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About the Episode:

Jesse Jenkins, a leading voice in sustainable energy policy, lays out a compelling vision for America's clean energy future in this special recording of his keynote address from Intersolar NA. With the United States at a crucial milestone for actions needed to meet climate and decarbonization goals, legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, offer incentives for solar, energy storage, hydrogen, and other sustainable technologies, thereby positioning the nation to accelerate towards a net-zero future.This legislative framework has already sparked a 42% increase in clean energy investments, reaching $225 billion. However, Jenkins underscores the critical need for further acceleration in our journey to decarbonize 70% of the nation's energy consumption, primarily from fossil fuels. His strategic insights call for a significant upscaling in renewable energy use and grid expansion. This episode distills Jenkins' roadmap to achieving net zero by 2050, underscoring the vital role of federal initiatives and collective efforts in navigating towards a sustainable, carbon-neutral energy paradigm.


Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Jesse Jenkins:

Check out Princeton University:


Key Takeaways:

  1. Federal Support as a Catalyst for Clean Energy: The Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law have significantly accelerated investment in and deployment of clean energy technologies in the U.S., showcasing the powerful impact of federal support on the renewable energy sector.

  2. Need for Massive Transmission Expansion: To accommodate the surge in renewable energy capacity and meet the growing electricity demand, a significant expansion of the transmission grid is urgently needed.

  3. Phasing Out Coal and Maintaining Zero-Carbon Resources: Rapidly reducing coal generation and maintaining existing sustainable (low carbon emitting) resources, such as nuclear power, are essential steps for achieving steep reductions in emissions from the electricity sector.


NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

The passage of the inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law brings the full financial might of the federal government behind the clean energy transition.
— Jesse Jenkins

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ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.