DeepSummary
The episode features a discussion about utility companies' climate goals and their failure to decarbonize on a meaningful timeline. An analysis by the Sierra Club reveals that many utilities are not retiring coal plants, building too many new gas plants, and not investing enough in clean energy despite their public pledges. The guests analyze the report's findings and the gap between utilities' stated goals and actual practices.
The second segment focuses on the urgency of implementing a national clean energy standard. Dr. Leah Stokes, a co-author of a new report, discusses the political landscape and opportunities to pass a nationwide target through budget reconciliation, and how it can serve marginalized communities. She highlights the economic and job creation benefits of transitioning to clean energy.
The final topic is General Motors' announcement that it will sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The guests explore the challenges traditional automakers face in pivoting to electric vehicles, drawing comparisons to Volkswagen's struggles with software issues in its new electric models. They discuss the need for government support, infrastructure development, and cultural shifts within the industry to facilitate this transition.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Many utility companies are failing to decarbonize at a pace that aligns with their stated climate goals, continuing to rely heavily on coal and natural gas.
- There is an opportunity to pass a national clean energy standard through budget reconciliation, which could drive investment in renewable energy and create jobs.
- Designing a clean energy standard to benefit underserved communities is a priority for environmental justice.
- Traditional automakers like General Motors face significant cultural and technological challenges in transitioning to electric vehicles.
- Government support and infrastructure development will be crucial for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
- The COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to accelerate the energy transition and rebuild more resilient, sustainable energy systems.
- Renewable energy systems can be cost-effective in the long run, with the potential for synthetic fuels to replace natural gas.
- Holding utilities accountable to their climate goals through metrics like coal retirements, gas plant construction, and clean energy investments is essential.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “They have goals, but oftentimes those goals are all the way out to 2050. And when we look at their plans for the next decade, there's way too much new gas that's being proposed, not enough planned and committed coal retirements, and not enough clean energy that's being planned to be built in the next decade.“ by Leah Stokes
- “If we build a lot of new gas infrastructure and we continue to have massive amounts of methane leakage, I mean, that will be terrible for the climate math, as Bill McKibben likes to say.“ by Leah Stokes
- “There are no fuel costs associated with battery energy storage. And yes, we do need some, some flexible gas power plants in the systems, but in the final renewable energy systems, those will also run on synthetic fuels that were produced with wind and solar energy.“ by Sara Kuyala
- “Considering the terrible situation we are in, what can we take as the silver lining and develop our energy systems are going forward to make them better and more resilient in the future.“ by Sara Kuyala
Entities
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Episode Information
The Energy Gang
Wood Mackenzie
2/5/21
Net-zero pledges are becoming common for utilities. But a huge number of them are failing to decarbonize on any timeframe that truly matters. They’re not phasing out coal, they’re building lots of new gas plants, and they’re not building enough clean energy.
We’ll talk about a damning new analysis of utility climate goals from the Sierra Club that digs into the actual numbers.
Then, the urgency of a national clean energy standard. What are the new political pieces in place to get a nationwide target in place? And can we build it to serve marginalized communities? A new analysis maps out how.
Finally, the bombshell news that General Motors will only sell zero-emissions cars by 2035. How hard is it to turn around a company born and raised in internal combustion? A cautionary tale from Volkswagen offers some answers.
Dr. Leah Stokes, professor at UC Santa Barbara, joins Stephen, Katherine and Jigar this week. Leah is the co-author behind the two reports we are discussing.
Leah is also co-host of A Matter of Degrees, a new podcast that looks at the forces behind climate change -- and how “climate curious” citizens can tackle it.
Resources:
- Sierra Club: The Dirty Truth About Climate Pledges
- Stokes, Ricketts: A Roadmap to 100% Clean Electricity by 2035
- New York Times: G.M. Will Sell Only Zero-Emission Vehicles by 2035
- Wall Street Journal: How Volkswagen’s $50 Billion Plan to Beat Tesla Short-Circuited
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