Shift Key with Robinson Meyer
Heatmap News
Every week, Heatmap News Executive Editor Robinson Meyer and Princeton University Professor and energy systems expert Jesse Jenkins make sense of the biggest shift of our time -- navigating the energy transition away from fossil fuels. Drawing on their years of experience reporting on and researching climate change and decarbonization, Meyer and Jenkins unpack the most important issues of the week and how the impacts of climate change and efforts to address it are transforming our economy, politics, and society at large. Music by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 10, 2024 • 1h 4min
What the Supreme Court’s Rulings Mean for Climate Change
A solo episode discussing how recent Supreme Court rulings impact climate change regulations, affecting agencies like the EPA. Experts analyze the limitations on federal regulatory power, focusing on cases like Loperbright. The episode explores implications for climate law and the challenges of the deregulatory revolution.
Jul 3, 2024 • 41min
How Europe and America Are Weatherproofing Climate Policy
Former EU official, Ann Mettler from Breakthrough Energy, discusses climate policy challenges in Europe and US. Topics: Inflation Reduction Act surprise in Europe, American policy outlook, preparing climate policy for rising tensions. Insights on Europe's Green Deal, global economic order shifts due to China, and EU-US cooperation. Emphasis on regulatory enhancements, clean energy collaboration, and technological deployment for climate action.
Jun 26, 2024 • 1h 2min
America’s Nuclear Policy Is Getting … Pretty Good!
Guest Ryan No discusses the bipartisan support for nuclear energy in Congress, the implications of the ADVANCE Act, and the timeline for new nuclear power plants. Topics include the role of nuclear energy in decarbonization, the potential for unique nuclear reactors in the US, and the commercial viability of advanced designs. The episode also explores policy support for the nuclear industry, challenges with infrastructure, and the importance of nuclear power in a decarbonized grid.
Jun 19, 2024 • 56min
How China’s EV Industry Got So Big
Ilaria Mazzocco discusses China's booming EV industry, US tariffs on Chinese EVs, and the implications for global markets. The conversation explores China's intentional efforts in developing EV industry, strategic shifts in manufacturing to Europe, and the impact on the global automotive market. Analysis includes China's industrial policy, collaboration with the US in clean energy transition, and projections of peak oil demand by 2029.
11 snips
Jun 12, 2024 • 51min
How to Fix Electricity Bills in America
Exploring the importance of how power bills are calculated, the need for redesigned electricity rates, and fixing issues with rooftop solar in America. Discussing challenges of rooftop solar, implementing time of use pricing, and restructuring electricity billing. Highlighting innovative solutions for electricity bills and retail competition, challenges in the US energy market, and advancements in carbon capture technology and Europe's energy transition.
23 snips
Jun 5, 2024 • 1h 18min
How California Broke Its Electricity Bills
Severin Borenstein, an economist, discusses rooftop solar's high cost impact, shifting burdens to non-solar users in California. They debate electricity bill fairness, cost structures, and potential government interventions. Topics include income-graduated charges, fair billing, and societal implications. Also covered are system cost allocation, historical rate evolution, and the necessity for updated billing models aligned with current trends.
26 snips
May 22, 2024 • 50min
How to Unlock Super Cheap Rooftop Solar
Mary Powell, CEO of Sunrun, discusses the high costs of rooftop solar in the U.S. compared to Australia. The podcast explores the evolution of rooftop solar companies, storage solutions, bureaucratic hurdles in solar installations, and the importance of PR in the climate tech sector. They also delve into optimizing energy generation and concerns over slow wind additions in US renewable capacity.
May 15, 2024 • 50min
It Was a Big Week for the Power Grid
Transmission obstacles in decarbonizing America's power grid, recent DOE and FERC initiatives, special guests discussing Biden's climate policy, challenges in permitting reform, and the importance of accelerating transmission development for renewable energy integration.
May 8, 2024 • 51min
Elon Musk Is Putting the EV Transition in Peril
Discussion on Tesla's crisis, layoffs, and shift towards AI, raising concerns about its impact on the EV transition. Analyzing Tesla's challenges in Q1 earnings and supercharger network strategy. Exploring Musk's decisions, risks, and US offshore wind sector developments. Examining the growth of US electricity generation from renewables.
12 snips
Apr 26, 2024 • 51min
The EPA’s Carbon Crackdown Is Finally Here
The podcast delves into the EPA's new rules targeting climate pollution from coal and gas plants, emphasizing carbon capture technology. It discusses the end of coal in America, the implications for gas plants, and the importance of transitioning to renewables. The hosts analyze the EPA's regulations, industry concerns, and the political challenges in decarbonizing the grid.
