Robert Bryce, and Cheryl Lane stop by the Energy Impacts Podcast with David Blackmon
In this episode of Energy Impacts, David Blackmon speaks with energy expert Robert Bryce and South Carolina resident Cheryl Lane, who is fighting a 4,300-acre solar project being built behind her home. Cheryl shares how she uncovered the project’s scope, challenged permits, and launched multiple legal battles to protect her land, community, and local wildlife from environmental harm. They discuss how large-scale solar developments often target low-income rural areas, bypass environmental reviews, strain infrastructure, and displace wildlife—all while being promoted as “green.”Highlights of the Podcast00:00 – Introduction01:24 – Cheryl’s Battle Against a Massive Solar Farm04:24 – Targeting Low-Income Rural Areas06:56 – Avoiding Environmental Review07:42 – Delaying the Project09:26 – Parallel Stories Across the Country13:47 – Legal Battles on Multiple Fronts18:38 – Limited Financial Resources20:03 – Wildlife & Environmental Concerns25:09 – Cultural & Historical Preservation Issues27:09 – Lessons from Fighting Other Projects29:52 – Infrastructure Ill-Prepared for Construction Impact31:43 – Destruction of Forest and Endangered Species33:27 – Robert Confirms Developer’s Background35:08 – Double Standards in Environmental Activism37:18 – Hidden Project Components39:54 – Final Encouragement & Advice42:10 – Closing Remarks
--------
42:51
--------
42:51
Dustin Van Liew, SVP at Energeo Alliance, on Energy Impacts Podcast with David Blackmon
In this episode of Energy Impacts, David Blackmon talks with Dustin Van Liew, Senior VP of Global Policy at Energeo Alliance, about how geoscience supports offshore energy projects and the policy hurdles that come with it. Van Liew explains the importance of seismic surveys for oil, gas, and offshore wind, addresses common misconceptions about their impact on marine life, and shares his thoughts on Representative Nick Begich’s effort to modernize the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The discussion centers on making the permitting process more efficient, cutting through overlapping regulations, and ensuring environmental safeguards are upheld while allowing responsible energy development to move forward.Highlights of the Podcast00:08 - Introduction00:39 - About Energeo Alliance02:00 - Membership Composition03:24 - Offshore Wind & Geoscience04:09 - Marine Mammal Concerns & Misinformation05:17 - Modernizing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)09:46 - Overly Broad “Harassment” Definition11:20 - “Small Numbers” Clause14:13 - Science-Based Decision Making15:49 - MMPA & ESA Duplication20:11 - Administrative vs. Legislative Fixes22:53 - Next Steps for Begich’s Bill27:35 - Closing#OffshoreEnergy #EnergyPolicy #MarineConservation
--------
28:13
--------
28:13
Marcellus Shale Coalition, Jim Welty on the Energy Impacts with David Blackmon
Jim Welty, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, joins David Blackmon to explore how Appalachian natural gas is driving energy innovation, powering the AI revolution, and reshaping U.S. infrastructure and global exports. From pipeline challenges to record-breaking investments in Pennsylvania, they discuss the critical role of domestic energy in ensuring economic growth, environmental gains, and national security.Highlights of the Podcast00:01 - Introduction02:03 - Jim Welty's Background05:23 - Pipeline Infrastructure and Energy Costs07:32 - $92 Billion AI & Energy Project in Pittsburgh10:28 - In-Basin Energy Utilization vs Pipeline Challenges12:04 - LNG Export Reality13:45 - The Myth of “End of Cheap Gas”15:31 - Vast Natural Gas Reserves17:31 - Declining Rig Count ≠ Declining Production19:30 - AI's Impact on Energy Sector21:38 - U.S. Natural Gas: A Global Advantage23:58 - Industry Leaders Taking the Mic27:23 - Closing Remarks
--------
28:18
--------
28:18
What is the Future of Coal?
You will not want to miss this interview with Michelle Manook, CEO of FutureCoal, who stops by the Energy Impacts podcast with David Blackmon. This is a significant interview, as there are major changes in the grid and energy demand underway, and Michelle will be able to break down how coal is poised to face the challenges ahead.Highlights of the Podcast00:01 – Introduction01:26 – What is Future Coal?03:49 – Governments, Industry, and Finance Must Unite04:55 – Australian Coal Reality Check (Video Clip)05:47 – The Reality of Coal Demand09:16 – The Shift in Public and Media Tone10:19 – Coal’s Reputation and Finance Industry Retreat13:18 – Open Letter: Fund Fair, Fund Equal16:59 – Sustainable Coal Stewardship19:37 – Energy Poverty in Europe22:46 – Repercussions of the Green Energy Rush25:17 – Why Future Coal is Expanding in Southern Africa29:19 – Will the U.S. Return to Coal Plants?32:53 – Energy Mix: Focus on What Works33:22 – Closing Remarks
--------
34:11
--------
34:11
Alaska's Pebble Mine Project CEO stops by the Energy Impacts Podcast
John Shively, CEO of Pebble Partnership, and operator of the Alaska Pebble Mine Project. With a focus on Energy Dominance.John Shively joins the Energy Impacts Podcast to talk about the decades-long effort to permit the Pebble Mine in Alaska. He shares insights on the mine's massive copper and mineral potential, environmental concerns around Bristol Bay’s salmon fishery, and how federal permitting delays and reliance on foreign processing especially from China impact U.S. energy security. Shively also discusses what makes Alaska so uniquely valuable and why permitting reform is key to unlocking its resources.Highlights of the Podcast00:01 - Intro and Background03:10 - Why Pebble Mine Matters05:57 - Mineral Resources at Pebble09:14 - China’s Grip on Mineral Processing14:08 - Environmental Concerns and Salmon19:12 - Permitting, Courts, and Political Barriers25:23 - Alaska’s Potential or Decline28:26 - Closing Thoughts
Discussions are a two-way street. This podcast is for all sides to have an open forum and share their opinions on fossil, renewable, nuclear, and all things energy.
Colombia