Hello Volts Community! I recently earned my BA in Environmental Studies and am looking for jobs in Colorado. My main interest is in transportation policy, planning and advocacy, but I am open to general entry level Sustainability jobs. So many seem to be higher level positions. Any help finding positions or connections would be greatly appreciated!
Goodwill is offering a Solar Installer Training Program in Albuquerque.
Get hands-on solar installer training through our free four-week course in Albuquerque... and get paid while you train! https://www.goodwillnm.org/solar.html
My friend Josephine runs this Reimagine Jobs newsletter for clean energy and green jobs in the Eastern US area. There's always lots of cool opportunities for folks! https://reimagine-jobs-newsletter.beehiiv.com/
Under Pete Buttigieg the Department of Transportation gave out grants for studying or developing high speed rail projects in the United States. Where does Trump's election leave high speed rail progress in the United States? As a side question, why has PNW high speed rail development focused only on Vancouver to Portland, rather than Vancouver to Eugene?
I just listened to the MEETS episode with Rob Harmon from 2022. Really cool idea! Have you gotten much of an update on Rob's progress since then? As a New Yorker, MEETS seems like such a no-brainer for our building decarb initiatives.
I enjoyed the pumped hydro episode and share in David's bewilderment over how long the permitting process can take (far from a new topic on this show, I know).
The permitting lag seems like such a black box, and it makes me wonder: is there a chart or timeline we can look at to understand it better? Maybe if we know all the wait periods and contingencies, we could figure out how to advocate better to help speed up the process.
hello David and all, I'm having a hard time following what seems to me the biggest question in clean energy right now: will Republicans be able to repeal most or all IRA incentives through their upcoming reconciliation bill? how is this fight shaping up? Are R's who've received huge investment in their districts squeamish about repeal? I see nothing about it in EnergySky.
(It seems like the 18 house R's who wrote Speaker Mike Johnson back in August urging him not to gut the IRA are key targets to influence...)
It's total chaos right now Zach. No one knows anything! The whole idea that IRA spending was safe was premised on the notion that Congress controls funding. We're now in a brave new world where DOGE controls funding, so anything could happen.
This is less of a question and more of an episode idea. The Yakama nation propose what was a new to me energy storage mechanism. Rocks on rails. It would be cool learn "what's the deal with" on this with a representative from Yakama Power.
A neat idea, and it would be cool to see a bunch of these rails in parallel doing their thing. That said, I have to wonder if it financially pencils out. Each car's down-and-back represents about $20 worth of electricity storage, which seems like it would take a lot of up-and-downs to pay off.
That said, I don't have the full picture in front of me and I can't say anything definitively.
I just got two solar PV bids for my new place in the Driftless Area. They both basically say "for $50k we'll install xkW and you'll save $x over 25 years. I've come to understand that the equipment makes up about 35% of the cost of the system and it would look terrible if they submitted a line-item bid. What are the soft costs, how have other countries gotten them down, and why can't we?
On #2, I've heard tales of someone in a position of authority with your solar installer having to sit in your driveway, waiting *all* day, for an inspector. Think back to waiting for the Cable Guy in 1985. And there may be multiple inspections. In contrast, in Australia, the reputable installer sends a few photos to code enforcement. I just hear these tales, they're not my personal experience.
Looks like I was born about 10 miles outside the Driftless Area. I learned this when I was today years old.
If folks are interested in solarpunk or hopeful climate fiction, this new collection Metamorphosis showcases what a hopeful future (where we're seriously grappling with the climate crisis and adapting) can look like.
I've got a question: There are some commercial properties in my area that I think would really benefit from stuff like bike racks and EV charging - principally shopping/down centers and strip malls and such. Is there any way to get momentum going on getting these installed? I feel like the bike rack in particular should be a small lift.
So far, I've emailed the property management politely suggesting it would be a good idea, but haven't heard back.
Has anyone seen a good article with more-than-average technical details on how heat pumps work? Perhaps at the Scientific American level at a minimum, preferably a bit meatier than that?
I've done some cursory poking around, but most of what I find saves all the details in performance metrics rather than design information.
Since you're coming to Chicago, David, and folks are talking about buildings, I wanted to mention some work us locals have done (at a civic hacking group, Chi Hack Night) analyzing Chicago energy benchmarking data at https://electrifychicago.net.
I'm sure the benchmarking ordinance will come up, as unfortunately it's the only law Chicago's got on building decarb right now, since CABO (a gas ban in new construction) died in council a year ago 🫠
Recent News: NEMA has published its EVSE Power Export Permitting Standard, which defines the technical parameters to allow EV owners to enable bidirectional charging, which allows electricity to flow to EVs and EVs to transfer power back to the grid. This might be the key to unlock daytime EV charging at ubiquitous, widely distributed community micro grids at large hot asphalt parking lots everywhere,......As envisioned by Pattie Poppe, PG&E CEO, back in 2023.
ChatpGpt - Yes, in Germany, there is a process called "Einbringung gegen Wohnung" or "Tausch gegen Neubauwohnung", where a property owner trades their land or existing property to a developer in exchange for a newly built apartment in the new development. This is often structured as a "Gegenleistung" (consideration) in a real estate transaction.
The house next door to me came up for sale in need of a lot of work. In the end it went to a flipper. I have kept an eye on the process and can’t help feeling disappointed. This seems like such a great opportunity to electrify a house, where it’s often overwhelming for a homeowner. Is there such a thing as a green flipper? Do any of the incentives apply to flippers? It looks like they might not. Would this be a useful policy change?
--- CLIMATE JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES ---
Hey Volts community, wanted to share a few job posting from the Maryland Energy Administration based in Baltimore MD (hybrid):
- Energy Program Manager - Commercial & Community Building Decarbonization & Electrification. 2+ years experience. $79,995 - $95,059/year. https://energy.maryland.gov/Pages/InsideMEA/jobs.aspx.
- Decarbonizing Schools Program Manager. 2+ years experience. $84,439 - $108,225/year. https://energy.maryland.gov/Pages/InsideMEA/jobs.aspx.
- Energy Modeling Intern. 0-1 years experience. $20-$30/hour. https://energy.maryland.gov/Pages/InsideMEA/jobs.aspx.
Maryland Energy Administration does a ton of good work! I’ve also seen a lot of MEA alums launch pretty amazing careers.
Hello Volts Community! I recently earned my BA in Environmental Studies and am looking for jobs in Colorado. My main interest is in transportation policy, planning and advocacy, but I am open to general entry level Sustainability jobs. So many seem to be higher level positions. Any help finding positions or connections would be greatly appreciated!
Goodwill is offering a Solar Installer Training Program in Albuquerque.
Get hands-on solar installer training through our free four-week course in Albuquerque... and get paid while you train! https://www.goodwillnm.org/solar.html
Read more about The Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator™ here: https://www.goodwill.org/press-releases/goodwill-launches-major-green-jobs-program-in-partnership-with-accenture/
My friend Josephine runs this Reimagine Jobs newsletter for clean energy and green jobs in the Eastern US area. There's always lots of cool opportunities for folks! https://reimagine-jobs-newsletter.beehiiv.com/
--- MAILBAG QUESTIONS ---
Under Pete Buttigieg the Department of Transportation gave out grants for studying or developing high speed rail projects in the United States. Where does Trump's election leave high speed rail progress in the United States? As a side question, why has PNW high speed rail development focused only on Vancouver to Portland, rather than Vancouver to Eugene?
I just listened to the MEETS episode with Rob Harmon from 2022. Really cool idea! Have you gotten much of an update on Rob's progress since then? As a New Yorker, MEETS seems like such a no-brainer for our building decarb initiatives.
I enjoyed the pumped hydro episode and share in David's bewilderment over how long the permitting process can take (far from a new topic on this show, I know).
The permitting lag seems like such a black box, and it makes me wonder: is there a chart or timeline we can look at to understand it better? Maybe if we know all the wait periods and contingencies, we could figure out how to advocate better to help speed up the process.
hello David and all, I'm having a hard time following what seems to me the biggest question in clean energy right now: will Republicans be able to repeal most or all IRA incentives through their upcoming reconciliation bill? how is this fight shaping up? Are R's who've received huge investment in their districts squeamish about repeal? I see nothing about it in EnergySky.
(It seems like the 18 house R's who wrote Speaker Mike Johnson back in August urging him not to gut the IRA are key targets to influence...)
It's total chaos right now Zach. No one knows anything! The whole idea that IRA spending was safe was premised on the notion that Congress controls funding. We're now in a brave new world where DOGE controls funding, so anything could happen.
Recently saw this story: https://www.opb.org/article/2025/02/01/yakama-nation-rail-energy-storage/
This is less of a question and more of an episode idea. The Yakama nation propose what was a new to me energy storage mechanism. Rocks on rails. It would be cool learn "what's the deal with" on this with a representative from Yakama Power.
A neat idea, and it would be cool to see a bunch of these rails in parallel doing their thing. That said, I have to wonder if it financially pencils out. Each car's down-and-back represents about $20 worth of electricity storage, which seems like it would take a lot of up-and-downs to pay off.
That said, I don't have the full picture in front of me and I can't say anything definitively.
I just got two solar PV bids for my new place in the Driftless Area. They both basically say "for $50k we'll install xkW and you'll save $x over 25 years. I've come to understand that the equipment makes up about 35% of the cost of the system and it would look terrible if they submitted a line-item bid. What are the soft costs, how have other countries gotten them down, and why can't we?
I believe two big "soft costs" are:
1) Customer Acquisition
2) Permitting and Inspections
I'm stumped on #1.
On #2, I've heard tales of someone in a position of authority with your solar installer having to sit in your driveway, waiting *all* day, for an inspector. Think back to waiting for the Cable Guy in 1985. And there may be multiple inspections. In contrast, in Australia, the reputable installer sends a few photos to code enforcement. I just hear these tales, they're not my personal experience.
Looks like I was born about 10 miles outside the Driftless Area. I learned this when I was today years old.
--- SHARE WORK, ASK FOR HELP, FIND COLLABORATORS ---
If folks are interested in solarpunk or hopeful climate fiction, this new collection Metamorphosis showcases what a hopeful future (where we're seriously grappling with the climate crisis and adapting) can look like.
https://bookshop.org/p/books/we-are-dreams-in-the-eternal-machine/20978099
(full disclosure: my story Seven Sisters is in the collection and I'm a full-time author writing hopeful climate fiction short stories and novels)
I've got a question: There are some commercial properties in my area that I think would really benefit from stuff like bike racks and EV charging - principally shopping/down centers and strip malls and such. Is there any way to get momentum going on getting these installed? I feel like the bike rack in particular should be a small lift.
So far, I've emailed the property management politely suggesting it would be a good idea, but haven't heard back.
Check out the War on Cars podcast. They don’t answer this question specifically, but it sounds like it might be right up your alley!
--- EVERYTHING ELSE ---
Has anyone seen a good article with more-than-average technical details on how heat pumps work? Perhaps at the Scientific American level at a minimum, preferably a bit meatier than that?
I've done some cursory poking around, but most of what I find saves all the details in performance metrics rather than design information.
Since you're coming to Chicago, David, and folks are talking about buildings, I wanted to mention some work us locals have done (at a civic hacking group, Chi Hack Night) analyzing Chicago energy benchmarking data at https://electrifychicago.net.
I'm sure the benchmarking ordinance will come up, as unfortunately it's the only law Chicago's got on building decarb right now, since CABO (a gas ban in new construction) died in council a year ago 🫠
Thanks for your recent story about Eversource's Framingham, MA Networked Geothermal pilot project... Unfortunately a similar project by National Grid in Lowell, MA was cancelled, the company said, due to rising costs. A third Massachusetts project in the city of Boston is moving forward. https://commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/national-grid-pulls-plug-on-a-geothermal-pilot-program-in-lowell/
Modular LFP batteries that install under solar panels, compatible with micro & string inverters:
https://www.yottaenergy.com/the-eco-system
More news on gas utility transition to neighborhood geothermal systems in Detroit:
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/02/22/consumers-energy-study-networked-geothermal-systems-michigan/79451246007/
Recent News: NEMA has published its EVSE Power Export Permitting Standard, which defines the technical parameters to allow EV owners to enable bidirectional charging, which allows electricity to flow to EVs and EVs to transfer power back to the grid. This might be the key to unlock daytime EV charging at ubiquitous, widely distributed community micro grids at large hot asphalt parking lots everywhere,......As envisioned by Pattie Poppe, PG&E CEO, back in 2023.
These guys might be interesting to talk to:
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Will-AI-End-the-Utility-Monopoly.
ChatpGpt - Yes, in Germany, there is a process called "Einbringung gegen Wohnung" or "Tausch gegen Neubauwohnung", where a property owner trades their land or existing property to a developer in exchange for a newly built apartment in the new development. This is often structured as a "Gegenleistung" (consideration) in a real estate transaction.
--- CLIMATE EVENTS & MEETUPS ---
The house next door to me came up for sale in need of a lot of work. In the end it went to a flipper. I have kept an eye on the process and can’t help feeling disappointed. This seems like such a great opportunity to electrify a house, where it’s often overwhelming for a homeowner. Is there such a thing as a green flipper? Do any of the incentives apply to flippers? It looks like they might not. Would this be a useful policy change?