Rise Up
By the MREA
Join us at the Rise Up Podcast Live Event at MREA's Annual Energy Fair: TheEnergyFair.org
Rise Up May 06, 2022
Rise Up - LIVE at The Energy Fair - June 23-25, 2023
Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director & Rise Up Podcast host, led Rise Up Live Events and a live panel during The Energy Fair! Participants had the opportunity to hear from the guests of Season 4 throughout the weekend, followed by a Q&A session on Sunday.
On Friday, June 23rd, in the Special Events Tent, attendees enjoyed insightful presentations:
- Al Gedicks discussed Sulfide Mining in the Great Lakes Region at 11 a.m.
- Jane McCurry shared insights on Electric Vehicle and Clean Transportation Adoption in the Midwest at 12 p.m.
- Paul Wilson explored The Role of Nuclear Power in the Energy Transition at 1 p.m.
- Chelsea Chandler presented the Corn Ethanol Vs. Solar Land Use Comparison in Wisconsin at 2 p.m.
Saturday, June 24th, in the Special Events Tent, featured more engaging talks:
- Elizabeth Turner spoke about Energy Efficient Building Design for Electrification at 11 a.m.
- Katie Kienbaum empowered the audience with insights on Empowering Energy Democracy through Distributed Energy Resources at 12 p.m.
- Markeeta Keyes discussed Pursuing Energy Justice through Clean Energy Workforce Education at 2 p.m.
- Andrew Kell outlined the Wisconsin Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050 at 3 p.m.
- Tom Content emphasized Putting Consumers First in the Energy Transition at 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 25th, marked the Midwest Energy Transition Panel on the Main Stage at 10:30 a.m. The panel featured the guests from Rise Up Season 4, creating an enlightening discussion on the topic.
Rise Up Season 4 LIVE at The Energy Fair - Trailer
Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director & Rise Up Podcast host, led Rise Up Live Events and a live panel during The Energy Fair! Participants had the opportunity to hear from the guests of Season 4 throughout the weekend, followed by a Q&A session on Sunday.
On Friday, June 23rd, in the Special Events Tent, attendees enjoyed insightful presentations:
- Al Gedicks discussed Sulfide Mining in the Great Lakes Region at 11 a.m.
- Jane McCurry shared insights on Electric Vehicle and Clean Transportation Adoption in the Midwest at 12 p.m.
- Paul Wilson explored The Role of Nuclear Power in the Energy Transition at 1 p.m.
- Chelsea Chandler presented the Corn Ethanol Vs. Solar Land Use Comparison in Wisconsin at 2 p.m.
Saturday, June 24th, in the Special Events Tent, featured more engaging talks:
- Elizabeth Turner spoke about Energy Efficient Building Design for Electrification at 11 a.m.
- Katie Kienbaum empowered the audience with insights on Empowering Energy Democracy through Distributed Energy Resources at 12 p.m.
- Markeeta Keyes discussed Pursuing Energy Justice through Clean Energy Workforce Education at 2 p.m.
- Andrew Kell outlined the Wisconsin Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050 at 3 p.m.
- Tom Content emphasized Putting Consumers First in the Energy Transition at 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 25th, marked the Midwest Energy Transition Panel on the Main Stage at 10:30 a.m. The panel featured the guests from Rise Up Season 4, creating an enlightening discussion on the topic.
Voice of the People
n a time when corporate spending is protected as free speech, each of us must wonder how our voices will be heard. Utility companies have deep pockets, and their lobbyists are a fixture at state capitol buildings. Big businesses have big energy budgets and their associations are adept at making their issues a priority. And both of these industry sectors work together to create advocacy groups to advance common interests. So, what about residential energy customers? What about small businesses? Our resources pale in comparison. How are our voices heard and how are our concerns addressed?
Luckily, for most residential and small business ratepayers in the Midwest, we are represented by a state Citizens Utility Board (CUB). These non-profit groups work tirelessly to make sure that our needs are represented at public utility commission and legislative hearings. For decades they have taken a hardnosed approach at keeping electricity costs low while ensuring that expenses aren’t shifted to the electric bills of homes and small businesses.
In the context of the energy transition, CUBs advocacy role is critically important if we want an energy system that best serves people. We discuss the energy transition and the benefits of increased citizen involvement with Tom Content, long-time journalist and Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin.
0:20 – Big business energy spending vs residential ratepayers
1:17 – The role of a Citizens Utility Board
4:04 – The energy transition’s origins
8:41 – Decisions surrounding utility rates of return
11:13 – Importance of CUB and Energy Democracy
13:35 – CUB funding and activity
18:11 – Evolving energy issues and solar PV
20:45 – Energy poverty issues
28:20 – Impact of recent federal legislation
33:34 - Coordination recommendations to leverage federal funds
39:11 – “Magic wand” solutions
43:21 – Building a movement
" We need people from across the state to get involved. And because it's your energy future, ...it's all of our energy future. And if we don't get involved, it'll be built for us and it'll focus on the supply side like we've been talking about almost way too exclusively. We need the public to say to demand energy efficiency. "
- Tom Content, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin
ABOUT OUR GUEST: TOM CONTENT
Tom is the Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board. He joined CUB in 2017 after working for more than 30 years as a journalist. He became interested in energy and what it costs households while sitting in the back seat, waiting for what seemed like forever, during the gas lines of the ‘70s. After graduating from Boston University’s College of Communication Tom worked at newspapers in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania before moving to Wisconsin. He reported on utilities and worked as business editor at the Green Bay-Press Gazette in the 1990s and then moved to Milwaukee, where he covered energy, utilities and sustainable business for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. His reporting on energy and climate change won the National Press Club’s Stokes Award for Energy Writing in 2007.
Energy Justice in Minneapolis
The first and largest US financial maneuver in response to COVID-19 was an unprecedented bailout of Wall Street investors to head off an impending stock market crash. Building upon the “Modern Monetary Theory” implemented to bail out the banking sector after the mortgage default crisis in 2008, the Federal Reserve committed up to $10 trillion in support for investors. As a result, the stock market became a graph of shareholder feelings while 30 million Americans had already filed jobless claims.
Millions of Americans live in debt, survive paycheck to paycheck, and work in the service industry which was mothballed - leaving people at home with deep feelings of insecurity. By May 25th 2020, US Billionaires were $434 billion richer on invented money, and we were watching George Floyd die tragically on the North Minneapolis streets at the hands of a police officer.
The alleged crime that led to his death? Passing a counterfeit $20 bill.
It’s tempting to say the rest is history, but it might be more accurate to say that it’s a continuation of history. North Minneapolis, like many cities in America, continues to suffer from policies established in the early 1900’s that restricted minority home ownership and access to financing. Collectively known as redlining, the policies included racially restricted covenants on property deeds preventing African Americans and other groups from buying homes in much of the City. Over time, the policies evolved to become lending restrictions that blocked access to business loans and home mortgages.
In the context of the energy transition, numerous studies show the elevated risk of low-income neighborhoods to pollution caused by the energy industry, that low-income households pay 3 times more of their household income for energy bills than higher income households, and that both of these factors are correlated with historically red-lined areas. In the wake of the financial bailout of investors, hard fought public policy wins over the last two years are set to allocate resources to programs and initiatives working to address the inequities.
These include Minneapolis Green Zones, the City’s Green cost share program and Green Careers Exploration program, and the Minneapolis Climate Equity Action Plan. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, significant federal funding is directed to clean energy investments and job training programs in low-income neighborhoods, and the state of Minnesota just passed sweeping legislation that advances environmental protections and clean energy investment in designated environmental justice communities.
The prospect of city, state, and federal policies working together to make the next decade of local clean energy development benefit North Minneapolis and other areas of need in the city, is very real. And the people working in the neighborhood to make sure this happens are as real as it gets. We’ve had the privilege of working with a number of local groups to provide solar installation training in North Minneapolis over the last 3 years and are inspired by their accomplishments and the opportunities that they are creating. To discuss the opportunities and challenges, we talked with Markeeta Keyes who leads the Green Careers Exploration program with the City of Minneapolis.
- Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director
- Guest: Markeeta Keyes, Green Careers Program Coordinator, City of Minneapolis
Workforce Readiness
The topic of workforce development is near and dear to our hearts at MREA. We started providing training in solar PV, solar thermal, small wind energy, and energy efficiency in 1990. We were one of the first accredited solar training programs in the country and still maintain accreditation with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council to this day. For over thirty years we’ve committed ourselves to offering the most accessible, affordable, and market relevant solar training and today more than 600 individuals a year utilize our training to get a foothold in the industry, earn certifications, and sharpen their skills.
In 2011, when we started our first instructor training program, the market was much different than today. Solar employment demand was pretty much only real in California and Hawaii with other states just starting to shine. The national electrician shortage was forecast but seemed a distant and avoidable problem. Utility companies were opposed to solar projects, even large-scale facilities, indicated the technology would never be ready for prime time.
One group that fully recognized the transformative potential of solar energy was the US Dept. of Energy which launched the SunShot Initiative with the goal of reducing the cost of solar energy by 75% and making it the cheapest source of electricity in the US. This goal, I should note, was met with much skepticism at the time. Today we know that the cost declines envisioned by SunShot were achieved earlier and more steeply than anyone expected. With the last 5 years of solar and wind as the leading sources of new energy capacity additions in the US, the promise of a solar jobs boom started to become reality. And now, with a massive federal energy infrastructure investment that locks in a decade of tax policy certainty, the market is fundamentally changed from a decade ago and the doubts about employment needs have been erased. Today, we can confidently say that there have never been more employment opportunities for skilled workers, young and old.
To explore the needs, opportunities, and challenges to meet the workforce needs of the energy transition, we talked with Richard Lawrence, Program Director with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
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0:20 – MREA's history in solar workforce development
3:53 – Federal legislation impacting the energy workforce
7:11 - Scale of the workforce need
8:06 – Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on workforce needs
9:10 – Key provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act
12:42 – In demand career positions for the energy transition
16:00 – Inflation Reduction Act and labor provisions
18:50 – How to join an apprenticeship program
20:23 - Benefits of apprenticeships to employers
23:36 - Federal investment impact on solar certifications
26:00 – In demand occupations during the energy transition
28:00 – Considerations for project developers
30:30 – Occupations for meter connected solar
33:00 – Programs to inspire
35:07 – Inclusion in the energy workforce
39:25 – A magic solution to workforce shortage
42:22 – The value of NABCEP certification
47:50 – The next generation of solar PV instructors
Episode Resources:
- Clean energy group reports jobs and investments coming to Michigan
- What Could Chill Heat Pumps
- ‘We can’t find people to work': The newest threat to Biden’s climate policies
- Four Ways to Prepare for the IRA’s Upcoming Apprenticeship Requirements
- Prevailing Wage and the Inflation Reduction Act
- Solar Jobs Census
- 9 Million Good Jobs from Climate Action The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
- IREC Solar Career Map
- KidWind
- NEED trains and assists teachers in harnessing the energy of the classroom – the energy of students
- MREA Instructor, Alex Jarvis Named IREC Master Trainer
- MREA Hosts Clean Energy Career Fair at 32nd Annual Energy Fair June 2023
- MREA's Accredited Training Programs
- Solar Energy Job Board
Critical Mineral Mining
Since 2018, the United States has expanded its list of critical minerals from 35 to 50 as supply chains have become increasingly concentrated to fewer countries and the needs for minerals in industrial and consumer products have increased. Beginning in 2022, the Biden Administration began making serious federal policy moves to secure critical mineral supply chains by invoking the Defense Production Act and passing sweeping legislation to increase domestic production of minerals used to develop batteries for electric vehicles and other energy storage applications. The move signaled a recognition that without securing critical mineral supply chains, the US would not be able to compete in emerging energy technology markets and we would not be able to meet electrification and decarbonization goals.
To many in the domestic mining industry, the move was a surprising turn of favor, and all indications are that the change in federal priority is not temporary. It is a result of geopolitical trends that are challenging global supply chains for critical minerals and domestic energy priorities that increase critical mineral demand. The context is that we are in a global race for the future of energy, making the capacity for critical mineral extraction, refining, and clean tech manufacturing in today’s economy equivalent to the historic development of petroleum extraction and refining capacity.
To further explore the potential of domestic mining and refining of critical minerals and discuss the challenges, we talked to two experts working in the Midwest. We first talked with Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee, associate professor of geological and mining engineering and sciences at Michigan Tech about the mining process, domestic needs, and mining innovations. And we talked with Dr. Al Gedicks, emeritus professor at UW- La Crosse about the historic and current challenges facing sulfide mining in the Midwest.
Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director
Guests: Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee, Associate Professor, Geological & Mining Engineering & Sciences, Michigan Technological University, and Al Gedicks, Emeritus Professor of environmental sociology, UW – La Crosse
- Episode Resources
- Rise Up Live Event - Tickets
Show notes –
0:20 – Critical Mineral needs for an energy transition
4:28 – Domestic mineral requirements in recent federal legislation
10:17 -Expanding existing mining operations
11:50 – Minerals required to pursue electrification
14:11 – China's dominance of mineral processing
15:53 – Mining methods and processes
20:48 – Mining vs mineral processing
23:49 – Workforce and other needs of the mining industry
29:00 – Feasibility of fully domestic mineral supply chains
31:53 – Discovery vs. Exploration
33:50 – Timeline from permitting to start of mining operation
36:06 – Steps to approach mining successfully
39:15 – Metallic sulfide mining and tribal communities
43:20 – Material processing in metallic sulfide mining
52:30 – Process to develop a mine in Wisconsin
57:15 – Community concerns surrounding mining operations
1:01:00 – Mining operations’ impact on communities
1:06:12 - Boom and Bust nature of mining operations
1:07:38 – Optimal locations to pursue mineral extraction and next steps
1:16:12 - The psychology of inevitability
Get Connected:
- UW - La Crosse: https://www.uwlax.edu/
- Michigan Technological University: https://www.mtu.edu/
- The Energy Fair: https://www.theenergyfair.org
- MREA: https://www.midwestrenew.org
Pathways to 100%
Eleven US states plus the District of Columbia have passed laws committing to 100% carbon-free or 100% clean energy. The path to 100% is full of choices that influence the cost to electricity ratepayers, ownership of critical infrastructure, and access to the financial and social benefits of energy infrastructure investment. A few detailed national studies have forecast scenarios to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity. These include net zero scenarios from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the US Dept. Of Energy Solar Futures Study, and Vibrant Clean Energy’s Roadmap for the Lowest Cost Grid.
The national studies are informative, but state policy and regulation have significant influence over how state energy markets develop. This places responsibility on state leadership to define the most advantageous pathways and advance policies and programs to achieve them. In both Illinois and Minnesota, the recent legislation that established 100% clean energy goals was passed when the Democratic party held majorities in the legislatures and governors' offices. And the legislation passed on party-line votes. This is a clear indication that in Midwest states that have divided government, these types of commitments face political opposition.
One such state is Wisconsin, where Republicans hold sizable majorities in the assembly and senate while the state has a Democratic Governor with ambitious clean energy plans. In support of these plans, two state policy groups – Clean Wisconsin and Renew Wisconsin – partnered with GridLab and Evolved Energy Research to forecast scenarios for achieving 100% clean energy in Wisconsin by 2050. Using the scenarios, they produced a roadmap that demonstrates how Wisconsin can cost-effectively transition to net zero emissions. We discussed the study and its recommendations with Chelsea Chandler, program director at Clean Wisconsin.
Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director
Guest: Chelsea Chandler, Climate, Energy, and Air Program Director, Clean Wisconsin
-Live Event at The Energy Fair: Catch Chelsea at her Rise Up Live Event at The 2023 Energy Fair on Friday, June 23rd at 2 p.m. Get your tickets at theenergyfair.org/tickets.
-Show notes – timestamps we want to include from the episode from worthwhile subjects
0:20 – Nick overviews state commitments to clean energy in the Midwest
3:48 – How divided government impacts clean energy
6:28 - Overview of Clean Wisconsin’s work
7:40 – Wisconsin's pathways to 100% clean energy study
13:47 – Coal plant closures and decarbonization
17:10 – Electrification and Transmission
20:32 – Local resistance and land use size calculations
28:53 – Additional benefits of solar over corn ethanol
30:03 - Solar’s benefit to local governments
34:12 - Challenges and opportunities within different transition scenarios
36:25 – Additional costs of inaction on electrification
41:57 – DERs in the energy transition
43:33 – Next steps for Wisconsin’s path to 100%
50:39 – Basing energy discussion around real-world pros and cons
Episode Resources: riseupmidwest.org
-Get Connected:
Clean Wisconsin: https://www.cleanwisconsin.org
The Energy Fair: https://www.theenergyfair.org
Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Today, nuclear energy remains the largest low carbon source of electricity in the world. Yet looking closer at the trend reveals that it is a rapidly decreasing share of the global portfolio as plants are retired and wind and solar consistently lead new energy capacity additions. The US fleet is the largest of any nation, with 94 reactors in 28 states but is gradually shrinking as aging reactors are retired due to maintenance costs and competition from cheaper sources of power like natural gas, wind, and solar.
Over the past 5 years, the financial pressure on nuclear plants has elevated a critical public policy question: Should we take action to keep nuclear plants open? We saw this play out differently in two Midwest states with transformative legislation (both good and bad) and a massive bribery scandal ensnaring utility executives, lobbyists, and elected officials in Ohio and Illinois.
With a new reactor design, known as a small modular reactor (SMR), a production tax credit available for nuclear projects through the Inflation Reduction Act, and financing support available from the US Dept. Of Energy Loan Program Office, public utility commissions are or will be reviewing proposals for the construction of the next generation of nuclear reactors. The promoters of new nuclear reactors will point to increases in CO2 emissions in New York, New England, and Pennsylvania after nuclear facilities closed in each region. They point to countries like Germany whose reliance on natural gas and coal run counterproductive to their climate and geopolitical goals. And, they say that the US needs the baseload power that nuclear offers for continued grid stability. Arguments against nuclear include safety concerns, global nuclear proliferation, more socially advantageous options in distributed solar and wind, and eyebrow-raising costs and delays in recent projects.
With this in mind, we talk with two experts in nuclear technology and economics in the US. We discuss the role that US nuclear could play in a low-carbon electricity future, the current proposal being entertained, and the challenges facing the industry. We start with Paul Wilson, Grainger Professor of Nuclear Engineering and the Chair of the University of Wisconsin-Madison‘s Department of Engineering Physics. Then we discuss the economics of small modular reactors with David Schlissel, Director of Resource Planning Analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director
Guests: Dr. Paul Wilson, Chair, Department of Engineering Physics, UW - Madison
David Schlissel, Director of Resource Planning Analysis, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis
Episode resources: RiseUpMidwest.org
Live Event at The Energy Fair: https://www.theenergyfair.org/events/rise-up-live-events/
Show notes
0:20 – Nick overviews the current status of the aging nuclear fleet in the US
2:38 – Corruption issues surrounding nuclear legislation
5:27 – The financial costs of nuclear power
8:02 – Advancements in nuclear energy
9:30 – Small modular reactors
11:49 – Challenges facing the nuclear industry
16:21 – Opportunities for nuclear energy in the energy transition
20:18 – The process to build new nuclear capacity in Wisconsin
25:24 - License extensions for existing nuclear plants
29:53 – Management of used nuclear fuel
32:34 – Public engagement for the nuclear industry
39:23 – Energy storage in the Energy Transition
42:40 – France’s reputation with nuclear energy
49:23 – Nuclear fusion breakthroughs
57:05 – Nuclear cost overruns in Georgia
58:32 – Current vs SMR reactors
1:03:28 – Factors contributing to cost overruns
1:09:40 – Cost competitiveness
1:12:23 – Variability of solar and wind power
1:16:59 – Marketing of SMRs
Rural Renewable Energy and Transmission Projects - Powering the Midwest!
Get ready to harness the power of renewable energy as Season 4 Episode 5 of MREA's Rise Up podcast takes you on a journey through the world of large-scale wind, solar, and transmission projects in the Midwest. Join our host Nick Hylla, as he sits down with esteemed guest Peder Mewis, a driving force behind rural renewable energy development in the Midwest and Plains states.
In this episode, we'll explore the vast opportunities and unique challenges that arise in the pursuit of a sustainable energy future. Peder, with his extensive experience working with the Clean Grid Alliance, shares invaluable insights on the regulatory landscape, financing options, and effective community engagement strategies that pave the way for success.
Discover the immense potential for wind and solar power generation in the Midwest and learn how these sources can contribute to a resilient and clean grid. Dive deep into the intricacies of large-scale projects, as Peder uncovers the barriers and complexities that must be overcome for their implementation.
But it doesn't stop there. Join the conversation as we explore the vital role of collaboration and partnership between utilities, policymakers, local communities, and clean energy advocates. Peder sheds light on how these partnerships can drive renewable energy development forward, fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for the region.
By the end of this enlightening episode, you'll walk away with a comprehensive understanding of the Midwest's renewable energy landscape. Gain the knowledge and inspiration you need to actively participate in the renewable energy transition and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the Midwest and beyond. Don't miss this empowering episode of MREA's Rise Up Podcast!
Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director
Guest: Peder Mewis, Regional Policy Manager - ND, SD, WI, MI, Clean Grid Alliance
-Show notes – timestamps we want to include from the episode from worthwhile subjects
0:20 – Nick introduces energy transmission needs and resources in the Midwest
2:13 – Decarbonization goals
3:14 - Local opposition groups
8:08 – Peder's experience at Clean Grid Alliance
9:17 – Issues facing renewable integration into the grid
11:24 – The importance of transmission to renewable energy
15:09 – The role of battery storage in balancing the grid
17:41 – Steps necessary to build a new transmission project
20:53 – Federal CHIPs and Bipartisan Infrastructure act impact on transmission
23:14 – Transmission costs
25:37 – Non transmission alternatives
27:43 – Electrification and EVs
29:51 – Intermittency of renewable energy on the grid
33:17 – Local opposition to large scale renewables and transmission
39:12 - Policy priorities to leverage Inflation Reduction Act funding
44:04 – Best model for balancing authority in the Midwest
47:34 – The importance of building relationships
"I'm very confident that the future looks good. And, you know, when I retire from this industry, it'll be fun to see how far we've come with the technology around renewable energy resources and all these things. So I do feel good, but it's hard work and, you know, it's a lot of political capital, it's a lot of emotional capital. But as I always say, the most important thing is relationships. And everybody needs to work together, build those strong relationships, build that trust. And if you can do that, you can get anything done." - Peder Mewis
Live Event at The Energy Fair: Catch Peder at his Rise Up Live Event with host Nick Hylla for a live podcast panel during The Energy Fair! Hear from the guests of Season 4, followed by a Q&A session. Tickets are on sale now at theenergyfair.org/tickets.
Electric Vehicles
Rev up your knowledge on electric vehicles with Clean Fuels Michigan's Jane McCurry, on MREA's Rise Up Podcast.
As compelling as electric vehicles are, electrifying transportation presents significant policy and market development challenges. EVs represent just over 5% of passenger vehicles on US roads. This is an amazing accomplishment for the industry over the past 5 years but increasing the percentage to 2/3 of new vehicles by 2032 as the EPA is planning for faces real roadblocks.
Labor issues, supply chain constraints, charging reliability, legal challenges, political opposition, and sticker price are each challenges that the industry, supported by recent federal legislation, is working to address.
Labor issues. EVs have significantly fewer parts than internal combustion vehicles, require less maintenance, require different maintenance, and the leading EV company has a direct-to-consumer sales process that bypasses the traditional dealership model. This is not to mention that traditional automakers and dealers report that they are not yet making profits on EV sales. All of these characteristics pose workforce and employment issues that state governments, labor unions, business leaders, and training organizations must address.
With such a daunting list of challenges, the biggest question might be “Do we have the talent, vision, tenacity, and capacity to tackle these challenges and take full advantage of the opportunity presented by electric transportation?” After talking with Jane McCurry, the Executive Director of Clean Fuels Michigan, our answer quickly became “Absolutely we do!” I think you’ll see what we mean.
About Our Guest:
Jane is the Executive Director of Clean Fuels Michigan, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to expanding the clean mobility industries. Jane is also appointed to the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification to represent policy and technology interests. Before these roles, Jane was the electric vehicles program manager at RENEW Wisconsin. Jane has degrees in Operations and Technology Management and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin.
See Jane McCurry at the Rise Up Podcast Live Event during The Energy Fair!
Building Energy Efficiency
75% of all electricity consumption occurs in buildings. With a goal to fully electrify our building energy use, more buildings will be moving their heating, cooking, and operations systems from natural gas, propane, diesel, and fuel oil to grid electricity. Pair this with home and business electric vehicle charging and the obvious result is that the amount of electricity use in buildings is set to dramatically increase.
If we reduce building energy use by 20% in both the commercial and industrial sectors today, we could save more than $80 billion annually on utility bills. And according to the US Dept. of Energy Building Technologies Office, the on-site deployment of solar, battery, and energy management technologies to flex electricity demand to better meet supply will lead to between $100 and $200 billion in electricity cost savings. This is a significant saving when considering that the National Renewable Energy Lab Electrification Futures Study estimates that full electrification would increase US electricity system costs by at least $450 billion.
In short, if we want to keep energy bills down and temper electricity price increases, building energy efficiency and demand flexibility is a critical first step to electrification. Join us in conversation with Elizabeth Turner, founder of Precipitate Architecture, to explore strategies for building electrification and energy efficiency in the Upper Midwest.
Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director
Guest: Elizabeth Turner, Architect and Passive Building Consultant, Precipitate
0:20 – Nick introduces U.S. energy consumption
1:40 – Energy Efficiency’s role in cost savings for an electrified future
3:30 – Incentives for clean energy technologies
7:40 – Equity, Electrification, and Energy Efficiency
9:00 – Weatherization techniques
11:35 – Energy Efficient Building techniques
14:33 – Air source heat pumps and the preconditions needed
16:59 – Priorities and Challenges to Energy Efficiency
19:29 – Measuring energy efficiency
23:10 – Building code
26:27 – Energy Monitoring and management
27:20 – Federal legislation’s impact on energy efficiency
31:24 - State efforts to leverage IRA funds
35:05 – Energy efficiency’s value in the housing market
-Get Connected:
Precipitate Architecture: www.precipitatearch.com
The Energy Fair: www.theenergyfair.org
Midwest Renewable Energy Association: www.midwestrenew.org
Contact: Info@riseupmidwest.org
Distributed Energy Resources
The plan is to electrify the economy. Reduce the combustion of fossil fuels for heating and transportation by replacing it with electricity from a grid powered by low-carbon sources like solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear. These are the basics of the energy transition but, there are two competing visions for how we accomplish it.
The first vision is to extend the current utility business model to build the new fleet of generation and transmission in the image of the old, using the same ownership structure, regulatory paradigm, and relationship to ratepayers. The competing vision is a grid optimized for distributed energy resources (DERs). Comparing the two development pathways leads to some pretty clear conclusions. The first scenario, business as usual, may be the quickest to implement (it’s what we’ve always done and it’s what the utility lobby wants) and it’s by far the most expensive. The second scenario, DER optimized, is more affordable, more resilient, and creates more jobs. However, it involves consumers as stakeholders and decision-makers in the energy system.
In this episode, Nick Hylla and Katie Kienbaum discuss the promise of DERs in the energy transition and the policy actions needed to ensure that everyone has access to the social and environmental benefits provided by a DER optimized system.
Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director
Guest: Katie Kienbaum, Research Associate - Institute for Local Self-Reliance
-About Katie Kienbaum: Katie is a Senior Researcher with ILSR’s Energy Democracy initiative, where she researches and writes about equitable and decentralized clean energy and its impact on communities across the country. Before joining the Energy Democracy initiative, she was a Research Associate with the Community Broadband Networks initiative.
Katie Kienbaum - Live Event at The Energy Fair: Catch Katie at the Rise Up Live Event at The 2023 Energy Fair on Saturday, June 24th at 12p.m. Get your tickets at theenergyfair.org/tickets.
Episode 1 - The Electric Utility Business Model
When it comes to transitioning the electricity system, we are constrained by public policy choices and investment decisions made over the last 100 years. The past decisions have given us the infrastructure, ownership structure, regulatory process, and debts that define how we produce and use electricity. Today, we are poised to further electrify our energy use which will layer investments onto a system already at cross purposes with fundamental goals of transition to a more distributed and open system.
It begs the question: Could we better align our social goals and the goals of the monopoly owners of the electricity system? Could we, in a sense, all be rowing in the same direction? Or is the regulated monopoly system ultimately inadequate to address the challenges and take the best advantage of the opportunities present in a clean energy transition?
With these questions in mind, we’ll begin the conversation with Andrew Kell, Policy Director at Renew Wisconsin. We’ll take a deep dive into utility regulation, and we’ll discuss regulatory strategies that enable DERs and local, clean energy development as central to the energy transition in the Midwest. We cover a lot of territory so grab a coffee and get comfortable.
0:19 – Nick overviews the history of electric utility ownership, construction, and investment
6:56 - Nick overviews transitioning to a DER-based electric grid model
10:14 – Andrew shares primary recent trends we see emerging in the energy transition
11:36 – Pros and cons of a privately investor-owned utility model
14:00 – How utilities garner investment and build infrastructure
16:00 – Motivations of the PSC, IOUs, and other stakeholders
19:00 – How does the PSC set tariffs for different ratepayers
34:04 - Construction and rate cases before the PSC
37:40 – The value of an integrated resource plan
45:26 - How municipal and cooperative utilities differ from IOUs
54:44 - State legislation’s impact on energy markets and infrastructure
1:01:32 – Wisconsin's “Grand Bargain” energy regulatory environment
1:08:43 – Community solar in Wisconsin
1:05:09 - MISO and wholesale energy markets
1:21:56 – Review and paths forward
1:36:07 – Zero carbon future by 2050 study
Rise Up Podcast - Season 4 Trailer: The Energy Transition
Welcome to a new Rise Up Podcast season focused on the energy transition in Midwest states!
In this podcast season, MREA Executive Director Nick Hylla talks to a range of professionals working to improve the energy system in Midwest states. The discussions focus on the decisions we'll need to make in regard to electric utility regulation, distributed energy resources, building energy efficiency, large-scale solar, and wind development, transmission build-out, small modular nuclear reactors, electric vehicles, critical mineral needs, workforce readiness, energy justice, and more. For each episode, we’ll also share background research and resources for you to continue exploring topics that interest you.
The plan is to electrify the economy. Reduce the combustion of fossil fuels for heating and transportation by replacing them with electricity from a grid powered by low-carbon sources like solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear. With a trifecta of federal legislation, the federal government is investing in this process at an unprecedented scale. The investment, however, will meet a complex, capital-intensive, and calcified energy market with layers of decision-making and differing and often opposing views of the future at every level. The actual impact of the legislation will depend on the implementation of its many provisions.
- Come attend the live event at The Energy Fair June 23-25, Custer, WI! The live event will feature presentations and discussions with people featured on season 4 of the Rise Up Podcast. Get tickets at TheEnergyFair.org
RISE UP MIDWEST!
- The Rise Up Podcast is created and produced by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) a non-profit organization with the mission to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. midwestrenew.org
2022 Energy Fair Workshops Preview
Rise Up’s season 3 finale is a special episode highlighting some of the great speakers and presenters that’ll be present at the 2022 Energy Fair. Guests join MREA Executive Director, Nick Hylla, to introduce themselves, preview their workshops at the Fair, as well as highlight some of their favorite Fair activities to get you in the spirit of the Fair!
Don’t miss out, get your tickets to the 2022 Energy Fair being held between June 24, 2022 - June 26, 2022 in Custer, Wisconsin at https://www.theenergyfair.org/.
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Show notes:
(0:44) - Lisa Kivirist, Author, Homemade for Sale and Soil Sisters
(8:56) - Christopher LaForge, Principal CEO, Great Northern Solar
(16:39) - Amanda Haffele, Solid Waste Director, Portage County Solid Waste
(19:21) - Sam Dunaiski, Distributed Resources Director, RENEW Wisconsin
(25:21) - Amber Westerman, Owner, Amber Westerman Building Design
(29:46) - Jeremy Solin, Co-Owner, Tapped Maple Syrup, LLC
(33:50) - Mindy McCord, Co-Founder, Siren Shrub Co.
(36:20) - Huda Alkaff, Founder & Director, Wisconsin Green Muslims
(41:10) - Jordan Kaiser, Solar Design & Sales, Northwind Solar
(47:04) - Jared Schumacker, Financial Advisor, Third Coast Advisors
(50:08) - Andrew Lewandowski, Pediatrician, Group Health Cooperative
(55:26) - Don Wichert, Owner, Eudai Energy, LLC
(59:59) - Todd Strother, Senior Technology Consultant, Wisconsin Center for Technology Commercialization
Brian Walsh, Technology Commercialization Consultant, Wisconsin Center for Technology Commercialization
(1:03:36) - Jessica Miller, Naturalist, Mosquito Hill Nature Center
(1:07:12) - Francisco Sayu, Director Emerging Technology, RENEW Wisconsin
(1:12:13) - Cory Neeley, Director, Solarshare Cooperative
(1:16:23) - Heather Talbot, Director, Solar on La Crosse Schools
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Links:
Tribal Power Utilities
On this episode of the Rise Up podcast, we feature a double interview with 2022 Energy Fair keynote speakers, Bob Blake and John Farrell, hosted by MREA Executive Director Nick Hylla. Bob Blake is the founder and CEO of solar installer, Solar Bear, as well as the executive director of the non-profit, Native Sun Community Power Development. John Farrell is the co-director of the Institute for Local Self Reliance and the director of Energy Democracy Initiative.
The final part of this episode features a conversation with Ellen Barlas, the MREA's Solar Workforce Manager. She discusses the clean energy career fair, solar workforce development, and the Midwest Solar Job Resource Center, solarenergy.jobs.
Get your tickets to the 2022 Energy Fair being held between June 24, 2022 - June 26, 2022 in Custer, Wisconsin at https://www.theenergyfair.org/.
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Show notes:
(2:44) - Bob Blake explains the origins of his idea for a tribal EV charging network
(7:18) - Public charging and the role of solar
(12:14) - How energy project decisions are made in tribal communities
(20:45) - The future of autonomous tribal power utilities
(31:48) - John Farrell's ideal utility design
(39:47) - Bob Blake on overcoming the challenges of creating your own utility
(48:08) - Ellen Barlas on what jobs are needed by solar installers
(49:20) - Why solar programs are facing enrollment shortages
(54:24) - Why MREA launched solarenergy.jobs
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Links:
The Energy Fair
MREA's website
Volunteer Opportunities at MREA
Midwest Solar Job Resource Center
Community Owned Solar
MREA Executive Director Nick Hylla hosts Shimekia Nichols, Executive Director of Soulardarity, an environmental non-profit based in Highland Park, Michigan. Soulardarity's mission is to build community power in Highland Park through community-owned solar streetlights. In their talk, Shimekia explains the origins of Soulardarity, how she came to be involved, and highlights the work Soulardarity has done and continues to do in its community.
Get your tickets to the 2022 Energy Fair being held between June 24, 2022 - June 26, 2022 in Custer, Wisconsin at https://www.theenergyfair.org/.
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Show notes:
(1:40) - The history of Highland Park and the origins of Soulardarity
(8:40) - Shimekia's background and how she came to be involved with Soulardarity
(15:01) - How Soulardarity has helped and inspired its community
(23:15) - Shimekia's vision for the future of Soulardarity
(29:00) - Shimekia's words of advice for other organizations
(36:44) - How Soulardarity works to be more inclusive
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MREA links:
The Energy Fair
MREA's website
Volunteer Opportunities at MREA
Soulardarity links:
Soulardarity's website
Soulardarity's Blueprint for Energy Democracy (BFED)
Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC)
Group Buy Solar Programs
In today’s episode, MREA Executive Director Nick Hylla hosts Peter Murphy, the MREA’s Associate Director. Nick spoke with Peter about the development and growth of the Grow Solar Group Buy program, the strength of collective buying power in solar curious communities and methods to improve access to the benefits of solar. Peter details how group buy programs are saving consumers money while offering a better community experience.
MREA Development Coordinator, Kyle Galloway ends the episode by highlighting how you can connect with the MREA Grow Solar staff during the 2022 Energy Fair (June 24, 2022 - June 26, 2022 in Custer, Wisconsin).
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Show notes:
(0:52) - Introduction to Peter Murphy, the MREA’s Associate Director
(4:56) - What’s driving consumer’s interest in learning about solar?
(7:01) - Peter explains solar group purchase programs and its benefits
(9:50) - The role of community groups in the Solar Group Buy program
(19:10) - How the Solar Group Buy programs promotes happy solar customers
(23:19) - What are the state utility policies that are working?
(30:36) - Peter gives his take on the future costs of going solar
(35:49) - Kyle Galloway on how to learn more about the Group Buy program at the Energy Fair
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Links:
Kinship and Environmental Justice
MREA Executive Director Nick Hylla hosts Kyle Whyte, a 2022 MREA Energy Fair keynote speaker. Kyle is a Potawatomi climate/environmental justice scholar and organizer and professor at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability. During this conversation, Kyle addresses the environmental justice issues we currently face and the work he’s done to combat them. He also explains the concepts of kinship and knowledge sovereignty and highlights the real impacts they have on our lives.
For the second part of today’s podcast, Nick speaks with MREA's Events Coordinator, Hailey Johnson. Hailey talks about the many volunteer opportunities before and during the Energy Fair along with the opportunities outside of the fair.
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Show notes:
(1:18) - What is environmental justice and how it’s being addressed?
(13:24) - Kyle explains the importance of “kinship time”
(20:37) - Kinship in indigenous traditions and how it’s been impacted by colonization
(26:26) - How a lack of kinship impacts our modern lives
(32:07) - Kyle explains the idea of knowledge sovereignty and its important to the Anishinaabe people
(47:42) - What Kyle is optimistic for in the future
(51:37) - Nick introduces Hailey Johnson, MREA Event Coordinator
(54:17) - Hailey talks about the volunteer opportunities at the MREA Energy Fair
(57:07) - How you can become an MREA member for free
(59:42) - What are the other volunteer opportunities with MREA?
(1:02:46) - The career and continuing education opportunities the Fair will offer
(1:04:02) - How to sign-up and get involved?
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Links:
The Energy Fair: https://www.theenergyfair.org/
MREA: https://www.midwestrenew.org/
Volunteer Opportunities at MREA: https://www.midwestrenew.org/volunteer/
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Justice40 Initiative: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2021/07/20/the-path-to-achieving-justice40/
The Dawn of Everything: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374157357/thedawnofeverything
Indigenous Kitchen and Return of the Fair
For the second part of the podcast, Nick speaks with MREA's Events Manager, Celia Sweet, about the 2022 Energy Fair. Celia reveals this year's lineup of music and entertainment as well as the various keynote speakers. They also discuss the many workshops, continuing education, networking, and career opportunities available at the Fair.
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Show notes:
(0:51) - Sean Sherman speaks about his background and how he got involved in food
(4:48) - Sean explains how to decolonize a meal
(10:00) - Nick asks Sean about his work with the North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems
(15:29) - How the pandemic impacted the work Sean and his organization is doing
(19:37) - Contrasting the traditional Indigenous diet with the modern Indigenous diet
(27:40) - Sean highlights native seasonal foods and what he's most looking forward to
(33:09) - Sean talks about his restaurant Owamni, its origins, and its menu
(36:57) - Kyle Galloway introduces the next guest, Celia Sweet
(39:00) - The keynote speakers and music acts Celia is most looking forward to at the Energy Fair
(45:50) - Celia highlights some of the many workshops that'll be present at the Fair
(51:59) - The career and continuing education opportunities the Fair will offer
(55:31) - How ticketing will work at the Fair
(1:00:07) - How the 2022 Energy Fair will be a near-zero waste event
(1:02:40) - The Fair's spirit animal
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Links:
The Energy Fair: www.theenergyfair.org/
MREA: www.midwestrenew.org/
Sean's TED talk: www.ted.com/talks/sean_sherman_the_r_evolution_of_indigenous_foods
NATIFS: www.natifs.org/
Owamni: owamni.com/
Pay As You Save
What role does inclusive financing play in ensuring the transition to clean energy is accessible to all? We sat down with Holmes Hummel and Anthony Kinslow II from Clean Energy Works to find out.
Michigan Saves
How can innovative financing incentivize private investment and accelerate the transition to clean energy? We sat down with Mary Templeton, President and CEO of Michigan Saves, to find out.
Climate and Equitable Jobs Act
What happens when a strong coalition engages energy stakeholders and works tirelessly to chart an equitable renewable energy future in Illinois? We spoke with John Delurey, Senior Regional Director for Vote Solar, to find out.
Energy Democracy
What does decentralized ownership of renewable energy really look like and why does it matter? We sat down with John Farrell to find out.
Get People Moving
What can American's energy future look like with the country's 573 Tribal Nations taking a leadership role in renewable energy? We sat down with Robert Blake - a tribal citizen of the Red Lake Nation, owner of the Solar Bear solar installation company, executive director of the nonprofit Native Sun Community Power Development, and board member of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association - to find out.
Back in the Game
What happens when a state task force spends the better part of a year developing policy recommendations focused on mitigating and adapting to climate change? We sat down with Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, to find out.
Think Like a Planet
What can a deeper appreciation of the earth’s physical structure and natural processes lend to our understanding of the problems we face currently? We asked Marcia Bjornerud, a professor of Geosciences at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and author of Timefulness: How Thinking Like a Geologist Can Help Save the World.
Energy Equity
Summary:
How do we achieve a more equitable energy economy? If you ask Denise Abdul-Rahman with the NAACP, she’ll kindly tell you that we need a system that increases employment opportunities and decreases pollution externalities. We need a system that creates investment opportunities for those in need instead of long-term dependencies. We need a system that prioritizes raising people out of poverty above raising profits for the few. She’ll say it starts with dialogue – listening to the communities in need and valuing community knowledge. And then she’ll ask you to re-imagine how a new clean energy economy can work for all.
View Full Episode Resources at: RiseUpMidwest.org/Energy-Equity
About This Episode:
Have you heard of the Opportunity Atlas? We’ll forgive you if you haven’t, though you probably should check it out. It’s a tool built from following 20 million U.S. children, those born between 1978 and 1983, into their mid-thirties to identify how their childhood zip code impacted their success as adults. It is likely the most ambitious and definitive study on the concept of “The American Dream.” The results are both sobering and promising:
"In nearly every place in the country, children whose parents were low-income tended to have poorer-than-average outcomes as adults. But it’s also important to note that the factors that inhibit mobility are within society’s control to influence – schools, violence, incarceration, housing, job access, and quality health care are some of the reasons that zip codes and census tracts matter for life outcomes. And these factors can be improved with the appropriate investment and good policy."
With 7.8 million U.S. families falling into poverty since June alone, these conclusions hold a dire warning for the future of the U.S. economy. If we want our children and grandchildren to live in a country defined by widespread prosperity, promise, and opportunity, then we need to prioritize our investments to support communities in need. The research also makes clear that creating this future is up to us, as each of the barriers for mobility can be addressed with good public policy.
When it comes to energy policy, a focus on energy equity could underwrite a nationwide jobs and economic development resurgence. This “Just Energy Transition” is defined by the widespread deployment of energy efficiency and distributed energy resources with a priority focus on career training and re-training for underemployed individuals. This re-imagining of our energy economy will require dialogue, community conversations, stakeholder engagement, and informed policy.
Today’s guest, Denise Abdul-Rahman, helps us navigate some of these conversations. Her work as a regional field organizer with the NAACP has her focused on the just energy transition, tackling issues of energy equity in Midwest communities. Her diverse background and experience give her an informed understanding that includes human health and wellness, workforce training, social and climate policy, and advocacy. And, the budding NAACP ‘Power Up’ program is starting to show some results and help chart a path for clean energy jobs for all.
Beyond Coal
Did you know that uneconomical coal plants in the Midwest are costing you, the ratepayer, millions of dollars? In recent years, utilities across the region have been clinging to uneconomical coal assets while slow-walking investments in clean energy. Yet, the age of coal is coming to an end and plants in communities across the Midwest are on the chopping block. In this episode, we’ll speak with two frontline community leaders, both active in the fight for a just energy transition that supports coal communities and coal plant workers.
For the most immersive listening experience, where can view the resources we discuss and learn more while you listen, listen to the episode through https://riseupmidwest.org/beyond-coal/.
Local Energy Influence
How can your community gain influence over how your energy dollars are spent? It’s not easy.
In this episode, we discuss how jurisdictions are harnessing their economic and political power to get more local, clean energy. We speak to Mathew Roberts from the Southeast Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) about how the regional council of governments is making energy decisions locally.
For the most immersive listening experience, where can view the resources we discuss and learn more while you listen, listen to the episode through https://riseupmidwest.org/local-energy-influence/.
Credit Where Credit is Due
If you have been following energy policy developments in the Midwest over the last 5 years, you’ve probably noticed that electric utilities recently switched from fighting against solar energy development to developing solar projects at a record pace. Have energy companies seen the light? Should we shelve our concerns about wealthy, monopoly for-profit utility companies using their privileged market status and political connections to fight against solar energy and energy efficiency? Not so fast.
As you may have guessed, utility companies often support solar projects that they own and that financially benefit their investors (whether the generator uses coal or solar radiation as fuel, if the utility owns it the investors make a protected rate of return). And, they often fight against solar projects that they don’t own, as these projects reduce electricity demand and compete with them as independent generators.
So here we find ourselves; stuck in this strange and often contradictory place where utility representatives will support the value of the solar projects that they are developing while diminishing the value of solar energy on homes, businesses, schools, and city buildings. The arguments exist in the pedantic and dense language of regulatory procedures concerning parallel generation, avoided costs, PURPA, local marginalized prices, net energy metering, and on and on until nap time. Yet, if you care about local jobs, if you care about reducing your electricity bill, if you care about controlling future electricity costs, if you care about grid resiliency, and if you care about climate change, then you should care about how utilities, regulators, states, and the federal government determine the value of solar.
In this podcast episode, we will begin to explore the value of solar energy installed on buildings and vacant lots in communities through the Midwest. And, we’ll start in rural Iowa where local residents have organized a model “Energy District” and the value of solar has proved itself to so many homes and businesses that a groundswell of support turned legislation to nearly ended net metering into bipartisan legislation that established net metering for the entire state.
Get Up and Try
How does a small kid from a small town make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of many people? If you ask Tia Nelson, she’ll tell you that it is by using our power to get up every day and try. In this episode, we interview Tia Nelson about her decades of work in service of her father’s vision of improvingthe world’s most polluted environments in service of the people that live there.
Fifty years ago, Gaylord Nelson - a small-town senator from Wisconsin - hosted a national sit-in to force a policy discussion about the growing environmental problems facing America. The act set off a chain of events that resulted in the most sweeping national environmental policy accomplishments in US history. Today, his daughter Tia continues that effort with a focus on building bridges between young environmental justice activists, conservative Republicans, concerned mothers, and all people that have an interest in addressing climate change. With her father as a role model and decades of experience working on environmental issues at home and abroad, Tia’s words brim with wisdom and experience. Though we interviewed her before the nationwide social justice protests began, her perspective has a lot a relevance now as each of us consider our role and responsibility in bringing groups together to develop real and durable solutions to our most pressing problems.
For episode resources and materials, visit http://www.riseupmidwest.org/podcast
TurmOIL
We are living in a time of uncertainty. The turmoil in global oil markets offers us a glimpse into a complex industry unraveling amid uncertainty and the federal response to save it at all cost. What if we invested in the long term stability of clean energy markets instead? To help us better understand our current situation, we interviewed American Author and Journalist, Bethany McLean, author of the book ‘Saudi America,’ about the eye opening developments in the US oil and gas market, we discuss the potential impacts on US clean energy investments, and we make the case for Midwest states to create market certainty for local energy investments.
