Radio Talk Show on Renewables and Electric Transportation

I was flattered to get a call last week from a guy wanting me to host a radio talk show. He asked me for a short write-up of some ideas; here it is:

Thanks for your inquiry about the radio show. Per your request, here is a short write-up of some preliminary ideas.

I believe I would simply make this an extension of the radio and television broadcasts – and live panel discussions – that I’ve done over the past few years. Folks ask me anything they care to about energy and transportation, normally pertaining to the many issues our civilization has with fossil fuels and internal combustion engines, and the cost/benefit of the different flavors of renewables and electric vehicles.

As I discuss in my book, Renewable Energy – Facts and Fantasies (published by Clean Energy Press – 2010), we live in a world of tough realities. We can’t simply snap our fingers and have clean energy overnight. Not only are there technological hurdles associated with integrating renewables into the grid mix, but there are numerous economic and political challenges. All of this varies state by state, and, of course, country by country – making this a very interesting and difficult calculus.

I’ve noticed that about 80% of callers are kind, decent people with simple questions that I can readily answer. The other 20% have some sort of ax to grind. Frankly, it’s those 20% that make the shows interesting. Most of the shows don’t screen the calls too carefully, so I’m used to dealing with some really loud and offbeat people. The truth is: I don’t care! I’m pretty cool under fire, and I believe everyone’s entitled to his own opinion; I just respond calmly, provide the facts as I understand them, and them move on.

I look forward to our future discussions.