Unlocking the Future of Clean Energy: Lisa Jacobson, President of BCSE, on Renewable Trends, Policy Breakthroughs, and Industry Collaboration

Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy Podcast

In this episode of Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy, host Wes Ashworth sits down with Lisa Jacobson, President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), to explore the dynamic landscape of sustainable energy in America. With over 20 years of experience shaping energy and climate policy, Lisa provides expert insights into the latest trends in renewable energy, the role of policy in driving industry growth, and the vital collaboration between the private sector and policymakers.
Lisa highlights key takeaways from the 2024 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook, detailing record-breaking investments in renewable energy, energy storage, and decarbonization technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture. She discusses the growing importance of clean energy infrastructure, challenges surrounding energy demand, and the critical role of natural gas in the transition to net zero.
Throughout the episode, Lisa shares real-world examples of projects transforming communities, from battery gigafactories in Georgia to offshore wind developments in New York. She also dives into the role of traditional energy companies in the renewable energy transition, emphasizing the need for collaboration across industries to achieve climate goals.
The conversation wraps up with an outlook on future trends, including the rapid expansion of energy storage technologies and the necessity of workforce development and supply chain resiliency to meet the growing demand for clean energy.
This episode offers actionable insights for renewable energy leaders, policymakers, and anyone passionate about driving a sustainable future.
Show Notes:
Lisa Jacobson’s journey into the energy sector and leadership at BCSE (00:34)
The state of renewable energy: Key trends from the 2024 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook (03:08)
Record-breaking renewable investments and deployment in the U.S. (06:14)
The role of the Inflation Reduction Act and other policies in shaping the clean energy market (06:56)
Energy demand growth: AI, manufacturing, and data centers impact (09:15)
Natural gas and its role in the energy transition (19:38)
Real-world examples of renewable energy projects transforming communities (13:18)
Key focus areas for the industry: Supply chains, workforce, and policy (32:01)
Future outlook: Expansion of energy storage technologies and decarbonization (31:00)
The importance of bipartisan support for renewable energy policy (28:20)
Actionable advice for renewable energy leaders on navigating challenges and driving growth (34:23)
Resources Mentioned:
2024 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook
GTI Energy
American Gas Association
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn
BCSE
Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

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