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In this exciting episode, host Tyler Chisholm welcomes Rosa Twyman—regulatory lawyer, energy strategist, and one of Alberta's sharpest legal minds on the realities behind Canada's climate and energy ambitions. Rosa pulls back the curtain on:How Alberta's deregulated electricity market shapes what's possible—and what's riskyWhy legal certainty is make-or-break for innovation in renewables and carbon captureWhat investors, founders, and regulators are getting wrong about policy timelinesThe urgent need for systems-level thinking in climate law and energy governanceIf you work in cleantech, finance, infrastructure, or policy, Rosa's insights will change how you think about Canada's path to net zero.This episode is brought to you by clearmotive marketing. When it comes to marketing that truly matters to your business, clearmotive is your go-to partner. With a proven track record of more than 15 years, they understand what makes your business tick. Learn more at https://www.clearmotive.ca and discover how clearmotive can help your marketing thrive.We're on social media! Follow us for episodes you might have missed and key insights on Western Canada directly on your feeds.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collisionsyycLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collisions-yycYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@collisionsyycWebsite: https://www.collisionsyyc.com Thank you for tuning into Collisions YYC!Remember to subscribe and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.If you loved the episode, please leave us a 5-star review and share the show with your friends! These things really help us reach more potential fans and share everything that's amazing about Western Canada.We sincerely appreciate your support of our local podcast.Host links:Tyler's website: https://www.tylerchisholm.com Tyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links: Rosa Twyman's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-twyman-12a2513aRegulatory Law Chambers' Website: https://www.regulatorylawchambers.caRegulatory Law Chambers' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/regulatory-law-chambers/Collisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing
Killing an offshore wind farm that's nearly complete makes no sense, even for a climate denier who thinks windmills kill whales. In this episode, political economist Mark Blyth walks Drilled reporter Royce Kurmelovs through the strategy behind it all, what he calls "carbon dominance." You can read a story about the impacts on our site: drilled.media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Water, wind, sunlight — the driving forces behind renewable energy. The better we can predict them, the more we can accelerate progress and reduce risk. Weather forecasting is undergoing a quantum leap, powered by breakthroughs in satellites, drones, and artificial intelligence. Once the exclusive domain of national weather services, the industry is now being transformed by a new wave of tech-driven startups. And the market is booming. In this episode, Laurent and Gerard welcome Dr. Martin J. Fengler, a German mathematician and the founder and CEO of Meteomatics AG. Based in Switzerland, Meteomatics is a cutting-edge weather technology company with over 130 employees and a client base of 600 — including high-profile names like NASA, Lockheed Martin, Toyota, Tesla, and numerous utility companies. About 25% of its clients are in the energy sector. Meteomatics stands out not only for its AI-driven weather models but also for its proprietary fleet of weather drones, capable of flying up to 6 kilometres high, delivering ultra-precise atmospheric data. The company has raised over $35 million in venture capital to date. In our conversation, we explore the future of weather tech, its role in tackling climate change, the growing risks of extreme weather, surprising use cases — and yes, even wind theft. Heads up: This one's for the geeks.And at the end, Laurent sings for Lisa
Today, POLITICO's Josh Siegel sits down for an extended conversation with Emily Domenech, executive director of the Federal Permitting Council and a top Trump administration official. They discuss the council's permitting strategy so far, the administration's behind-the-scenes approach to different energy sources, and what it wants from Congress on permitting reform. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy. Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO. Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today's electricity grids are kept stable by the inertia of spinning masses — mostly fossil fuel generators. But what happens when those spinning masses are replaced by inverter-based resources like wind, solar, and batteries? The answer is that inverters must take over the stabilizing job, becoming "grid-forming" rather than merely “grid-following.” I chat with two experts about how grid-forming inverters work, how many are out there, and what the future holds for them. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe
In this episode of Energy Newsbeat – Conversations in Energy, Stu Turley sits down with Bill Mazzetti of Rosendin to break down the explosive growth of AI-driven data centers, behind-the-meter power strategies, and the future of energy infrastructure in the U.S. From Abilene's gas-turbine projects to modular nuclear, battery mandates, and California's near-blackout save, this episode dives into why utilities, tech, and energy sectors must now collaborate like never before. Mazzetti, a 40-year veteran, shares real-world insights, regulatory hurdles, and why modular nuclear is a “when, not if” solution for grid-hungry AI.This was an enlightening discussion around data center, natural gas, and real-world problems. It is clear that Bill has the solutions lined up and can hit the ground running. Having a leader like Rosendin running a project can make it happen on time and on budget. I really enjoyed his wide knowledge base of the entire data center rollout from a project standpoint. Having them lead your project could save millions, and in this AI Data Center race Connect with Bill on his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-mazzetti-8b66311/Check out Rosendin Data Center: https://www.rosendin.com/Highlights of the Podcast 00:00 - Intro00:40 – Bill's Data Center Journey01:21 – U.S. Data Center Hotspots03:33 – Stargate Abilene & Behind-the-Meter Power05:20 – Load Interactive Grid Planning06:36 – ERCOT Rules & Real-World Grid Saves08:33 – Fuel Choices: Gas, Renewables & SMRs11:44 – Cloud Growth Beyond AI12:24 – Turbine Shortages & Project Planning13:40 – Grid Strain Is Broader Than Data Centers15:26 – Oilfield Innovation Meets Data Infrastructure17:50 – Nuclear's Regulatory Wall19:32 – Transmission Bottlenecks & Urban Realities21:03 – Cleaner Power & Carbon Capture21:29 – Bill's Return Invite22:25 – Contacting Bill Mazzetti23:14 – Wrap-Up & ThanksFull Transcript: https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/
Fossil fuels are losing growth potential, while renewables continue to rise. Commodities like lithium and copper may shape the next wave of energy investments.Veteran oil trader, author, and Founder of The Energy Word, Dan Dicker, discusses why oil companies are facing flat returns, the role of politics in renewable energy, and why lithium and natural gas could be smart long-term plays.Find out in this interview how to separate hype from real opportunities in today's energy market.Learn more about The Energy Word and try the free subscription: https://dandicker.comWatch the full YouTube interview here: https://youtu.be/toYQAZaZTYUAnd follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalOneMedia?sub_confirmation=1
Today, we return to the subject of investing in the global commodities markets. What are the key narratives out there on Main Street, Wall street and K Street and how are they shaping opportunities? How can you sort narrative from thesis? How does policy volatility and geopolitical volatility impact investments? And in a potential return to 1970s -style stagflation, what does that mean for commodities and portfolio theory? Our guest is Shia Hosseinzadeh, Founder and Chief Investment officer of OnyxPoint Global Management LP, an alternative asset manager focused on businesses serving the commodities sector. For more on OnyxPoint visit: https://www.onyxpointglobal.com/our-firmFor the Argus Global Markets Conference sign up here: https://www.argusmedia.com/en/events/conferences/global-markets-conference
A clean energy future is within reach, but the road to get there is complex, especially in the world's fastest-growing region.Host Anna Stablum and Scott Morris, Asian Development Bank's Vice President for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, discuss one of the region's most pressing challenges and opportunities: securing affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in Southeast Asia. From managing economic growth and energy security to rethinking coal, renewables, and regional power infrastructure, this episode offers insight into how local realities shape climate goals. Scott also shares how blended finance plays a critical role in building scalable, long-term solutions.Don't miss an episode—subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social for the latest updates!Episode Resources: Asian Development Bank – Climate Change Overview: https://www.adb.org/what-we-do/topics/climate-change/overviewADB Energy Policy (2021): https://www.adb.org/documents/energy-policy-2021ASEAN Power Grid Initiative – ADB Feature: https://www.adb.org/news/features/asean-power-grid-clean-energyClimeCo – Carbon Management & Energy Market Services: https://www.climeco.com/solutions/energy-environmental-markets/ClimeCo Blog – What Is a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)?: https://www.climeco.com/insights/what-is-a-renewable-energy-certificate/IEA Southeast Asia Energy Outlook: https://www.iea.org/reports/southeast-asia-energy-outlookUN SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7-About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that's not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we'll bust on this podcast.ESG Decoded | Resource Links Site: https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcastsSpotify: https://go.climeco.com/SpotifyYouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-MusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio About ClimeCoClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization, empowering global organizations with customized sustainability pathways. Our respected scientists and industry experts collaborate with companies, governments, and capital markets to develop tailored ESG and decarbonization solutions. Recognized for creating high-quality, impactful projects, ClimeCo is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, maximize environmental assets, and enhance their brand.ClimeCo | Resource LinksSite: https://climeco.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climeco/IG: https://www.instagram.com/climeco/
Scotland's energy future is at a crossroads. In this special episode of Holyrood Sources, recorded live at Offshore Europe in Aberdeen, we bring together leading voices to debate oil, gas, renewables, community power projects, and the politics driving the UK's energy transition.Guests include:Claire Mack – Chief Executive, Scottish RenewablesAndrew Bowie MP – Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine, Shadow Minister for EnergyAngus Macdonald – Community energy company director from the Western IslesTopics covered:The oil vs renewables binary: false choice or political reality?Grid failures & why community projects can't get connectedNet Zero deadlines: realistic or damaging?How UK & Scottish Governments can fix energy investment challengesThe future of Grangemouth, Sullom Voe & North Sea oil assetsWhy ordinary households are paying the price for failed energy policy
Eco Wave Power (NASDAQ: WAVE) is making history with its first U.S. onshore wave energy pilot at the Port of Los Angeles. CEO & Founder Inna Braverman explains why this project matters, how the technology works, and what's next for wave energy in the U.S.It's not just about clean energy. It's also about community. Local businesses like C&S Welding, led by the owner himself, Ian Crichton, played a key role in bringing the project to life, showing how innovation and local expertise can build a stronger clean energy future.But can wave energy really scale to power tens of thousands of homes? Watch the full interview to find out.Learn more about Eco Wave Power: https://www.ecowavepower.com/Watch the full YouTube interview here: https://youtu.be/YsoeJ4qoQOgAnd follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalOneMedia?sub_confirmation=1
Welcome to the latest episode in the Terra Carta Series of the All Things Sustainable podcast, a collaboration with the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI). Throughout 2025, we'll be interviewing SMI member CEOs from around the world and across industries about how they're approaching sustainability challenges and opportunities. Today we're speaking with Octopus Energy CEO Greg Jackson. Octopus Energy was founded in the UK in 2016 and has grown into a global clean energy tech business. Greg explains how the company is using technology and AI to lower the cost of decarbonization for consumers. “When you introduce really agile digital technology into a rapidly changing world, we find we can make the energy transition an upgrade — it's better and cheaper for people, not a sacrifice,” Greg says. About the SMI and Terra Carta Podcast Series: The SMI is a network of over 250 global CEOs across finance and industry. It facilitates private sector diplomacy with the ambition of making sustainability the driving force of global markets and value creation. S&P Global is a proud SMI member. Listen to previous episodes in the Terra Carta Series here: Terra Carta Series | S&P Global Learn about energy transition data and services from S&P Global Commodity Insights here. The All Things Sustainable podcast from S&P Global will be an official media partner of The Nest Climate Campus during Climate Week NYC. Register free to attend here. This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1 and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global. Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global DISCLAIMER By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights). This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.
Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture The D Governors are destroying their states by pushing the green new scam, utility costs are rising and the people are noticing. This Labor Day fuel prices are now lower than 2020. The battle has begun and Trump made the first move in firing Lisa Cook, this will determine who will have the control over the creation of currency. The [DS] have been planning a major [FF] before the midterms, they cannot allow Trump win. Trump knows the playbook and is dismantling many of the pieces to the [FF] to limit what the [DS] has planned. Trump is building the narrative that he will be going into Chicago next. Trump messaged the people that everything is being put into place to win the midterms. Stage has now been set. Economy Governor Murphy's Green New Deal Exacerbates NJ Energy Crisis New Jerseyans are feeling the pain of higher electricity bills. They should blame Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for inviting this energy crisis. The BPU was slated to approve a 20% rate hike in June, but delayed the rate hike until September 30. On August 14, the BPU announced a $100 Residential Universal Bill Credit to help lower bills in September and October. This is a way to use taxes to disguise the cost of utility bills, but New Jerseyans are still shouldering these costs. When announcing this relief measure, Governor Murphy didn't accept responsibility for higher prices. Instead, he blamed PJM Interconnection, a grid operator servicing New Jersey and 12 other states, for creating a “cost crisis.” Earlier this summer, he urged residents to set their air conditioners to 76-78 degrees Fahrenheit and delay appliance usage until 8 p.m. But Garden Staters aren't buying what Murphy is selling. Since Governor Murphy entered office in 2017, six power plants—including five coal plants and Oyster Creek nuclear reactor—were shut down. This represents a loss of 2,500 megawatts (MW) of net capacity. As a result, the state consumes more energy than it produces. It imported 20% of its electricity from out-of-state power generators—namely, Pennsylvania. Imported electricity is more expensive due to higher fuel and transmission costs. One analysis found NJ's green “transition” “has outpaced its replacement infrastructure, raising concerns about grid stability, cost volatility, and energy independence.” Yet, there is no transition occurring. Natural gas and nuclear have cumulatively supplied over 90% of the state's net electricity generation since 2011. Renewables, including solar, barely supply 8%. But don't take my word for it. States with clean energy mandates—including renewable standard portfolios (RPS) that mandate electric utilities set renewable energy targets—generally have higher electricity costs compared to states without them. As of this writing, New Jersey electricity rates are the 12th most expensive in the nation, averaging 20.49¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh). That's 17.3% higher than the national average (17.47¢ per kWh). For context, the average American household uses about 10,800 kWh annually. Source: thegatewaypundit.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1961107774386934217 2024 $3.29
Episode Summary: In this episode, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Dorian Hunt, Partner and Head of Renewables at Leo Berwick, to unpack the new safe harbor rules, the impacts of the Big Beautiful Bill, and what's coming next in tax and policy guidance for renewable energy. Dorian also dives into repowering projects, economic obsolescence, co-location strategies, bonus depreciation, and solar industry trends. Dorian offers practical advice for developers and investors navigating today's fast-changing environment. Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MW of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MW of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Dorain Hunt Dorian leads Leo Berwick's Energy & Renewables tax practice. Dorian has 20 years of experience in tax credit monetization, with clients including renewable energy project developers, tax equity investors, project lenders, insurers and syndicators. Prior to joining Leo Berwick, he was a leader in the Power and Utilities and Energy Transition practices of a Big 4 firm, where he focused on providing tax consulting services with respect to tax credit-driven project finance across, with a focus on renewable energy. Dorian is a thought leader in the tax credit space and has authored articles on topics including the potential implications for “direct pay” of renewable energy tax incentives and on the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on the US renewable energy industry. He has also presented on these and other similar topics for organizations such as IPED, NARUC, and the Boston Bar Association. Dorian has experience with myriad energy incentive programs including Treasury 1603 grants, 48C advanced energy manufacturing studies, and the rapidly-developing field of 45Q carbon capture credits. Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Dorian Hunt Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorian-hunt/ Website: https://www.leoberwick.com/ Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/energy-transition-insider-7197296760090750976/
Electricity demand is expected to increase 25% by 2050. How can renewable energy sources in the US help fill the gap? Renewables will soon produce 25% of US electricity generation, and they've already surpassed coal as a share of output. How can renewables continue to meet the growing demand for energy, and what can we expect from emerging sources such as geothermal and fusion? Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, senior economist at The Conference Board, to find out why US energy usage is projected to increase, what's next for nuclear, solar, and wind, and why further efficiencies can be found by upgrading today's grid. For more from The Conference Board: · Endless Power Revisited: Recent Fusion Energy Breakthroughs & Near-Term Outlook · Blown Away: Overcoming Variability in Wind Power Key to a Decarbonized Grid · Under Ground: Geothermal Electricity's Potential as a Supplemental Power Source
The politics might change, but the science is clearer than ever. The planet is warming - and even faster than predicted - due to the emission of greenhouse gases. Faced with the facts, where do businesses, policymakers, and the rest of us go from here? We get the latest in climate science from Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and hear from Sumant Sinha, the head of India-based renewable energy company ReNew, on the outlook for business. The episode is co-hosted by Pim Valdre, head of the World Economic Forum's Climate Ambition Initiative and leader of the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders. To watch the video-podcast, head to: https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Links: Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders: https://initiatives.weforum.org/alliance-of-ceo-climate-leaders/ Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research: https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en/home ReNew: https://www.renew.com/ Related podcasts: Can climate action survive geopolitical upheaval? Humans rely on the ocean. Here's how both can thrive Breathe! The cities working together on air pollution and climate change Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub
Becky Diffen, head of the projects M&A team at Norton Rose Fulbright, talks about what to look for in renewable energy deal activity now that the One Big Beautiful Bill has been signed.
Stephen Grootes speaks to CEO of Mulilo, Jan Fourie about, balancing grid stability with climate goals. Fourie unpacks South Africa’s energy transition and why striking a balance between climate ambitions and grid realities is tougher than it seems. Decades-old infrastructure, once innovative, now requires re-engineering to serve a growing, more environmentally conscious population. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa Follow us on social media 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
My fellow pro-growth/progress/abundance Up Wingers,Global population growth is slowing, and it's not showing any signs of recovery. To the environmentalists of the 1970s, this may have seemed like a movement in the right direction. The drawbacks to population decline, however, are severe and numerous, and they're not all obvious.Today on Faster, Please! — The Podcast, I talk with economist and demographer Dean Spears about the depopulation trend that is transcending cultural barriers and ushering in a new global reality. We discuss the costs to the economy and human progress, and the inherent value of more people.Spears is an associate professor of economics at Princeton University where he studies demography and development. He is also the founding executive director of r.i.c.e., a nonprofit research organization seeking to uplift children in rural northern India. He is a co-author with Michael Geruso of After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People.In This Episode* Where we're headed (1:32)* Pumping the breaks (5:41)* A pro-parenting culture (12:40)* A place for AI (19:13)* Preaching to the pro-natalist choir (23:40)* Quantity and quality of life (28:48)Below is a lightly edited transcript of our conversation. Where we're headed (1:32). . . two thirds of people now live in a country where the birth rate is below the two children per two adults level that would stabilize the population.Pethokoukis: Who are you and your co-author trying to persuade and what are you trying to persuade them of? Are you trying to persuade them that global depopulation is a real thing, that it's a problem? Are you trying to persuade them to have more kids? Are you trying to persuade them to support a certain set of pro-child or pro-natalist policies?Spears: We are trying to persuade quite a lot of people of two important things: One is that global depopulation is the most likely future — and what global depopulation means is that every decade, every generation, the world's population will shrink. That's the path that we're on. We're on that path because birth rates are low and falling almost everywhere. It's one thing we're trying to persuade people of, that fact, and we're trying to persuade people to engage with a question of whether global depopulation is a future to welcome or whether we should want something else to happen. Should we let depopulation happen by default or could it be better to stabilize the global population at some appropriate level instead?We fundamentally think that this is a question that a much broader section of society, of policy discourse, of academia should be talking about. We shouldn't just be leaving this discussion to the population scientists, demographic experts, not only to the people who already are worried about, or talking about low birth rates, but this is important enough and unprecedented enough that everybody should be engaging in this question. Whatever your ongoing values or commitments, there's a place for you in this conversation.Is it your impression that the general public is aware of this phenomenon? Or are they still stuck in the '70s thinking that population is running amok and we'll have 30 billion people on this planet like was the scenario in the famous film, Soylent Green? I feel like the people I know are sort of aware that this is happening. I don't know what your experience is.I think it's changing fast. I think more and more people are aware that birth rates are falling. I don't think that people are broadly aware — because when you hear it in the news, you might hear that birth rates in the United States have fallen low or birth rates in South Korea have fallen low. I think what not everybody knows is that two thirds of people now live in a country where the birth rate is below the two children per two adults level that would stabilize the population.I think people don't know that the world's birth rate has fallen from an average around five in 1950 to about 2.3 today, and that it's still falling and that people just haven't engaged with the thought that there's no special reason to expect it to stop and hold it to. But the same processes that have been bringing birth rates down will continue to bring them down, and people don't know that there's no real automatic stabilizer to expect it to come back up. Of the 26 countries that have had the lifetime birth rate fall below 1.9, none of them have had it go back up to two.That's a lot of facts that are not as widely known as they should be, but then the implication of it, that if the world's birth rate goes below two and stays there, we're going to have depopulation generation after generation. I think for a lot of people, they're still in the mindset that depopulation is almost conceptually impossible, that either we're going to have population growth or something else like zero population growth like people might've talked about in the '70s. But the idea that a growth rate of zero is just a number and then that it's not going to stop there, it's going to go negative, I think that's something that a lot of people just haven't thought about.Pumping the breaks (5:41)We wrote this book because we hope that there will be an alternative to depopulation society will choose, but there's no reason to expect or believe that it's going happen automatically.You said there's no automatic stabilizers — at first take, that sounds like we're going to zero. Is there a point where the global population does hit a stability point?No, that's just the thing.So we're going to zero?Well, “there's no automatic stabilizer” isn't the same thing as “we're definitely going to zero.” It could be that society comes together and decides to support parenting, invest more in the next generation, invest more in parents and families, and do more to help people choose to be parents. We wrote this book because we hope that there will be an alternative to depopulation society will choose, but there's no reason to expect or believe that it's going happen automatically. In no country where the birth rate has gone to two has it just magically stopped and held there forever.I think a biologist might say that the desire to reproduce, that's an evolved drive, and even if right now we're choosing to have smaller families, that biological urge doesn't vanish. We've had population, fertility rates, rise and fall throughout history — don't you think that there is some sort of natural stabilizer?We've had fluctuations throughout history, but those fluctuations have been around a pretty long and pretty widely-shared downward trend. Americans might be mostly only now hearing about falling birth rates because the US was sort of anomalous amongst richer countries and having a relatively flat period from the 1970s to around 2010 or so, whereas birth rates were falling in other countries, they weren't falling in the US in the same way, but they were falling in the US before then, they're falling in the US since then, and when you plot it over the long history with other countries, it's clear that, for the world as a whole, as long as we've had records, not just for decades, but for centuries, we've seen birth rates be falling. It's not just a new thing, it's a very long-term trend.It's a very widely-shared trend because humans are unlike other animals in the important way that we make decisions. We have culture, we have rationality, we have irrationality, we have all of these. The reason the population grew is because we've learned how to keep ourselves and our children alive. We learned how to implement sanitation, implement antibiotics, implement vaccines, and so more of the children who were born survived even as the birth rate was falling all along. Other animals don't do that. Other animals don't invent sanitation systems and antibiotics and so I think that we can't just reason immediately from other animal populations to what's going to happen to humans.I think one can make a plausible case that, even if you think that this is a problem — and again, it's a global problem, or a global phenomenon, advanced countries, less-advanced countries — that it is a phenomenon of such sweep that if you're going to say we need to stabilize or slow down, that it would take a set of policies of equal sweep to counter it. Do those actually exist?No. Nobody has a turnkey solution. There's nothing shovel-ready here. In fact, it's too early to be talking about policy solutions or “here's my piece of legislation, here's what the government should do” because we're just not there yet, both in terms of the democratic process of people understanding the situation and there even being a consensus that stabilization, at some level, would be better than depopulation, nor are we there yet on having any sort of answer that we can honestly recommend as being tested and known to be something that will reliably stabilize the population.I think the place to start is by having conversations like this one where we get people to engage with the evidence, and engage with the question, and just sort of move beyond a reflexive welcoming of depopulation by default and start thinking about, well, what are the costs of people and what are the benefits of people? Would we be better off in a future that isn't depopulating over the long run?The only concrete step I can think of us taking right now is adapting the social safety net to a new demographic reality. Beyond that, it seems like there might have to be a cultural shift of some kind, like a large-scale religious revival. Or maybe we all become so rich that we have more time on our hands and decide to have more kids. But do you think at some point someone will have a concrete solution to bring global fertility back up to 2.1 or 2.2?Look at it like this: The UN projects that the peak will be about six decades from now in 2084. Of course, I don't have a crystal ball, I don't know that it's going to be 2084, but let's take that six-decades timeline seriously because we're not talking about something that's going to happen next year or even next decade.But six decades ago, people were aware that — or at least leading scientists and even some policymakers were aware that climate change was a challenge. The original computations by Arrhenius of the radiative forcing were long before that. You have the Johnson speech to Congress, you have Nixon and the EPA. People were talking about climate change as a challenge six decades ago, but if somebody had gotten on their equivalent of a podcast and said, “What we need to do is immediately get rid of the internal combustion engine,” they would've been rightly laughed out of the room because that would've been the wrong policy solution at that time. That would've been jumping to the wrong solution. Instead, what we needed to do was what we've done, which is the science, the research, the social change that we're now at a place where emissions per person in the US have been falling for 20 years and we have technologies — wind, and solar, and batteries — that didn't exist before because there have been decades of working on it.So similarly, over the next six decades, let's build the research, build the science, build the social movement, discover things we don't know, more social science, more awareness, and future people will know more than you and I do about what might be constructive responses to this challenge, but only if we start talking about it now. It's not a crisis to panic about and do the first thing that comes to mind. This is a call to be more thoughtful about the future.A pro-parenting culture (12:40)The world's becoming more similar in this important way that the difference across countries and difference across societies is getting smaller as birth rates converge downward.But to be clear, you would like people to have more kids.I would like for us to get on a path where more people who want to be parents have the sort of support, and environment, and communities they need to be able to choose that. I would like people to be thinking about all of this when they make their family decisions. I'd like the rest of us to be thinking about this when we pitch in and do more to help us. I don't think that anybody's necessarily making the wrong decision for themselves if they look around and think that parenting is not for them or having more children is not for them, but I think we might all be making a mistake if we're not doing more to support parents or to recognize the stake we have in the next generation.But all those sorts of individual decisions that seem right for an individual or for a couple, combined, might turn into a societal decision.Absolutely. I'm an economics professor. We call this “externalities,” where there are social benefits of something that are different from the private costs and benefits. If I decide that I want to drive and I contribute to traffic congestion, then that's an externality. At least in principle, we understand what to do about that: You share the cost, you share the benefits, you help the people internalize the social decision.It's tied up in the fact that we have a society where some people we think of as doing care work and some people we think of as doing important work. So we've loaded all of these costs of making the next generation on people during the years of their parenting and especially on women and mothers. It's understandable that, from a strictly economic point of view, somebody looks at that and thinks, “The private costs are greater than the private benefits. I'm not going to do that.” It's not my position to tell somebody that they're wrong about that. What you do in a situation like that is share and lighten that burden. If there's a social reason to solve traffic congestion, then you solve it with public policy over the long run. If the social benefits of there being a flourishing next generation are greater than people are finding in their own decision making, then we need to find the ways to invest in families, invest in parenting, lift and share those burdens so that people feel like they can choose to be parents.I would think there's a cultural component here. I am reminded of a book by Jonathan Last about this very issue in which he talks about Old Town Alexandria here in Virginia, how, if you go to Old Town, you can find lots of stores selling stuff for dogs, but if you want to buy a baby carriage, you can't find anything.Of course, that's an equilibrium outcome, but go on.If we see a young couple pushing a stroller down the street and inside they have a Chihuahua — as society, or you personally, would you see that and “Think that's wrong. That seems like a young couple living in a nice area, probably have plenty of dough, they can afford daycare, and yet they're still not going to have a kid and they're pushing a dog around a stroller?” Should we view that as something's gone wrong with our society?My own research is about India. My book's co-authored with Mike Geruso. He studies the United States more. I'm more of an expert on India.Paul Ehrlich, of course, begins his book, The Population Bomb, in India.Yes, I know. He starts with this feeling of being too crowded with too many people. I say in the book that I almost wonder if I know the exact spot where he has that experience. I think it's where one of my favorite shops are for buying scales and measuring tape for measuring the health of children in Uttar Pradesh. But I digress about Paul Ehrlich.India now, where Paul Ehrlich was worried about overpopulation, is now a society with an average birth rate below two kids per two adults. Even Uttar Pradesh, the big, disadvantaged, poor state where I do my work in research, the average young woman there says that they want an average of 1.9 children. This is a place where society and culture is pretty different from the United States. In the US, we're very accustomed to this story of work and family conflict, and career conflicts, especially for women, and that's probably very important in a lot of people's lives. But that's not what's going on in India where female labor force participation is pretty low. Or you hear questions about whether this is about the decline of religiosity, but India is a place where religion is still very important to a lot of people's lives. Marriage is almost universal. Marriage happens early. People start their childbearing careers in their early twenties, and you still see people having an average below two kids. They start childbearing young and they end childbearing young.Similarly, in Latin America, where religiosity, at least as reported in surveys, remains pretty high, but Latin America is at an average of 1.8, and it's not because people are delaying fertility until they're too old to get pregnant. You see a lot of people having permanent contraception surgery, tubal obligations.And so this cultural story where people aren't getting married, they're starting too late, they're putting careers first, it doesn't match the worldwide diversity. These diverse societies we're seeing are all converging towards low birth rates. The world's becoming more similar in this important way that the difference across countries and difference across societies is getting smaller as birth rates converge downward. So I don't think we can easily point towards any one cultural for this long-term and widely shared trend.A place for AI (19:13)If AI in the future is a compliment to what humans produce . . . if AI is making us more productive, then it's all the bigger loss to have fewer people.At least from an economic perspective, I think you can make the case: fewer people, less strain on resources, you're worried about workers, AI-powered robots are going to be doing a lot of work, and if you're worried about fewer scientists, the scientists we do have are going to have AI-powered research assistants.Which makes the scientists more important. Many technologies over history have been compliments to what humans do, not substitutes. If AI in the future is a compliment to what humans produce — scientific research or just the learning by doing that people do whenever they're engaging in an enterprise or trying to create something — if AI is making us more productive, then it's all the bigger loss to have fewer people.To me, the best of both worlds would be to have even more scientists plus AI. But isn't the fear of too few people causing a labor shortage sort of offset by AI and robotics? Maybe we'll have plenty of technology and capital to supply the workers we do have. If that's not the worry, maybe the worry is that the human experience is simply worse when there are fewer children around.You used the term “plenty of,” and I think that sort of assumes that there's a “good enough,” and I want to push back on that because I think what matters is to continue to make progress towards higher living standards, towards poverty alleviation, towards longer, better, healthier, safer, richer lives. What matters is whether we're making as much progress as we could towards an abundant, rich, safe, healthy future. I think we shouldn't let ourselves sloppily accept a concept of “good enough.” If we're not making the sort of progress that we could towards better lives, then that's a loss, and that matters for people all around the world.We're better off for living in a world with other people. Other people are win-win: Their lives are good for them and their lives are good for you. Part of that, as you say, is people on the supply side of the economy, people having the ideas and the realizations that then can get shared over and over again. The fact that ideas are this non-depletable resource that don't get used up but might never be discovered if there aren't people to discover them. That's one reason people are important on the supply side of the economy, but other people are also good for you on the demand side of the economy.This is very surprising because people think that other people are eating your slice of the pie, and if there are more other people, there's less for me. But you have to ask yourself, why does the pie exist in the first place? Why is it worth some baker's while to bake a pie that I could get a slice of? And that's because there were enough people wanting slices of pie to make it worth paying the fixed costs of having a bakery and baking a whole pie.In other words, you're made better off when other people want and need the same things that you want and need because that makes it more likely for it to exist. If you have some sort of specialized medical need and need specialized care, you're going to be more likely to find it in a city where there are more other people than in a less-populated rural place, and you're going to be more likely to find it in a course of history where there have been more other people who have had the same medical need that you do so that it's been worthwhile for some sort of cure to exist. The goodness of other people for you isn't just when they're creating things, it's also when they're just needing the same things that you do.And, of course, if you think that getting to live a good life is a good thing, that there's something valuable about being around to have good experiences, that a world of more people having good experiences has more goodness in it than a world of fewer people having good experiences in it. That's one thing that counts, and it's one important consideration for why a stabilized future might be better than a depopulating future. Now, I don't expect everyone to immediately agree with that, but I do think that the likelihood of depopulation should prompt us to ask that question.Preaching to the pro-natalist choir (23:40)If you are already persuaded listening to this, then go strike up a conversation with somebody.Now, listening to what you just said, which I thought was fantastic, you're a great explainer, that is wonderful stuff — but I couldn't help but think, as you explained that, that you end up spending a lot of time with people who, because they read the New York Times, they may understand that the '70s population fears aren't going to happen, that we're not going to have a population of 30 billion that we're going to hit, I don't know, 10 billion in the 2060s and then go down. And they think, “Well, that's great.”You have to spend a lot of time explaining to them about the potential downsides and why people are good, when like half the population in this country already gets it: “You say ‘depopulation,' you had us at the word, ‘depopulation.'” You have all these people who are on the right who already think that — a lot of people I know, they're there.Is your book an effective tool to build on that foundation who already think it's an issue, are open to policy ideas, does your book build on that or offer anything to those people?I think that, even if this is something that people have thought about before, a lot of how people have thought about it is in terms of pension plans, the government's budget, the age structure, the nearer-term balance of workers to retirees.There's plenty of people on the right who maybe they're aware of those things, but also think that it really is kind of a The Children of Men argument. They just think a world with more children is better. A world where the playgrounds are alive is better — and yes, that also may help us with social security, but there's a lot of people for whom you don't have to even make that economic argument. That seems to me that that would be a powerful team of evangelists — and I mean it in a nonreligious way — evangelists for your idea that population is declining and there are going to be some serious side effects.If you are already persuaded listening to this, then go strike up a conversation with somebody. That's what we want to have happen. I think minds are going to be changed in small batches on this one. So if you're somebody who already thinks this way, then I encourage you to go out there and start a conversation. I think not everybody, even people who think about population for a living — for example, one of the things that we engage with in the book is the philosophy of population ethics, or population in social welfare as economists might talk about it.There have been big debates there over should we care about average wellbeing? Should we care about total wellbeing? Part of what we're trying to say in the book is, one, we think that some of those debates have been misplaced or are asking what we don't think are the right questions, but also to draw people to what we can learn from thinking of where questions like this agree. Because this whole question of should we make the future better in total or make the better on average is sort of presuming this Ehrlich-style mindset that if the future is more populous, then it must be worse for each. But once you see that a future that's more populous is also more prosperous, it'd be better in total and better on average, then a lot of these debates might still have academic interest, but both ways of thinking about what would be a better future agree.So there are these pockets of people out there who have thought about this before, and part of what we're trying to do is bring them together in a unified conversation where we're talking about the climate modeling, we're talking about the economics, we're talking about the philosophy, we're talking about the importance of gender equity and reproductive freedom, and showing that you can think and care about all of these things and still think that a stabilized future might be better than depopulation.In the think tank world, the dream is to have an idea and then some presidential candidate adopts the idea and pushes it forward. There's a decent chance that the 2028 Republican nominee is already really worried about this issue, maybe someone like JD Vance. Wouldn't that be helpful for you?I've never spoken with JD Vance, but from my point of view, I would also be excited for India's population to stabilize and not depopulate. I don't see this as an “America First” issue because it isn't an America First issue. It's a worldwide, broadly-shared phenomenon. I think that no one country is going to be able to solve this all on its own because, if nothing else, people move, people immigrate, societies influence one another. I think it's really a broadly-shared issue.Quantity and quality of life (28:48)What I do feel confident about is that some stabilized size would be better than depopulation generation after generation, after generation, after generation, without any sort of leveling out, and I think that's the plan that we're on by default.Can you imagine an earth of 10 to 12 billion people at a sustained level being a great place to live, where everybody is doing far better than they are today, the poorest countries are doing better — can you imagine that scenario? Can you also imagine a scenario where we have a world of three to four billion, which is a way nicer place to live for everybody than it is today? Can both those scenarios happen?I don't see any reason to think that either of those couldn't be an equilibrium, depending on all the various policy choices and all the various . . .This is a very broad question.Exactly. I think it's way beyond the social science, economics, climate science we have right now to say “three billion is the optimal size, 10 billion is the optimal size, eight billion is the optimal size.” What I do feel confident about is that some stabilized size would be better than depopulation generation after generation, after generation, after generation, without any sort of leveling out, and I think that's the plan that we're on by default. That doesn't mean it's what's going to happen, I hope it's not what happens, and that's sort of the point of the conversation here to get more people to consider that.But let's say we were able to stabilize the population at 11 billion. That would be fine.It could be depending on what the people do.But I'm talking about a world of 11 billion, and I'm talking about a world where the average person in India is as wealthy as, let's say this is in the year 2080, 2090, and at minimum, the average person in India is as wealthy as the average American is today. So that's a big huge jump in wealth and, of course, environmentalism.And we make responsible environmental choices, whether that's wind, or solar, or nuclear, or whatever, I'm not going to be prescriptive on that, but I don't see any reason why not. My hope is that future people will know more about that question than I do. Ehrlich would've said that our present world of eight billion would be impossible, that we would've starved long before this, that England would've ceased to exist, I think is a prediction in his book somewhere.And there's more food per person on every continent. Even in the couple decades that I've been going to India, children are taller than they used to be, on average. You can measure it, and maybe I'm fooling myself, but I feel like I can see it. Even as the world's been growing more populous, people have been getting better off, poverty has been going down, the absolute number of people in extreme poverty has been going down, even as the world's been getting more populous. As I say, emissions per person have been going down in a lot of places.I don't see any in principle, reason, if people make the right decisions, that we couldn't have a sustainable, healthy, and good, large sustained population. I've got two kids and they didn't add to the hole in the ozone layer, which I would've heard about in school as a big problem in the '80s. They didn't add to acid rain. Why not? Because the hole in the ozone layer was confronted with the Montreal Protocol. The acid rain was confronted with the Clean Air Act. 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According to a recent report from Montel Analytics, the UK and Ireland curtailed GBP 152m of renewable energy in the first half of 2025.Is this counter productive to the UK's green and clean energy goals? Who foots the bill? Is the lack of adequate infrastructure in Europe's grid hindering the green energy transition?In this episode, Richard speaks to the author of the report and Renewable UK about how much curtailment is costing the industry, how it's affecting investments in wind power projects and why batteries are essential in storing excess green energy productionHost: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Gabriel Power - UK Reporter, Montel NewsGuests: Fintan Devenney - Senior Energy Analyst, Montel & Barnaby Wharton - Director of Future Electricity Systems, RenewableUKEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles
[01:02:23] USDA Subsidies for Solar on FarmlandUSDA's history of paying farmers to cover fertile land with solar panels is exposed, raising food cost concerns and linking to global green energy agendas. [01:07:37] Renewables, Grid Instability & Texas FreezeExplains how reliance on solar/wind caused Texas grid failures, drawing parallels with UK policies and arguing this is part of a coordinated global plan. [01:10:15] New Jersey Green Energy BacklashGovernor Murphy's energy plan sparks pushback as electricity costs skyrocket, with Democrats fleeing the policy ahead of elections. [01:13:41] AI Data Centers Fueling Energy CrisisRapid expansion of AI computing is blamed for tripling demand, worsening grid instability, and hiking business and household electricity bills. [01:24:32] AI Energy Use & Government SilenceSegment explores how ChatGPT-5 may use up to 20x more energy than earlier models. Despite climate rhetoric, regulators hide AI's electricity and water consumption because the state values AI's surveillance and control powers. [01:29:09] Inflation Lies & Rising CostsVegetables up 40%, coffee 25%, electricity climbing faster than inflation — but official stats mask reality. Trump pressures the Fed to drop rates while hidden costs distort the economy. [01:32:34] Data Centers & Universal Basic Income PushMassive power demand from AI/data centers spikes household electricity bills. Discussion links technocracy and neo-Marxist thinking, framing UBI as a tool for control rather than relief. [01:35:01] Karl Marx, Satan & Ideological RotDeep dive into Karl Marx's satanic writings and plays like Oulinem, tying communism's roots to spiritual rebellion and destruction. [01:41:11] Communitarianism & Smart Cities DeceptionExplains how technocracy is rebranded as “communitarianism” to sell surveillance, digital ID, and smart city control as “community-driven” initiatives, masking authoritarian goals. [02:05:11] Lisa Cook Mortgage CaseAllegations that Fed Governor Lisa Cook claimed two “primary residences” to secure better mortgage terms, raising conflict-of-interest concerns. [02:08:26] Musk Backs VanceElon Musk abandons third-party flirtation and throws support behind J.D. Vance, framed as cementing Silicon Valley/Thiel technocracy ties. [02:19:44] GOP Closet ScandalsReports of Grindr spikes at GOP events fuel arguments about hypocrisy in a party accused of shielding abusers while posturing on morality. [02:42:17] Glyphosate & GagsNova Scotia approves mass glyphosate spraying while curbing public access; paralleled with EU “media freedom” rules forcing platforms to boost establishment outlets. [02:57:24] Stablecoin Power GrabStablecoins and Tether framed as Trojan horses for bank surveillance, interest extraction, and eventual replacement of local cash economies. Follow the show on Kick and watch live every weekday 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST https://kick.com/davidknightshow Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHTFind out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.
[01:02:23] USDA Subsidies for Solar on FarmlandUSDA's history of paying farmers to cover fertile land with solar panels is exposed, raising food cost concerns and linking to global green energy agendas. [01:07:37] Renewables, Grid Instability & Texas FreezeExplains how reliance on solar/wind caused Texas grid failures, drawing parallels with UK policies and arguing this is part of a coordinated global plan. [01:10:15] New Jersey Green Energy BacklashGovernor Murphy's energy plan sparks pushback as electricity costs skyrocket, with Democrats fleeing the policy ahead of elections. [01:13:41] AI Data Centers Fueling Energy CrisisRapid expansion of AI computing is blamed for tripling demand, worsening grid instability, and hiking business and household electricity bills. [01:24:32] AI Energy Use & Government SilenceSegment explores how ChatGPT-5 may use up to 20x more energy than earlier models. Despite climate rhetoric, regulators hide AI's electricity and water consumption because the state values AI's surveillance and control powers. [01:29:09] Inflation Lies & Rising CostsVegetables up 40%, coffee 25%, electricity climbing faster than inflation — but official stats mask reality. Trump pressures the Fed to drop rates while hidden costs distort the economy. [01:32:34] Data Centers & Universal Basic Income PushMassive power demand from AI/data centers spikes household electricity bills. Discussion links technocracy and neo-Marxist thinking, framing UBI as a tool for control rather than relief. [01:35:01] Karl Marx, Satan & Ideological RotDeep dive into Karl Marx's satanic writings and plays like Oulinem, tying communism's roots to spiritual rebellion and destruction. [01:41:11] Communitarianism & Smart Cities DeceptionExplains how technocracy is rebranded as “communitarianism” to sell surveillance, digital ID, and smart city control as “community-driven” initiatives, masking authoritarian goals. [02:05:11] Lisa Cook Mortgage CaseAllegations that Fed Governor Lisa Cook claimed two “primary residences” to secure better mortgage terms, raising conflict-of-interest concerns. [02:08:26] Musk Backs VanceElon Musk abandons third-party flirtation and throws support behind J.D. Vance, framed as cementing Silicon Valley/Thiel technocracy ties. [02:19:44] GOP Closet ScandalsReports of Grindr spikes at GOP events fuel arguments about hypocrisy in a party accused of shielding abusers while posturing on morality. [02:42:17] Glyphosate & GagsNova Scotia approves mass glyphosate spraying while curbing public access; paralleled with EU “media freedom” rules forcing platforms to boost establishment outlets. [02:57:24] Stablecoin Power GrabStablecoins and Tether framed as Trojan horses for bank surveillance, interest extraction, and eventual replacement of local cash economies. Follow the show on Kick and watch live every weekday 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST https://kick.com/davidknightshow Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHTFind out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.
In April, Spain suffered a nationwide blackout that lasted nearly a full day. It was a traumatic event for one of Europe’s fastest adopters of solar power, tripling capacity in just five years. The outage sparked a big question: Was solar to blame? And what will it take to avoid blackouts in the renewables era? Bloomberg Green’s Laura Millan joins Akshat Rathi on Zero to unpack the lessons from the Iberian Peninsula and the technologies that could make such blackouts a thing of the past. Explore further: The Fix for Solar Power Blackouts Is Already Here Past episodes of the Bottlenecks Series The Green Transition Needs More Workers There Aren’t Enough Cables to Meet Growing Electricity Demand The One Device Throttling the World’s Electrified Future Zero is a production of Bloomberg Green. Our producer is Oscar Boyd. Special thanks to Eleanor Harrison Dengate, Siobhan Wagner, Sommer Saadi and Mohsis Andam. Thoughts or suggestions? Email us at zeropod@bloomberg.net. For more coverage of climate change and solutions, visit https://www.bloomberg.com/green.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Allen, Phil, and Rosemary continue the discussion from Tuesday's episode, diving into renewables opposition and TPI's financial situation. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard's StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes' YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! Welcome to Uptime, spotlight, shining light on wind. Energy's brightest innovators. This is the progress powering tomorrow. Allen Hall: So what we're talking to energy, everything is difficult, so we wind and solar can be difficult to make money in. But some of the discussion about moving back to coal or, or moving back to older sources of electricity generation, their money losers too. Rosemary Barnes: Yeah, probably even more efficient money losers. And on a larger scale, you know, at least wind and solar, you could lose, lose money a little bit at a time and you don't lose money on the operation. Um, you know, it's, it's all in the, the, the capital cost. Whereas coal can lose money ev every single, every single day that the plane operates. So I [00:01:00]guess that that's, uh, yeah, that's true. It's not as, not as bad as that. Allen Hall: So is there a industry fix or is there a hope for the future? Right now, I don't see it. Rosemary Barnes: I was reading this book for a little while and I stopped reading 'cause I, um, it had some good ideas, but it wasn't like totally rigorous in its, um, exploration of all the ideas. I think it's called The Price is Wrong, or something like that. And it's about how like, it's not possible to have a renewables industry that isn't subsidized by the government. And, um, there's some, I I, I think that there's some truth to that, but I would replace. That there's, it's impossible to have a renewables industry if that's not subsidized. Rather say it's impossible to have an electricity system that's not subsidized in some way by the government. Um, and yeah, I mean, just rec recognize that and maybe we don't need to to fight that, but, um, it, it is always turns like so tribal that everyone's arguing over who's got the more subsidies or who's. More dependent on subsidies. Um, yeah, it'd be easier [00:02:00] if we could all, you know, get on the same page about climate change and just acknowledge what we needed to do. But, you know, if, if wind and solar power never came along and we didn't care about climate change, then we'd still be subsidizing, uh, yeah, like coal and, and gas and, uh, all the transmission and, uh, I don't know, infrastructure. You need to transport those fossil fuels around. Like, you know, we'd, we'd still be subsidizing because people still need electricity and still get upset if it's, um, you know. So expensive that you are stuck, you know, choosing whether you want to eat this week or heat your home this week. So, Allen Hall: well, is it because electricity was late to the game? The railroads sort of blew through the United States and everywhere else in the world because it was easy. It missed Australia, but yeah, would would've been nice. Allen Hall: But here, here in America, the railroads pretty much owned most of America very quickly. Uh, and got it done before there was any real. Feedback like they would be today, as soon as you wanna put a transmission tower in somebody's farm field.[00:03:00] Huge, huge uproar. States are involved, senators are involved. The government's all over it. There's committee meetings. Everything gets really slowed down versus 1860s. It just happened. Rosemary Barnes: But I think the difference as well, like it's not like transmission didn't have these obstacles the first time around, right?
Send me a messageIn this week's replay episode of the Climate Confident Podcast, I bring back one of my favourite conversations from earlier this year - my discussion with Jarand Rystad, founder and CEO of Rystad Energy, about the global energy transition and whether we're truly moving fast enough to meet climate targets.Jarand makes a compelling case that the shift to renewables isn't just about climate, it's driven by the simple economics of cheaper, better technologies. Solar, wind, and batteries are already beating fossil fuels on cost, and countries like China are proving just how fast this transition can accelerate. In fact, they've already hit their 2030 renewable targets six years early, while the US risks ceding leadership in the technologies of the future.We explore the three pillars of decarbonisation - clean electricity, widespread electrification, and tackling the “last 20%” of hard-to-abate emissions through hydrogen, CCS, and sustainable fuels. Jarand also dives into the overlooked challenges: from aviation's limited options to land-use pressures, long-duration storage, and the politics that can either speed us up or hold us back.One of my favourite takeaways? The transition isn't a question of if, but how fast. Policy choices, investment in disruptive technologies, and global competition will decide whether we land closer to 2°C or push down towards 1.5°C of warming.If you missed this episode the first time round, now's the time to catch up. And if you did hear it before, I promise - it's well worth a second listen.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing supporters: Jerry Sweeney Andreas Werner Stephen Carroll Roger Arnold And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one.ContactIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show. CreditsMusic credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper
SRI360 | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing
We've spent decades talking about the shift to renewables – building more wind, more solar, more clean energy capacity. And that's important. But it's also only half the story.Because once that energy is generated, what happens next is where things start to get complicated – how it's stored, how it's moved, and how much of it actually gets used. Right now, the answer to that last question is… not much. In fact, the majority of global energy still gets lost before it ever reaches an end user.This week, we're revisiting two past conversations – both of them centered on the part of the energy transition most people don't see.One looks at the massive, under-addressed problem of energy waste – and the business models turning that waste into investment-grade infrastructure. The other zooms in on large-scale battery storage and what it takes to keep a renewable-heavy grid stable.These are two very different approaches to the same problem: not just how we generate clean energy, but how we manage it after it's made. Because if we don't solve that part, the rest doesn't work.Here are the featured guests:Jonathan Maxwell, Founding Partner and CEO of Sustainable Development Capital (SDCL)Jonathan Maxwell founded SDCL with a simple observation: the world isn't just short on clean energy – it's wasting most of the energy it already has. While the market poured trillions into new renewables, Jonathan zeroed in on the overlooked half of the story: how energy is used, moved, and lost before it ever reaches the point of need.He started SDCL in 2007 as an advisory shop, designing environmental infrastructure funds for clients like HSBC and the World Bank. But by 2012, the firm became an investor, building and financing projects that cut waste, generate energy on-site, and make buildings, industry, and transport far more efficient.Today, SDCL manages $2.5 billion in assets across over 50,000 properties in 10 countries. Their portfolio spans projects from industrial heat recovery to citywide biogas and low-carbon power for data centers. The common thread is delivering cheaper, cleaner, more reliable energy, without requiring customers to put up the capital themselves.Full episodeBen Guest, the Managing Director of Gresham House New Energy Division, Gresham House Energy Storage FundBen Guest leads Gresham House's New Energy Division, home to the UK's largest battery storage portfolio. His team controls close to a quarter of the market – a position built on one core idea: if renewables are going to power the future, they need somewhere to live when the sun's not shining and the wind's not blowing.Battery storage is that missing piece. Because wind and solar don't produce power all the time. But the grid still has to stay balanced every second of every day. That's what these battery projects do – they take in power when there's too much, release it when there's not enough, and do it over and over, many times a day.Ben's team is hands-on from start to finish. They find sites near key substations, secure planning and grid connections, oversee construction, run operations, and work with optimizers to trade power for the best returns.At the time of this conversation, they were managing more than £1.4 billion, with returns well above their 10% target for two years in a row.Full episode—Connect with SRI360°:Sign up for the free weekly email updateVisit the SRI360° PODCASTVisit the SRI360° WEBSITEFollow SRI360° on XFollow SRI360° on FACEBOOK
The New York Power Authority is holding hearings on its proposal to build 7 GW of renewable electricity to meet the mandates of the Build Public Renewables Act. Climate activists want that target increased to 15 GW. We hear first from Robert Ciesielski of the NYS Sierra Club Energy Committee; Michael Richardson of Third Act Upstate; Jeanne Bergman of Sane Energy Project; and Anne Erling of Albany of the Climate Reality Project. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.
This is a re-release of the legendary interview by Michael Barnard of Pr Bent Flyvbjerg on our sister show ”Redefining Energy Tech” Professor Bent Flyvbjerg, an expert on megaprojects and author of How Big Things Get Done, shares insights from a database of over 16,000 projects, revealing that 99.5% fail to meet expectations in budget, timeline, or benefits.He stresses the value of learning from successful projects, especially in renewable energy, where solar, wind, and transmission projects outperform nuclear power, which suffers from regulatory hurdles and skill shortages.Flyvbjerg introduces key concepts like modularity, repeatability, and the “window of doom”—the critical early phase when delays can derail projects. He contrasts fast, modular successes like the Tesla Gigafactory with slow, complex projects like nuclear plants and the Olympics.The episode also compares pumped hydro and battery storage, highlighting the role of risk management, stakeholder alignment, and using data-based heuristics to guide project decisions. Listeners are encouraged to understand base rates, study variance charts (especially Chapter 9 of Flyvbjerg's book), and develop their own heuristics for better megaproject outcomes.
In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the 2024 AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award, is joined by Andrew McHattie, editor of the Investment Trusts Newsletter. This discussion was recorded on Friday 15 August 2025. *** Out now: The 2025 Investment Trusts Handbook *** The Investment Trusts Handbook is an independent educational publication designed to provide investors with a handy annual reference book that summarises all you need to know about investment trusts. Now in its eighth year, the Handbook is a high-quality, full-colour hardback of more than 340 pages, the largest yet, with reviews of the past year, extensive interviews and commentary, plus nearly 80 pages of “how to” information and performance data. Available to order from Harriman House (https://harriman-house.com/ithb2025) or Amazon. There is also a free e-book version you can read on a PC, tablet or smartphone, plus an audiobook version. *** Section Timestamps: 0:00:24 - Introduction 0:00:35 - Third Point Offshore Investors (TPOU( 0:08:39 - Merger of AVI Japanese Opportunity Trust (AJOT) and Fidelity Japan Trust (FJV) 0:15:23 - The Japanese sector 0:18:11 - A short break 0:19:17 - Bellevue Healthcare (BBH) 0:23:31 - Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (USA) 0:27:03 - Smithson (SSON) 0:32:00 - Renewables trusts 0:38:58 - BlackRock Throgmorton Trust (THRG) 0:45:05 - Close If you enjoy the weekly podcast, you may also find value in joining The Money Makers Circle. This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year. This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Gresham House Energy Storage (GRID). Future profiles include abrdn New India (ANII) and Lindsell Train Investment Trust (LTI). While there is no new video this week, subscribers can still see the latest in the Trust of the Week series, looking at Utilico Emerging Markets (UEM). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector. For more information please visit money-makers.co/membership-join. Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 290 podcasts since launch. You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk. Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk
Eco Wave Power Global (NASDAQ: WAVE) is proving that ocean waves can power the world.In this in-depth interview, Founder & CEO Inna Braverman and Co-Founder David Leb share how the company is making history with the upcoming Port of Los Angeles pilot, the first onshore wave energy project in the United States. They reveal how this milestone could open the door to commercial-scale deployment nationwide while growing a 400+ MW global pipeline with projects in Israel, Portugal, Taiwan, and India. Discover their partnerships with Shell and Bharat Petroleum, R&D breakthroughs aimed at matching solar's cost while producing power around the clock, and their commitment to creating jobs and new industries in every community they enter.Learn more about Eco Wave Power Global: https://www.ecowavepower.com/Watch the full YouTube interview here: https://youtu.be/rKqZmxZNFwUAnd follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalOneMedia?sub_confirmation=1
In this Order Pad episode of Talk Money To Me, Felicity and Candice dive deep into one of the most under-appreciated parts of the AI boom – the massive energy infrastructure buildout powering data centres, high-performance computing, and the next wave of digital transformation.Recorded: 12 August 2025What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why AI is driving a global energy crunch — and what policymakers and investors are missing.The investment case for Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR) – the grid-modernising compounder wiring up hyperscale data centres.Why Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) is a high-risk, high-reward play on LNG expansion and the nuclear renaissance.Candice's bullish pair trade: Vertiv Holdings (NYSE: VRT) + Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX) – how to combine “picks & shovels” hardware with prime AI-data-centre real estate.The Energy Infrastructure Opportunity Map – from LNG leaders to uranium miners – and how they fit into the AI and electrification megatrend.Key Themes & Insights:Global electricity demand jumped 4% in 2024, outpacing total energy demand growth.Renewables are growing fast – but fossil fuels still supply 60% of new demand as AI, EVs, and electrification drive consumption higher.Why gas, LNG, and nuclear are seeing renewed momentum in policy and capital markets.How to position your portfolio for double-digit potential upside from the AI-energy convergence.Whether you're looking for steady compounders or cyclical high-upside plays, this episode is packed with actionable ideas, real-world context, and portfolio strategy for the rest of 2025.Perfect for: Investors, traders, and anyone curious about the intersection of AI, energy, and infrastructure – and how to profit from it.Follow Talk Money To Me on Instagram, or send Candice and Felicity an email with all your thoughts here. Felicity Thomas and Candice Bourke are Senior Advisers at Shaw and Partners, and you can find out more here. *****In the spirit of reconciliation, Equity Mates Media and the hosts of Talk Money To Me acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today. *****Talk Money To Me is a product of Equity Mates Media. This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697.Talk Money To Me is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
‘Abundance v Sufficiency: Dawn of Justice' T-Shirt Edition With a sufficiency of sufficiency-themed t-shirts now on the streets, the universe is out of balance and your intrepid hosts need to balance the sufficiency yin with an abundance yang! And OH BOY did we have an abundance of abundance-themed t-shirt ideas for you. YOU need not have Abundance FOMO any longer. Run, don't walk to our merch page and grab the limited edition Abundance tee: www.letmesumup.net/p/merch/.—It's Productivity Palooza 2025 and invited to the hottest party in town (this here podcast of course) is the one and only Alison Reeve who joins your intrepid hosts in a Productivity Commission report launch party! Landing in Jim Chalmers' hot little hands before the big Economic Reform Roundtable in Canberra (the other hottest party in town), the PC's interim report, “Investing in Cheaper, Cleaner Energy and the Net Zero Transformation” has a grab bag of ideas: Adaptation - getting its moment, finally! Approvals - strike teams and make em' fast! Carbon pricing - safeguard harder! Also check out this excellent OpEd from Alison in the AFR.Our main courseI'm Wonky But I'm Worth It might have been the unofficial subtitle of the latest contribution to reform of the National Electricity Market by expert panel Tim Nelson, Paula Conboy, Ava Hancock and Phil Hirschhorn. That's right, your intrepid hosts evidently didn't have anything else to do last weekend than consume the 220-page elephant of the “National Electricity Market wholesale market settings review” draft report (we did, but we read it anyway – you're welcome). While heavy on financial jargon, we wonder whether this might be the political bullet proof vest this policy needs, lest the ESEM join the acronym soup grave of NEM review solutions past! Targeted upgrades to existing architecture across the spot market (visibility of DER!), medium-term derivatives (more liquidity via market-making obligations!) and long-term investment signals (enter, Electricity Services Entry Mechanism!) with a partridge in a pear tree and consumer reforms (the epilogue that Frankie thinks deserves a prologue). One more thingsTennant's One More Thing is: the greatest movie ever made!? WARNING: 3.5 hours and carbon monoxide poisoning awaits.Frankie's One More Thing is: a watching brief on the expert panel on atmospheric measurement of fugitive methane emissions in Australia, chaired by former chief scientist Dr Cathy Foley, and just how this might contribute to policy - Global Methane Pledge, ahem!Alison's One More Thing is: is the gas network problem solving itself? A Victorian gas utility helping customers go all-electric feels like cause for celebration in putting consumers first!Luke's One More Thing is: a shout out and salute to outgoing Clean Energy Council CEO Kane Thornton, for his tireless work supporting and leading the growth of Australia's renewables industry and for being an all-round awesome human. Go well and see you soon Kane!And that's it for now, Summerupperers. There is now a one-stop-shop for all your LMSU needs: head toletmesumup.netto support us on Patreon, procure merch, find back episodes, and leave us a voicemail!
Join Guy Ruddle for the fifth and final episode in the third Savills Earth podcast series. In this special Next Gen episode, Georgios Askounis (Director, Savills Earth Advisory) steps in for regular co-host Marylis Ramos and is joined by Olivia Sutcliffe (Associate Director, Social Value), Aidan Richardson (Associate, Impact Assessment), and Luisa Mostarda (Associate, Energy, Renewables and Infrastructure). Together, they explore the power of collaboration in driving meaningful and lasting impact. From what we measure to the outcomes we create, this episode dives into why working together is essential for shaping a more sustainable future.
Just under a third of electricity came from renewables in July, the first month of a new coal-free era for Ireland's power system. Provisional data from electricity grid operator EirGrid shows that 32% of electricity came from wind, grid-scale solar and other renewable sources last month. Wind energy met 24% of total demand, with 6% coming from solar. July saw another significant peak in grid-connected solar generation with a new record of 798 MW registered, up 30 MW from the previous record. July also marked the first full month in which coal did not feature in Ireland's electricity fuel mix, after its use was discontinued at Moneypoint in June after 40 years. Gas was the single largest source of electricity generation in July at 51%, with imports at 15%. Overall electricity system demand stood at 2,734 GWh (Gigawatt Hours) for July. Once again, fluctuations in electricity demand were noticeable during this year's GAA All-Ireland finals last month, with increases of around 80 MW coinciding with half-times as viewers switched on kettles and other appliances during breaks in play. Investment in the electricity grid, such as that announced in the National Development Plan last month, will be vital for enabling the necessary upgrades and reinforcements to the grid to ensure it is resilient and capable of accommodating greater amounts of renewable energy in future. Commenting on the data, Diarmaid Gillespie, Director of System Operations at EirGrid, said: "As the power system marked the first full month of a new coal-free era, we've continued to see new milestones set for grid-scale solar power with the peak now standing at just below the 800 Megawatt mark as of July - a figure that may still be surpassed over the coming months."
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What are you hopeful about? Is it okay to drive a semi-truck? Do you dare me to read Merchants of Doubt in a week? In this very special episode, Rollie and Nicole answer these questions and also other questions from our super cool and fun Patreon community. BONUS EPISODES available on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/deniersplaybook) SOCIALS & MORE (https://linktr.ee/deniersplaybook) WANT TO ADVERTISE WITH US? Please contact sponsors@multitude.productions CREDITS Created by: Rollie Williams, Nicole Conlan & Ben BoultHosts: Rollie Williams & Nicole ConlanExecutive Producer: Ben Boult Editors: Paul Ramsdell & Laura ConteProducers: Daniella Philipson, Irene PlagianosFact Checking: Canute HaroldsonMusic: Tony Domenick Art: Jordan Doll Special Thanks: The Civil Liberties Defense CenterSOURCESAhmed, N., & Harlan, C. (2025, April 12). Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change. The Washington Post.Climate Town. (2023, July 17). Parking Laws Are Strangling America | Climate Town. Www.youtube.com.Edwards, B. (2025, July 12). The A-list passengers who have swapped luxury travel for humble public transport as Dua Lipa was pictured travelling via Kings Cross. Mail Online; Daily Mail.Ekin Karasin. (2025, June 4). Noel Gallagher stuns London commuters as Oasis star spotted on Tube. The Standard; Evening Standard.Grabar, H. (2023). Paved Paradise. Penguin.Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Random House.Kenner, R. (2014). Merchants of Doubt. Www.documentaryarea.com.Mau, V. (2025, March 14). Domestic Market Penetration Rate for New EV Cars Exceeded 50% for Seven Consecutive Months - Climate Scorecard. Climate Scorecard.Nolan, H. (2025, July 15). When Do You Need to Quit Your Job? Hamiltonnolan.com; How Things Work.Oreskes, N., & Conway, E. M. (2010). Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming. Bloomsbury.Romm, J. (2022). Climate Change: What Everyone Needs to Know. New York: Oxford University Press.Shoup, D. C. (2017). The High Cost of Free Parking. London and New York: Routledge.Singh, A. (2025, June 29). Viral Map Shows Paris' Pollution Drop As City Trades Cars For Bike Lanes. NDTV.Taylor, A. (2025, July 10). The Atlantic. The Atlantic; theatlantic.Ulin, D. L. (2015). Sidewalking: Coming to Terms with Los Angeles. University of California Press.Valente, D. (2024, November 7). NYC Subway Ridership Reaches A Record One Billion In 2024. Secret NYC.William Rosales, D. (2025, February 26). Why California High-Speed Rail is Over Budget And Delayed — And What We Should Do About It. David William Rosales.Woodruff, C. (2025). X (Formerly Twitter).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
David Suzuki stuns with a message of climate defeat—but is he right? Brian and James unpack Suzuki's pessimism and a powerful rebuttal from climate politics professor Donald Wright, who says the fight is not over. Also this week: Germany hits a heat pump milestone, surpassing gas boiler sales for the first time.
In this episode of the Energy Newsbeat Daily Standup, Stuart Turley and Michael Tanner compare the profitability and investor returns of oil and gas versus renewables, noting fossil fuels delivered over $349 billion to shareholders in 2024 while renewables lag without subsidies. They discuss hidden costs of wind turbine dismantling, the looming end of renewable tax credits, and geopolitical tensions—from Russian refinery drone strikes to potential U.S. sanctions on India and China—that could disrupt global oil markets. The show also covers corporate strategy amid low oil prices, a bizarre CEO ouster at Sentinel Peak Resources, and political developments in Texas.Subscribe to Our Substack For Daily InsightsWant to Add Oil & Gas To Your Portfolio? Fill Out Our Oil & Gas Portfolio SurveyNeed Power For Your Data Center, Hospital, or Business?Follow Stuart On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuturley/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/STUARTTURLEY16Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelta... and Twitter: https://twitter.com/mtanner_1Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:15 - What is the Difference Between Oil, Gas and Wind, Solar and Hydrogen?05:07 - New Study Finds Wind-Turbine Dismantling Costs Are More Than Claimed, and There Is a Crisis Looming07:20 - Russia's Gasoline Prices Surge After Refinery Hit by Drones09:39 - U.S. to Scale Iran's Sanctions Through Finance Channels Impacting China13:25 - Markets Update14:48 - Coterra's Earnings: Preparing for the Oil Price Rebound16:46 - CEO of Denver-based oil and gas company says he was subject of ‘sham investigation'20:59 - OutroLinks to articles discussed:What is the Difference Between Oil, Gas and Wind, Solar and Hydrogen?New Study Finds Wind-Turbine Dismantling Costs Are More Than Claimed, and There Is a Crisis LoomingRussia's Gasoline Prices Surge After Refinery Hit by DronesU.S. to Scale Iran's Sanctions Through Finance Channels Impacting China
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This is Summer time, so we publish some contents that we have created on other channelsA few weeks ago, Gerard came on the ”Clean Titans”The YouTube channel “Clean Titans” focused on clean energy, is hosted by Sam Evans, known as The Clean Energy Guy. His content dives into clean energy topics with enthusiasm, aiming to educate and inspire viewers about sustainable solutions.Gerard talks about “Energy Disruptions” and you can watch him here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5LGTcT-EOw
Episode Overview In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, I speak with Lee Keshishian, the Founder & CEO of Civic Renewables. We dive into his 18+ year journey in residential solar—from founding Clean Currents to scaling Tesla/SolarCity's East Coast operations and now building a national network of trusted local solar installers. Lee shares insights on what it takes to grow resilient clean energy businesses and how Civic is raising the bar for solar quality and local impact. Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies. He has extensive project origination, development, and financial experience in the renewable energy industry and in the environmental commodities market. This includes initial site evaluation, permitting, financing, sourcing equipment, and negotiating the long-term energy and environmental commodities off-take agreements. He manages due diligence processes on land, permitting, and utility interconnection and is in charge of financing and structuring through Note to Proceed (“NTP”) to Commercial Operation Date (“COD”). Benoy composes teams suitable for all project development and construction tasks. He is also involved in project planning and pipeline financial modeling. He has been part of all sides of the transaction and this allows him to provide unique perspectives and value. Benoy has extensive experience in financial engineering to make solar projects profitable. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity to move into the east coast markets. Benoy was the Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners which is a national solar installer where he focused on project finance solutions for commercial scale solar projects. He also worked for Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund, where he analyzed potential investments in renewable energy projects and worked on maximizing the financial return of the projects in the portfolio. Benoy also worked on the sale of all of the renewable energy projects in Ridgewood's portfolio. He was in the Energy Structured Finance practice for Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services practice at Ernst & Young. Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. He has a MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from the Stern School of Business at New York University. Benoy was an Alumni Scholar at the Stern School of Business. Leon “Lee” Keshishian Experienced solar executive and entrepreneur with 18+ years leading growth in clean energy. Founder of Civic Renewables, building a national network of trusted local solar providers with centralized support for operations, procurement, training, and long-term service. Previously led East Coast operations at SolarCity/Tesla, scaling to 40+ locations and 4,000+ employees. As COO of Palmetto Solar, helped drive 400% growth and partnerships with 50+ local companies. Former CEO of Autosled and co-founder of Clean Currents Solar. Passionate about empowering local businesses, delivering long-term value to homeowners, and accelerating the energy transition through quality, service, and trust. Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Lee Keshishian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonjkeshishian/ Website: https://civicrenewables.com
Roger visits the Pipelife Academy in Cork, Ireland, to discuss heat pumps and renewable energy technology with Mike Geary.
Join Guy Ruddle and Marylis Ramos, Director of Savills Earth Advisory Services, alongside Nick Green, Head of Savills Energy, Infrastructure and Renewables, Harry Ramsey, Associate, Savills Planning and Rosie Vetter, Head of Development at VOLTALIA UK, in the fourth episode of the third Savills Earth podcast series.In this episode, we explore the rapidly evolving landscape of the UK's renewable energy market as it charges toward the Clean Power 2030 target. With the government aiming for a fully decarbonised electricity system by the end of the decade, we unpack the major reforms shaping the sector. Will they unlock the full potential of wind, solar and storage or could uncertainty and investor risk slow progress when momentum is needed most?
Today, we do a deep dive into the role and challenges of a transaction lawyer in the energy transition. And why lawyering in the energy transition is lawyering on hard mode? What are the sources of complexity? What are the pain points about getting a project developed? How has current policy volatility impacted the energy transition particularly in the US? And what might the future hold? Our guest is Daniel Anziska.Daniel is an infrastructure and regulatory lawyer and partner at Troutman Pepper Locke ,a leading US energy transition infrastructure law firm.
Plus: Energy analysts call US-EU deal 'pie in the sky' ... EPA targets endangerment finding ... PJM looks for answers ... Electricity output and prices hit record highsSign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief
On July 7th, Gerard and Laurent were invited to appear on the U.S. podcast Open Circuit, alongside Jigar Shah, Katherine Hamilton, and Stephen Lacey. It was an emotional reunion—Jigar and Katherine were part of the original Energy Gang, the very show that inspired us to create our own.We had a rich, two-part conversation. The first part revisited the Spanish blackouts, a topic we had already explored in Episode 185. The second part delved into Europe's energy security and the evolving dynamic between “Petrostates” and “Electrostates”—the main focus of this episode.Twenty years ago, Europe and the U.S. shared a broadly aligned energy landscape. But the rise of American energy dominance has since driven a wedge between the two, contributing to today's political fractures across the Atlantic.Together, the five of us explored the implications of this growing misalignment—and where we might go from here. It was a passionate and thought-provoking discussion.
Texas is an oddity in the western electricity world: fastest growing load, ultra-low prices, crazy development of renewables. Texas consumes now more power than France, despite having only half the population. Prices are a factor 4 lower compared to 20 years ago. And 90% of additional load has been provided by Wind and Solar, despite the permanent attacks from the fossil fuel lobby.To make sense of the current situation in Texas, and also talk about the future, with unbelievable projections, full of AI and Datacentres, we have the pleasure of welcoming Arusha Sharma Frank.Arushi Sharma Frank is an energy policy expert with deep expertise in distributed energy resources (DERs) and virtual power plants (VPPs). She pioneered ERCOT frameworks for grid-integrated VPPs and the integration of batteries on the Grid, while at Tesla where she worked between 2020 and 2024. Arushi was a key architect of the Texas Public Utility Commission's Aggregated DER pilot, enhancing grid resilience post-Winter Storm Uri. The Lone Star State is at the crossroads: will the additional load arrive? Are the renewables in danger? Can fossil fuels make a come-back, or are we seeing this wrongly, as the new model suggest that it is all about flexibility.Finally, the best source for information on renewable energy in Texas is Doug Lewin: www.douglewin.com
Renewable energy (including low-carbon sources like solar and wind) is rapidly shifting to a higher profile sector of the way Americans derive electricity to power homes and workplaces. To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.
Dr. Mark Jacobson is a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Atmosphere Energy Program at Stanford University, where he's been one of the most vocal advocates for powering the world entirely with wind, water, and solar energy. No nuclear, no carbon capture, no fossil fuels of any kind. His research team has created 100% renewable energy roadmaps for all 50 U.S. states and 149 countries, helping shape policies like New York's clean energy mandate. In this episode, Dr. Jacobson shares his perspective on where we are in the renewables adoption curve and explains why he believes that technologies like nuclear power, carbon capture, and biofuels aren't just unnecessary, they're harmful distractions from the clean energy transition he sees as both achievable and urgent.This conversation may be polarizing. While many will agree with Mark's take on renewables and the grid, his firm rejection of other low-carbon tech challenges mainstream climate thinking. We believe these fault lines are worth exploring, even, or especially, when they make people uncomfortable.Episode recorded on June 30, 2025 (Published on July 15, 2025)In this episode, we cover: [02:32] Why proposed tax changes threaten renewables[05:45] Fossil fuel subsidies vs. renewables support[06:29] China's rapid clean energy deployment[10:44] Rooftop solar offsets California's rising demand[12:20] Home and utility batteries reshaping grid usage[14:40] Texas grid inefficiencies and renewables progress[18:21] Combining wind, solar and batteries[19:26] Land use myths about wind and solar[22:49] Dr. Mark Jacobson's background and research[27:23] How to phase out existing fossil infrastructure[31:36] Dr. Jacobson's rejection of carbon capture[36:52] His thoughts on nuclear[42:11] Dr. Jacobson's thoughts on geothermal[46:19] How he sees the next decade unfolding Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant