Welcome back to Jonah Asks!
Recorded: 6/12/26

Karsten works as a director of policy and regulatory strategy in the electric and gas utility business. Karsten has helped lead clean energy innovation in the utility industry for 12 years, developing launching new initiatives in electric transportation, grid modernization, distributed generation, building decarbonization and the future of gas.

15m

Solar at Home - Obstacles

Distributed energy sources (EVs, Solar for homes) - Obstacles - cost, roof replacements, shared buildings

El Cerrito, California houses - 1920s

Houses built in 1920s around development of Chevron Oil Refinery in Richmond.

21m
Policy Issues

How policy interacts with physical world, policy, economics:

Policy vs Actionable Plans - From Policy to Reality

Can public utilities genuinely serve the public?

28m

Investor-run Utility Model

Karsten reiterates that % of household income spent on electricity has generally stayed the same over the last 30 years. But...the burden on lower-income families is far-greater than middle and upper-middle class groups.

In his work, Karsten has advocated for more support for lower-income communities. In 2023, DPU increased energy assistance programs from a flat 32% for eligible customers to a sliding scale up to 70% off of energy bills for customers in the lowest income tiers.

To see these charts on electricity costs over the last forty-five years, more detailed show notes and info here.

48m

Will we be using nuclear energy in the future?

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Clean energy initiatives

Clean Air Task Force (CATF): Science-backed advocacy, pushing for carbon capture, advanced nuclear, and zero-emissions tech deployment in the U.S. and globally.

GRID Alternatives: Perfect for a localized impact, solar power for low-income communities.

Earthjustice: The premier environmental law organization, using litigation to enforce policies that accelerate the transition to clean energy and defend frontline communities from pollution.

It was a pleasure to reconnect with Jeremy. Jeremy has been a Kindergarten teacher in Salt Lake City for many years. He's recently gone through some major life changes. Our conversation ranges from educational issues to finding community, from learning from life's difficulties to recapturing one's attention and many other topics.
Here are detailed show notes, with links to various articles and podcasts mentioned in the episode and a great picture of Jeremy in nature!

Please share and subscribe.
Keep building community and connections.

Thanks for Listening!
Jonah

Hello Good People,

Maybe, just maybe, I can convince a few people to talk to me about political progress, rebuilding democracy, avoiding cynicism and resignation. In May, June and July, I will be recording something. Either short monologues or conversations with other good people. Take a listen. If you're interested in setting up a summer talk, email me at jonahasks at gmail.

Midterms are in November. He won't be in office forever,
Jonah