In this episode of the Let’s Clear the Air energy podcast, hosts Adam Murray, Bryan Nix, and Stuart Saulters discuss critical issues surrounding energy policy, permitting reform, and environmental justice with Neel Brown, Managing Director of the Progressive Policy Institute. The conversation explores the need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demand, the impact of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports on domestic prices, and the importance of bipartisan dialogue in shaping effective energy solutions.
Brown emphasizes the necessity of addressing energy burdens faced by low-income families and highlights the need for market-driven innovations in lowering costs in ways that bring people together. He also called for effective communication between industry stakeholders and policymakers and said it’s vital for those engaged in those discussions to take a big picture view that goes beyond their own company or industry.
About Neel Brown
Neel Brown is Managing Director of the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) in Washington, D.C., where he co-leads PPI’s Energy and Climate Solutions Initiative. In that role he engages with stakeholders in Congress and beyond to develop pragmatic energy and climate policies. Before PPI, Brown founded advocacy communications firm Legis Media and spent seven years working on Capitol Hill and in political campaigns.
He frequently writes and speaks on market-based, bipartisan approaches to climate and energy issues, including the recent PPI report on environmental justice.
Read “Energy Costs Come First: A New Approach to Environmental Justice”
Takeaways
- Permitting reform is essential for building necessary energy infrastructure.
- Energy markets are complex and vary by region.
- High energy prices are a direct result of policy-driven infrastructure constraints that prevent abundant supply from meeting demand.
- Environmental justice must focus on energy costs for low-income families.
- Bipartisan dialogue is crucial for effective energy policy.
- Congressional engagement is necessary to address energy burdens.
- LNG exports have geopolitical benefits and must be balanced with domestic needs.
- Demand-side solutions can help lower energy costs for consumers.
- Market-driven innovations are key to improving energy efficiency.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to Neel Brown and His Work
- 02:06 The Need for Permitting Reform
- 05:26 Balancing Energy Demand and Innovation
- 08:49 Infrastructure Challenges in New England
- 12:35 Addressing Energy Affordability and Support Programs
- 15:57 Industry Engagement and Communication Strategies
- 19:10 Finding Common Ground in Energy Policy
- 21:03 The Future of Fossil Fuels and Emissions
- 21:49 Polarization in Energy Policy
- 23:30 Engaging Congress on Energy Issues
- 25:55 Hope for Rational Energy Conversations
- 26:34 Impact of LNG Exports on Domestic Prices
- 29:12 Strategies for Lowering Energy Costs
- 31:20 Addressing Energy Efficiency for Working-Class Families
- 34:21 Demand-Side Solutions in Energy Policy
- 38:35 Key Takeaways and Future Outlook
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