The promise of "clean" natural gas has led many U.S. utilities to bet big on gas infrastructure, but how clean is gas, really? In this episode, we dive into the risks utilities are taking with massive investments in natural gas, which may be far worse for the climate than coal once methane leakage is accounted for. Expert Nancy LaPlaca joins us to expose the flaws in utility decision-making and regulators' failure to hold them accountable.
Nancy LaPlaca is an expert on regulatory policy and a leading consultant to clean energy organizations. She has over 15 years of experience advocating for renewable energy and challenging the fossil fuel industry. Nancy has worked extensively with utility regulators in states like Arizona and Illinois to advance solar power and energy efficiency policies. She assists clean energy groups and solar companies in navigating the complex process of turning state laws into implementable rules.
On this episode of The Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague talks with Nancy about the risks utilities are taking by investing heavily in natural gas infrastructure. They discuss how natural gas is not the clean fuel it's made out to be, with high methane leakage rates making it potentially worse for the climate than coal.
Nancy provides an insider's perspective on working with utility regulators, and how they are failing to hold utilities accountable as they lock in long-term natural gas dependence. She highlights the massive price increases and borrowing utilities like Duke Energy have undertaken as gas prices spike, and how solar power can provide price stability and grid reliability.
Other topics covered include the limits of state Renewable Portfolio Standards without clear implementation paths, how monopoly utilities use complexity and influence to maintain control, how net metering policies make or break distributed solar, and the critical importance of public engagement and advocacy at Public Utility Commissions to drive the renewable transition.
Key Takeaways
1. How much worse is natural gas for the climate compared to coal when you account for methane leakage?
2. What are some of the limits of Renewable Portfolio Standards if states lack clear implementation pathways?
3. How do net metering policies in states help or hurt growth of distributed solar?
4. How can the public play a greater role in getting utilities to embrace renewable energy?
5. What can clean energy advocates do to engage Public Utility Commissions and drive the clean energy transition?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancylaplaca/
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00:00 Introduction
02:09 Guest Introduction - Nancy LaPlaca's background
07:12 Clean Energy Policies and Their Impact in Illinois
14:17 Renewable Energy Policy and its Impact on Utilities
21:15 Solar Energy Policy and Regulations
25:50 Solar Energy and its Impact on the Grid
31:16 Utility Regulation and Climate Change
39:36 Decarbonizing Economy and Reducing Climate Footprint
42:16 Rapidly Rising Methane levels in the Atmosphere
44:58 Resources for Improving Utility Regulation
46:51 Disrupting Unfair Solar Policies
49:05 Conclusion
