Episodes
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In this episode of Hi, Energy!, Esteban Gast dives into the rising challenge of urban heat islands, especially here in Southern California where summer heat is only intensifying. But it’s not just about the problem—it’s about finding solutions! Esteban is joined by Amanda Begley, Senior Program Manager at TreePeople, who shares her expertise on how green spaces, reflective materials, and community action can help cool our cities. They discuss public health impacts, successful green projects, and ways listeners can get involved. Tune in for actionable tips to beat the heat!
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Esteban chats with energy engineer Evan Davis, who’s on a mission to bring heat pumps to homes across SoCal. They may not sound glamorous, but these versatile gadgets are game-changers for home heating and cooling, especially here in sunny Southern California. They’ll break down how heat pumps work, why they’re a win for both your wallet and the environment, and what you need to know if you’re thinking about making the switch. Plus, they’ll answer listener questions about installation costs, energy savings, and whether heat pumps can handle extreme weather.
Tune in to find out why heat pumps might just be your new best friend—and how they’re helping keep California green. -
Missing episodes?
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In the season premiere of Hi, Energy! Esteban Gast tackles a big one—decarbonization. But don’t worry, this isn’t a science class! Esteban keeps it fun and breaks it down so you can casually drop "decarbonization" into conversation like a pro. Joining him is Jakub Zielkiewicz, the Director of Climate Planning at ICF, to help us get what decarbonization really means for LA and how we can all pitch in to hit those big emission-cutting goals. From cool tech solutions to simple everyday actions, Jakub’s got practical tips for how we can all do our part to make Southern California cleaner and greener.
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Reducing energy use today is key to a safer, more affordable, and sustainable tomorrow. In this season of Hi, Energy!, we bring you front-row access to the innovators and leaders across Southern California who are making a real difference. From demystifying the benefits of heat pumps to guiding you through actionable steps toward decarbonization, we’re here to help you navigate the path to a cleaner, greener future. We’ll also uncover career opportunities in the booming green economy and tackle the urgent challenges of urban heat islands. Whether you’re looking to make smarter energy choices at home, work, or in your community, this podcast connects you to the conversations that can inspire change. Join us as we light the way to a brighter, more sustainable future.
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For episode number 18 of SoCalREN’s ReEnergizing Communities podcast, host Julie Castro, speaks with Tinuviel Carlson, Program Manager at The Energy Coalition, and Cassie Smith & Megan Kendall from the California Climate Action Corp, about their individual experiences in the energy industry to date, as fellows and ultimately as energy sector professionals in their early careers to date.
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For episode number 17 of SoCalREN’s ReEnergizing Communities podcast, host Julie Castro, welcomes Jenny Berg (recently retired) of BayREN and RaChelle Taccone with the LA County Public Works Department, about their experience in the energy industry, their challenges, and successes in their work to date, and what they look forward to in the years to come.
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With episode 16, we interviewed Pam Bold (Executive Direction of High Sierra Energy Foundation) who joined HSEF in 2015 after a hiatus spent raising two active boys and volunteering extensively in the area she serves today. As stated in her bio, “Pam has a degree in something she never worked one day in, spent her early career in the tech field, and couldn’t be happier that she found her way to a role that allows her to have a positive impact on people and the environment.” She now lives out a long-time passion of working in energy and has been a vital partner in the collaboration with SoCalREN working to promote the culture of energy efficiency and sustainability in the Eastern Sierra area – Inyo and Mono Counties.
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For episode number 15 of SoCalREN’s ReEnergizing Communities podcast, host Julie Castro, welcomes John Zhao, with the La Virgenes Municipal Water District. John discusses how his team is addressing water supply challenges and utilizing their partnership with SoCalREN to pave the path of energy savings.
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For episode number 14 of SoCalREN’s ReEnergizing Communities podcast, host Julie Castro, welcomes Laurie Jacobs, Program Coordinator with South Bay Cities Council of Governments, and Dan Bonn, an educator with Towne Avenue Elementary School. Both have been involved in an innovative education program, Kits for Kits, that educates students, teachers, and families alike about the importance of energy efficiency. Along with providing easy to install, no-cost items like LED bulbs to help parents and guardians save at home, participating classrooms can earn an $1000 incentive for their efforts.
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For episode number 13 of SoCalREN’s ReEnergizing Communities podcast, Greenlining Institute’s, Alvaro Sanchez, joins host Julie Castro to discuss Environmental Justice for Communities of Color.
The Greenlining Institute is committed to building a just economy that is inclusive, cooperative, sustainable, participatory, fair, and healthy. Their multifaceted advocacy efforts address the root causes of racial, economic, and environmental inequities to meaningfully transform the material conditions of communities of color in California and across the country. They envision a future where communities of color can build a wealth, live in healthy places, filled with economic opportunity, and are ready to meet the challenges posed by climate change. -
For episode number 12 of SoCalREN’s ReEnergizing Communities podcast, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy’s Community Organizer, Kameron Hurt, joins host Julie Castro to discuss Activism in Local Communities with RePower LA.
Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) is recognized nationally as an advocacy organization building a community-centric economy. LAANE promotes a new economic approach based on good jobs, thriving communities, and a healthy environment. LAANE’s campaign, RePower LA is a citywide coalition of community groups, environmentalists, and small businesses anchored by LAANE, SCOPE, and IBEW Local 18 that advocates equitable environmental programs and career-path jobs at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP), the nation’s largest municipally-owned utility. -
For episode number 11 of SoCalREN’s ReEnergizing Communities podcast, Cool Irvine’s Environmental Programs Administrator, Sona Coffee, joins host Julie Castro to discuss their campaign to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.
Cool Irvine’s, Cool Block Program is developed to create planet friendly, disaster resilient, and community rich neighborhoods. The cities efforts to incorporate sustainability measures into their homes will help conserve natural resources, improve energy and water efficiency, and reduce your carbon footprint. In addition, with the synergy created by the community, all the actions taken will work together to make Irvine carbon neutral by 2030 as part of the community’s ambitious Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. -
For episode number 10 of SoCalREN’s ReEnergizing Communities podcast, US Green Building Council Los Angeles (USGBC-LA) Executive Director, Ben Stapleton, joins host Julie Castro to discuss sustainability in LA schools and businesses.
USGBC-LA’s focus is people and creating a more sustainable future for Southern California. Their initiatives embody action, education, and engagement while collaboratively and inclusively improving local communities. Their members and volunteers believe in creating a more sustainable built environment through education, innovation, and impactful action. They take steps in impacting communities and building a legacy. -
For episode number 9 of SoCalREN’s ReEnergizing Communities podcast, City of West Hollywood Long Range Planning and Sustainability Manager, Robyn Eason, and Senior Administrative Analyst, Erin Hamant joined host Julie Castro to discuss local energy initiatives.
The City of West Hollywood has been enrolled in the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) Public Agency Programs for 8 years. Through this partnership, the city and SoCalREN have collaborated on retrofitting city streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs and conducted energy assessments at multiple city sites to identify opportunities for more energy savings and GHG emission reductions. The City and SoCalREN implemented an Energy Goals employee engagement campaign to educate and encourage city staff to save energy at work and at home. In addition, the city is a member agency of the local community choice aggregator, Clean Power Alliance (CPA). Together, the city and CPA are exploring bringing energy resilience to West Hollywood with a new microgrid. -
For episode number 8 of ReEnergizing Communities, Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE) Executive Director, Gloria Medina and SCOPE Member, Peggy Scott join host Julie Castro to discuss Utility Debt Relief and Energy Justice. For over 10 years, SCOPE has worked with community-based organizations, labor unions, and environmental groups to ensure low-income communities of color are at the forefront of the green job sector. SCOPE’s strong presence in the community and drive to create equal opportunities within them has generated energy justice across Los Angeles. Gloria and Peggy give a detailed overview of the work SCOPE is doing to help bring debt relief and energy justice to the communities they serve. They also discuss the various programs offered, their goals for 2022, ways to get involved, and more.
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For episode number 7 of ReEnergizing Communities, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) Executive Director, Marisa Creter joins host Julie Castro to discuss Local and State Objectives and their Partnership with SoCalREN. SGVCOG is a regional government planning agency that aims to maximize the quality of life in the San Gabriel Valley. The SGVCOG is the largest and most diverse sub-regional council of governments in Los Angeles County. It encompasses more than 374 square miles and has more than 2 million residents. SGVCOG discusses how they are leveraging local knowledge and strong relationships with SoCalREN’s various Programs, to bring energy efficiency offerings to San Gabriel Valley communities.
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For episode number 6 of ReEnergizing Communities, Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program Manager, Kajsa Hendrickson joins host Chris Ford to discuss SOMAH, currently the largest solar-owned investment in the country. The program will deliver clean power and credits on energy bills to hundreds of thousands of California’s affordable housing residents. Kasja gives a detailed overview of the unique program as it is the first of its kind. She also discusses the sustainability goals, program design, benefits for tenants, and more.
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For episode number 5 of ReEnergizing Communities, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma joins host Chris Ford to discuss ongoing initiatives at the CPUC level. Shiroma discusses SB 350, the role local governments can play in achieving clean energy goals for the state, wildfire mitigation efforts, and more.
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For episode number 4 of ReEnergizing Communities, Christine Marez of Cumming Corporation joins host Chris Ford to discuss Assembly Bill 841 and the School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program that was created as a result of its passage. Marez discusses energy-related challenges schools are facing during the pandemic, which types of projects districts should prioritize with state and federal funding, and the specific steps districts should take to attain grant funding.
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For episode number 3 of ReEnergizing Communities, Jay Kim from the Colton Joint Unified School District joins host Chris Ford to discuss Assembly Bill 841 and the School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program that was created as a result of its passage. Kim discusses the impact of this Program on both his district and other school districts in the process of reopening, as well as how to take advantage of the available resources to upgrade HVAC systems in schools and improve overall energy efficiency.
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