S12 Ep14: Community engagement is a necessary component of the transition to clean energy

The Nature Conservancy's Senior Policy Advisor for Freshwater Jim Howe, explains the Sustainable Rivers Program and its benefits for Americans nationwide.

A federal program that returns $12 for every $1 spent and reduces flood risk nationwide could soon be history. The Sustainable Rivers Program is a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Its reach has grown from eight rivers in 2002 to 65 today, influencing nearly 15,000 miles of waterways and more than 100 dams and reservoirs around the country. But this cooperative program is in jeopardy. Jim Howe, Senior Policy Advisor for Freshwater at The Nature Conservancy, explains what’s at stake, the potential impact of federal cuts, and how dam operations affect communities nationwide.

Carbon policy strategist Danny Richter shared some new details on the EU's implementation of its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

What do carbon pricing advocates think and talk about when carbon pricing proposals are not on the table, at least here in the United States? Carbon policy strategist and friend of the podcast Danny Richter, founder of Richter Capitol Hill Strategies, is here to break down the various policies that he and other carbon pricing peers are monitoring and advocating for during this time when direct climate policy is not on the table.

Matt Glazewski explains the Washington Climate Corps Network and more about their work.

Community engagement is at the heart of whether a successful transition to a clean energy economy is possible and in Washington State, Matt Glazewski is working on just that. Glazewski is the Executive Director of the Washington Climate Corps Network, a network of organizations, young adults, veterans, and professionals working together to build a climate-resilient Washington. He is committed to making sure all communities, overburdened by the impacts of climate change, are part of the conversation on solutions.

Jamie Beard shares more about Project InnerSpace and one of the biggest benefits to geothermal energy.

Leveraging the expertise of the oil and gas industry to scale geothermal energy, Project InnerSpace (opposite of outer space) is poised to rapidly provide the world with unprecedented levels of clean, geothermal power. If we drill for geothermal energy at the rate we currently drill for oil and gas, by 2050, up to 77 percent of global demand for electricity and over 100 percent of global demand for heat can be supplied by geothermal, without the doom and gloom talk. In this episode, Project InnerSpace’s founder and executive director Jamie Beard shares her confidence in our ability to forge the missing links to tap into geothermal energy’s abundance. This episode is all about geothermal energy, so stay tuned and enjoy host Chelsea Henderson's conversation with Jamie Beard! 

Bright Saver co-founder Cora Stryker says one of the advantages of balcony solar is its versatility. Don't miss the entire interview on this week's episode!

Residential solar has a number of barriers to entry, one of the biggest being cost. But what if you could run to IKEA, buy a portable panel that plugs into your home and immediately save on power bills? That future is coming. As we discussed in our 2025 interview with Utah Rep. Raymond Ward, who spearheaded changing the law in Utah to allow so-called balcony solar, this is a widely popular appliance in Germany that can and should be commercialized in the U.S. This week we welcome Cora Stryker from Bright Saver, who has been working to advance policies like Utah’s and now there is action in over 30 states to pave the way for balcony solar. Feel helpless and not sure how to engage? Check out the status of balcony solar in your state and join/spark the movement!