The Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast

On episode 121 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Mark Duda, a board member of Solar United Neighbors, about the benefits of virtual power plant programs across the country. We outline what defines a virtual power plant program, the successful characteristics of a VPP program, and also dig in to the model VPP tariff developed by Solar United Neighbors. Additional Resources: Solar United Neighbors VPP Model Tariff: http://bit.ly/4gRl2eY Canary Media Story on VPPs: https://bit.ly/4gujNT8 NCSEA’s End of Year Fundraising Campaign: https://www.energync.org/2024-annual-giving-campaign-2 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 120 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Nick Jimenez of the Southern Environmental Law Center, Casey Collins from Duke University, and Lucas Grimes from the Center for Resource Solutions about the recently approved Green Source Advantage Choice customer clean energy program in North Carolina. These experts break down the details of this large customer program, along with some of its shortcomings that may lead to low or no uptake. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 119, Justin Somelofske, Senior Regulatory Counsel at NCSEA helps to break down the NC Utilities Commission’s 2024 Carbon Plan Order. We dive in and talk about the new generation resource additions, implications of the order, and what’s to come next on the path to deploying these resources. This is a can’t miss episode if you’re interested in the future of electricity generation in North Carolina. Additional Resources: 2024 Carbon Plan Order: https://bit.ly/3YDu9Zl WFAE Coverage of the CPIRP: https://bit.ly/4eqKF4K NCSEA’s Summary of Carbon Plan Proceedings: https://energync.org/carbon-plan/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 118 of the podcast, we’re joined by Tyler Norris, James B. Duke Fellow and PhD student at Duke University’s Nicholas School for the Environment. Tyler talks interconnection and the challenges experienced by utility-scale renewable developers across the country. We also dive into some potential solutions to expedite deployment of low-cost renewable solutions in order to meet decarbonization mandates. Additional Resources: Flexible Interconnection Report and News Story: https://bit.ly/3UpwVjq Western North Carolina Clean Energy Relief Efforts: https://energync.org/disaster-relief-fund/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 117 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, Zoe Gamble from CleanChoice Energy joins to talk about retail choice electricity markets across the country. We cover how these markets operate and how customers are electing more and more to consumer electricity from clean resources. Tune in to hear about how retail choice is helping to drive down utility rates, while accelerating decarbonization. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 116 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with Richard Bunch and Win Dale from Apex Clean Energy about the Timbermill Wind Project currently under construction in Chowan County, NC. Once completed, this 45-turbine project will have a total capacity of 189MW, enough to power 47,000 homes every year. This project will not only add clean electrons to the grid, but it will also drive significant economic benefits to Eastern North Carolina as the largest taxpayer in Chowan County. Additional Resources: Timbermill Wind: https://www.timbermillwind.com/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On this episode, we’re talking with Brett Henderson, CEO of SolarPanelRecycling.com, about solar module end of life and solar farm decommissioning. We’ll dive in to the process of recycling solar modules and the facilities in place across the country equipped to handle these modules. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On episode 114 of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, we speak with an expert on land use and zoning to talk about solar farm development across the state of North Carolina. Tom Terrell of Fox Rothschild breaks down the benefits that solar brings to farmers across the state with the unique perspective of being a farmer himself. Additional Resources: NCSEA Increased NC County Tax Revenue from Solar Development Report: https://bit.ly/3WlR2z8 NCSEA NC Solar Land Use and Agriculture Report: bit.ly/3WB2Xe1 Northampton Enacts Solar Farm Moratorium: bit.ly/3WzmJqi Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

For Episode 113 we talk with John Larson of Dominion Energy about the development efforts currently underway on the 176 turbine, 2.6GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. John shares how this project has fueled significant economic development in the region while helping the utility diversify their generation portfolio and save on fuel costs. Additional Resources: NCSEA/CICE CVOW Tour: https://www.chambersforinnovation.com/insights/dominion-osw-tour Dominion Acquires Kitty Hawk North: https://prn.to/3W0KHch BOEM Greenlights Additional Leasing Areas: https://bit.ly/45YmOH0 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On this episode, Justin Somelofske shares the details of NCSEA’s expert testimony filed in the 2024 Carbon Plan (CPIRP) proceedings with a focus on generation resources that require longer development timelines. In particular, Justin outlines the need for expedited offshore wind development activities in the state, along with the need for authorization of funding for early development of these facilities in NC’s current wind leasing areas. This is a can’t miss episode to stay up to date with the latest happenings in the 2024 CPIRP proceedings. Additional Resources: More details on Carbon Plan proceedings: https://energync.org/carbon-plan/ Energy News Network CPIRP Coverage: https://bit.ly/3xLSZg2 NCSEA’s Testimony on Long Lead Resources: https://bit.ly/4bk3epJ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On Episode 111, Katie Southworth of the Clean Energy Buyers Association and John Burns of the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association join the podcast to highlight the current demand for clean energy by large commercial utility customers across the state of North Carolina and the current lack of available programs to serve that demand. We also talk about the current state of Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage program, data centers, and the importance of reliability for businesses in NC. Additional Resources: NCUC Green Source Advantage (GSA) Docket: https://bit.ly/3Rth4iF Energy News Network Story on GSA: https://bit.ly/3VK3D0h Clean Energy Buyers Institute Report: https://bit.ly/3XpvSTg Clean Energy Buyers Association: https://cebuyers.org/ Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association: https://carolinasceba.com/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On Episode 110, Rob Gramlich of Grid Strategies LLC helps us breakdown FERC Order 1920 and what it means for transmission planning across the country. In particular, we talk through how this order may accelerate renewable deployment and what it may mean for utilities in the Carolinas like Duke Energy. We also cover the procedural process and when the order may go into full effect. Additional Resources: FERC Order 1920 Fact Sheet: bit.ly/3R5VuAs RMI FERC Order 1920 Overview: bit.ly/3yGzkhN Grid Strategies LLC: https://gridstrategiesllc.com/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele)

On Episode 109, we’re bringing you the live keynote conversation from the 2024 State Energy Conference focused on distributed energy resources in North Carolina. On this live episode we feature a panel of experts that break down the current state of behind the meter resources and the opportunities that lie ahead with new incentive programs like PowerPair and Solar for All. Tune in to hear from Caitlin Vincent of the Solar Energy Industries Association, Shelley Robbins of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, and Hannah Elliott of Renu Energy Solutions. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On Episode 108, we’re talking about a topic that has become more prevalent as residential solar has taken off across the country - consumer protection. As the industry grows and matures, it’s incredibly important that the clean energy ecosystem is focused on protecting and educating consumers to help them make well-informed, financially advantageous decisions. On this episode, Amir Yazdi from the Solar Energy Industries Association shares some resources their association has put together for installers and customers alike, and Stew Miller from Yes Solar Solutions shares some of their keys to success in being a highly reputable local installer. Additional resources from today’s episode: SEIA Solar Consumer Protection Resources: https://www.seia.org/initiatives/consumer-protection NC Consumer Guide to Solar Electricity: https://www.ncsolarconsumerguide.com/ NCSEA Solar Code of Conduct: https://energync.org/solarcode/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On Episode 107, Jen Banks, Permitting & Development Director for TotalEnergies joins the podcast to talk about offshore wind development efforts currently underway in the state of North Carolina and the importance of the Carbon Plan proceedings to determining how future investments could continue to play out moving forward. We talk at length about TotalEnergies’ offshore wind projects further in the development pipeline in the Northeast and how they are already paying significant dividends to local communities through jobs and investments, and how North Carolina can capitalize on that same success with regulatory certainty to help attract a thriving, robust offshore wind supply chain. Additional resources from today’s episode: Carolina Long Bay Leasing Area: https://carolinalongbay.com/ TotalEnergies: https://corporate.totalenergies.us/wind Southeastern Wind Coalition Resource on NC OSW: https://bit.ly/4aIKxg9 Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On Episode 106, we talk with Don Moreland of the Georgia Solar Energy Association about everything taking place at the Georgia legislature and Public Services Commission. For clean energy policy aficionados, this is a can’t miss episode as we talk about community solar, solar consumer protections, integrated resource planning, and economic development. Additional resources from today’s episode: Georgia Solar Energy Association: https://www.gasolar.org/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On Episode 105, we talk with Chris Carmody of the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association about the current legislative session in South Carolina and what it means for energy in the state moving forward. In particular, there are a few significant pieces of legislation they’re tracking related to new natural gas assets and a bill focused on carrying forward the conversation on market reform. Additional resources from today’s episode: Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association: https://carolinasceba.com/ SC’s Ten Year Energy Transformation Act: https://bit.ly/4c4dRi0 SELC Statement on SC Market Reform Bill: bit.ly/3vaRBCm Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On Episode 104, we talk to Blair St. Olson-Ledger from Climate Cabinet Action about the legislative session currently underway in Virginia. In particular, we dive into the significant number of clean energy related bills that have been introduced this session and the potential impact they’d have moving forward. Additional resources from today’s episode: Shared Solar Bills in Virginia: bit.ly/4bNqFZU Climate Cabinet Action: https://climatecabinet.org/ Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

On Episode 103, we talk with Graham Alexander of Southern Energy Management about the recently approved PowerPair solar and storage incentive pilot program. We dive into the details of the incentives, timing, and program capacity. Make sure to tune in for can’t miss details of this new monumental program here in North Carolina. Additional resources from today’s episode: NCSEA’s Clean Energy in the Mountains: https://bit.ly/3Uwk14h SEM’s Webpage on PowerPair: https://bit.ly/3SxAiDl Duke Energy’s PowerPair Webpage: bit.ly/3SAQ7Jj Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.

Now that 2024 is underway, we’re joined by the policy team at NCSEA to talk about what’s in store for the year ahead. On this episode we’re joined by Cassie Gavin, Ethan Blumenthal, Justin Somelofske, and Michael Fairrington, who all recap some of the top moments of 2023 and highlight the potential opportunities over the course of the next 365 days. If North Carolina energy policy is important to you, then this episode is a can’t miss. Presented by NC Sustainable Energy Association. Hosted and produced by Matt Abele (Twitter: @MattAbele) Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @squeakycleanpodcast.