Three Perspectives on Clean Energy Progress in 2025

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil brings together three industry leaders from SED’s Advisory Board to examine how shifting policies, rising demand, and rapid technological change have reshaped energy and sustainability strategies across sectors in 2025 and what 2026 may bring. Tom Kelly, Senior Energy Manager, SUNY Purchase College, offers a higher education perspective, outlining the challenges of volatile markets, evolving state mandates, and the growing role of students in driving sustainability priorities. Emily Schapira, President and CEO, Philadelphia Energy Authority, discusses how the Philadelphia Energy Authority is navigating the loss of federal funding while still advancing equitable clean energy initiatives, including the city’s landmark LED streetlighting project. Finally, Scott Bargerstock, Principal, Mindre Consulting, shares insights from his decades in manufacturing, highlighting geopolitical pressures, grid expansion, and innovation in storage and nuclear technologies.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…  Challenges of forecasting markets without consistent federal information (03:36)  On complying with New York’s Executive Order 22 (05:29)  SUNY Purchase College’s energy and sustainability priorities (07:17)  SUNY Purchase College’s $50M geothermal project (10:56)  Impacts of federal policy rollbacks and stalled clean energy programs (15:35)  Philadelphia’s creative financing strategies amid uncertainty (19:36)  Philadelphia’s $90M LED streetlighting overhaul (22:56)  Biggest challenges energy procurement managers are facing (31:24)  Innovation priorities like battery storage and safety concerns (33:31)  The  restoration of the nuclear industry in the US (39:33)  For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Tom Kelly  On LinkedIn  Connect with Emily Schapira  On LinkedIn Connect with Scott Bargerstock  On LinkedIn  Connect With Smart Energy Decisions  Smart Energy Decisions  Follow us on LinkedIn  Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio  If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected].

In this episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna sits down with Kevin Rabinovitch, Global VP of Sustainability at Mars, to discuss the company’s journey toward maintaining their environmental goals, with a special focus on Scope 3 emissions. The conversation covers insights from Rabinovitch’s 31-year career at Mars, the evolution of their strategy, how it’s integrated into business operations, and the challenges and opportunities of driving change across a global supply chain. Whether it’s data systems, supplier engagement, renewable energy, or emerging technologies, this episode includes many insights for those looking to improve their Scope 3 strategy. Embedding sustainability into your business strategy (02:30) Discovering where sustainability objectives meet daily decisions (4:04) Why Mars prioritized Scope 3 emissions (09:36) Meeting challenges in aggregating data across the business and supply chain (12:26) Supplier engagement, estimation philosophy, and more (16:59) Driving efficiency, motivation, and business value (17:39) Tactics for adapting to different markets and risk appetites in renewable energy (23:42) Advice for those starting their own journey in the industry (44:12) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Kevin Rabinovitch On LinkedIn Kevin Rabinovitch is the Global VP Sustainability for Mars, Incorporated. In his role, he leads the Performance Acceleration and Shared Services team supporting the Mars Sustainable in A Generation Plan. Spanning the entirety of Mars' global sustainability impacts, Performance Acceleration focuses on creating new business capabilities and reengineering to accelerate and more efficiently deliver the SiG Plan. Shared Services leverages the global scale and power of Mars to support the segments of Petcare, Snacking and Food & Nutrition on subjects such as a global portfolio of renewable energy, sustainability data systems & tools, carbon removal projects and the Mars Sustainable Investment Fund.  Externally, among other roles, Kevin sits on the Board of the Livelihoods Carbon Fund 3, teaches Business & Sustainability at Virginia Tech and Georgetown University and frequently speaks externally on behalf of Mars’ sustainability program. He has been with Mars for 31 years, 18 years in sustainability, having helped start Mars’ program and the first 13 years in R&D functions of multiple Mars business segments in the U.S. and Europe, specializing in technology development, scale-up, and intellectual property. Connect with Mars, Inc. Follow Mars on LinkedIn Follow Kevin Rabinovitch on LinkedIn Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Follow Abhinav Krishna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio. If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected].

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, we bring you a conversation from SED Forum Fall featuring Chris Pennington of Iron Mountain and Brett Thompson of CMC and moderated by Debra Chanil, Editorial & Research Director at Smart Energy Decisions. They explore a major shift underway in energy strategy, moving from a focus on procurement to optimizing how and when energy is used. As renewable generation grows, aligning consumption with clean energy availability is becoming increasingly important. Pennington shares how data centers are integrating on-site storage and hourly matching to enhance flexibility, while Thompson explains how CMC manages electric arc furnace operations and demand response participation to support grid reliability. Together, they highlight the growing need for flexible load strategies, stronger utility partnerships, and forward-looking planning in the ever-changing energy landscape. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Why energy strategy is shifting from procurement to optimized usage (03:40) Changing grid dynamics and shifting peak pricing periods (07:39) Demand response and managing load peaks (14:20) Where energy customers should focus next (15:47) Policy and regulatory challenges (16:48) How data centers are affecting grid capacity and costs (18:18) The future of clean energy (20:24) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Chris Pennington On LinkedIn Chris Pennington is Director of Energy & Sustainability for Iron Mountain Data Centers. His responsibilities include the development of Iron Mountain’s global sustainability program and identification of opportunities to innovate for a more sustainable digital future. He received the Green Power Leader of the Year award in 2021 from the Center for Resource Solutions and championed Iron Mountain’s public commitment to 24/7 carbon free energy that same year. Chris actively participates in the Clean Energy Buyers Association as faculty for their energy buyer support programs, as well as Eurelectric’s 24/7 carbon free energy hub. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you’re interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Plugged In, we bring you a panel discussion at the recent SED Forum Fall on the growing importance of energy resiliency as a strategic imperative. The panel, moderated by Melissa Heim, Principal of Commercialization and Development at Constellation, features Levi Love, Manager of Energy Procurement and Analytics at Sheetz, Scott Czubkowski, National Director of Energy and Facility Performance at Medxcel, and Abhinav Krishna, Vice President of Commercialization and Development at Constellation. This panel of experts explores how organizations across sectors are designing resilient and sustainable energy strategies to withstand disruptions and ensure business continuity. They discuss approaches including leveraging data and analytics for operational insights and integrating behind-the-meter and front-of-the-meter solutions. The panelists also share how innovations like battery technology, AI, and long-range data networks are shaping the future of energy resiliency, and why combining sustainability with reliability is essential for building a stronger, more adaptive energy future. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… ● Energy resiliency and its growing importance (01:30) ● Macro trends shaping energy resiliency strategies (02:51) ● Sheetz’s approach to energy resilience and sustainability (04:41) ● Medxcel’s healthcare-focused resiliency strategy (06:27) ● The ROI of resilience through cross-departmental data (09:43) ● On improving data accuracy and real-time insights (10:45) ● Behind-the-meter and front-of-the-meter solutions (14:15) ● Emerging technologies in healthcare energy systems (17:40) ● On battery technology and AI-powered energy analytics (19:55) ● AI, and the evolution of small modular reactors and long-duration storage (21:11) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow ChuckHanna on LinkedIn Follow Abinav Krishna on LinkedIn    Follow Raj Bazaj on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil presents a special double header from the recent SED Forum Fall, examining how recent U.S. policy changes are reshaping the clean energy landscape. Stanley Reynolds, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Arizona, unpacks the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) and its reversal of key Inflation Reduction Act incentives. He outlines the bill’s potential economic impacts, including higher energy costs and reduced investment, while also pointing to reasons for optimism like competitiveness in the renewables space and continued innovation. Peter Kelly-Detwiler, Principal at NorthBridge Energy Partners, continues the discussion with insights on navigating this environment. He highlights the industry’s resilience, the growing role of breakthrough technologies like geothermal and modular nuclear, and strategies for energy buyers to adapt amid uncertainty and opportunity. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill and its economic impacts (03:16) Key provisions of the OBBB, including rescinded IRA funds (04:09) Forecasts for energy prices, investment, and jobs (10:45) Opportunities in renewables, innovation, and state-level policy (13:01) Arizona as a case study for policy impacts and opportunities (15:55) Status of major offshore and onshore projects post-OBBB (20:08) Emerging technologies like advanced geothermal (25:04) Rising electricity demand from data centers and electrification (30:14) On-site generation and geothermal systems as near-term solutions (34:38) Legal, ESG, and financial considerations for energy buyers (38:10) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Stanley Reynolds On LinkedIn Stanley Reynolds joined the University of Arizona after earning a doctorate in Economics from Northwestern University. He has served as Economics Department Head and Vice Dean of the Eller College of Management at U. of Arizona. His areas of expertise include energy economics, environmental economics, and industrial organization. His research has been published in leading economics journals such as Econometrica, Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the Rand Journal of Economics. His current research examines the economics of grid-scale energy storage, the impact of environmental policy on energy markets, and integration of renewable energy into the electric grid. Connect with Peter Kelly-Detwiler On LinkedIn Peter Kelly-Detwiler has 30 years of experience in the electric energy industry, with much of his career in competitive power markets. He’s currently a leading consultant in the electric industry, providing strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate the rapid evolution of the electric power grid. Mr. Kelly-Detwiler offers numerous keynotes and workshops on a wide range of topics. He has also written widely on energy issues for Forbes.com and GE, with over 300 articles to his credit. His book on the transformation of electric power markets – “The Energy Switch” – was published by Prometheus Books in June of 2021. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Plugged In, Raj Bazaj, Vice President of Sustainability Solutions at Constellation, sits down with Ryan Kelley, Global Carbon Footprint Reduction Champion at WL Gore & Associates, a global materials science company spanning thousands of products including high-performance fabrics. Kelley shares Gore’s path to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2025, their early success in emissions reduction, and the importance of cross-functional collaboration in driving progress. He highlights the company’s 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions ahead of schedule, the decision to raise its 2030 target to 80%, and the role of energy efficiency, electrification, and new materials in achieving progress. He also discusses Gore’s use of advanced energy modeling, its efforts to explore circular business models, and how being both a brand and manufacturer amplifies its impact across the supply chain. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Ryan’s transition into sustainability leadership (00:48) Gore’s carbon reduction goals and Scope 1 and 2 strategy (03:58) Gore’s breakthrough success in Asia (05:58) Achieving reduction goals and raising the 2030 goal to 80% (09:11) Gore’s energy efficiency initiatives (11:18) Integration of new materials into emissions progress (13:29)  Scope 3 emissions and supply chain (19:55) On-site renewable projects and growth potential (21:12) Gore’s community-led green initiatives (26:50) Connect with Ryan Kelley On LinkedIn Ryan Kelley leads carbon reduction efforts at W.L. Gore & Associates, focusing on Scope 1 and 2 emissions through energy efficiency, renewable power, and electrification. He holds an electrical engineering degree from Penn State, is a registered Professional Engineer and Certified Energy Manager, and lives in Landenberg, PA, with his family. Ryan is committed to applying engineering principles to create practical solutions for sustainability and climate change, with the objective of making a positive, lasting impact on the planet. Connect with Raj Bazaj On LinkedIn Raj Bazaj began his energy career in 2005 with WPS Energy Services (later Integrys), which was acquired by Constellation in 2014. He currently leads efforts to develop strategic partnerships, including a multi-year agreement with Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village in Canton, OH. In addition, Raj has been an active member of the White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), participating in leadership summits under both the Obama and Trump administrations.   Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Follow Abinav Krishna on LinkedIn Follow Raj Bazaj on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected].

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sits down with Glade Gunther, Market Manager at Syensqo, to explore the fast-growing field of advanced air mobility and its sustainability impact. Gunther shares how Syensqo’s high-performance composites and specialty materials are enabling breakthroughs in lightweighting, energy efficiency, and the design of next-generation aircraft. He highlights potential applications ranging from defense and cargo delivery to air taxis, while also addressing key challenges such as certification, public acceptance, and scaling production. Gunther also underscores Syensqo’s commitment to renewable energy, circularity, and sustainable manufacturing practices — efforts that are helping to lower costs, accelerate timelines, and move the industry toward a cleaner future. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Overview of Syensqo and Glade Gunther’s role in advanced air mobility (AAM) (01:27) Syensqo’s sustainability focus and the Solar Impulse project (03:51) The advanced air mobility market and lightweighting (06:00) How manufacturers leverage Syensqo’s certified composite products (08:27) Use cases for advanced air mobility (11:02) Public acceptance of new aviation technologies (15:42) Projected timeline for new technologies (21:20) Syensqo’s focus on helping customers scale efficiently and sustainably (30:33) Connect with Glade Gunther ● On LinkedIn Glade Gunther is the Global Market Manager for Composites in the Advanced Air Mobility and Electronics/Industrial markets at Syensqo, formerly part of Solvay Group. In this role, he provides technical expertise in product and manufacturing development of composite materials, partnering with customers to identify the best solutions for their unique requirements. With nearly 30 years of experience in the composites industry, Glade has held positions as a business development manager, sales account manager, and in process engineering and manufacturing. His strong background in materials, manufacturing, and process design has enabled him to support a wide range of industries, including automotive, defense, aerospace, sporting goods, electronics, and medical.   Connect With Smart Energy Decisions ● Smart Energy Decisions ●  Follow us on LinkedIn   Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Elaine Franklin, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Hollywood, Florida. Franklin shares how the city is advancing its sustainability action plan through clearer accountability, innovative digital tracking tools, and regional collaboration to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. She discusses Hollywood’s emissions reduction strategy, climate resilience planning, and adaptive reuse projects, including the transformation of the historic Armory into a modern community center. Franklin also highlights initiatives to expand tree canopy, provide community cooling centers, and otherwise mitigate extreme heat, underscoring how sustainability and resilience save both money and lives. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… ●     Lessons from Hollywood’s 2017 Sustainability Action Plan (02:54) ●     Using the Kausal platform for accountability and transparency (03:59) ●     Importance of a living document (06:27) ●     Goals and strategies to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (09:21) ●     Overview of an adaptive reuse project (14:20) ●     Climate resilience and heat mitigation at the City of Hollywood (16:16) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Elaine Franklin ● On LinkedIn Elaine has a master’s degree in conservation biology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She brings years of diverse experience to the role of Environmental Sustainability Coordinator. Prior to her life in Florida, Elaine developed and delivered an environmental sustainability curriculum to youths in Eswatini/Swaziland, Southern Africa, through her own company. She earned her Permaculture Design Certification in South Africa and guided low-income residents in establishing abundant, diverse and sustainable food gardens in their own yards. She has studied the impacts of human activities on birds throughout the world, most recently coauthoring a paper on the effects of a new transportation project on bird communities in Equatorial Guinea. Elaine is a CLEO Climate Speaker, a facilitator of the En-ROADS climate simulator, a Florida Master Gardener, and an avid cyclist. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions ● Smart Energy Decisions ● Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected].

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil introduces a keynote session from the Smart Energy Decisions Summer Forum featuring Dr. Wolfgang Bauer, where he tackles two vital questions: How much will it cost to replace all fossil fuels, and how much will we gain? With compelling data and economic analysis, Bauer outlines the feasibility of a complete global transition to renewable energy. He also explores energy efficiency, the capacity and costs of various renewable sources, storage technologies, and the consequences of inaction on climate, emphasizing that transitioning to renewables not only benefits the planet but also increases global prosperity.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Why “energy is money” and how pricing varies regionally (02:52) Why energy conservation is the greenest energy strategy (03:44) How much usable energy fossil fuels provide (08:35) Capacity factors and costs of renewables (11:52) The role of nuclear and emerging technologies (15:22) Dispatchable renewables and storage solutions (18:15) Making the case for a $32 trillion investment (22:13) Rising global temperatures and dangers of climate inaction (25:21) Connect with Wolfgang Bauer ● On LinkedIn Dr. Bauer has served in various capacities at Michigan State University, most recently as University Distinguished Professor and as President of the MSU Research Foundation. He is one of the authors of the MSU Energy Transition plan, owns renewable energy power plants, and has done extensive research and consulting on renewable energy sources. Dr. Bauer serves on the Advisory Board of Smart Energy Decisions.   Connect With Smart Energy Decisions ● Smart Energy Decisions ●  Follow us on LinkedIn   Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio   If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna welcomes Brian Janous, Co-founder of Cloverleaf Infrastructure and former leader of Microsoft’s global energy team. They explore the energy sector’s changing dynamics, driven by skyrocketing demand from data centers and a shift in emphasis from buying energy to securing capacity. Janous shares insights from his 25-year career in the power and utilities industry, highlighting the current strain on the grid, the role of utilities, and the importance of building energy resilience.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Janous’s career journey (01:10) Grid challenges today (02:59) Short-term and long-term viability of the new technologies (04:38) Alternatives for resilient backup power (07:21) Cloverleaf Infrastructure’s business model (08:29) Competitive vs. regulated markets (13:55) Outlook on the grid’s future (18:38) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Brian Janous On LinkedIn Brian is the Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Cloverleaf Infrastructure. Cloverleaf aims to solve the critical problem of expanding grid capacity to support the largest electric customer loads to spur economic growth and investment. Previously, Brian served as VP of Energy at Microsoft, supporting the development and execution of Microsoft’s global cloud and AI energy strategy. This included oversight of energy policy, procurement, renewable energy, distributed generation, and overall environmental impact. Prior to Microsoft, Brian worked as a consultant at Brubaker & Associates, assisting Fortune 500 companies with energy procurement, policy, and sustainability matters.  Brian serves on the board of VEIR, a pioneer in superconducting transmission technology, and Protect Our Winters. He also holds advisory board positions with LineVision, a leader in dynamic line rating technology, LevelTen Energy, operator of the largest marketplace for renewable energy buyers, and the Institute for Energy Studies at Western Washington University. Brian holds an MBA from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Missouri. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices onApple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]