

Decarbonize: The Clean Energy Podcast
Fresh Energy
Fresh Energy is speeding Minnesota’s transition to a clean energy economy, which will ensure that our region enjoys good health, a vibrant economy, and thriving communities today and for generations to come. Working purely in the public interest, Fresh Energy’s team of scientists, economists, policy analysts, and educators develops and advances solutions that secure a clean energy future where all can thrive. Sign up for our monthly listserv focused on clean energy issues in Minnesota here: https://fresh-energy.org/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 17, 2024 • 1h 1min
White Paper Deep Dive: Minnesota’s growing decarbonization challenge
Tune in to this recording of Fresh Energy's webinar from April 17, 2024. This in-depth discussion is an exploration of the inner workings of Minnesota’s natural gas distribution system from our latest whitepaper, "Hidden beneath our feet: Minnesota’s growing decarbonization challenge." Fresh Energy’s Joe Dammel, Curt Nordgaard, Caitlin Eichten, and Isak Kvam. Webinar viewers will dive deeply into the nitty-gritty details of Minnesota’s gas system, historical trends and future projections, and an analysis of gas use and emissions trends.View a PDF of the PowerPoint that goes along with this discussion here.View and download the white paper here.Follow us on Social Media!InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedInFresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytodayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

Jan 22, 2024 • 1h 6min
Our Clean Energy and Climate Plans for the 2024 Legislative Session
The 2024 session of the Minnesota Legislature begins on February 12. Join the Fresh Energy team for a conversation about our plans and expectations for the coming session. We'll discuss what it takes to be effective advocates at the Minnesota Legislature, what a typical “bonding year” has in store, and Fresh Energy's priorities for the 2024 legislative session. Podcast Guests:Brenda Cassellius, Executive DirectorJustin Fay, Senior Lead, Public Affairs and Advocacy Anna Johnson, Senior Manager, State and Local AffairsHost: Jo Olson, Lead Director, Communications and EngagementFurther Reading:- Blog: Meet the Public Affairs team- Blog: Our top 23 accomplishments of 2023- Blog: 2023 legislative debrief Listeners can stay up to date on our work via our once monthly email list, blog at www.fresh-energy.org, or by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. You can support Fresh Energy’s work for a clean energy Minnesota by making a donation today!Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytodayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

Dec 15, 2023 • 1h 3min
Debriefing COP28 with J. Drake Hamilton
The 2023 U.N. Climate Conference, also known as COP, will be held in the United Arab Emirates from November 30 through December 12. J. Drake Hamilton, senior director, science policy at Fresh Energy, was one of the more than 70,000 participants from around the globe to attend. Get the scoop from J. on some of the big discussions that happened at the event. You can read J.'s blog from COP at fresh-energy.org/COP28.Listeners can stay up to date on Fresh Energy's work via our once-monthly email list, blog at www.fresh-energy.org, or by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. You can support Fresh Energy’s work for a clean energy Minnesota by making a donation today!Thank you to the band Palms Psalm for providing our theme song, "DGAF" off of their album Otuhaka. Get the latest from the band at palmspsalm.com.Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytodayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

Dec 14, 2023 • 1h 7min
Understanding the gas system with Joe Dammel
Minnesota’s natural gas utilities are planning to grow their gas distribution systems and the volume of natural gas they deliver over the coming decades. This poses a significant challenge for Minnesota as we strive to rapidly reduce emissions from the buildings sector to meet state emission goals. But in order to understand the problem, Minnesotans must first learn how the gas system beneath our feet works and how utilities invest in it. Fresh Energy shared a new report about Minnesota’s gas system in November and in this webinar, we unpack some of the report’s key findings and answer questions.Listeners can stay up to date on Fresh Energy's work via our once-monthly email list, blog at www.fresh-energy.org, or by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. You can support Fresh Energy’s work for a clean energy Minnesota by making a donation today!Thank you to the band Palms Psalm for providing our theme song, "DGAF" off of their album Otuhaka. Get the latest from the band at palmspsalm.com.Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytodayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

Nov 9, 2023 • 47min
Looking ahead to COP28 with J. Drake Hamilton
J. Drake Hamilton, senior director at Fresh Energy, shares insights on the upcoming COP28 conference, including discussions on global emissions, oil and gas subsidies, and the Minnesota story. They highlight the four big questions for discussion and emphasize the importance of the U.S.'s role in addressing global warming. Follow J.'s daily updates from the COP event and support Fresh Energy through donations.

Jun 13, 2023 • 37min
What's up with hydrogen?
Hydrogen is a hot topic in the clean energy space and here in Minnesota. Thanks to the 100% clean electricity law, Minnesota’s electricity supply will be 100% carbon-free by 2040. This is a BIG deal. But to address the global climate crisis, we must be carbon neutral across the economy by mid-century or before—and this includes our industry and agriculture sectors. Fortunately, federal action from the Biden Administration in the past few years, including the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, are also opening up new funding and opportunities for Minnesota to leverage when we’re talking industry-wide decarbonization. Join Fresh Energy's Craig McDonnell and Jo Olson, with special guest Mike Reese from the UofM's West Central Research & Outreach Center in Morris, to get the scoop on hydrogen and its role in industrial decarbonization.Listeners can stay up to date on Fresh Energy's work via our once-monthly email list, blog at www.fresh-energy.org, or by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. You can support Fresh Energy’s work for a clean energy Minnesota by making a donation today!Learn more about the UofM's West Central Research & Outreach Center in Morris, Minnesota, and subscribe to their listserv here.Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytodayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

May 23, 2023 • 1h 16min
Legislative session debrief with Fresh Energy
Let’s talk about what happened at the Minnesota Legislature! Join Fresh Energy policy experts for a webinar to discuss why this year was the biggest yet for clean energy and climate—and why it means the work is just beginning.Join Fresh Energy policy experts for a webinar that was recorded on Tuesday, May 23 to learn what some key accomplishments were this session, what they mean for the work ahead, and more.Webinar guests:Michael Noble, executive directorJustin Fay, senior lead, public affairs and advocacyAnna Johnson, senior manager, state and local affairsModerated by Jo Olson, senior director, communications and engagementFresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytodayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

Apr 11, 2023 • 43min
Earth Day Special Edition: Listening to "Otuhaka" with Eric Pasi
Fresh Energy is mixing it up for Earth Day with a podcast takeover by Palms Psalm, a music project created by Eric Pasi! Tune in for a listening session of Palms Psalm's new release, "Otuhaka" with Fresh Energy's Jo Olson and Eric Pasi. "Otuhaka" is an album full of songs that weave surf rock with island vibes in a reflection on climate-fueled annihilation, specifically recalling old Polynesian music dug up by Eric, a first-generation Tongan-American. Join Eric and Jo as they listen to and discuss five songs from the album, along with Eric's inspiration, background, process, and more. IMPORTANT NOTICE for sensitive listeners and people listening with children. There are a few instances of explicit words used in this podcast, please be aware. Get to know Palms Psalm and listen to the album on Spotify, Apple Music, and Sound Cloud. Mark your calendar for upcoming performances including:April 22, 2:30 p.m.: Earth Day Solo Show at Solar Arts BuildingMay 20, 3 p.m.: Art-a-Whirl at Pryes BreweryJuly 15, 7 p.m.: Bauhaus Brewing Anniversary PartyJuly 27, 7 p.m.: Lowertown Sound at Mears ParkFresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytodayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

Feb 7, 2023 • 1h 1min
Minnesota’s 100% Clean Electricity Bill Explained
Let’s talk about Minnesota’s 100% clean electricity bill! Join Fresh Energy policy experts for a webinar that was recorded on Monday, February 6 at 1:30 p.m. to dig into why this bill is a big deal for Minnesota, what it entails, its history and journey through the Minnesota Legislature, and more.Webinar guests:Michael Noble, executive directorAllen Gleckner, executive lead, policy and programsIsabel Ricker, director, clean electricityJustin Fay, senior lead, public affairs and advocacyModerated by Jo Olson, senior director, communications and engagementFresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytodayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

Dec 21, 2022 • 43min
Our Clean Energy and Climate Plans for the 2023 Legislative Session
The 2023 session of the Minnesota Legislature begins on January 3. Join the Fresh Energy team for a conversation about our plans and expectations for the coming session. The discussion will touch on Minnesota’s clean energy opportunities, federal action, committee assignments, budget surplus, our policy goals, and more!Podcast Guests:Michael Noble, Executive DirectorAnna Johnson, Senior Associate of Public AffairsHost: Jo Olson, Director of Communications and EngagementFurther Reading:- Blog: Our top 22 accomplishments of 2022Listeners can stay up to date on our work via our once monthly email list, blog at www.fresh-energy.org, or by following us on Facebook and Twitter. You can support Fresh Energy’s work for a clean energy Minnesota by making a donation today!Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytodayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/


