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Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director & Rise Up Podcast host, led Rise Up Live Events and a live panel during The Energy Fair! Participants had the opportunity to hear from the guests of Season 4 throughout the weekend, followed by a Q&A session on Sunday. On Friday, June 23rd, in the Special Events Tent, attendees enjoyed insightful presentations: Al Gedicks discussed Sulfide Mining in the Great Lakes Region at 11 a.m. Jane McCurry shared insights on Electric Vehicle and Clean Transportation Adoption in the Midwest at 12 p.m. Paul Wilson explored The Role of Nuclear Power in the Energy Transition at 1 p.m. Chelsea Chandler presented the Corn Ethanol Vs. Solar Land Use Comparison in Wisconsin at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24th, in the Special Events Tent, featured more engaging talks: Elizabeth Turner spoke about Energy Efficient Building Design for Electrification at 11 a.m. Katie Kienbaum empowered the audience with insights on Empowering Energy Democracy through Distributed Energy Resources at 12 p.m. Markeeta Keyes discussed Pursuing Energy Justice through Clean Energy Workforce Education at 2 p.m. Andrew Kell outlined the Wisconsin Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050 at 3 p.m. Tom Content emphasized Putting Consumers First in the Energy Transition at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 25th, marked the Midwest Energy Transition Panel on the Main Stage at 10:30 a.m. The panel featured the guests from Rise Up Season 4, creating an enlightening discussion on the topic.

Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director & Rise Up Podcast host, led Rise Up Live Events and a live panel during The Energy Fair! Participants had the opportunity to hear from the guests of Season 4 throughout the weekend, followed by a Q&A session on Sunday. On Friday, June 23rd, in the Special Events Tent, attendees enjoyed insightful presentations: Al Gedicks discussed Sulfide Mining in the Great Lakes Region at 11 a.m. Jane McCurry shared insights on Electric Vehicle and Clean Transportation Adoption in the Midwest at 12 p.m. Paul Wilson explored The Role of Nuclear Power in the Energy Transition at 1 p.m. Chelsea Chandler presented the Corn Ethanol Vs. Solar Land Use Comparison in Wisconsin at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24th, in the Special Events Tent, featured more engaging talks: Elizabeth Turner spoke about Energy Efficient Building Design for Electrification at 11 a.m. Katie Kienbaum empowered the audience with insights on Empowering Energy Democracy through Distributed Energy Resources at 12 p.m. Markeeta Keyes discussed Pursuing Energy Justice through Clean Energy Workforce Education at 2 p.m. Andrew Kell outlined the Wisconsin Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050 at 3 p.m. Tom Content emphasized Putting Consumers First in the Energy Transition at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 25th, marked the Midwest Energy Transition Panel on the Main Stage at 10:30 a.m. The panel featured the guests from Rise Up Season 4, creating an enlightening discussion on the topic.

n a time when corporate spending is protected as free speech, each of us must wonder how our voices will be heard. Utility companies have deep pockets, and their lobbyists are a fixture at state capitol buildings. Big businesses have big energy budgets and their associations are adept at making their issues a priority. And both of these industry sectors work together to create advocacy groups to advance common interests. So, what about residential energy customers? What about small businesses? Our resources pale in comparison. How are our voices heard and how are our concerns addressed?   Luckily, for most residential and small business ratepayers in the Midwest, we are represented by a state Citizens Utility Board (CUB). These non-profit groups work tirelessly to make sure that our needs are represented at public utility commission and legislative hearings. For decades they have taken a hardnosed approach at keeping electricity costs low while ensuring that expenses aren’t shifted to the electric bills of homes and small businesses.  In the context of the energy transition, CUBs advocacy role is critically important if we want an energy system that best serves people. We discuss the energy transition and the benefits of increased citizen involvement with Tom Content, long-time journalist and Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin.  0:20 – Big business energy spending vs residential ratepayers  1:17 – The role of a Citizens Utility Board  4:04 – The energy transition’s origins  8:41 – Decisions surrounding utility rates of return  11:13 – Importance of CUB and Energy Democracy  13:35 – CUB funding and activity  18:11 – Evolving energy issues and solar PV  20:45 – Energy poverty issues  28:20 – Impact of recent federal legislation  33:34 - Coordination recommendations to leverage federal funds  39:11 – “Magic wand” solutions  43:21 – Building a movement  " We need people from across the state to get involved. And because it's your energy future, ...it's all of our energy future. And if we don't get involved, it'll be built for us and it'll focus on the supply side like we've been talking about almost way too exclusively. We need the public to say to demand energy efficiency. " - Tom Content, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin ABOUT OUR GUEST: TOM CONTENT Tom is the Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board. He joined CUB in 2017 after working for more than 30 years as a journalist. He became interested in energy and what it costs households while sitting in the back seat, waiting for what seemed like forever, during the gas lines of the ‘70s. After graduating from Boston University’s College of Communication Tom worked at newspapers in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania before moving to Wisconsin. He reported on utilities and worked as business editor at the Green Bay-Press Gazette in the 1990s and then moved to Milwaukee, where he covered energy, utilities and sustainable business for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. His reporting on energy and climate change won the National Press Club’s Stokes Award for Energy Writing in 2007.  

The first and largest US financial maneuver in response to COVID-19 was an unprecedented bailout of Wall Street investors to head off an impending stock market crash.  Building upon the “Modern Monetary Theory” implemented to bail out the banking sector after the mortgage default crisis in 2008, the Federal Reserve committed up to $10 trillion in support for investors. As a result, the stock market became a graph of shareholder feelings while 30 million Americans had already filed jobless claims.  Millions of Americans live in debt, survive paycheck to paycheck, and work in the service industry which was mothballed - leaving people at home with deep feelings of insecurity. By May 25th 2020, US Billionaires were $434 billion richer on invented money, and we were watching George Floyd die tragically on the North Minneapolis streets at the hands of a police officer.   The alleged crime that led to his death?  Passing a counterfeit $20 bill.   It’s tempting to say the rest is history, but it might be more accurate to say that it’s a continuation of history. North Minneapolis, like many cities in America, continues to suffer from policies established in the early 1900’s that restricted minority home ownership and access to financing.  Collectively known as redlining, the policies included racially restricted covenants on property deeds preventing African Americans and other groups from buying homes in much of the City. Over time, the policies evolved to become lending restrictions that blocked access to business loans and home mortgages.   In the context of the energy transition, numerous studies show the elevated risk of low-income neighborhoods to pollution caused by the energy industry, that low-income households pay 3 times more of their household income for energy bills than higher income households, and that both of these factors are correlated with historically red-lined areas. In the wake of the financial bailout of investors, hard fought public policy wins over the last two years are set to allocate resources to programs and initiatives working to address the inequities.   These include Minneapolis Green Zones, the City’s Green cost share program and Green Careers Exploration program, and the Minneapolis Climate Equity Action Plan. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, significant federal funding is directed to clean energy investments and job training programs in low-income neighborhoods, and the state of Minnesota just passed sweeping legislation that advances environmental protections and clean energy investment in designated environmental justice communities.  The prospect of city, state, and federal policies working together to make the next decade of local clean energy development benefit North Minneapolis and other areas of need in the city, is very real. And the people working in the neighborhood to make sure this happens are as real as it gets. We’ve had the privilege of working with a number of local groups to provide solar installation training in North Minneapolis over the last 3 years and are inspired by their accomplishments and the opportunities that they are creating.  To discuss the opportunities and challenges, we talked with Markeeta Keyes who leads the Green Careers Exploration program with the City of Minneapolis.   Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director  Guest: Markeeta Keyes, Green Careers Program Coordinator, City of Minneapolis 

The topic of workforce development is near and dear to our hearts at MREA. We started providing training in solar PV, solar thermal, small wind energy, and energy efficiency in 1990. We were one of the first accredited solar training programs in the country and still maintain accreditation with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council to this day. For over thirty years we’ve committed ourselves to offering the most accessible, affordable, and market relevant solar training and today more than 600 individuals a year utilize our training to get a foothold in the industry, earn certifications, and sharpen their skills.   In 2011, when we started our first instructor training program, the market was much different than today. Solar employment demand was pretty much only real in California and Hawaii with other states just starting to shine. The national electrician shortage was forecast but seemed a distant and avoidable problem. Utility companies were opposed to solar projects, even large-scale facilities, indicated the technology would never be ready for prime time.   One group that fully recognized the transformative potential of solar energy was the US Dept. of Energy which launched the SunShot Initiative with the goal of reducing the cost of solar energy by 75% and making it the cheapest source of electricity in the US. This goal, I should note, was met with much skepticism at the time. Today we know that the cost declines envisioned by SunShot were achieved earlier and more steeply than anyone expected. With the last 5 years of solar and wind as the leading sources of new energy capacity additions in the US, the promise of a solar jobs boom started to become reality.  And now, with a massive federal energy infrastructure investment that locks in a decade of tax policy certainty, the market is fundamentally changed from a decade ago and the doubts about employment needs have been erased. Today, we can confidently say that there have never been more employment opportunities for skilled workers, young and old.   To explore the needs, opportunities, and challenges to meet the workforce needs of the energy transition, we talked with Richard Lawrence, Program Director with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.  Guest: Richard Lawrence, Program Director, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Episode Notes ___________________ 0:20 – MREA's history in solar workforce development  3:53 – Federal legislation impacting the energy workforce  7:11 - Scale of the workforce need  8:06 – Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on workforce needs  9:10 – Key provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act  12:42 – In demand career positions for the energy transition  16:00 – Inflation Reduction Act and labor provisions  18:50 – How to join an apprenticeship program  20:23 - Benefits of apprenticeships to employers  23:36 - Federal investment impact on solar certifications  26:00 – In demand occupations during the energy transition  28:00 – Considerations for project developers  30:30 – Occupations for meter connected solar  33:00 – Programs to inspire  35:07 – Inclusion in the energy workforce  39:25 – A magic solution to workforce shortage  42:22 – The value of NABCEP certification  47:50 – The next generation of solar PV instructors  Episode Resources: Clean energy group reports jobs and investments coming to Michigan What Could Chill Heat Pumps ‘We can’t find people to work': The newest threat to Biden’s climate policies Four Ways to Prepare for the IRA’s Upcoming Apprenticeship Requirements Prevailing Wage and the Inflation Reduction Act Solar Jobs Census 9 Million Good Jobs from Climate Action The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 IREC Solar Career Map KidWind NEED trains and assists teachers in harnessing the energy of the classroom – the energy of students MREA Instructor, Alex Jarvis Named IREC Ma

Since 2018, the United States has expanded its list of critical minerals from 35 to 50 as supply chains have become increasingly concentrated to fewer countries and the needs for minerals in industrial and consumer products have increased. Beginning in 2022, the Biden Administration began making serious federal policy moves to secure critical mineral supply chains by invoking the Defense Production Act and passing sweeping legislation to increase domestic production of minerals used to develop batteries for electric vehicles and other energy storage applications. The move signaled a recognition that without securing critical mineral supply chains, the US would not be able to compete in emerging energy technology markets and we would not be able to meet electrification and decarbonization goals.    To many in the domestic mining industry, the move was a surprising turn of favor, and all indications are that the change in federal priority is not temporary. It is a result of geopolitical trends that are challenging global supply chains for critical minerals and domestic energy priorities that increase critical mineral demand. The context is that we are in a global race for the future of energy, making the capacity for critical mineral extraction, refining, and clean tech manufacturing in today’s economy equivalent to the historic development of petroleum extraction and refining capacity.   To further explore the potential of domestic mining and refining of critical minerals and discuss the challenges, we talked to two experts working in the Midwest. We first talked with Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee, associate professor of geological and mining engineering and sciences at Michigan Tech about the mining process, domestic needs, and mining innovations. And we talked with Dr. Al Gedicks, emeritus professor at UW- La Crosse about the historic and current challenges facing sulfide mining in the Midwest.  Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director  Guests: Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee, Associate Professor, Geological & Mining Engineering & Sciences, Michigan Technological University, and Al Gedicks, Emeritus Professor of environmental sociology, UW – La Crosse  Episode Resources Rise Up Live Event - Tickets Show notes – 0:20 – Critical Mineral needs for an energy transition  4:28 – Domestic mineral requirements in recent federal legislation  10:17 -Expanding existing mining operations  11:50 – Minerals required to pursue electrification  14:11 – China's dominance of mineral processing  15:53 – Mining methods and processes  20:48 – Mining vs mineral processing  23:49 – Workforce and other needs of the mining industry  29:00 – Feasibility of fully domestic mineral supply chains  31:53 – Discovery vs. Exploration  33:50 – Timeline from permitting to start of mining operation  36:06 – Steps to approach mining successfully  39:15 – Metallic sulfide mining and tribal communities  43:20 – Material processing in metallic sulfide mining  52:30 – Process to develop a mine in Wisconsin  57:15 – Community concerns surrounding mining operations  1:01:00 – Mining operations’ impact on communities  1:06:12 - Boom and Bust nature of mining operations  1:07:38 – Optimal locations to pursue mineral extraction and next steps  1:16:12 - The psychology of inevitability  Get Connected: UW - La Crosse: https://www.uwlax.edu/  Michigan Technological University: https://www.mtu.edu/  The Energy Fair: https://www.theenergyfair.org  MREA: https://www.midwestrenew.org

Eleven US states plus the District of Columbia have passed laws committing to 100% carbon-free or 100% clean energy. The path to 100% is full of choices that influence the cost to electricity ratepayers, ownership of critical infrastructure, and access to the financial and social benefits of energy infrastructure investment. A few detailed national studies have forecast scenarios to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity. These include net zero scenarios from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the US Dept. Of Energy Solar Futures Study, and Vibrant Clean Energy’s Roadmap for the Lowest Cost Grid.   The national studies are informative, but state policy and regulation have significant influence over how state energy markets develop. This places responsibility on state leadership to define the most advantageous pathways and advance policies and programs to achieve them. In both Illinois and Minnesota, the recent legislation that established 100% clean energy goals was passed when the Democratic party held majorities in the legislatures and governors' offices.  And the legislation passed on party-line votes. This is a clear indication that in Midwest states that have divided government, these types of commitments face political opposition.  One such state is Wisconsin, where Republicans hold sizable majorities in the assembly and senate while the state has a Democratic Governor with ambitious clean energy plans. In support of these plans, two state policy groups – Clean Wisconsin and Renew Wisconsin – partnered with GridLab and Evolved Energy Research to forecast scenarios for achieving 100% clean energy in Wisconsin by 2050. Using the scenarios, they produced a roadmap that demonstrates how Wisconsin can cost-effectively transition to net zero emissions. We discussed the study and its recommendations with Chelsea Chandler, program director at Clean Wisconsin.  Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director  Guest: Chelsea Chandler, Climate, Energy, and Air Program Director, Clean Wisconsin  -Live Event at The Energy Fair: Catch Chelsea at her Rise Up Live Event at The 2023 Energy Fair on Friday, June 23rd at 2 p.m. Get your tickets at theenergyfair.org/tickets.    -Show notes – timestamps we want to include from the episode from worthwhile subjects  0:20 – Nick overviews state commitments to clean energy in the Midwest  3:48 – How divided government impacts clean energy  6:28 - Overview of Clean Wisconsin’s work  7:40 – Wisconsin's pathways to 100% clean energy study  13:47 – Coal plant closures and decarbonization  17:10 – Electrification and Transmission  20:32 – Local resistance and land use size calculations  28:53 – Additional benefits of solar over corn ethanol  30:03 - Solar’s benefit to local governments  34:12 - Challenges and opportunities within different transition scenarios  36:25 – Additional costs of inaction on electrification  41:57 – DERs in the energy transition  43:33 – Next steps for Wisconsin’s path to 100%  50:39 – Basing energy discussion around real-world pros and cons  Episode Resources: riseupmidwest.org -Get Connected:  Clean Wisconsin: https://www.cleanwisconsin.org  The Energy Fair: https://www.theenergyfair.org 

Today, nuclear energy remains the largest low carbon source of electricity in the world. Yet looking closer at the trend reveals that it is a rapidly decreasing share of the global portfolio as plants are retired and wind and solar consistently lead new energy capacity additions. The US fleet is the largest of any nation, with 94 reactors in 28 states but is gradually shrinking as aging reactors are retired due to maintenance costs and competition from cheaper sources of power like natural gas, wind, and solar.  Over the past 5 years, the financial pressure on nuclear plants has elevated a critical public policy question: Should we take action to keep nuclear plants open? We saw this play out differently in two Midwest states with transformative legislation (both good and bad) and a massive bribery scandal ensnaring utility executives, lobbyists, and elected officials in Ohio and Illinois.  With a new reactor design, known as a small modular reactor (SMR), a production tax credit available for nuclear projects through the Inflation Reduction Act, and financing support available from the US Dept. Of Energy Loan Program Office, public utility commissions are or will be reviewing proposals for the construction of the next generation of nuclear reactors. The promoters of new nuclear reactors will point to increases in CO2 emissions in New York, New England, and Pennsylvania after nuclear facilities closed in each region. They point to countries like Germany whose reliance on natural gas and coal run counterproductive to their climate and geopolitical goals. And, they say that the US needs the baseload power that nuclear offers for continued grid stability. Arguments against nuclear include safety concerns, global nuclear proliferation, more socially advantageous options in distributed solar and wind, and eyebrow-raising costs and delays in recent projects.  With this in mind, we talk with two experts in nuclear technology and economics in the US. We discuss the role that US nuclear could play in a low-carbon electricity future, the current proposal being entertained, and the challenges facing the industry. We start with Paul Wilson, Grainger Professor of Nuclear Engineering and the Chair of the University of Wisconsin-Madison‘s Department of Engineering Physics. Then we discuss the economics of small modular reactors with David Schlissel, Director of Resource Planning Analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.  Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director  Guests: Dr. Paul Wilson, Chair, Department of Engineering Physics, UW - Madison  David Schlissel, Director of Resource Planning Analysis, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis  Episode resources: RiseUpMidwest.org Live Event at The Energy Fair: https://www.theenergyfair.org/events/rise-up-live-events/   Show notes 0:20 – Nick overviews the current status of the aging nuclear fleet in the US  2:38 – Corruption issues surrounding nuclear legislation  5:27 – The financial costs of nuclear power  8:02 – Advancements in nuclear energy  9:30 – Small modular reactors  11:49 – Challenges facing the nuclear industry  16:21 – Opportunities for nuclear energy in the energy transition  20:18 – The process to build new nuclear capacity in Wisconsin  25:24  - License extensions for existing nuclear plants  29:53 – Management of used nuclear fuel  32:34 – Public engagement for the nuclear industry  39:23 – Energy storage in the Energy Transition  42:40 – France’s reputation with nuclear energy  49:23 – Nuclear fusion breakthroughs  57:05 – Nuclear cost overruns in Georgia  58:32 – Current vs SMR reactors  1:03:28 – Factors contributing to cost overruns  1:09:40 – Cost competitiveness  1:12:23 – Variability of solar and wind power  1:16:59 – Marketing of SMRs 

Get ready to harness the power of renewable energy as Season 4 Episode 5 of MREA's Rise Up podcast takes you on a journey through the world of large-scale wind, solar, and transmission projects in the Midwest. Join our host Nick Hylla, as he sits down with esteemed guest Peder Mewis, a driving force behind rural renewable energy development in the Midwest and Plains states. In this episode, we'll explore the vast opportunities and unique challenges that arise in the pursuit of a sustainable energy future. Peder, with his extensive experience working with the Clean Grid Alliance, shares invaluable insights on the regulatory landscape, financing options, and effective community engagement strategies that pave the way for success. Discover the immense potential for wind and solar power generation in the Midwest and learn how these sources can contribute to a resilient and clean grid. Dive deep into the intricacies of large-scale projects, as Peder uncovers the barriers and complexities that must be overcome for their implementation. But it doesn't stop there. Join the conversation as we explore the vital role of collaboration and partnership between utilities, policymakers, local communities, and clean energy advocates. Peder sheds light on how these partnerships can drive renewable energy development forward, fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for the region. By the end of this enlightening episode, you'll walk away with a comprehensive understanding of the Midwest's renewable energy landscape. Gain the knowledge and inspiration you need to actively participate in the renewable energy transition and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the Midwest and beyond. Don't miss this empowering episode of MREA's Rise Up Podcast! Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director  Guest: Peder Mewis, Regional Policy Manager - ND, SD, WI, MI, Clean Grid Alliance  -Show notes – timestamps we want to include from the episode from worthwhile subjects  0:20 – Nick introduces energy transmission needs and resources in the Midwest  2:13 – Decarbonization goals  3:14  - Local opposition groups  8:08 – Peder's experience at Clean Grid Alliance  9:17 – Issues facing renewable integration into the grid  11:24 – The importance of transmission to renewable energy  15:09 – The role of battery storage in balancing the grid  17:41 – Steps necessary to build a new transmission project  20:53 – Federal CHIPs and Bipartisan Infrastructure act impact on transmission  23:14 – Transmission costs  25:37 – Non transmission alternatives  27:43 – Electrification and EVs  29:51 – Intermittency of renewable energy on the grid  33:17 – Local opposition to large scale renewables and transmission  39:12 - Policy priorities to leverage Inflation Reduction Act funding  44:04 – Best model for balancing authority in the Midwest  47:34 – The importance of building relationships   "I'm very confident that the future looks good. And, you know, when I retire from this industry, it'll be fun to see how far we've come with the technology around renewable energy resources and all these things. So I do feel good, but it's hard work and, you know, it's a lot of political capital, it's a lot of emotional capital. But as I always say, the most important thing is relationships. And everybody needs to work together, build those strong relationships, build that trust. And if you can do that, you can get anything done." - Peder Mewis  Live Event at The Energy Fair: Catch Peder at his Rise Up Live Event with host Nick Hylla for a live podcast panel during The Energy Fair! Hear from the guests of Season 4, followed by a Q&A session. Tickets are on sale now at theenergyfair.org/tickets. 

Rev up your knowledge on electric vehicles with Clean Fuels Michigan's Jane McCurry, on MREA's Rise Up Podcast. As compelling as electric vehicles are, electrifying transportation presents significant policy and market development challenges. EVs represent just over 5% of passenger vehicles on US roads. This is an amazing accomplishment for the industry over the past 5 years but increasing the percentage to 2/3 of new vehicles by 2032 as the EPA is planning for faces real roadblocks.   Labor issues, supply chain constraints, charging reliability, legal challenges, political opposition, and sticker price are each challenges that the industry, supported by recent federal legislation, is working to address.   Labor issues. EVs have significantly fewer parts than internal combustion vehicles, require less maintenance, require different maintenance, and the leading EV company has a direct-to-consumer sales process that bypasses the traditional dealership model. This is not to mention that traditional automakers and dealers report that they are not yet making profits on EV sales. All of these characteristics pose workforce and employment issues that state governments, labor unions, business leaders, and training organizations must address. With such a daunting list of challenges, the biggest question might be “Do we have the talent, vision, tenacity, and capacity to tackle these challenges and take full advantage of the opportunity presented by electric transportation?” After talking with Jane McCurry, the Executive Director of Clean Fuels Michigan, our answer quickly became “Absolutely we do!” I think you’ll see what we mean.  About Our Guest: Jane is the Executive Director of Clean Fuels Michigan, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to expanding the clean mobility industries. Jane is also appointed to the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification to represent policy and technology interests. Before these roles, Jane was the electric vehicles program manager at RENEW Wisconsin. Jane has degrees in Operations and Technology Management and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin.  See Jane McCurry at the Rise Up Podcast Live Event during The Energy Fair!

75% of all electricity consumption occurs in buildings. With a goal to fully electrify our building energy use, more buildings will be moving their heating, cooking, and operations systems from natural gas, propane, diesel, and fuel oil to grid electricity. Pair this with home and business electric vehicle charging and the obvious result is that the amount of electricity use in buildings is set to dramatically increase.   If we reduce building energy use by 20% in both the commercial and industrial sectors today, we could save more than $80 billion annually on utility bills. And according to the US Dept. of Energy Building Technologies Office, the on-site deployment of solar, battery, and energy management technologies to flex electricity demand to better meet supply will lead to between $100 and $200 billion in electricity cost savings. This is a significant saving when considering that the National Renewable Energy Lab Electrification Futures Study estimates that full electrification would increase US electricity system costs by at least $450 billion.   In short, if we want to keep energy bills down and temper electricity price increases, building energy efficiency and demand flexibility is a critical first step to electrification. Join us in conversation with Elizabeth Turner, founder of Precipitate Architecture, to explore strategies for building electrification and energy efficiency in the Upper Midwest.  Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director  Guest: Elizabeth Turner, Architect and Passive Building Consultant, Precipitate  0:20 – Nick introduces U.S. energy consumption  1:40 – Energy Efficiency’s role in cost savings for an electrified future  3:30 – Incentives for clean energy technologies  7:40 – Equity, Electrification, and Energy Efficiency  9:00 – Weatherization techniques  11:35 – Energy Efficient Building techniques  14:33 – Air source heat pumps and the preconditions needed  16:59 – Priorities and Challenges to Energy Efficiency  19:29 – Measuring energy efficiency  23:10 – Building code  26:27 – Energy Monitoring and management  27:20 – Federal legislation’s impact on energy efficiency  31:24 - State efforts to leverage IRA funds  35:05 – Energy efficiency’s value in the housing market  -Get Connected:  Precipitate Architecture: www.precipitatearch.com  The Energy Fair: www.theenergyfair.org  Midwest Renewable Energy Association: www.midwestrenew.org Contact: [email protected] 

The plan is to electrify the economy. Reduce the combustion of fossil fuels for heating and transportation by replacing it with electricity from a grid powered by low-carbon sources like solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear. These are the basics of the energy transition but, there are two competing visions for how we accomplish it. The first vision is to extend the current utility business model to build the new fleet of generation and transmission in the image of the old, using the same ownership structure, regulatory paradigm, and relationship to ratepayers. The competing vision is a grid optimized for distributed energy resources (DERs). Comparing the two development pathways leads to some pretty clear conclusions. The first scenario, business as usual, may be the quickest to implement (it’s what we’ve always done and it’s what the utility lobby wants) and it’s by far the most expensive. The second scenario, DER optimized, is more affordable, more resilient, and creates more jobs. However, it involves consumers as stakeholders and decision-makers in the energy system. In this episode, Nick Hylla and Katie Kienbaum discuss the promise of DERs in the energy transition and the policy actions needed to ensure that everyone has access to the social and environmental benefits provided by a DER optimized system. Host: Nick Hylla, MREA Executive Director  Guest: Katie Kienbaum, Research Associate - Institute for Local Self-Reliance  -About Katie Kienbaum: Katie is a Senior Researcher with ILSR’s Energy Democracy initiative, where she researches and writes about equitable and decentralized clean energy and its impact on communities across the country. Before joining the Energy Democracy initiative, she was a Research Associate with the Community Broadband Networks initiative.     Katie Kienbaum - Live Event at The Energy Fair: Catch Katie at the Rise Up Live Event at The 2023 Energy Fair on Saturday, June 24th at 12p.m. Get your tickets at theenergyfair.org/tickets.