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As Trump's signature economic legislation made it's way over the finish line two weeks ago, experts lined up to warn us of the impact the bill would have on clean energy, utility bills and even our competitiveness in the emerging AI landscape.

In today's episode, Paul provides a high level analysis of the bill's primary components affecting these areas and what the impact may actually be.

For more research:

One Big Beautiful Bill - White House

"Assessing Impacts Of “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” On U.S. Energy Costs, Jobs, Health, Emissions" - Energy Innovation Simulator

"What Passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Means for US Energy and the Economy" - The Rhodium Group

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The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is now in the decision phase on how to revise their widely accepted Scope 2 emissions accounting measures. The current set of accounting rules were first established in 2015 - but a lot has changed in the interim. Revisiting these rules to modernize them and promote true, physical decarbonization is important.

But there are a couple of proposed changes that have generated a LOT of controversy. In this episode, Paul unpacks the impact of hourly matching and deliverability and discusses how these accounting rules may slow down corporate renewable procurement immeasurably.

For more research:

"The world's most used carbon accounting rule is about to get a major overhaul" - WoodMackenzie

"Limitations of Hourly Matching Claims for Scope 2 Reporting" - Greenhouse Gas Management Institute

"Electricity System and Market Impacts of Time-based Attribute Trading and 24/7 Carbon-free Electricity Procurement" - Qingyu Xi and Jesse Jenkins, Princeton University

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States have shifted to the forefront of climate leadership here in the US. And one of the tools that many of these States are employing to make it easier and less risky for individuals and companies to invest behind energy savings has been the Green Bank, a financial institution designed to overcome some of the barriers to financing climate action.

Massachusetts set up their Green Bank in a novel way, though. They embedded the institution inside of MassHousing and gave it the dual mandate to address not only climate change, but the challenge of affordable housing as well.

So, how are they doing? Paul sits with Maggie Super Church of the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank to understand more about how the entity is delivering on its promise to save energy and costs for Massachusetts homeowners.

For more research:

Maggie Super Church

Massachusetts Community Climate Bank

All In Energy

Cape Light Compact

Center for ECO Technology

MA Energy Savings Finder

Abode Energy Management

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Pending regulations are reshaping the sustainability reporting world, with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) starting to require European companies to report this year.

Underpinning these reporting disclosures is something called a Double Materiality Assessment (DBA). In this episode, Paul digs into what is included in a DBA, how it differs from a company's current non-financial disclosures, and what companies should be doing to prepare for these reporting requirements. Even US based companies who may have to start reporting as soon as 2028.

For more research:

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) - European Commission

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Over this past weekend, the Trump Administration followed through on a campaign promise to issue tariffs on key trade partners of the US. Canada, Mexico and China all found themselves in the new administration's crosshairs.

In this episode, Paul discusses some of the reasons why these tariffs are going to affect both the fossil AND clean energy industries. And why Canada and Mexico quickly reached a negotiated bargain with the US while China looks to be digging in for a prolonged trade war.

For more research:

"Trump tariffs seen stirring up commodity and energy sectors" - Reuters

"Trump Tariffs Spark Fears of Clean Energy Supply Chain Chaos" - SciAm

"Analysis: The potential economic effects of Trump’s tariffs and trade war, in 9 charts" - PBS

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Many large municipalities are using a combination of sensors, data management and analytical tools to dynamically manage the flow of people and cars within their borders. These Smart Cities are helping to not only improve the quality of life of residents - but are cutting down on vehicle idle time, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental issues.

In this episode, Paul provides some examples of how cities around the world are utilizing smart, digital technology to improve their operations - and he discusses some of the lessons learned in rolling these tools out to the general public.

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As more corporations are using Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) or Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs) to procure renewable energy, these contracts are exposing companies to the risks and variabilities of the wholesale power market.

In this episode, Paul zeroes in on how the pricing of power in wholesale markets works so that we can start to understand, and manage, those risks.

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Paul wraps up 2024 with an episode looking back on the major trends and news stories from this past year. From good news stories such as the retirement of the UK's last coal facility to hard news such as the realization that we may have already passed our global 1.5 degree temperature target.

In any regard, review with us the progress that we've made over these past 12 months and set an ambition for what 2025 is going to look like!

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