holds a Master's of Environmental Management degree from the Yale School of the Environment and a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Computer Science from Oberlin College. He is proudly born and raised in Washington, D.C. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Sharon L. Nolen, Program Manager & Fellow, Global Natural Resource Management at Eastman Chemical, for a dive into Eastman's journey toward decarbonization, emphasizing the pivotal role of energy efficiency in their strategy. Sharon highlights Eastman Chemical's commitment to sustainability, focusing on mitigating climate change, mainstreaming circularity and caring for society. Sharon outlines Eastman Chemical's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy usage by 2030, providing examples of energy efficiency projects across analytics, utility systems, distribution, and manufacturing processes, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability benefits.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Eastman Chemical's decarbonization journey (02:21) Energy efficiency initiatives (04:45) Goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (07:28) Technological innovations in decarbonization (09:24) Click here for detailed show notes Resources & People Mentioned: DOE Better Plants Program ENERGY STAR® Industrial Partner Program Connect with Sharon L. Nolen On LinkedIn Sharon L. Nolen is an Eastman Fellow and leads Eastman's Global Natural Resource Management program as well as one of the company's three Sustainability Subcouncils. She represents Eastman in the DOE Better Plants Program and the ENERGY STAR® Industrial Partner Program and serves on the Industrial Advisory Board for the National Alliance for Water Innovation. Nolen was recently selected by U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to lead the Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee (ITIAC), which is charged with helping to decarbonize America's industrial sector. Sharon is a frequently invited speaker at national and international energy conferences. She has been published in Chemical Engineering Progress and Chemical Processing and authored a chapter in the book, “Energy Management and Efficiency for the Process Industries.” She was named the 2019 International Energy Manager of the Year by the Association of Energy Engineers and received the American Institute of Chemical Engineers' Energy and Sustainability Award in 2020.  Sharon is a Professional Engineer and a Certified Energy Manager. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode, we join experts during the opening session of the Net Zero Forum Spring for important updates on hourly carbon-free energy matching. The session, titled "What's Old, New, and Next for Hourly Carbon-Free Matching Products" and presented by Constellation, sheds light on the changing landscape of clean energy and the importance of hourly 24/7 carbon-free energy as a new industry standard.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Defining hourly carbon-free matching (5:06) Policy tailwinds and the future of clean energy procurement (7:15) Customer perspectives and the evolution of the energy market (10:35) The future of granular certificates and energy trading (16:00) Click here for detailed show notes. Resources & People Mentioned: Smart Energy Decisions Kicks Off 2024 with Net Zero Forum Spring Hourly Carbon-Free Energy Matching | Constellation Constellation LevelTen Energy Microsoft ComEd FedCenter - EO 14057 ICE Regulatory Assistance Project EPRI Clean Energy Accounting Project (CEAP) - CRS Connect with Brian Megali On LinkedIn Brian Megali leads the Clean Energy Policy team in the Public Policy group at Constellation. His team is responsible for providing power sector forecasting and analysis of existing and proposed environmental policies, climate change policies, market design initiatives, and policies designed to promote low- and emissions-free energy resources. Brian's team also coordinates advocacy efforts at the state, regional, and federal levels. Connect with Katie Soroye On LinkedIn Katie Soroye is VP of Granular Procurement Solutions at LevelTen Energy, the industry's leading provider of renewable transaction infrastructure. She leads the business strategy and development behind LevelTen's granular certificate solutions, designed to accelerate clean energy transactions and decarbonize at scale. A self-proclaimed energy nerd, Katie has worked in the energy industry for more than 15 years, including leadership roles at an investor-owned utility, B Corporation, and early-stage start-ups. Outside of work, Katie enjoys lots of R&R (reading and running) in Seattle. Connect with Chuck Hanna On LinkedIn Chuck Hanna is the Vice President of National Accounts and Solutions Sales at Constellation. In this role, he leads a team of sales professionals in providing comprehensive energy solutions to commercial and industrial retail customers across the nation including two-thirds of the Fortune 100. This includes leadership and management of associations where Constellation is the endorsed energy supplier. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com.

We're celebrating the 100th episode of Smart Energy Voices with a showcase of women leaders who are driving sustainability in the energy sector. As recorded at the recent Net Zero Forum Spring,  2024 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) winners Renée Yarmy, Eryn Beddoes and Leigh Pearson discuss advancing net-zero efforts, workforce development, the value of mentorship, improving gender diversity in STEM and energy, and their personal motivations. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Innovative projects and sustainability goals [02:09] A closer look at WISE winners' contributions [07:16] Challenges/opportunities for women in energy and sustainability sectors [16:41] Gender diversity and collaboration in the energy transition [29:27] Click here for detailed show notes Resources & People Mentioned: 2024 WISE Award Winners ConnexFM INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2022 | Department of Energy Red Deer Polytechnic Connect with Renée Yarmy On LinkedIn Connect with Eryn Beddoes On LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Pearson On LinkedIn Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Debra Chanil welcomes back Becky Wacker, the Director of Energy Services Sales at Trane Commercial. In Episode 88, they dug into the challenges and opportunities that commercial building operators face today in light of their decarbonization efforts. In this new episode, Becky discusses how to seize decarbonization as an organizational opportunity and provides a framework for navigating complexity and prioritizing where to turn decarbonization into a competitive advantage.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Regulatory push for decarbonization (2:42) Impact of decarbonization in different areas of an organization (6:46) Breaking down silos within organizations (10:23) Cost savings and improved operational efficiency (13:05) Click here for detailed show notes Resources & People Mentioned: Nielsen IQ 2022 Study about Sustainability Sustainable Brands 2021 Study about Sustainable Behaviors Connect with Becky Wacker On LinkedIn Becky Wacker is the Director of Sales for Energy Services at Trane by Trane Technologies, leading acquisition and implementation of complex facility programs and projects. She has 15 years of experience helping customers leverage their buildings to better meet their organizational goals, with a particular passion for decarbonization and efficiency.  Becky received her Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota while winning two Division I National Championships with the Women's Ice Hockey team. She sits on the board for Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) and National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO), and can often be found in a sports venue playing, watching, or coaching in her spare time.  Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Debra Chanil speaks with Brittney Boyd, founder and CEO of the Energy Equity Group (EEG). Brittney shares her personal journey, from growing up in a low-income neighborhood to becoming an influential figure in the clean energy industry, and delves deeper into the mission and goals of the Energy Equity Group. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Energy Equity Group's mission and goals (07:41) Role of corporate partnerships (09:28) Importance of authenticity and integrity (13:23) Corporate responsibility and additionality (15:55) Click here for detailed show notes Resources & People Mentioned: Energy Equity Group Sadie Bronk Energy Bees Connect with Brittney Boyd On LinkedIn Brittney Boyd is the CEO and Founder of The Energy Equitable Group (EEG), offering authentic and meaningful environmental justice services to corporations committed to an equitable and just transition to clean energy. She holds an associate degree in business administration and has over 15 years in the sales industry and 11 years in enterprise partnership management. Brittney Boyd's educational foundation is rooted in her studies at Temple University's Fox School of Business. She excelled in the workforce, showcasing exceptional communication skills, adaptability, and a data-driven approach in both B2B and B2C sales environments. She led multiple successful sales partnership teams across various regions for AT&T Telecommunications, a Fortune 10 company. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com.

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Emily Schapira, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. She's also a recent winner of the DEI Impact award in the Catalyst for Change category. They discuss how the Philadelphia Energy Authority is making great strides in the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Learning about the Philadelphia Energy Authority [01:25] Emily's background in the energy industry [02:50] Renewable energy and the job market [05:38]   The Philadelphia Energy Authority and the federal government [09:45]  The priorities of the Philadelphia Energy Authority [12:43]  How its partnerships are created and structured [16:03]  Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace [19:37]  What's next for Emily and the Philadelphia Energy Authority [26:35]  Click here for detailed show notes Resources & People Mentioned Philadelphia Energy Authority American Association of Blacks in Energy  Solarize Philly  The Green Retrofit Immersive Training (GRIT) Program Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Connect with Emily Schapira On LinkedIn Emily has led the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) as its President and CEO since 2016. PEA is an independent municipal authority building a robust, equitable clean energy economy in Philadelphia. PEA has supported over $800M in energy efficiency and clean energy programs and projects so far, creating over 7,000 jobs. PEA's work has been nationally recognized as a model for other states and municipalities. It covers City infrastructure, the School District of Philadelphia, housing, small businesses, and commercial and industrial properties. Prior to joining PEA, Emily led energy efficiency work across commercial and industrial customer portfolios for WESCO and Aelux and served in sustainability roles with Wharton, Intel, and Verizon. She chairs the board of the Philadelphia Green Capital Corp, Philly's green bank. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions conducted live interviews with energy customers at various stages of their decarbonization strategies. This episode of the Heard at NZF mini-series focuses on energy customers in healthcare. The interviews feature Scott Czubkowski, the National Director of Energy and Facility Performance at Medxcel Facilities, and Cory Pouliot, the Senior Director of Facilities Operations at Boston Medical Center. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... National solutions for sustainable healthcare [02:05] Making data-based decisions [07:41] Sustainability and DEI in healthcare facility construction [11:25] Bringing the community on board [13:43] Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Scott Czubkowski On LinkedIn Scott Czubkowski PE, CHC is the Director of Energy and Facility Performance at Medxcel.  His specialties include large-scale demand side reduction strategies resulting in utility savings and lower carbon emissions (GHG), supply side management procurement strategies that leverage large portfolio aggregation which supports RE strategies and facility performance programs that optimizes existing assets while optimizing maintenance costs.  Mr. Czubkowski entered the energy arena in 1990 as a nuclear plant construction engineer on 688 Los Angeles Class submarines and has supported hospital demand side programs since 1994 through various roles as a BAS controls engineer, HVAC system design builder, professional MEP consultant. Most recently, he manages over 1.9 TWh of emissions. He is a licensed trainer for Florida CILB continuing education programs, an adjunct professor for DeVry University and has spoken at regional engagements related to energy and HVAC system operations.   Geographical regions served: SE & Central US, Caribbean Islands, Switzerland, Holland, France and Canada. Connect with Cory Pouliot On LinkedIn Cory Pouliot is the Senior Director of Facilities Operations at Boston Medical Center. Cory possesses strong leadership and organizational competencies combined with strategic planning skills to ensure functional and sustainable program development and implementation, for both clinical and ancillary support/service areas. Cory holds a Master's degree in Facilities Management from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a MBA in Healthcare Administration from Anna Maria College.  Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and Facilities and Plant Engineering; both from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.  Cory is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.   Cory is also an Adjunct Professor at Wentworth Institute of Technology, teaching various courses in numerous undergraduate and graduate programs in their Facilities Management and Construction Management programs.   Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions conducted live interviews with energy customers at various stages of their decarbonization strategies. This episode of the Heard at NZF mini-series features interviews with energy customers in the commercial space. The guests are Joshua Witte, Director of Energy Sustainability and ESG at Dollar Tree stores, Rebecca Hensley, Senior Manager of Environment Programs at CSX, and Gary Hilber, Chief Sustainability Officer at Local Bounti. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Dollar Tree's first steps in sustainability [01:42] Landlord and internal buy-in [06:48] CSX Transportation's emission reduction efforts [11:49] Renewable diesel and alternative fuels in the rail industry [13:50] Local Bounti's sustainable commitment [17:36] Sustainability progress in agriculture [25:39] Find detailed show notes here   Resources & People Mentioned Dollar Tree, Inc. CSX Local Bounti

At Smart Energy Decisions' recent Net Zero Forum, Adrian Avino, Engineering Construction Manager for IKEA Property, North America Real Estate/US, gave an overview of how IKEA plans to meet its sustainability goals. Adrian shares IKEA's holistic approach including the company's strategy to use renewable heating and cooling for projects across its North American portfolio. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... IKEA's sustainability goals [01:36] Renewable solutions for commercial buildings [03:12] Decarbonizing existing buildings [11:01] Holistic sustainability [14:25] Click here to read detailed show notes   Resources & People Mentioned IKEA: A sustainable everyday BrainBox AI Ecopilot Connect with Adrian Avino On LinkedIn Adrian holds a civil engineering and an MBA finance degree, is a voting member of the Climate Positive Forum, and is the lead Engineer for IKEA North America in the US. In this role, he spearheads the approval, research, and development of Sustainability Projects.  Adrian and his team have approved over $500 million in large-scale Sustainability Investments, among PV, ESS, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Heating and Cooling projects, with the ambition to eliminate the use of fossil fuels by 80%. Adrian is also an ambassador for the IKEA Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, and collaborates with diverse partners and organizations on renewable energy investments and sustainable development to combat climate change. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

On this episode of Smart Energy Voices, we continue to highlight the winners of the 2023 DEI Impact Awards, recognizing power users driving the energy transition while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. We speak with Sandeep Blah about the PSE&G Clean Energy Jobs Program, Bambi Ingram about the success and educational value of the UAB Solar House and Sustainable Community project, and Scott Gerba and Ashif Hassan about the Colin Powell Bloom Energy Fellowship.  Each of these winners shares their insights on empowering individuals, sustainable living, and fostering diversity in clean energy leadership and how their particular program helped move the needle in those ways. Listen to gain insight into integrating DEI into operations and encourage support and participation in your energy transition efforts. The DEI Impact Awards were sponsored by NRG. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Sandip Blah, representing PSE&G, winner of a Partnership award for their Clean Energy Jobs Program.  [2:05] Bambi Ingram, representing the University of Alabama at Birmginham's award-winning UAB Solar House and Sustainable Community [14:00] Ashif Hassan and Scott Gurba, representing The Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at CCNY, winner of the One to Watch award Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions hosted the 2023 DEI Impact Awards, recognizing large power users' company-wide efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion while powering the energy transition. This two-part series will celebrate the winners of these awards and highlight their efforts. The DEI Impact Awards were sponsored by NRG. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Energy-saving programs for public housing in the US [02:05] Funding opportunities for public housing programs [06:39] Expanding access to energy programs [11:38] Inclusivity in sustainability efforts [16:28] UTRGV's emphasis on DEI [17:52] Mentorship and sustainability in higher education [20:55] Diversity, equity, and inclusion impact at NRG [30:39] For detailed show notes and guest bios, click here   Resources & People Mentioned Build for the Future Sustainability Fellowship Programs | UTRGV Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | NRG Energy Connect with Jennifer Brunelle On LinkedIn Connect with Marianella Franklin On LinkedIn Connect with Charles Marshall On LinkedIn Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

At Smart Energy Decisions' recent Net Zero Forum, Michelle Lancaster, Microsoft's Director of Global Sustainability Strategy and GTM, and Chuck Hanna, Vice President of National Accounts and Solutions Sales, gave a keynote discussing how Microsoft is working with Constellation to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy reliability – all while managing costs. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Sustainability and renewable energy partnerships [03:49] Reliability in a growing industry [06:27] Reducing the carbon footprint of data centers [10:12] Technology partnerships for sustainability [16:06] Energy policy and advocacy [20:10] Sustainability management [24:07] Click here for show notes   Resources & People Mentioned Microsoft Constellation Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability Connect with Chuck Hanna On LinkedIn Chuck Hanna has extensive experience in the energy sector including competitive retail markets, wholesale markets, and transmission and distribution businesses. He serves as the Vice President of National Accounts and Solution Sales at Constellation. In this role, he leads a team of sales professionals in providing comprehensive energy solutions to commercial and industrial retail customers across the nation including two-thirds of the Fortune 100. This includes leadership and management of associations where Constellation is the endorsed energy supplier. With nearly 20 years of experience in the energy sector, Chuck has deep expertise in the energy markets and the long-term trajectory and forward-looking trends. Prior to his current role, Chuck worked as Vice President of Mid-Atlantic Sales and East Regional Sales at Constellation Energy Company, which is the competitive retail business within Exelon Generation Company, LLC. Chuck was responsible for leading over 50 sales professionals across the Mid-Atlantic, New York, and New England electricity, natural gas, demand response, renewable energy, energy efficiency and other services directly to commercial and industrial customers. Prior to the merger of Exelon and Constellation, Chuck led the retail sales team for all regions at Exelon Energy. With experience in sales, marketing, and origination across many geographic regions. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He earned his Master of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of Bath in England, which he attended as a Rotary Foundation Scholar.” Connect with Michelle Lancaster On LinkedIn Michelle Lancaster currently leads Microsoft's GTM, customer engagement, and product strategy for sustainability. In this role, she has helped scope and close customer agreements focused on decarbonization, driving $500M+ revenue; launched a global seller training and customer engagement program; shaped the company's product roadmap and initial SKUs on sustainability solutions; formed and launched strategic partnerships including Transform to Net Zero; and most recently, led the creation of Microsoft's first sustainability report. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions recorded onsite interviews with energy customers at various stages of their decarbonization strategies. This episode features conversations with energy customers in higher education. This series of interviews aims to provide listeners with insights and inspiration to help them on their clean energy journeys. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Michigan State's energy transition plan [03:01] Energy challenges at Michigan State [08:36] Bard College at Simon's Rock''s energy projects and goals [14:56] Proving a business case at private colleges [16:39] Sustainability at California State [25:19] Funding challenges at a large public university [30:19] Inclusivity and sustainability goals [37:46] Click here for show notes   Resources & People Mentioned Michigan State University Bard College at Simon's Rock California State University Connect with Dr. Wolfgang Bauer On LinkedIn Dr. Wolfgang Bauer is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, where he has been on the faculty since 1988, holding a dual appointment at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. He was chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy from 2001 to 2013 and Founding Director of the Institute for Cyber-Enabled Research from 2009 to 2013. From 2013 to 2020 Dr. Bauer served as Senior Consultant and Associate Vice President, driving the implementation of the Energy Transition Plan at Michigan State University. In 2019 he was also President of the MSU Foundation. Dr. Bauer is co-owner of several businesses in the renewable energy sector and has consulted on renewable energy issues for the fossil fuel industry and hedge funds. He has published over 200 research articles, conference proceedings, and books, and has given over 400 invited presentations in 25 countries. Connect with Jason Maronde On LinkedIn Jason Maronde is a Facilities Management Professional from Bard College at Simon's Rock. He loves to explore new energy technology and find the potential for energy improvements in every situation. Jason is an active volunteer firefighter and lives on top of a mountain.  Connect with Lindsey Rowell On LinkedIn Lindsey Rowell is the Chief of Energy, Sustainability & Transportation for the California State University system in the Office of the Chancellor. Her department is responsible for issuing policy directives, program development and serves in an advisory capacity to support the 23 CSU campuses in achieving their carbon neutrality, energy efficiency and alternative transportation goals. The department also works closely with campuses to address issues of climate equity and strategies to address the worsening climate crises. Prior to this role Lindsey served as the Deputy Director for Sustainability for the CA Department of General Services and has worked developing sustainability and energy management programs for public agencies for the last 15 years.   Lindsey has a Bachelor's of Science in Neurobiology with a minor in Environmental Science from Sacramento State University, and Master's of Public Administration and Master's of Business Administration from CSU Dominguez Hills and CSU Monterey Bay, respectively. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions recorded onsite interviews with energy customers at various stages of their decarbonization strategies. Today's inaugural episode features conversations with multiple energy customers in the industrial energy space. This series of interviews aims to provide listeners with insights and inspiration to help them on their clean energy journeys. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Sustainability challenges for Mohawk Industries [02:10] Global footprint strategies [08:11] Prioritizing energy efficiency projects [11:40] ESG initiatives and sustainability at Arcosa [17:47] Accountability in energy initiatives [20:51] Sustainability and pioneering at Kirkhill [29:28] Opportunities in clean energy [35:57] Focusing on energy efficiency first Mohawk Industries has many customers that hold sustainability as a high priority. For example, within its commercial product division, which includes carpets used in the hospitality industry, the industrial industry, and government, some customers have net zero goals built into their contracts. In addition, Mohawk itself has set a net zero goal for 2035 and is also working toward a way to apply those goals to its global market. Mohawk's sustainability team is currently focusing on energy efficiency projects, using both internal and external capital when necessary. The company wants to reduce its footprint as much as possible before initiating its greater energy goals. The energy efficiency projects reduce emissions while providing a favorable return on investment.  Sustainability in a young company Arcosa has been a publicly traded company for five years. From the start, it made ESG a company priority. In 2022, Arcosa published its first sustainability goal: a 10% emissions intensity reduction by 2026. Within the first year, the company almost met that goal. As a young, acquisitive company early in its journey, Arcosa is looking to make a solid commitment to sustainability that mostly avoids making exceptions or exclusions. Many companies early in their sustainability journeys are still tracking progress in spreadsheets. With the future of regulation becoming increasingly clear, that business process is not sustainable. Arcosa has helped plants operationalize their data and provides a specific emissions target rather than a broad aspiration. Communication and interconnection Kirkhill is primarily a rubber manufacturing business supplying commercial aircraft, defense and space. The company has several California businesses, where the escalating cost of energy and the increasing availability of incentives are making the ROI of energy projects similar to that of other productivity projects, so it's become easier to make energy a priority. Among other clean energy projects, including a small energy storage battery and LED lighting, Kirkhill has installed microturbines that are functionally ready but waiting for utility approval. The company's next project is carport PV solar. Ultimately, it is working toward building an onsite microgrid one piece at a time. After facing expediency challenges with its utility, Kirkhill advises anyone starting an energy project to begin early on the interconnection process.    Resources & People Mentioned Arcosa Mohawk Industries Kirkhill Connect with Victoria Lopez-Whitley On LinkedIn Connect with Scott Bargerstock On LinkedIn Connect with Charlie Marquez On LinkedIn Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, produced in partnership with Trane, host Debra Chanil welcomes Becky Wacker. Becky is the Director of Energy Services Sales for Trane Commercial Americas. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that commercial building operators face today in light of decarbonization.    Disclaimer: Trane does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material is for informational purposes only and it should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. Tax law is subject to continual change. All decisions are your responsibility, and you should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors. Trane disclaims any responsibility for actions taken on the material presented. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Shifting focus to decarbonization [03:01] How to approach energy targets [05:08] Organizational alignment [10:56] Regulations and local laws [14:05] Funding and financing [16:16]   For detailed show notes, click here.   Resources & People Mentioned Heating and Air Conditioning | Trane Commercial HVAC Energy Tracking and Reporting Connect with Becky Wacker On LinkedIn   Becky Wacker is the Director of Sales for Energy Services at Trane by Trane Technologies, leading acquisition and implementation of complex facility programs and projects. She has 15 years of experience helping customers leverage their buildings to better meet their organizational goals, with a particular passion for decarbonization and efficiency.  Becky received her Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota while winning two Division I National Championships with the Women's Ice Hockey team. She sits on the board for Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) and National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO), and can often be found in a sports venue playing, watching, or coaching in her spare time.    Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn   Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices   If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com   Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil talks with Alise Porto, SVP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives at Switch and two-time winner of SED's WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Award. They discuss how Switch has driven sustainability through innovative water conservation and renewable energy initiatives. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Alise's journey to Switch [02:28] The Regional Water Improvement Pipeline [04:10] Switch's ESG strategy [08:20] Advice for women in sustainability [12:10] Prioritizing sustainability Switch is a technology infrastructure ecosystem corporation with a core business to design, construct, and operate the most advanced data centers. While headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, Switch also has locations in Northern Nevada, Michigan, Atlanta, and Texas. CEO and founder, Rob Roy, has prioritized sustainability since he founded the company. Switch believes data runs the planet and that working together can ensure it doesn't harm the planet. Regional Water Improvement Pipeline Project Switch can now cool all of its data centers at its Northern Nevada campus on 100% recycled water while being powered by 100% renewable power. The company's Northern Nevada campus in the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center is situated approximately 16 miles away from a water reclamation facility. This facility caters to the Reno and Sparks region, as well as Washoe County. Recognizing the potential benefits, Switch established a pipeline spanning 16 miles from the pump station.  This pipeline will provide over 4,000 acre-feet of water to the industrial park, allowing the construction of around 30,000 more homes in the area. Furthermore, it will save ratepayers $30 million in maintenance costs for the water reclamation facility. Using water cooling is 30% more efficient than electricity. Working together for sustainability Switch collaborated with the State of Nevada and Storey County to establish a tax increment area to secure funding for the construction of a pipeline, which cost nearly $40 million. This successful collaboration involved numerous stakeholders, including Tesla and Google, and allowed for the use of 100% recycled water while promoting sustainability. This opportunity was a win for everyone involved as it helps each company with sustainability initiatives.    Resources & People Mentioned Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center Switch - Las Vegas Connect with Alise Porto On LinkedIn Alise Porto joined the Switch team in 2015 and has held several key senior management roles, currently serving as Vice President of Sustainability & Strategic Initiatives. As an invaluable member of the Sustainability Team, she is responsible for the oversight of Switch's environmental, social, and governance initiatives (ESG) and implementing sustainable energy and resource management strategies that align with the company's overall policies and goals of being environmentally and socially sustainable, in partnership with the Policy team. In addition, Porto leads Switch's energy procurement strategy and energy resources, including Switch's retail electric provider activities in Texas and various resource management initiatives. She similarly leads the development and execution of special projects associated with business development and innovative sustainable water resource management. Alise received her degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and completed the University of California Berkeley Sustainable Capitalism & ESG program. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil is joined by Abby Johnson. Abby is President of both Abacus Property Solutions and the Virginia PACE Authority. She is a winner of the 2023 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Award in the category of Industry Veteran. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Founding the Virginia PACE Authority [02:17] How does PACE work? [06:04] Managing public/private partnerships [09:56] Early wins and barriers [11:26] Working with other states [15:34] The future for Virginia PACE [17:38] Click here for full show notes   Resources & People Mentioned Virginia PACE Authority PACENation Abacus Property Solutions Connect with Abby Johnson On LinkedIn Abby is Executive Director and founder of VPA. Since 2012, Abby has specialized in PACE financing, advising commercial building owners, lenders and public sector clients in PACE project and program development including crafting of PACE legislation, creating program guidelines, and launching and administering PACE programs. She has been instrumental in developing PACE programs around the country in Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, Louisiana, Oregon, North Carolina, and the Mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia. In Virginia, she was largely responsible for expanding PACE over the last five years to include resiliency, stormwater management, commercial condos, and retroactive projects. In 2019, she founded VPA to offer Virginia localities a low-cost, nonprofit option for program administration. Through Abby's leadership, VPA has received multiple grants, including one that is funding the creation of a web-based platform that connects lenders with borrowers to fund resiliency and clean energy projects. In her capacity as an advisor, Abby works with building owners to develop “PACE-able” projects, structure PACE within the capital stack, and source senior debt as needed. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil talks with Matthew Cherrin, Vice President of Lobo Energy Incorporated - a company owned by the University of New Mexico. Matthew explains this innovative business model and the university's $140 million conservation story. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Matt's role at Lobo Energy [01:44] Seeing measurable results [05:34] Community buy-in [10:12] Telling the story of sustainability [14:45] Essential partners of the programs [19:34] Creating a sustainable energy plan [25:17] Sustainable energy on campus Lobo Energy is a 501(c)(3) owned by the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico and falls under the University Research Park Economic Development Act. This legislation has allowed the university to have a district energy plant on its main campus. The plant creates chilled water, electricity, and steam that it sends to the buildings on the main campus.  The university needed a reliable and more efficient system to ensure its hospital would have energy. Lobo Energy has different procurement options than the university, allowing the company to make decisions and receive approval much more quickly than through a normal procurement process.  Monitoring success After Lobo Energy and the University of New Mexico invested in the infrastructure of its district energy system, they also installed some smart metering. Every building has submeters providing data that Lobo Energy uses to measure success. Many people working at Lobo Energy have been there for 14 years, so they understand the buildings, where zero to low-cost energy conservation measures are possible, and where upgrades need to happen.  Because of its monitoring, Lobo Energy is the eyes and ears of the university. The company uses the data to perform an audit and then communicates that effort to the right personnel, whether maintenance or engineers. The engineers, facility management, and planning department can then spend their time on the bigger upgrades while Lobo Energy takes care of the smaller details that add up. Communication and community buy-in A great part of why Lobo Energy is successful is community buy-in. The university would not have seen some of its accomplishments so soon without the people in the buildings communicating and supporting their efforts. At first, people were uncomfortable with the company seemingly trying to turn the lights off on people. As more savings have been reported, they have been able to see the impact of these changes. Now Lobo Energy is seen as part of the University of New Mexico's team.   Resources & People Mentioned Lobo Energy Incorporated University Research Park Economic Development Act Orgs. | 501(c)(3) EnergyCAP EnergyCAP Expands Offering to Include Financial-grade Carbon Accounting Connect with Matt Cherrin On LinkedIn Matthew Cherrin is Vice President of Lobo Energy, Incorporated, which is a University of New Mexico-owned non-profit company. He has been part of a team that has helped UNM achieve over $140 million in cost avoidance and 26 percent energy reduction since 2008. Matthew holds an undergrad degree in Communications and Journalism, with a minor in Business and a Master's degree in Business Administration. He has a wife and two children, ages four and one. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil is joined by Kulsoom Khan, Energy Efficiency Manager at Congebec. Kulsoom won a 2023 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Award for the Energy Ambassador Program she created at her company. Kulsoom shares her experience cultivating energy culture buy-in. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Kulsoom's role at Congebec [02:02] Congebec's Energy Ambassador Program [07:02] Employee and management buy-in [09:41] Accomplishments of the program [16:55] Internal employee campaigns [20:17] First steps to start an energy program [24:23] Click here for detailed show notes   Resources & People Mentioned Congebec Smart Energy Decisions Announces 2023 WISE Award Winners Global Cold Chain Alliance Energy Excellence Program - Global Cold Chain Alliance Connect with Kulsoom Khan On LinkedIn Kulsoom Khan graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 2017. Since then, she has worked mainly in construction and the food industry. Kulsoom started her career in energy management at Maple Leaf Foods and joined Congebec in 2020 as Energy Efficiency Manager. Her role is to make sure all warehouses are as energy efficient as possible with their operations, manage energy-efficiency projects, and secure government funding for energy-saving initiatives. On a personal note, Kulsoom is passionate about saving energy in her daily life at home and is always giving energy-saving tips and tricks to her family and friends.  Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a talk from Peter Kelly-Detwiler, a long-time friend of Smart Energy Decisions and author of The Energy Switch. Peter discusses new technologies and their advantages, drawbacks, and relative state of maturation, as well as a useful framework for how to think about new technologies and how they might affect enterprises going forward. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... The current state of the world of energy [02:53] Energy storage and renewables [07:29] Transitions in storage [16:57] Modular nuclear reactors and hydrogen hubs [20:06] Autonomous driving and long-haul vehicles [23:52] Click here for detailed show notes   Resources & People Mentioned The Energy Switch: How Companies and Customers are Transforming the Electrical Grid and the Future of Power - Peter Kelly-Detwiler WhyPKD - YouTube Channel Longi reveals plans to open 5 GW solar module factory in US market Thin Film Technology Corp Cypress Onshore Wind Turbine Platform | GE Renewable Energy Farasis Energy expects model with its sodium-ion battery to be available in 2023 Form Energy Connect with Peter Kelly-Detwiler On LinkedIn Peter Kelly-Detwiler has 30 years of experience in the electric energy industry, with much of his career in competitive power markets. He's currently a leading consultant in the electric industry, providing strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate the rapid evolution of the electric power grid. Mr. Kelly-Detwiler offers numerous keynotes and workshops on a wide range of topics. He has also written widely on energy issues for Forbes.com and GE, with over 300 articles to his credit. His book on the transformation of electric power markets - “The Energy Switch” - was published by Prometheus Books in June of 2021. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a keynote from Smart Energy Decisions' recent Net Zero Forum presented by Chandra Farley, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Atlanta. Chandra talks about the importance of public-private partnerships, the value of positive pressure, and viewing sustainability through the lens of environmental justice. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Science-based and community-informed [03:20] The Grants to Green program [12:13] Climate and environmental justice [17:30] Atlanta's Year of the Youth [22:00] Improving quality of life in the city [25:21] Positive pressure The City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability and Resilience focuses on clean energy, waste diversion, and food waste recovery. Atlanta has around 200 municipal buildings, which must partner with the Office of Sustainability and Resilience. While the Office of Sustainability and Resilience sets policies, priorities, targets, and goals, those goals are operationalized through the city's departments. The Director of Urban Agriculture and Food Systems has three or four people who sit on the Department of City Planning. That interdepartmental relationship gives the Office of Sustainability and Resilience direct access to the resources necessary to make programs work. Atlanta's Grants to Green program Grants to Green provided technical assistance and funding to nonprofits for energy and water efficiency upgrades. The program funded engineers to go out and do building assessments. The community foundation partner gave nonprofits grants to implement the list of recommendations. This program proved that the more money a nonprofit saves on operations, the more money it has for programs and services. The Grants to Green program has worked with the Boys and Girls Club to save them $12,000 annually by changing their LED lighting. That equates to an additional 300 kids whom clubs can serve every year. Some clubs could also afford to hire more teachers for their summer programs. Without these efficiency upgrades and the resulting savings, people would've been left behind. Impact beyond the city Atlanta's community clean energy programs have helped in more rural areas where many contractors hadn't yet experienced some of the newer, more efficient technologies. Thanks to the City of Atlanta's strong partnerships with its lighting contractors, mentorships grew between them and the rural companies.  Working together and supporting the community with green energy projects is a way to promote environmental justice. Not only do people see a reduction in their utility bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but financial benefit is delivered directly back into the communities. These communities can then offer more programs and services.   Resources & People Mentioned American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Grants to Green - CFGA Southface Institute Better Buildings Challenge Atlanta Year of the Youth Connect with Chandra Farley On LinkedIn On Twitter Chandra Farley serves as Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Atlanta. In this role, Chandra leads expansion of the City's resilience and sustainability efforts through a lens of equity, including implementation of the city's 100% clean energy plan, creating the City's first comprehensive food systems plan, delivering on waste diversion goals, and leveraging federal resources from the Inflation Reduction Act.  Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Debra Chanil hosts a panel discussion featuring some of Smart Energy Decisions' Women in Smart Energy (WISE) Award winners. These women share their paths in energy and sustainability, achievements, and continuing growth as women in the energy industry.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... The importance of collaboration [01:52] Going outside of your comfort zone [06:12] Creating allowable paths [10:38] Mentorship programs [14:33] Women in leadership [21:49] An environment of collaboration The most fruitful collaboration requires vulnerability. While knowledge, tactics, and experience are essential, stepping back and asking for clarification helps realign a collaborative effort. Asking clarifying questions is a great skill and allows others to ask what they may have been too hesitant to ask otherwise.  People collaborate in different ways. Some are more comfortable writing, while others feel comfortable in a large group setting. To facilitate the environments needed for ideal communication, companies can encourage various atmospheres, such as smaller or one-on-one meetings. Creating these opportunities ensures that everybody's voice can be heard. Two types of mentorship Formal mentorship is a great way to pass down information to younger generations and improve retention. Non-structured mentorship can also be valuable. That happens when people meet for a common goal, with one person having more experience than the other. These mentorships can be beneficial for years. Women need good role models hey can look up to for guidance. The benefit is mutual, as mentors can also learn from their mentees. Women rising to leadership Women are often expected to take on an invisible load of household chores and responsibilities at home without receiving due credit. Unfortunately, this translates to the workplace as well. Women tend to say yes to menial tasks that aren't necessarily career drivers, like being asked to take meeting notes, schedule meetings, or send follow-up emails. These are all things that need to be done but aren't going to lead to significant career growth.  Saying no can be difficult for women who don't want to be perceived as aggressive. However, always saying yes means that menial tasks can replace what would have been career-building opportunities. Learning to laugh it off or disseminating the load can make the situation less awkward and more positive.   Resources & People Mentioned WISE Awards - Diversified Communications Jackie Buck - Project Manager - Diversified Communications HQ Connect with Kulsoom Khan On LinkedIn Connect with Kate Peterson On LinkedIn Connect with Ibolya Yolas On LinkedIn Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a keynote from Smart Energy Decisions' recent Net-Zero forum, featuring Chris Thurston, Director of Energy and Sustainability at Lineage Logistics. As a company with a real vision for what the sustainable warehouse of the future should be, Lineage Logistics focuses on best-in-class energy efficiency, a zero emission or reduced GHG fleet, and investments in infrastructure to distribute excess clean power. Chris explains the company's challenges on the path to a financially viable, net-zero future. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... What is cold storage? [01:59] Lineage's sustainability journey [03:49] Physically focused sustainability [06:43] Energy efficiency in cold storage [08:07] Next steps for Lineage [10:43] Challenges with truck charging [14:55] Relying less on utilities [19:00] Sustainability at Lineage Lineage Logistics' journey with sustainability and energy began about 10 years ago in the Avon, Massachusetts site with a one-megawatt solar project. Chris, the accountant supporting that region, was brought on to the project because it initially didn't work correctly. The company wasn't seeing the savings it was hoping to achieve. Chris and his team turned that project into a large, fiscally focused approach. Making projects pencil Lineage Logistics' approach to sustainability projects is financially motivated. Statistics are crucial to attaining buy-in with investors and the executive team, who will pursue initiatives that make sense on paper. Because Lineage's first solar project was successful, the company implemented 20 more similar projects.  Over time, the company began experiencing more pressure to create a sustainability strategy. Being a physical asset-focused company, Lineage decided to make its sustainability approach physically focused as well. When people visit one of Lineage's buildings, the company wants them to see sustainability live in action. Sustainability needs to be exemplified by every carbon-emitting source on site. Creating sustainable opportunities Lineage is piloting the installation of biodigesters onsite to use food waste as energy. The company is also looking into ammonia generation onsite, though most of these projects are cost-prohibitive. Lineage is constantly searching for incentives, consistent with the company's creative approach to making projects pencil. If the incentives don't exist, the company makes every attempt to create them with local governments and customer collaboration.    Resources & People Mentioned Lineage Logistics Connect with Chris Thurston On LinkedIn Chris Thurston is the Energy & Sustainability leader for Lineage Logistics, the largest cold storage warehousing company in the world. Chris has over a decade of experience in Energy Management with an educational background in Finance & Accounting from Montclair State University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degreea in accounting. Chris has held various corporate finance roles for small to mid-sized companies in the manufacturing and logistics space. In his time at Lineage, Chris has helped develop their solar program to become the fifth largest in the US. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil shares a talk from Smart Energy Decisions' recent Net-Zero forum featuring Joe Carrillo, Regional Vice President of SSA Marine. Joe brings his “boots on the ground” perspective as the person responsible for implementing the programs that help the company meet its goals. Joe shares SSA Marine's plans, sustainability goals, projects, and partnerships in California. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... The structure of SSA Marine [03:08] Challenges in California [07:11] Obstacles when starting projects [09:12] Lessons learned along the way [17:59] Learning to work with grants [22:30] View Detailed show notes here Resources & People Mentioned SSA Marine Our Zero Emissions Future - Port of Long Beach About the Plan | Clean Air Action Plan Connect with Joe Carrillo On LinkedIn Joe Carrillo began his SSA career in 2007 in container operations in Long Beach. He continued his journey through SSA Marine, working in Mexico and Panama before returning to his native home in Northern California to assist operations with direct responsibility for five different business units throughout Northern California, which span maritime, transportation, and warehousing operations. Since 2017, Joe has worked on numerous zero-emission sustainability projects with a focus on larger cargo-handling equipment at two of the five business units in Northern California and operational performances. Currently, Carrix Enterprise has deployed 179+ pieces of near or zero-emission equipment globally and is leading the way in California at numerous sites. Joe played two years of professional baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club after college. His current passions are playing golf in his free time and spending quality time with his wife and two children. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on Facebook Follow them on Twitter Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Event Operations Director, Lisa Carroll at lisa@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

This episode of Smart Energy Voices is an interview from Smart Energy Decisions' recent Renewable Energy Forum featuring Quen Howard, Indirect Procurement Manager of VF Corporation, and Debra Chanil, Smart Energy Decisions' Director of Editorial and Research. They discuss the challenges of implementing renewables across a portfolio of consumer brands. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Quen's position at VF [01:34] VF's renewables and sustainability goals [02:59] Getting people involved [05:33] Choosing the right suppliers [07:05] For detailed show notes, click here.   Resources & People Mentioned VF Corporation Jeannie Renne-Malone - Vice President, Global Sustainability - VF Corporation | LinkedIn Connect with Quen Howard On LinkedIn Quen Howard is a passionate procurement professional with over 17 years of sourcing experience. He has a broad range of experience across different sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture/chemicals, and textile apparel. This unique background, paired with his strong customer focus and stakeholder engagement, has been instrumental in leading complex projects. Quen is currently a procurement Manager at VF Corporation and supports packaging materials, energy, and MRO categories. During this time, he has been engaged in several of VF's sustainability projects and initiatives. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on Facebook Follow them on Twitter Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Event Operations Director, Lisa Carroll at lisa@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla shares a special keynote from Smart Energy Decisions' recent Renewable Energy Forum. Rob Threlkeld, Global Manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply, and Reliability for General Motors, shares how General Motors reached its 100% renewable energy goal a whole generation ahead of schedule. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... GM's goals for a zero-emission future [01:35] Renewable goals from leadership [06:50] The impact of the supply chain on a business [08:49] EVs as a pathway to decarbonization [11:46] Decarbonizing utility and transportation [21:52] Transforming a company The energy transformation at General Motors is the first part of the company's bold vision of zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion. GM is a big energy purchaser but procurements . However, procurement accounts for only 1% of the company's carbon emissions. Scaling zero emissions efforts requires the transportation industry's transformation to electric vehicles. GM aims to be an all-electric vehicle manufacturer of all its light-duty vehicles by 2035. That goal requires the company, which has built ICE vehicles for the last 100 years, to transform into an all-electric vehicle manufacturer in just twelve years. Moving transportation to decarbonization How can the vehicle industry truly achieve zero emissions? Many changes will have to occur on the state and federal levels. Changing the car industry goes well beyond General Motors and will require everyone in the entire industry. , including the supply chain. It is critical to work closely with the supply chain to move it down the path of decarbonization. If the production of supplies is interrupted, vehicles can't be made.  GM's renewable energy U.S. footprint is about 3.5 terawatt hours, and the company has accumulated about 1500 megawatts of renewables across several projects over several states and RTOs. The company looks specifically for projects located within its manufacturing footprint. GM has been working with utilities to create green tariff programs and to find ways to expand those programs beyond just General Motors. Energy solutions GM recently announced the energy side of the business that is enabling solutions in the whole energy ecosystem. Matching these renewable solutions with manufacturing will be critical to decarbonizing utility and transportation and ultimately driving a more resilient grid. As GM grows its EV portfolio, the company needs to ensure that demand matches the generation portfolio and continues to scale.   Resources & People Mentioned General Motors and DTE Energy are Making Michigan a Clean Energy Powerhouse GM Ventures Textron Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC Connect with Rob Threlkeld On LinkedIn Rob Threlkeld is the Global Manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply, and Reliability for General Motors, leading the company's energy procurement efforts, including the commitment to meet the electricity needs of its global operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. Threlkeld is responsible for leading the team that supports GM energy procurement and regulatory efforts, including negotiating power purchase agreements, natural gas, green tariffs, and engineering onsite renewable solutions for GM facilities across the globe, including opportunities associated with battery storage, behind-the-meter applications, and EV integration. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on Facebook Follow them on Twitter Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Event Operations Director, Lisa Carroll at lisa@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

This episode of Smart Energy Voices is a keynote from Smart Energy Decisions' recent Renewable Energy Forum featuring Jeff Blankman. Jeff is the Sustainable Manufacturing Manager for McCormick & Company and is also an Advisory Board member for Smart Energy Decisions. Jeff's keynote addresses McCormick's all-of-the-above sustainability strategy and embodies the essence of the unique corporate buyer presentations only found at SED events. For detailed show notes click here You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... McCormick's sustainability program [01:46] Global climate agreements [05:16] On-site and off-site renewables [11:18] Limitations from a regulatory point of view [13:09] Unbundled RECs [14:15]   Resources & People Mentioned Purpose-led Performance | McCormick Corporation How McCormick is making sustainability its secret spice Constellation Signs 175 MW Solar Agreement to Supply an Aggregation of Three Commercial Customers | Business Wire Connect with Jeff Blankman On LinkedIn Jeff is the Sustainable Manufacturing Manager for McCormick & Company, the world's leading producer of spices, seasonings, and flavorings. In this role, he establishes best practices for McCormick's manufacturing and distribution facilities for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water and waste reduction, and other sustainability initiatives. Prior to his current role, he worked for over 10 years in Project Engineering at McCormick, installing packaging equipment and new packaging production lines. He has 25 years of project management experience in manufacturing. Jeff has both a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Maryland. Jeff Blankman, Sustainable Manufacturing Manager for McCormick & Company, will review McCormick's sustainability journey as they work towards their science-based greenhouse gas reduction goal. Using an “all of the above strategy” of energy efficiency, on-site solar arrays, and off-site renewable energy purchases, the Company is well on its way to achieving its 2030 goal and laying the groundwork for its 2050 net-zero goal. Jeff will discuss real-world case studies of implementing successful initiatives while navigating the typical challenges that companies face in their sustainability programs. For detailed show notes click here Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com   Follow them on Facebook Follow them on Twitter Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Event Operations Director, Lisa Carroll at lisa@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla shares a special keynote presentation from the inaugural Net Zero Forum featuring Andy Smith, Senior Manager of Global Energy Management and Sustainability at Cisco Systems. In his presentation, Andy provides a deep dive into the process Cisco recently went through to evaluate, establish and certify its net-zero goal through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Powering an inclusive future for all [02:22] Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) [04:50] Third-party verification of goals [07:05] Cisco's Scope 3 challenges [10:58] Real estate transformation [13:56] Carbon offset strategy [16:14] Creating new goals Cisco has a long history of setting ambitious climate and sustainability goals. Over the last couple of years, the organization realized it needed to catch up with some market trends. While the company had an aggressive, absolute greenhouse gas reduction goal and an 85% renewable electricity target, the other leaders in sustainability were setting RE100 and net-zero goals. With prior goals wrapping up, Cisco went through a year-long process to engage in the next phase of goal setting. Ultimately, the organization set a net-zero goal that covers all of its Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to be achieved by 2040. Cisco also has aggressive near-term targets including a 90% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025 and a 30% reduction focused on its largest categories of Scope 3 emissions by 2030. Cisco chose to align with the SBTi Net-Zero Standard to have third-party verification of its aggressive goals. Before the company began the process in January 2021, internal stakeholders, employees, and customers were pushing for an updated goal that would include net zero. At the time, Cisco wasn't ready to set that net-zero standard. While it was reporting on a couple of categories of Scope 3, the company needed to take a step back to further understand its emissions.  Scope 3 challenges At 99% of its portfolio, Scope 3 is by far Cisco's largest source of emissions. The use of sold goods and products is about 75% of those emissions and the company's greatest challenge. Cisco sells many products and gear that plug into its customers' electric grids, releasing a lot of emissions in the end. The following 20% of Scope 3 emissions is from the company's supply chain contracts and indirect procurement. The company will focus on those two categories over the next fifteen years. Although Scope 1 and 2 are only 1% of Cisco's emissions, the company has engaged in a robust strategy to achieve its Scope 1 and 2 goals. Addressing these emissions also helps Cisco's customers and suppliers meet their goals. If they can replicate some of the things Cisco is doing, that will also help Cisco achieve its Scope 3 goal. Renewable electricity is a large part of Cisco's strategy. Clean, zero-emission power will move the company about 75% of the way towards its reduction goal for Scope 1 and 2. Cisco is focusing its efforts on renewable energy. The company has generated a few megawatts of on-site solar and hopes to triple that over the next three years.  Cisco's hybrid transformation Cisco is going through a real estate transformation. This hybrid transformation began before COVID but was accelerated after. Currently, the company has 80 million square feet of building space, but the occupancy levels of those spaces are low. Employees want to work wherever and whenever they want. Engineers love to work at home and aren't coming into the office as much as they had. In response, Cisco is modifying workspaces into collaboration centers where teams can work together. As Cisco transforms the workplace, it will see energy savings by reducing its square footage.  Some energy savings of a hybrid workplace will increase home energy usage. While that's a challenge the whole industry will need to address, companies can keep in mind that commute emissions are also being reduced. Cisco believes the hybrid transformation is a positive for the world from a climate perspective.  Resources & People Mentioned Cisco's net zero commitment Connect with Andy Smith On LinkedIn Andy has over 15 years of experience in the field of sustainability and currently leads Cisco's Global Energy Management and Sustainability team. He started working at Cisco in 2009 and has helped develop Cisco's sustainability program into what it is today by leading a number of initiatives, including developing and achieving multiple sustainability goals, managing global energy efficiency programs, deploying a global energy and sustainability information system, and creating Cisco's annual greenhouse gas inventories and Corporate Social Responsibility reports. Through these efforts, Cisco has been recognized consistently over the years as a leader in sustainability by numerous organizations, including Barron's, EPA, Association of Energy Engineers, Newsweek, CDP, Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and Sustainability Roundtable. Prior to joining Cisco, Andy worked as a consultant at Rocky Mountain Institute and DOMANI Sustainability Consulting in Colorado and served as Energy Manager for Washtenaw County Government in Michigan. Andy has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, a B.A. from Oberlin College, and an MBA from the University of Colorado. He is also a Certified Energy Manager and Certified Carbon Reduction Manager from the Association of Energy Engineers. Andy and his family live in Boulder, Colorado and enjoy just about all outdoor activities, including rock climbing, hiking, biking, and skiing. They are also musicians and love to travel. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://smartenergydecisions.com Follow them on Facebook Follow them on Twitter Follow them on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Event Operations Director, Lisa Carroll at lisa@smartenergydecisions.com Audio Production and Show notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com