Why the Fifth National Assessment on Climate Change is Extremely Problematic (Nov 22, 2023)

Jack invites Mario Loyola, Senior Research Fellow at Heritage, Director, Environmental Law and Rish Management, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, and former Trump White House alum to discuss the recently published Fifth National Assessment on Climate Change. As you will learn, the Biden Administration’s take on global warming is even more extreme than the International Panel on Climate Change—and that’s saying something. 

What a Carbon Tariff Means for You (Nov 17, 2023)

Jack and Mike McKenna, President of MWR Strategies and Heritage Foundation Visiting Fellow discuss a recently introduced bill that would establish a tariff, or should we say tax, on imported items. The bill’s sponsors insist the tariff is not a tax but Mike and Jack’s analysis suggests otherwise. But the problem with the carbon tariff is not just that it will increase prices for American families and businesses, it establishes an important foundation on which more carbon dioxide-based regulation will surely be built.

Your Energy Security and Turmoil in the Middle East (Oct 26, 2023)

Jack talks with the Heritage Foundation’s Vicotria Coates, Vice President, Katheryn and Shelby Cullum Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy about the energy security implications of Hamas’ attack on Israel. Having held senior positions on the National Security Council and the Department Energy, Victoria brings a deep and unique understanding of the connection between energy and security policy. As the conversation unfolds, Jack and Vicotria address issues outside of the Middle East conflict, including how Ukraine and Taiwan fit into the energy security picture.

How Bad Energy Policy is Driving Us to Energy Scarcity (Oct 18, 2023)

Jack invites long-time energy policy and industry leader, David Walsh, Managing Director, Takotagroup to discuss the current state of energy policy, how we got to where we are and where the current policy trajectory will lead us. David’s perspective is informed by decades of experience working for some the world’s largest energy companies like Mitsubishi and Westinghouse. We talk coal, nuclear, natural gas and renewables. If you want to connect the dots of how the misinformed energy policies of today will take the United States from energy abundance to energy scarcity, you will want to tune in for this one.

Celebrating Energy Appreciation Day with Mandy Gunasekara (Oct 11, 2023)

In this episode, Jack talks with Mandy Gunasekara, Director, Center for Energy and Conservation at the Independent Women’s Forum and Visiting Fellow at the Heritage Foundation about Energy Appreciation Day and why we should all take some time to thank the men and women in the energy industry. They discuss how everything we do in our day to day lives doesn’t happen without energy and why so many current policies today make their jobs more difficult. Mandy also tells some behind the scenes stories about her time at the Environmental Protection Agency and how she worked to better align EPA with the needs of the American people.
 

The Road to a Clean Environment Runs Through Prosperity (Oct 6, 2023)

In this episode, Jack sits down with The Heritage Foundation's Anthony Kim, Research Fellow and editor of The Index of Economic Freedom to discuss the relationship between strong economies and clean environments. Anthony walks us through what the data says about the topic and demonstrates without question that free economies produce clean environments...as well as a bunch of other benefits! 

 

Special Edition: What’s Going on With This Government Shutdown (er, slowdown)? (Sep 27, 2023)
Sometimes we step outside of our comfort zone to bring you analysis of a pressing current event or news story. In this episode, Jack sits down with Richard Stern, Director of the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation to discuss what’s going on with the potential budget impasse and government shutdown. He helps us to understand what is (or more accurately, what is not) at stake. He tells us how we got here and what we need to do moving forward.

Keep Fighting EV Mandates! (Sep 27, 2023)
In this episode, Jack invites Derrick Morgan, Executive Vice President of The Heritage Foundation to continue our conversation about why EV mandates are bad for American families and businesses. Derrick has a diverse career in policy and energy and provides important perspective on this critical issue and more, so you don’t want to miss this one. Don’t forget to check out Savecars.org to learn more about what you can do to save our cars! 

SAVE OUR CARS! (Sep 19, 2023)
In this episode, Jack invites Tom Pyle, President of the Institute for Energy Research and American Energy Alliance to the Power Hour. In addition to his day job, Tom has just rolled out a major coalition effort to fight back against the Biden Administration’s efforts to regulate internal combustion engine cars, i.e. gas driven, out of reach for most Americans. Jack and Tom discuss what is going on and how you can help to stop it. After listening to the podcast, make sure to check out Tom’s effort at savecars.org

The Green Breakdown: A Discussion with Author Steve Goreham (Sep 13, 2023)
In this episode, Jack invites Steve Goreham, author of the newly published book Green Breakdown: The Coming Renewable Energy Failure, to the program. Jack and Steve discuss global warming facts versus fiction, the impact on electricity prices of renewable energy, and what could the economic consequences be of a so-called green transition, amongst many other topics. After listening to the podcast, check out Steve’s new book Green Breakdown!

Fusion: The Other Solar Energy (Sep 5, 2023)
In this episode, Jack invites Jeffery Merrifield, former Presidential appointee to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and current Partner at the Pillsbury law firm, to the program. Jack and Jeff discuss everything from fusion’s economic viability and regulatory structure to why its safe and attractive to private investors. We even do a little comparing and contrasting to fission nuclear energy. 

Talking Energy Policy with Heritage Foundation President Dr. Kevin Roberts (Aug 29, 2023)
This is a good one folks! In this episode, Jack invites Heritage Foundation President, Dr. Kevin Roberts to the show. Jack and Dr. Roberts discuss everything from the immorality of green energy policies to the critical role of hydrocarbons to America’s broad economic success, as well as to the health of local communities. We learn about how growing up around the energy industry impacted Dr. Roberts’ worldview and why he thinks energy will remain a critical issue for The Heritage Foundation moving forward. 

Should Government Support Coal? (Aug 23, 2023)
In this episode, host Jack Spencer invites former Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Steven Winberg to the show. Steve’s insight is informed by decades of energy industry experience. Making this podcast a little spicier than usual is that while Jack and Steve agree on most issues, there are some areas where they engage in some good, old-fashioned debate—respectfully of course!

Talking Energy Economics with Steve More (Aug 15, 2023)
In this episode, host Jack Spencer invites economist, author, commentator and Distinguished Heritage Fellow, Stephen Moore to the show. Tune in to hear about Steve’s experience working with President Trump and why Biden’s energy policies will leave us all worse off. We also introduce a new voice to the program. You’ll have to tune in to find out who.

A Conservative Man in a Liberal World (and another farewell) (Aug 4, 2023)
In this episode, hosts Jack Spencer and Travis Fisher invite Daniel Simmons, former Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy and energy policy extraordinaire. Among other issues, we discuss how Dan resolved his personal views on energy policy as a limited government conservative with leading one of the least conservative operations in the U.S. government. As expected, Dan brought a thoughtful, principled, and humble approach to his job. I concluded we need more Dans. 

An Ode to Growth—Bigger Economies, Higher Population, and More Energy! (Jul 18, 2023)
In this week’s episode, hosts Jack Spencer and Travis Fisher host Alex Gage, Research Assistant at the Heritage Foundation, to talk about an upcoming report on the interplay between population growth, energy, and the environment. When today’s politicians claim the world is becoming an unlivable place, how does that impact the families of the future? Report co-authors Alex and Travis discuss their research, including the many ways climate alarmists try to scare us into shrinking our economies and our families.

Coal’s Place in America’s Electricity Grid (Jul 11, 2023)
In this episode, hosts Jack Spencer and Travis Fisher invite Michelle Bloodworth, President and CEO of America’s Power, to discuss the future of coal and the impact of energy policy on coal-fired power plants in the U.S. Coal provides low-cost and reliable electricity, but new federal regulations threaten to shut down America’s coal plants. Find out more by tuning in!

America’s Reemergence as a Commercial Nuclear Leader (Jun 20, 2023)
In this episode, hosts Jack Spencer and Travis Fisher invite Todd Abrajano, President and CEO of the United States Nuclear Industry Council to discuss the American nuclear industry’s role in the reemergence of commercial nuclear power around the world. Once the undisputed global leader in the commercial nuclear energy game, the U.S. may have lost a step in recent decades, but as Jack and Travis discuss with Todd, America is roaring back and ready to go.

How the Debt Limit Deal Disappointed on Energy Policy (Jun 14, 2023)
In this episode, hosts Jack Spencer and Travis Fisher invite Richard Stern, Director of the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation, to discuss the recent debt limit deal in Congress, its impact on American families, and the many ways the federal government uses energy and environmental policy to take away your wealth and your freedoms. 

Take Your Stinking Paws off My Gas Stove (June 7, 2023)
In this episode, hosts Jack Spencer, Travis Fisher, and Rachael Wilfong invite Stuart Saulters, Vice President of Government Relations with the American Public Gas Association to discuss how local, state, and federal regulation are reducing consumer choice and increasing prices for appliances and other large-household goods. And it’s about to get much worse! Perhaps most importantly, we say good-bye to Rachael. You’ll have to listen to see where she is going and why. 

The Straight Scoop on Climate Change (May 31, 2023)
In this episode, hosts Jack Spencer, Travis Fisher, and Rachael Wilfong invite Dr. Roy Spencer, Principal Research Scientist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, former Senior Scientist for Climate at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and author of Climate Confusion, to discuss the facts about global warming and climate change. This important conversation clears away the hyperbole surrounding the climate debate and presents the facts from a professional whose career has been spent studying the issue. Check out Dr. Spencer’s website for even more information.

When It Comes to Energy Policy, More Government Means More Problems (May 23, 2023)
In this episode, hosts Jack Spencer, Travis Fisher, and Rachael Wilfong invite Nick Loris, Vice President of Public Policy at C3 Solutions to discuss how government intervention into energy markets leaves Americans with fewer choices, higher prices, and often, worse environmental outcomes. We cover an array of issues in this episode, ranging from government’s role in energy research and development to how bad public policy can result in less innovation and competition. Though we all agree with the general premise that freer energy markets are better, if you listen in, you will hear a little debate during this one.

What You Need to Know About Biden’s Cryptocurrency Energy Tax (May 16, 2023)
In this episode, hosts Jack Spencer, Travis Fisher, and Rachael Wilfong chat with cryptocurrency expert, Nicolas Anthony of the Cato Institute about President Biden’s latest absurd idea to empower Washington at the expense of us: taxing the energy used to produce cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin. We begin the conversation with a discussion about what exactly is cryptocurrency and how does it relate to energy. Then we dig deep into why we should care that Biden wants to impose a major energy tax on the technology.  

Talking Trade, Energy, and the Environment With Shanker Singham and Alden Abbott (May 11, 2023)
In this special episode, hosts Jack Spencer and Rachael Wilfong sit down with trade experts Shanker Singham and Alden Abbott to talk about their new book, Trade, Competition, and Domestic Regulatory Policy: Trade Liberalization, Competitive Markets and Property Rights Protection. The guests not only explain how energy trade helps American consumers and industry, but also how it leads to better environmental outcomes. We also take on tough issues like free trade vs managed trade, and how to resolve the benefits of free trade with the costs of trade with countries like China.

Why You Should Care About America’s Oil and National Gas with Western Energy Alliance President, Kathleen Sgamma (May 9, 2023)
In this week’s episode, hosts Jack Spencer, Travis Fisher and Rachael Wilfong talk with Kathleen Sgamma, oil and natural gas expert and President of the Western Energy Alliance. As President Biden works to impose his green dreams on us, the men and women of America’s gas and oil industry continue to provide American families and businesses with the energy they need to run a modern, industrial society. Tune in to this episode to learn exactly how those resources get from the field to our cars and homes, how prices are determined, and what we need to do to ensure we all have continued access to the energy we need at affordable prices.

Diving Deep into Nuclear Safety and Regulation with American Nuclear Society CEO, Craig Piercy (May 2, 2023)
In this week’s episode, hosts Jack Spencer, Travis Fisher and Rachael Wilfong talk with Craig Piercy, nuclear energy policy expert and CEO of the American Nuclear Society. We carry forward our nuclear energy conversation this week with deep dives on nuclear safety and regulation. If you want to know the truth about nuclear energy safety and how the industry is regulated, you don’t want to miss this one.

Electricity and Your Home: The Shocking Details! (Apr 25, 2023)
In this week’s episode, hosts Jack Spencer, Travis Fisher and Rachael Wilfong talk with Dan Dolan, electricity market expert and President of the New England Power Generators Association. We cover everything from how resources like coal and natural gas are turned into electricity for our homes, to the challenges that electricity producers face in today’s policy environment, to who is ultimately responsible for when the lights go out. 

You Have Questions. We Have Answers! (Apr 18, 2023)
In this week’s episode, hosts Jack Spencer, Travis Fisher and Rachael Wilfong address some listener questions from The Power Hour inbox. Tune in for discussions on the federal government’s latest land use grab, electric grid reliability, and OPEC. 

An Insiders View of Energy Policy With Mike McKenna (Apr 11, 2023)
This week’s guest is long-time energy policy insider and President of MWR Strategies, Mike McKenna. With experience working in the private sector and in government at both the state and federal level, no one knows energy policy like Mike. If you want to know the latest on energy policy, you don’t want to miss this one!

What’s Up With Nuclear Energy (Apr 4, 2023)
Our guest this week is nuclear energy expert, Paul Dickman from Argonne National Laboratory. In this week’s episode we discuss why nuclear energy is critical to America’s energy future, some history behind the technology, and the policy issues that have yet to be resolved. If you are interested in nuclear energy, you don’t want to miss this one!

Costly New Jersey Wind Turbines Won’t Lower Global Emissions (Mar 30, 2023)
We are joined this week by Heritage Senior Statistician and Data Scientist, Kevin Dayaratna to discuss his (and Power Hour host Travis Fisher’s) new research showing why New Jersey’s plans to build a massive offshore wind farm makes no sense for energy security, economic strength, or the environment. If you want to know the real story behind Big Green’s energy agenda, you don’t want to miss this one?

The Power Hour With Jack Spencer, Travis Fisher and Special Guest Bernie McNamee (Mar 23, 2023)
Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Power Hour, a podcast by the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Energy, Climate and Environment. Hosted by Jack Spencer and Travis Fisher, the Power Hour is a weekly podcast that discusses the week’s top energy and environment policy issues with the nation’s top experts. Our special guest this week is energy lawyer, former Department of Energy Official and former FERC Commissioner, Bernie McNamee. We start this week with a discussion about energy policy in general, and then do a deeper dive into electricity markets. And there might be a few other interesting nuggets as well. Listen to find out!

The Supreme Court’s Pending WOTUS Decision: Is Clarity Finally Coming for Property Owners? (Jan 23, 2023)
What waters can be regulated as “navigable waters” under the Clean Water Act? This seemingly simple question has been anything but simple, with decades of federal overreach by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers. As property owners, from farmers to homebuilders know all too well, there is massive confusion. This confusion is largely due to the government applying vague and subjective definitions of regulated waters, including what is meant by “waters of the United States” or WOTUS. In many instances, property owners may unwittingly violate the government’s often changing and inconsistent application of the CWA, and this can lead to harsh civil and criminal penalties. The good news is the U.S. Supreme Court could provide some clarity in a case called Sackett v. EPA. In this latest edition of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment’s PowerCast, Daren Bakst, host of the PowerCast and Senior Research Fellow in Environmental Policy and Regulation, is joined by Charles Yates, an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, the organization representing the Sacketts, to help explain the WOTUS issue, the Sackett case, and recent developments, including the Biden administration publishing yet another final WOTUS rule.

What You Need to Know About Nuclear Power (Dec 12, 2022)
Nuclear power is an underutilized form of energy production that is safe, reliable, and provides emissions-free electricity. It has potential to help provide much-needed affordable electricity to people all over the world. Unfortunately, it is also deeply misunderstood, and scare tactics and myths are prevalent. In this latest edition of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment’s PowerCast, Daren Bakst, host of the PowerCast and Senior Research Fellow in Environmental Policy and Regulation, is joined by Ed McGinnis, former acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy, and currently CEO of Curio, and Jack Spencer, Senior Research Fellow, Energy and Environmental Policy at The Heritage Foundation, to discuss nuclear power, including its importance and challenges.

Embracing Private and Local Solutions to Environmental Challenges (Nov 16, 2022)
Unfortunately, too many people assume that to address environmental issues, there needs to be one-size-fits-all federal solutions. This is a harmful fallacy. To achieve genuine positive environmental outcomes, policymakers need to respect state and local solutions, and they definitely need to respect private citizens who are using many innovative ideas to improve the environment. In this latest edition of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment’s PowerCast, Daren Bakst, host of the PowerCast and Senior Research Fellow in Environmental Policy and Regulation, is joined by Todd Myers, Environmental Director of the Washington Policy Center in Seattle, to discuss how private innovation is making a real difference to address environmental challenges.

An Unauthorized Campaign Against the Internal Combustion Engine (Nov 1, 2022)
California has adopted regulations that would ban new internal combustion engine vehicle sales beginning in 2035. If EPA grants a waiver from Clean Air Act preemption to California to implement these regulations, then in 12 years, say goodbye to buying new gas and diesel-powered cars in the Golden State. But this campaign against the internal combustion engine isn’t all about California. The EPA through its motor vehicle emission standards and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through its fuel economy standards are trying to transform the nation’s vehicle fleet, shifting it away from gas and diesel-powered vehicles and towards electric vehicles. Even worse, Congress hasn’t authorized the agencies to take such action. In this latest edition of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment’s PowerCast, Daren Bakst, host of the PowerCast and Senior Research Fellow in Environmental Policy and Regulation, is joined by Justin Schwab, former Deputy General Counsel at the EPA, and the founder of CGCN Law, and Derrick Morgan, Executive Vice President of the Heritage Foundation, to discuss these critical threats to freedom, consumer choice, and separation of powers.

Energy Cautionary Tales from the EU and UK: Lessons for the United States (Oct 4, 2022)
U.S. policymakers don’t need a crystal ball to get a good idea of the impact from Green New Deal-type policies and a war on conventional fuels.  We are seeing these impacts now right here in the U.S.  But lessons can also be learned from the experiences of the EU and UK, who are further down this misguided path of attacking reliable and abundant energy, all in the name of climate change and other alleged environmental objectives.  In this latest edition of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment’s PowerCast, leading experts discuss EU and UK energy policy, what has been the result of these policies (including the horror stories), and what lessons the U.S. should take from their experience.

Government Efforts to Dictate What You Drive: What You Need to Know (Sep 1, 2022)
For decades, many conservatives have warned that environmental extremists are trying to use the government to dictate, among other things, how you live, where you live, what you eat, and what you drive.  Recent developments have certainly shown they want to dictate what you want to drive.  From the so-called Inflation Reduction Act and its push for electric vehicles, California’s efforts to ban new gas-fueled cars, to the extreme federal fuel efficiency standards, the far left wants Americans to stop driving gas-powered cars, with little to no regard for the harm such policies will impose upon Americans.  In this latest edition of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment’s PowerCast, leading experts discuss these recent developments, the harmful impact of these efforts, and the elitism and arrogance of some who think they know better than Americans themselves as to what they should drive.

Conservative Energy Policy After the Inflation Reduction Act (Aug 17, 2022)
The so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” has now become law, with the House and Senate passing the legislation on purely partisan lines. No Republican voted in favor of the bill, which includes a Green New Deal wish list, spending $369 billion on energy and climate programs. What does the left get wrong with this bill and its energy and climate agenda? What should conservatives do to have a bold and proactive agenda that gets things right? In this latest edition of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment’s PowerCast, leading energy experts answer these questions and help to lay out key principles that should inform conservative energy policy.

Energy, Climate, and the Inflation Reduction Act (August 4, 2022)
The Senate is expected to consider a reconciliation bill misleadingly named the Inflation Reduction Act. The overall spending for the climate and energy provisions of the bill is a whopping $369 billion. The legislation, which is an effort to centrally plan energy use and production, promotes a Green New Deal wish list for far-left extremists, from their favored electricity generation, vehicles, to agricultural practices. In this latest edition of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment’s PowerCast, leading experts discuss what’s in the bill, its harmful policies, and why the bill wouldn’t help with inflation but would in fact make matters worse.

Dispelling Myths About Gas Prices: Lessons from Across the Oil Supply Chain (July 20, 2022)
Major costs and obstacles impacting the entire oil supply chain, from oil producers, refiners, to gas stations, are driving up gas prices. Understanding the oil supply chain and its challenges helps to better understand the causes of high gas prices. In the latest edition of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment’s PowerCast, leading experts discuss issues such as onshore and offshore leasing, pipelines, refining, and basic economics affecting prices. They dispel harmful myths about gas prices, such as alleged price gouging, and also identify some of the Biden administration policies driving up gas prices.

West Virginia v. EPA: Initial Insight and Analysis (July 6, 2022)
The United States Supreme Court, in a 6-3 opinion, held that the EPA’s Clean Power Plan wasn’t authorized under the Clean Air Act. Under this rule, the agency was trying to dictate how the entire country generates electricity, mandating a shift from conventional energy to renewable energy. In this debut edition of the Center for Energy, Climate and Environment’s PowerCast, leading experts discuss the case, its implications on energy and regulation, the major questions doctrine, and restoring representative government.

Email [email protected] to let us know your thoughts about the podcast, what you want to hear, and who you’d like us to have as a guest!