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Chapter 1
America First
This chapter explores the Trump energy plan by examining the mindset of Trump supporters and their views on energy policy. We look at the historical context of energy dependency in the United States, highlighting the shift from energy poverty during the early 2000s shale boom to a desire for energy independence. The discussion touches on the American psyche, which equates dependency with weakness, referencing historical events like the Carter administration's energy policies and the 1973 Arab oil embargo. We consider how Trump's America First policy reflects a belief in strength and self-reliance, critiquing alliances perceived as unfair, such as NATO. We discuss how Trump supporters view Europe's reliance on American defense and the desire for fairness in international relationships. Through these lenses, we gain insight into the components of the Trump energy doctrine and its implications for U.S. energy policy.
Chapter 2
European Electricity and Renewable Sources
This chapter focuses on the current state of electricity generation in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, highlighting the challenges and successes in their energy policies. We examine Germany's reliance on coal and natural gas following the closure of its nuclear power plants, leading to high carbon emissions and expensive electricity despite significant investments in renewables. In contrast, France's energy landscape benefits from a strong nuclear power sector, resulting in low carbon intensity and the ability to export electricity to neighboring countries. The conversation also touches on the UK's recent closure of its last coal-fired power station, noting the rise in electricity costs and carbon emissions as industries face economic pressures. Throughout the discussion, we reflect on the intersection of politics and environmental policies, questioning the broader implications for energy independence and industrial stability.
Chapter 3
Trump's Energy Dominance Strategy
This chapter examines the intricacies of Donald Trump's energy policies and the significance of energy to his supporters. I explore how historical, political, and economic factors shape the belief in an "America First" strategy, emphasizing energy security. The discussion highlights the concept of "energy dominance," where America aims to be the world's leading energy force through technological advancements like fracking and horizontal drilling. I address the Trump administration's approach to bolster the fossil fuel industry, open federal lands, and simplify permitting processes while challenging the Green New Deal and climate change initiatives. We also touch upon the administration's potential strategies to restore America's energy production and address international challenges posed by China. As we conclude, we anticipate exploring further how these policies could impact climate change efforts and environmental quality in the next chapter. -
Unlock the secrets of global energy dynamics and discover how the rise of U.S. liquefied natural gas is reshaping the world's energy landscape. Join me, Brigham McCown, as we explore the profound shifts triggered by the significant influx of LNG from the United States, especially in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. With energy prices soaring in Europe and America evolving from an energy importer to a major exporter, we unravel the complexities of potential oversupply, economic advantages, and the strategic geopolitical roles of both the U.S. and Qatar. This episode promises to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving global energy market and the potential challenges ahead.
Amidst the surge in data center demands, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, energy consumption is set to skyrocket. Hear from Matthew Garman, CEO of AWS, who sheds light on the growing energy needs of data centers and the role nuclear power could play in filling the gaps left by wind and solar energy. As AWS invests $35 billion in Virginia's Data Center Alley, we discuss how major players like Microsoft, Ameren, and Google are seeking innovative energy solutions to support their operations. With Europe's green ambitions clashing with rising energy consumption driven by AI and data centers, we reflect on the critical need for stable, affordable power sources to ensure sustainable growth and data center viability. -
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In this episode of Charge Conversations, Brigham McCown has the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering LS Fan from The Ohio State University and Brandy Johnson the Chief Technology Officer at Babcock & Wilcox.
Professor Fan discusses his process of chemical looping.
Brandy Johnson talks about how Babcock and Wilcox is using the chemical looping technology and putting it to everyday use.
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L.-S. Fan is Distinguished University Professor and C. John Easton Professor in Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at The Ohio State University. He has been on the faculty of Chemical Engineering at Ohio State since 1978 and served as Department Chair from 1994 – 2003. Professor Fan received his B.S. (1970) from National Taiwan University, and his M.S. (1973) and Ph.D. (1975) from West Virginia University, all in Chemical Engineering. In addition, he earned an M.S. (1978) in Statistics from Kansas State University.
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Brandy Johnson is Chief Technology Officer, responsible for the development of B&W’s ClimateBright™ suite of decarbonization and hydrogen production technologies, including the deployment, scale-up and commercialization activities of its BrightLoop™ novel hydrogen
generation technology.
https://www.babcock.com/ -
In this episode, Brigham talks with Paul Tice, author of the book "The Race To Zero - How ESG Investing Will Crater the Global Financial System"
Get the book below
Encounter Books - Paul Tice - The Race To Zero
The Race to Zero provides a detailed rebuttal to the case for sustainable investing from the perspective of a long-time Wall Street analyst, investor, and latter-day finance professor. Sustainable investing does not aim to generate excess returns for investors or to further ethical goals such as improving society or saving the planet; rather, it seeks to seize control of the world’s financial system in order to ensure that the allocation of capital and investments across markets is politically favorable to establishment interests.
By limiting financial market access, ESG is designed to create a compliant corporate sector to serve as both Greek chorus and funding source for the environmental and social causes championed by government and the elite class. Climate change is its driving force and priority goal, and its main targets are fossil fuel companies operating in the industrialized Western world. This book is designed to expose these truths in plain-spoken language—free of financial jargon—to reach the widest possible audience, including the silent majority on Wall Street that is now afraid to speak up about ESG. -
In this episode of Charged Conversations with Brigham McCown, the focus is on the intersection of energy and national security—both for the United States and its global allies. The podcast delves into the evolution of American energy exports, spurred by the shale revolution and advances like fracking and horizontal directional drilling. Reflecting on the journey from LNG import facilities to the burgeoning export terminals lining the coasts, the discussion highlights the pivotal role that U.S. liquefied natural gas now plays in the international landscape. This is especially pertinent given the shift in Europe’s energy sources following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
However, as the Biden administration puts a pause on LNG export facilities to evaluate their environmental impact, the episode examines the bipartisan implications of this move. The criticism and concerns revolve around the balance between addressing climate change, upholding safety regulations, and ensuring energy security. As the conversation notes, hydrocarbons are projected to remain central to the world's energy mix well beyond 2050, and the cessation of LNG exports could undermine not only U.S. energy security but also that of Europe, which received 64% of U.S. LNG exports in 2022. The episode suggests that energy policy represents a potential area for bipartisan collaboration, offering a path to address climate change responsibly while maintaining energy security. -
This episode of "Charged Conversations" continues our series on EV battery performance. Brigham McCown unravels the complexity surrounding charging infrastructure, including distinguishing between Level 1 and Level 2 chargers, and the importance of creating easy access and payment systems for public charging stations.
Additionally, the episode highlights how integrating renewable energy sources into charging stations can contribute to the 'green promise' of electric vehicles. Don't miss this detailed exploration of how charging infrastructure development and smart technology are facilitating the transition to a fully electric future. -
Jason Munster joins the show. Jason is an expert in hydrogen cell technology. How close is it to becoming a reality?
In this episode of Charge Conversations, host Brigham McCown is joined by Jason Munster, an expert in clean energy and former member of the US Department of Energy (DOE). They discuss the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OSED) and its role in scaling emerging technologies to tackle climate challenges. Munster explains that OSED was established as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to support energy infrastructure demonstration projects. He highlights the importance of OSED's commercial analysis team, which he helped build, in evaluating the financial viability and commercial potential of these projects.Munster also explains the funding structure of OSED, which involves stage gates and deliverables that must be met to receive funding. He emphasizes that OSED is focused on community benefits and transparency, rather than seeking a return on investment like the DOE's Loan Programs Office. The episode concludes with Munster providing advice for organizations seeking OSED funding, emphasizing the need to understand the unique negotiation process and package their projects in a way that aligns with OSED's goals.Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the role of OSED in advancing clean energy technologies and the importance of commercial analysis in evaluating project viability. -
In this episode of Charged Conversations, host Brigham McCown discusses the sudden slowdown in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. He explores reasons behind the plateau of EV sales around the 100,000 units per month mark and the stagnation of the average EV cost at $52,000. Special attention is paid to mainstream consumers' hesitation towards EV adoption and the financial losses that companies like Ford have reported from their EV ventures. McCown also delves into the technological differences between lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, and the implications of these for the future of EVs. He concludes by citing the BBC's report on Americans' attachment to gasoline-powered cars and the challenges of EV adoption among middle and lower-income demographics. McCown advises listeners who are interested in EVs to go ahead and buy one, but also predicts that gasoline-powered cars aren't disappearing anytime soon.#ElectricVehicleTrends #EVAdoption #TechInnovation
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In this episode of "Charged Conversations," host Brigham McCown interviews special guest Daryna Onyshko, who discusses the importance of Ukraine to Americans following Russia's invasion in February 2022. The conversation covers various topics including China, Israel, isolationism, and the significance of Ukraine's resistance against Russian aggression. Brigham and Daryna underscore the potential consequences of Ukraine's takeover on the international order and stress the importance of democracies supporting each other. The need for security guarantees, Ukraine's desire to join NATO, and the importance of raising awareness and supporting Ukraine are also mentioned. The conversation briefly touches on Russia's actions in Georgia and Ukraine, as well as the destruction caused by Russian attacks. The speakers also highlight the role of organizations like the Hudson Institute and provide insights into daily life in Ukraine.
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Brigham McCown discusses the 1973 Arab oil embargo and its lasting impact on the United States. It explains how the embargo was a response to Israel's involvement in the Yom Kippur War and the United States' actions that affected OPEC member countries. The embargo led to a quadrupling of oil prices, fuel shortages, and the realization of the US's dependence on Middle Eastern oil. The transcript also highlights the push for American energy independence, the shale play revolution in oil and gas production, and the recent changes in energy policies under the Biden administration. It concludes by discussing the current challenges of rising oil prices, geopolitical instability in the Middle East, and the importance of finding reliable and affordable low-carbon energy alternatives.
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