In this episode, Fresh Energy's Isak Kvam, Anjali Bains, and Nick Haeg dig into the true cost of oil and why our dependence on it extends far beyond what we pay at the pump. From its outsized role in transportation and climate pollution to decades of subsidies, lobbying, and policy decisions that have entrenched fossil fuels in our economy, they explore how oil has shaped our energy system and the challenges of moving beyond it.

They also examine the hidden costs borne by taxpayers, the impacts of global conflicts and market volatility on household budgets, and why investments in clean transportation, renewable energy, and electrification offer a path to greater affordability, energy security, and healthier communities.

Join them for this conversation as they separate myth from reality and uncover what it will take to build a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

Additional reading and in-podcast book recs!:

• "The true cost of oil" blog post from Fresh Energy
• Fire weather rec: Fresh Energy’s favorite climate books for 2025 - Fresh Energy
• Merchants of Doubt: Climate Book Club - Fresh Energy

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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In 2025, over one-third of U.S. households skipped or cut back on medication, food, or other necessities to pay an energy bill. A quarter were unable to pay an energy bill in full, and in 2024, 2.7 million households had their utility service shut off due to non-payment.

A lack of affordable housing, rising energy bills, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions threaten the health and wellbeing of all Americans.

These interconnected problems won’t go away on their own. Energy prices are likely to keep going up. But despite volatility and upward pressure on energy prices, there is still a lot that Minnesota’s decision makers can do to keep bills from skyrocketing.

One of the best policy tools we have to address these problems is the energy code: by making our homes more energy efficient, we can also make them more affordable and emit fewer climate-polluting gases.

In this podcast episode, Eric Fowler and Isak Kvam go deep on why efficient homes are affordable homes and what role the energy code has to play.

Additional reading from the Fresh Energy blog:

• Efficient homes are affordable homes, Pt. 1
• Efficient homes are affordable homes, Pt. II

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

In this episode of Decarbonize: The Clean Energy Podcast, Fresh Energy's Isak Kvam is joined by Anjali Bains and Brandon Isakson to explore how Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and green hydrogen can help tackle one of the toughest transportation sectors to decarbonize: aviation.

The conversation breaks down how power-to-liquid SAF, made from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 90% while serving as a drop-in replacement for conventional jet fuel. Listeners will also learn why Minnesota is well positioned to become a leader in this emerging industry thanks to new state policies, abundant feedstocks, and growing private-sector investment.

Tune in for an inside look at the technologies, policies, and economic opportunities that could help Minnesota chart a cleaner future for flight.

Further reading:

• Minnesota now incentivizes green hydrogen to produce SAF, a key climate technology
• What's up with Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Minnesota?
• The true cost of oil

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/