ICF Podcast

Hosts Lindsay Bell and Jack Murphy, of ICF’s Workforce Innovations, Preparedness, and Poverty Solutions (WIPPS) portfolio, are joined by WIPPS Project Director and Cybersecurity Youth Apprenticeship Initiative (CYAI) coach, Mary Roberto, and Ian McMahon, Director of the Colorado Division of Economic and Workforce Support. Together, they discuss how workforce development and youth human services systems can work together to expand access to high quality jobs for low-income youth through RAPs. Topics covered in this episode include: What programs and services exist to connect low-income youth to employment and training.Colorado Department of Human Services’ collaborative efforts to develop youth employment and training programs through multi-sector partnerships.How RAPs fit into the youth services ecosystem.Making programs accessible and appealing to youth of various backgrounds.Barriers to self-sufficiency and what services exist to address them.Successful collaboration between human services and workforce development programs.

Tune in to Energy in 30, hosted by Joan Collins and David Meisegeier. In this episode, you'll hear from Sally Jacquemin, OSI and AspenTech Business; Sarah Colvin, GE Vernova; and ICF's Chris Najera. The discussion focuses on the crucial role of load management in the energy transition.Topics in today’s episode include:Changes in customer behavior and in the utility market. Technological advancements impacting load management. Solutions-oriented future developments.

Tune in to Energy in 30, hosted by Joan Collins and David Meisegeier. In this episode, hear ICF experts Nancy Caplan and Kelly Zonderwyk talk about building utility customer connections with account-based marketing. Together, we discuss how the whole energy system is in the midst of a major transformation and how utilities are working to engage their customers during this transition.Topics in today’s episode include:Building an opportunity for connectedness from a customer engagement perspective.The emotional side of customer decision-making.How to deliver relevant, personalized experiences for today's digital savvy customers.The data and customer insights needed to create targeted campaigns.

Tune in to Energy in 30, hosted by Joan Collins and David Meisegeier. In this episode, a panel of our experts revisit their top predictions for 2023. You’ll hear from Justin Rodgers, vice president of energy business development, Mike Jung, founding executive director of the ICF Climate Center, and Meredith Derr, senior director of disaster management. Together, they discuss how their predictions regarding the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) aligned with the actual impacts on the energy industry in 2023.Topics in today’s episode include:The influence of unforeseen global events on market instability and consumer confidence.The utilization of IRA and IIJA funding by local governments and nonprofits.Strategies and tactics employed by utilities to enhance customer engagement.Innovative approaches by GRIP programs in bundling stimulus funds.The importance of community partnerships in addressing spending law concerns and meeting priorities.The mandatory reporting of active loan opportunities in several states for utilities.The success seen by utility teams that collaborate and coordinate.Emphasis on holistic and strategic partnership-building for the upcoming round of grant funding.

Tune in to Energy in 30, hosted by Joan Collins and David Meisegeier. In this episode, hear from authors Mike Lenox and Becky Duff, who talk about their new book, “The Decarbonization Imperative: Transforming the Global Economy of 2050.” Together, we discuss the impacts of the climate crisis, how it’s affecting every sector and industry, and how to approach the problems it presents to our global economy.Topics in today’s episode include: The need to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.The challenge of adopting clean technology and changing consumer behaviors.Replacing established tech norms within industries.Market-driven approaches to technology and innovation.Industrial policies help accelerate the decarbonization transition.

Tune in to Energy in 30 hosted by Joan Collins and David Meisegeier. In this episode, hear from Dave Roberts, manager of the Residential Buildings Research Group for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and a returning guest, Kevin Duffy, who leads our innovation pilots team. Together, they discuss how technological innovations and collaboration are advancing the energy transition.Topics in today’s episode include:NREL team works to decarbonize building stock and create a clean energy grid.Load flexibility plays an important role in energy efficient buildings.The evolution of the value proposition in energy market transformation.Pilot programs and lab-based approaches are vital for industry growth.Ensuring equitable access to technological innovations is imperative.

Tune in to Energy in 30 hosted by Joan Collins and David Meisegeier. In this episode, hear from ICF innovation strategy and services lead Nick Lange. Together, they discuss generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and its impact on the energy industry.Topics in today’s episode include:Three reasons why ChatGPT went viral in 2023Is GenAI trustworthy? How to assess the reliability of GenAI outputWorking to be good stewards of powerful responsibilityWhat does a GenAI-fueled future look like?

Tune in to our fifteenth episode of “Energy in 30,” hosted by Joan Collins and David Meisegeier. In this episode, hear from Rohit (Rit) Aggarwala, New York City's Chief Climate Officer and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner, along with ICF Director of Building Decarbonization Luke Surowiec. Together, they explore how cities like New York continue to take practical steps to meet their climate goals through building decarbonization initiatives. Topics in today’s episode include: Progress of local initiatives on building decarbonization in New York City. The role of data in shaping strategies and implementing programs. NYC Accelerator’s support for building owners and operators. Exciting developments on the horizon, including federal funding opportunities.

Tune in to Energy in 30 hosted by Joan Collins and David Meisegeier. On our fourteenth episode, “The future of controlled environment agriculture,” hear from Derek Smith at the Resource Innovation Institute (RII), Jennifer Amann at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and ICF’s Director of Energy Efficiency Cody Allen. Together, they discuss the growth of efficiency in controlled environment agriculture (CEA).Topics in today’s episode include:How CEA can provide food security on a climate-constrained planet.Understanding the relationship between CEA and cannabis.The size and energy intensity of CEA facilities.The future of CEA and opportunities for new technology to emerge.Dealing with industry resistance and protecting intellectual property.