Does it Pay To Go Green? Let Us Count The Ways

As the cost of living climbs, can clean energy technology help ease the burden? That seems to be the case in West Texas, where revenue from a wind farm is helping fund a rural county’s senior center, Meals on Wheels, and even a Valentine’s Day dance! 

But the benefits of clean energy aren’t always spread evenly, largely because of how policies shape incentives and cost distribution. In some cases, utility scale solar lowers electricity prices while rooftop solar can shift costs onto households without it. Meanwhile, new balcony solar panels are helping renters cut their bills, and Every Electric and Con Edison are giving New Yorkers plug-in batteries to keep their AC running even during heat waves. And the fact that these solutions also cut climate pollution? That’s the cherry on top.

Guests:

Bekah Stolhandske McNeel, Freelance Journalist 

Christopher Knittel, Professor of Applied Economics, Sloan School, MIT; Director, MIT Climate Policy Center 

Andrew Wang, Co-Founder, CEO, Every Electric

For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit our episode page here.

00:03:34 Bekah Stolhandske McNeel describes Ozona

00:05:32 Bekah Stolhandske McNeel on country response to wind project

00:06:54 Bekah Stolhandske McNeel on where wind project proceeds went

00:09:56 Bekah Stolhandske McNeel on the Senior Center Valentine's Day Dance

00:20:29 Christopher Knittel on the “green premium”