Best Kleinman Center for Energy Policy Podcasts (2025)

1
Rethinking Air Conditioning in A Hotter World 46:30

11h ago46:30

46:30

Two experts discuss the challenge of keeping billions of people cool while minimizing electrical grid and climate impacts. --- Global air conditioner use could triple by the middle of this century, driving a dramatic increase in electricity demand. This growth will place additional strain on already overburdened electrical grids and lead to signifi…

1
Could Clean Energy Thrive Despite Trump Policy Changes? 40:51

26d ago40:51

40:51

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to cut support for clean power. Two guests from Bloomberg NEF weigh the likely impacts on clean energy development. --- President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to reduce federal support for clean power as soon as he takes office in January. Yet political realities may limit the extent to which incentives, such …

1
Why Electrical Grid Governance Needs Reforming 1:04:09

2M ago1:04:09

1:04:09

Byzantine governance structures and vested interests are slowing the greening of the U.S. electrical grid. Two grid policy experts discuss paths forward. --- The U.S. electrical grid faces declining reliability, often attributed to a rapidly evolving energy mix, surging demand, and more frequent severe weather. Yet a deeper issue lies in the fragme…

1
Empowering Communities for Climate and Energy Justice 32:05

2M ago32:05

32:05

Carnot Prize recipient Jacqueline Patterson explores how the clean energy transition can drive meaningful progress toward energy and climate justice. --- In 2009 Jacqueline Patterson became the founding director of the NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program. It was a role that Patterson, who’s this year’s recipient of the Kleinman Center…

1
Beyond Labor: The Expanding Scope of the Just Energy Transition 30:55

2M ago30:55

30:55

Kleinman Center visiting scholar Kirsten Jenkins explores the concept of a just energy transition, and why it must be expanded beyond its labor roots to address broad energy system injustices. --- The term “just transition” has its roots in organized labor movements, and has traditionally referred to the idea that workers in the fossil fuel economy…

1
How Virtual Power Plants Could Strengthen the Electrical Grid 25:18

3M ago25:18

25:18

Virtual power plants can help electric grid operators address supply shortages and reliability concerns, but policy support is needed. --- The U.S. electrical grid is under growing stress, raising concern that recent widescale power outages may signal more grid challenges to come. In recent years, electricity demand has grown at an accelerating pac…

1
How Identity Politics Shape U.S. Energy Policy 39:48

3M ago39:48

39:48

David Spence explores the rise of identity politics in the U.S. and how it has fueled bitter partisanship over the transition to clean energy. --- Throughout American history, opposing political parties have at times set aside their differences to create “republican moments”— periods of bold, bipartisan action to address critical challenges. Today,…

1
Why AI Consumes So Much Energy - and What Might Be Done About It 37:46

4M ago37:46

37:46

Nvidia’s director of accelerated computing, and a Penn expert in AI and datacenters, explain why AI uses so much energy, and how its energy appetite might be curbed. --- Artificial Intelligence is taking off. In just under two years since the introduction of Chat GPT, the first popular AI chatbot, the global number of AI bot users has grown to one …

1
Exploring Electricity Pricing: Are Alternatives to Flat-Rate Plans Worth It? 25:49

4M ago25:49

25:49

Time-of-use electricity rates can save consumers money and optimize renewable power. But they can backfire if not carefully designed. --- A notable feature of the U.S. electricity system is the disconnect between the cost of generating electricity and the prices most consumers pay for power at any given time. Flat-rate pricing, where consumers pay …

1
From the Archive: Michael Mann on the Lessons of Climate Past 26:44

5M ago26:44

26:44

For the month of August, we’re highlighting episodes from the 2023-2024 season of Energy Policy Now. We’ll be back with new content, and a new season, on September the 10th. Climatologist Michael Mann discusses his new book on Earth’s climate past, with insights into our climate future. --- (This episode was recorded on September 14, 2023) Renowned…

1
From the Archive: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on the Rising Prospects for a U.S. Carbon Border Fee 32:46

5M ago32:46

32:46

For the month of August, we’re highlighting episodes from the 2023-2024 season of Energy Policy Now. We’ll be back with new content, and a new season, on September the 10th. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse discusses the prospects for bipartisan U.S. carbon border fee legislation, and the need to protect the Biden administration’s clean energy and climat…

1
Navigating the Geopolitical Risks of Solar Geoengineering 43:03

6M ago43:03

43:03

Two experts discuss the geopolitical risks of solar geoengineering and the need for global governance frameworks to prevent conflict. --- Solar geoengineering, the deliberate modification of Earth’s atmosphere to curb global warming, still seems like science fiction. However, research is progressing rapidly, and geoengineering’s potential implement…

1
The Crisis of Confidence in Voluntary Carbon Offsets 52:43

6M ago52:43

52:43

Kleinman Center senior fellow Danny Cullenward examines the integrity, effectiveness, and climate impact of voluntary carbon markets. --- Last year, an investigation by the Guardian and Corporate Accountability found that most of the world’s largest carbon dioxide offset projects failed to deliver promised climate benefits. The report is among seve…

1
Why New Tech is Key for EPA Methane Rule Compliance 44:44

7M ago44:44

44:44

The EPA's methane rules for the oil and gas industry will depend on new technologies to monitor and verify climate impacts. --- In December the Environmental Protection Agency introduced regulations to limit the amount of methane that escapes into the atmosphere from the oil and gas industry. In theory, the path to reducing emissions should be rela…

1
Can the Global LNG Market Support U.S. Export Ambitions? 43:23

7M ago43:23

43:23

Natural gas market expert Anne-Sophie Corbeau explores the global outlook for LNG demand, and the potential for this demand to support the rapid expansion of U.S. LNG export capacity. --- The United States emerged as the leading global exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2023, surpassing long-standing leaders Qatar and Australia. Looking ahe…

1
Power Struggle: The Electric Grid’s Natural Gas Challenge 48:21

8M ago48:21

48:21

As the nation’s reliance on natural gas as a fuel for electricity generation has grown, so have reliability challenges. --- Over 40% of U.S. electricity is generated by gas-fired powerplants yet, double the role the fuel played two decades ago. Yet the past few years have exposed risks arising from our growing reliance on gas-fired generation. Majo…

1
Will Latest Solar Trade Dispute Impact U.S. Solar Growth? 23:51

8M ago23:51

23:51

Canary Media senior editor Eric Wesoff explains the latest in a history of solar PV trade disputes involving the U.S. and China, and what it could mean for the growth of solar power and domestic solar manufacturing. --- In April, a coalition of U.S. photovoltaics manufacturers petitioned the Department of Commerce to impose anti-dumping tariffs on …

1
California’s Solar Equity Challenge 36:06

9M ago36:06

36:06

Kleinman Center visiting scholar Severin Borenstein discusses California’s struggle to balance residential solar growth with electricity rate equity. --- California’s residential solar market is at a critical inflection point after years of strong growth. Last year the state, which has more rooftop solar than any other, lowered the net metering rat…

1
Can Competitive Electricity Markets Deliver Reliable Power? 38:42

9M ago38:42

38:42

An expert in electricity markets explains why market price signals alone will struggle to incentivize adequate investment in the flexible electricity resources needed for future grid reliability. -- In the 1990s the process of deregulation – or restructuring – of the U.S. electricity system began, leading to the introduction of competition to an in…

1
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on the Rising Prospects for a U.S. Carbon Border Fee 31:56

10M ago31:56

31:56

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse discusses the prospects for bipartisan U.S. carbon border fee legislation, and the need to protect the Biden administration’s clean energy and climate achievements. --- (This episode was recorded on March 15, 2024, during Penn Energy Week) Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has a reputation as an advocate for strong climate polic…

1
Will Hydrogen Energy be Clean Energy? 38:10

10M ago38:10

38:10

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is finalizing rules that will determine which new clean hydrogen projects will receive the IRA’s generous 45V tax incentives, and whether those projects will deliver promised climate benefits. --- The Inflation Reduction Act provides a range of incentives for the development of clean energy resources in the Unite…

1
Europe Confronts the Reality of Energy System Sabotage 41:14

11M ago41:14

41:14

Physical attacks on critical European energy infrastructure have risen since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, threatening energy security and the pace of the low-carbon transition. --- Sabotage of critical energy infrastructure has been on the rise, most prominently in Europe, where multiple attacks have targeted subsea electric transmission cab…

1
Accelerating the Energy Transition with Repurposed Energy 40:52

11M ago40:52

40:52

Local opposition to clean energy projects slows the transition to a low carbon energy system. A legal expert explores how a national policy of “repurposed energy” could speed things up. --- Clean energy infrastructure projects often face opposition from communities where they would be built, a fact that stands in the way of efforts to rapidly lower…

1
Special Episode: Corporate Disclosure Law 9:07

11M ago9:07

9:07

Each fall, the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy hosts a student blog competition, where students from any field of study can showcase their creativity, innovation, and passion for energy policy and sustainability. This year, we welcomed audio submissions, and we’re featuring our first-place audio blog here. This year’s winner is Benjamin Chen, a j…

1
The CO2 Transportation Challenge 40:25

12M ago40:25

40:25

A national network of CO2 and biomass transportation infrastructure, spanning pipelines to rail routes, will be needed to support the permanent removal of atmospheric CO2. Can the network be economically built? --- In December the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory published Roads to Removal: Options for Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United Sta…

1
AI’s Big Future in Energy and Climate Regulation 33:41

12M ago33:41

33:41

Cary Coglianese, director of the Penn Program on Regulation, explores AI’s potential to help regulators keep pace with energy sector growth and climate-tech innovation. --- The ongoing transition to a cleaner energy system has positive implications for climate, energy security and equity. Yet the same transition poses myriad challenges for regulato…

1
FERC Transmission Reform: A New Year's Resolution? 32:00

1y ago32:00

32:00

Ari Peskoe, director of Harvard Law School’s Electricity Law Initiative, discusses FERC’s pending reforms to the electric transmission development process in the U.S., and legal challenges they'll likely face. Description Nearly two years ago, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proposed a set of regulatory reforms to speed a much-needed …

1
Why the IRA’s Carbon Capture Tax Credit Could Increase Greenhouse Emissions 41:56

1y ago41:56

41:56

New research raises doubt around the climate benefits of the 45Q tax credit for carbon capture and storage for fossil fuel powerplants. --- The Inflation Reduction Act earmarks billions of dollars of incentives for carbon capture and storage from coal and gas-fired powerplants. Ideally, the incentive will provide a path for fossil generators to red…

1
Aligning Clean Energy Policy with Grid Reliability 37:24

1y ago37:24

37:24

Recent electric grid emergencies highlight the need for better communication, and coordination, between energy policymakers and grid operators. --- In early November the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, convened its annual technical conference on the reliability of the electric grid. In most years the conference attracts little attent…

1
What’s a “Fair Share” Of Emissions Reductions Under the Paris Climate Process? 36:56

1y ago36:56

36:56

Brazilian economist and IPCC lead author Roberto Schaeffer examines what constitutes a “fair share” of emissions reductions under the Paris climate process, and how fairness is defined. -- This December, at COP 28 in Dubai, countries will consider the results of the first “global stocktake,” which is a global report card that compares real climate …

1
The U.S.'s Critical Mineral Supply Challenge 36:42

1y ago36:42

36:42

A metals industry executive explores the race to develop alternative supplies of critical minerals essential to the energy transition. --- For over a century the global energy system has been dominated by fossil fuels, and governments and industry have gone to great lengths to secure reliable supplies of oil, natural gas, and coal. All along, scarc…

1
How Uruguay Went (Almost Completely) Fossil Fuel Free 37:57

1+ y ago37:57

37:57

Ramón Méndez Galain, this year’s recipient of the Carnot Prize, reflects on leading Uruguay to a 98% renewable electricity mix, and what the rest of the world might take from his country’s experience. --- In 2008 Ramón Méndez Galain, a particle physicist with no experience in government, was appointed Director of Energy for Uruguay and proceeded to…

1
Michael Mann on the Lessons of Climate Change Past 26:08

1+ y ago26:08

26:08

Climatologist Michael Mann discusses his new book on Earth’s climate past, with insights into our climate future. --- Renowned Penn climatologist Michael Mann’s latest book, “Our Fragile Moment,” explores the history of climate change and the lessons it can provide into the trajectory of climate change today. The book is Mann’s response to the phen…

1
Why Oil Companies Support Renewable Energy 32:58

1+ y ago32:58

32:58

A Penn economist explores the relationship between regional energy policy and oil company support for renewable power. --- In recent years there has been a divergence in the trajectories of the world’s major oil companies. The shift has been most noticeable in the case of the European oil majors, including companies such as BP and Shell, which duri…

1
America’s Electric Power Transmission Crisis 39:59

1+ y ago39:59

39:59

Long-distance electric transmission lines are a critical to the energy transition, yet construction of new lines has come to a near standstill in the U.S. Rob Gramlich of Grid Strategies discusses recent market and regulatory action to resurrect transmission development. --- Electric transmission line mileage will need to triple by the middle of th…

1
Loss and Damage Finance Becomes Reality 27:04

1+ y ago27:04

27:04

As COP 28 draws closer, climate negotiators race to finalize a financing structure to help countries that suffer climate change-related damages. --- In late November this year’s global climate conference, COP 28, will begin in Dubai. The headline issue at COP will be the global stock take, which is a country by country review of progress toward ful…

1
California’s Deepwater Wind Challenge 47:54

1+ y ago47:54

47:54

California is set to present its strategic plan to scale an offshore wind power industry based on unconventional floating wind technology. --- In late June the California Energy Commission will submit its strategic plan for the development of offshore wind energy to the state’s legislature. The plan is the culmination of two years of efforts by Cal…

1
Tackling Climate Technology Investment Risk 36:14

1+ y ago36:14

36:14

Nick Rohleder, Energy Policy Now’s former editorial assistant and current climate entrepreneur, discusses the challenge of managing the investment risk inherent in emerging clean energy technologies. --- Last year, $1.1 trillion dollars were invested globally in carbon-free energy technologies and infrastructure. This volume of investment marked a …

1
Pennsylvania Effort to Join RGGI Faces Legal, Political Peril 46:37

1+ y ago46:37

46:37

A new report examines the economic and climate impacts of Pennsylvania joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, now stalled in court. --- The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, was the first major carbon market to be established in the United States. Since its inception in 2009, RGGI has contributed to a reduction in greenhouse gas…

1
Geography, Equity and the Energy Transition 33:58

1+ y ago33:58

33:58

A geographer explores the impact of location on worker opportunity and equity in the clean energy economy. --- The Inflation Reduction Act earmarks hundreds of billions of dollars for clean energy and the development of jobs in the clean energy supply chain, construction and operations. Critically, the law also acknowledges that the transition to c…

1
Breaking the Bottlenecks to Climate Progress 42:28

1+ y ago42:28

42:28

Princeton University researchers have launched a global survey aimed at spotting and eliminating practical barriers to a net-zero carbon future. Description Much work needs to be done, very quickly, if if a net-zero carbon economy is to become reality by the middle of this century. Yet, the fact is that the current rate of investment in clean energ…

1
Energy Transition Puts Grid Reliability to the Test 1:09:01

1+ y ago1:09:01

1:09:01

PJM Interconnection is in a race to shore up electric grid reliability as the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy accelerates. --- In February PJM Interconnection, the largest wholesale electricity market in the US, published a report that points to the very real possibility that electricity supply in the market could fall short of the lev…

1
Accelerating Climate Action 57:36

2y ago57:36

57:36

A senior climate diplomat discusses scientific, economic, and diplomatic barriers to rapid global decarbonization. --- In March the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the final volume of its Sixth Assessment report on progress toward addressing climate change. The findings of the report aren’t encouraging, and point to an accelerati…

1
Climate Shocks and Green Returns 23:07

2y ago23:07

23:07

New research examines the relationship between climate change-related events and returns on green investment, and why returns for green stocks might lag those of brown. --- At first look it would seem to make sense that, as climate concerns grow, green investments would outperform investments in dirty industries. To put this into an energy context,…

1
How Families Cope with Energy Insecurity 26:30

2y ago26:30

26:30

New research looks into the coping mechanisms that families use to navigate energy insecurity, as a guide for policy-based solutions. --- The number of American households experiencing energy insecurity spiked during the COVID pandemic in 2020, as growing unemployment and falling incomes made it difficult for more households to balance utility bill…

1
Scaling Private Finance for Global Solar Growth 32:15

2y ago32:15

32:15

A working paper from WRI, the International Solar Alliance and Bloomberg Philanthropies examines the essential role of private finance in scaling solar power development. --- A recent working paper from the World Resources Institute, the International Solar Alliance and Bloomberg Philanthropies finds that $1 trillion must be invested into solar ene…

1
The Complex, Politically Fraught Path to Building Electrification 39:39

2y ago39:39

39:39

Judy Chang, former Massachusetts undersecretary of Energy and Climate Solutions, discusses the need to educate consumers on the imperative to cut building emissions. --- Residential and commercial buildings account for nearly a third of climate warming greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Yet efforts to reduce the climate footprint of bui…

1
Will New Technology and Climate Change Save Nuclear Power? 45:57

2y ago45:57

45:57

Daniel Poneman, former U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary and current CEO of Centrus Energy, explores resurgent interest in nuclear power a decade after Fukushima. --- Growing concern over energy security and climate change has revived interest in nuclear power in some of the world’s most energy-intensive economies. In Japan, nuclear generators that clos…

1
China Plays Competitor, and Collaborator, in the Energy Transition 41:10

2y ago41:10

41:10

Scott Moore, author of China’s Next Act, discusses China’s global role in energy technology and sustainability. --- China is indispensable in the global effort to address climate change and speed forward the transition to clean energy. Yet the country, which leads the world in both energy consumption and the manufacture of clean energy technologies…

1
Overcoming Economic Barriers to Electrifying Everything 29:07

2y ago29:07

29:07

Berkeley economist Meredith Fowlie explains why the drive to electrify everything in American homes is at odds with electricity rate setting practices, and explores pricing reforms to deliver rapid and equitable electrification. --- “Electrify everything” has become a mantra of decarbonization, and it’s one of the key strategies to reducing relianc…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Kleinman Center For Energy Policy Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide