Tag Archives: Clean energy

Sammy Roth: Shutting Down Diablo Canyon

We are on the brink of the hottest months of the year. For those of us in California this means getting ready for the nuisance of rolling blackouts, as the power grid gets stretched beyond its capacity. This week on Sea Change Radio, we speak to Sammy Roth of the Los Angeles Times about the ongoing challenge to transform electricity in the nation’s most populous state. First, we learn about California’s last nuclear plant, the soon-to-be shuttered Diablo Canyon, and examine the pros and cons of shutting down a plant that produces almost 10% of the state’s energy portfolio. Then we take a look at how NIMBYism, the local backlash against proposed development, plays a role in the switch to renewable power sources.Read the show transcript

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Part I

gavin-newsom1Many believe Gavin Newsom will be the next Governor of the most populous state in the union. Today, in his first in-depth interview since the election, he is our guest here on Sea Change Radio. The former Mayor of San Francisco, and current Lieutenant Governor of California,  Newsom is a nationally recognized pioneer in gay rights, a champion for the environment, and a consistently progressive Democrat. This week, in Part 1 of a two-part series with the Lieutenant Governor, Newsom and host Alex Wise discuss what the result of the recent presidential election might mean for the country, for the Democratic Party, and for the environment. We also talk about California’s energy future, including the decision to shut down the state’s last nuclear power plant and its ambition to achieve a 55% renewable electric grid.

Nevada: The Paradoxical State

RoseMcKinneyJamesDavidBobzienFrom an environmental standpoint, Nevada is a state of stark contrasts. When we think of the Silver State, most of us picture the Las Vegas strip, but Nevada is also home to picturesque canyons, rare desert wildlife and majestic, snow-peaked mountains. This week on Sea Change Radio, we hear from two participants from the 7th annual Clean Energy Summit which took place on September 4th in Las Vegas.

First, we focus on southern Nevada as host Alex Wise discusses Las Vegas’ energy needs with Rose McKinney-James the chairperson of the Clean Energy Project. Then, we turn to the northern part of the state and hear from David Bobzien, a state assemblyman from Reno who talks about the efforts of the Conservation Lands Foundation as well as the recent announcement that Tesla Motors will be building a major electric vehicle battery plant in his part of the state.

Alisa Gravitz of Green America

AlisaGravitzGreenAmericaGreen America is one of the country’s longest standing environmental advocacy and action organizations. For the past 30 years Alisa Gravitz has been at its helm, leading campaigns for green investment, corporate accountability, and fair trade. This week on Sea Change Radio, host Alex Wise chats with Alisa Gravitz about a number of Green America’s current initiatives.

She lends insight into the evolution of the American environmental movement over the past few decades and what issues and strategies have been most effective in mobilizing people and businesses over these years of her work. She also talks about clean energy victory bonds, how to break up with your bank, and why she is hopeful that genetically modified seeds can be removed from our food system sooner than you might think.

Chris Martenson On The Reality Of Peak Oil

Author, economic analyst, scientist and futurist Chris Martenson has written and spoken extensively on key issues surrounding our energy-based economy. He appeared on this show four years ago – when high oil prices were making headlines. Those headlines have returned and we check back with Martenson today to get his take on how things have progressed or regressed in the fight for a clean energy future. A fellow at the post-Carbon institute, Martenson shares his thoughts with host Alex Wise on rising oil prices and the danger of ignoring the realities of peak oil.

The Peaks & Valleys of Clean Energy Innovation

The bankruptcy of solar startup, Solyndra, earlier this year had the clean energy naysayers up-in-arms, saying that Solyndra’s demise proved that governments shouldn’t be wasting taxpayer money on businesses that could fail. We all know that startup businesses are inherently risky and in the clean energy space, they can be quite expensive but who’s better suited to foot the bill and assume the risk, private companies or government-backed efforts?

This week on Sea Change Radio, we welcome back to the show, Jesse Jenkins, the Director of Energy and Climate Policy at the Breakthrough Institute, a leading progressive public policy think tank. Jenkins and host Alex Wise discuss his white paper titled “Bridging the Clean Energy Valleys of Death” which gives an overview of the challenges facing clean energy commercialization and outlines proposals that may allow green technologies and entrepreneurs to better compete with their fossil fuel-based brethren.

Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-11) & Ted Reiff of The ReUse People

This week on Sea Change Radio, host Alex Wise speaks with Rep. Jerry McNerney of California’s 11th District, a former wind energy engineer who is helping build bridges to an America powered by clean energy. Then we hear from Ted Reiff, whose non-profit organization, The ReUse People, is a pioneer in the deconstruction industry, enabling cast-off materials to be reused in building projects around the country. Today on Sea Change Radio, building a sustainability infrastructure and creating a vision for sustainable building.

Keeping PACE: A discussion with the founder of the Property Assessed Clean Energy program

This week on Sea Change Radio, we take an in-depth look at the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. PACE is an innovative financing model that helps local governments create green jobs, dramatically reduce carbon emissions and save property owners money on their utility bills. We speak with President of Renewable Funding, Cisco Devries, the founder of the PACE program. We also get additional perspectives into the PACE program from two green energy entrepreneurs whose businesses have benefited greatly from California’s adoption of PACE, Steve Malloy of YoUtilBill and Matt Golden of Recurve.

A Summer of Sea Change Radio

Labor Day’s come and gone, and the leaves are starting to turn color here in New England, so we at Sea Change are highlighting some of our summer programming.  We focused a lot on sustainable agriculture, economic alternativesgreen jobs, and the climate crisis.  Check out some of our summer shows below.

Read the show transcript

ViewPoint: Francesca Rheannon — A Modest Proposal

francescarheannonSea Change Co-Host Francesca Rheannon has a modest proposal for building demand for energy efficiency: a Home Energy Savings Equal Opportunity Program.Read the show transcript