MCJ

What’s better than one live MCJ podcast? Two! ⚡️ Join us on Sept 11 during Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week for a can't-miss session where Cody Simms will sit down with Vicki Hollub, CEO of Oxy. We'll dive into Oxy's strategy for navigating the energy transition, including their recent acquisition of Carbon Engineering and how they're advancing carbon removal efforts. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the industry's top leaders. Plus, stick around for a networking happy hour afterward. 🗓️ Wednesday, Sept 11, 1:30pm CDT 📍 Ion Houston RSVP on Luma to secure your spot: https://mcj.news/hecw911

Energy and water form a fundamental nexus in our modern world. These resources are inextricably connected to economic development, food production, and environmental sustainability. 💧 This week in the MCJ newsletter, Sonora Hill from Imagine H2O dives into the complexities of the energy-water nexus and highlights the innovations that could help us strike the right balance. ⚡️ From reducing the water footprint of energy production (Infinite Cooling, Emrgy Inc., Natel Energy) to making water distribution more energy-efficient (ASTERRA, National Alliance for Water Innovation), there's a lot at stake—and a lot of progress being made. Check out the full article and share your thoughts in the comments!

The inaugural Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week is around the corner and we’re excited to host a special live recording of the MCJ Startup Series with the CEO and Co-founder of Base Power Company, Zach Dell. 🕒 When: Tuesday, Sept 10 at 3pm CDT  📍Where: Ion Houston Cody Simms and Zach will cover Base's product, distributed battery storage, the aging grid and backup power in Texas at large. The podcast recording will be followed by a networking happy hour with light snacks and refreshments. Don’t miss out! Reserve your spot: https://mcj.news/hecw910

Earlier this year, we witnessed the launch of the Symbiosis Coalition, a new initiative backed by Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce. Together, they’ve committed to purchasing up to 20 million tons of nature-based carbon removals. But why now? The forestry credit space has faced some tough challenges recently, sparking curiosity about how these tech giants plan to revitalize the sector. Enter Julia (Osterman) Strong, the Executive Director leading the charge behind Symbiosis Coalition. Cody invited her to the show to dive deep into the coalition's formation, what makes a high-quality credit, the roadblocks to bankability, and much more. Tune in to hear how this collaboration could reshape the future of carbon markets. Link below! 🌱🎧

This week on the MCJ podcast, Cody sat down with Joseph Daniel, a Principal on the Carbon-Free Electricity Team at RMI to cover "non-economic dispatch" of coal. This phenomenon occurs when coal-fired power plants deliver power to electricity grids even when their electricity is not the most cost-effective option, thereby disrupting the "merit order" of electricity dispatch. ⚡️ It's a complex topic, but Joe provides helpful insights into this intricate issue. Listen to the full episode: https://mcj.news/rmi

Most people think beef and almond milk are the worst foods for the planet. But rice, a staple for 3.5 billion people, has a huge carbon footprint, comparable to the aviation industry. 🌍 In the latest MCJ newsletter, Xavier Laguarta Soler from Mitti Labs explores how innovative farming practices can cut methane emissions by over 40% and conserve 30% more water. 🚜🌱 Learn how these solutions are transforming rice farming, moving the voluntary carbon market forward, and boosting farmer livelihoods. 🌿

Hydrogen has immense potential as a clean energy source, and Fourier is making strides in making it universally accessible with on-site and on-demand production. 🎧 Siva Yellamraju, the Co-founder and CEO of Fourier, joins Cody this week to discuss his journey from a successful entrepreneurial career in software to tackling the energy sector. With previous ventures sold to Apple, Google, and Polycom, Siva brings a wealth of experience to the table. In this episode, we dive into Siva's transition to the energy industry, the innovative work Fourier is doing in distributed hydrogen, and the lessons he's learned along the way. From power backup solutions to hydrogen production as a data problem, there's a lot to unpack. Link below!

The anticipated surge in electricity demand driven by data centers, AI, and similar technologies is undeniable. In this context, nuclear energy stands out as a crucial player. ⚡️ Ksenia Solomatina explores how we can unlock the full potential of nuclear energy by addressing the critical challenge of workforce development. 👨🏭 In this week's newsletter, Ksenia delves into the economic advantages of a strong nuclear workforce, the national security implications, and the enhancement of reliability and safety in nuclear operations. Read more and learn about PowerTechs — a skills assessment technology that identifies existing transferable skills, allowing workers to transition from other industries into clean energy roles. 

Living Carbon is fast-tracking trees for the planet’s future. 🌲 The company’s enhanced photosynthesis trait allows trees to grow faster and accumulate about 53% more biomass, leading to greater carbon sequestration and longer-lasting wood products. We’re thrilled to support Maddie Hall, Patrick Mellor, and the entire team at Living Carbon for many reasons.  👩🔬 Product Innovation: Prioritizing product innovation over practice changes (e.g., no-till farming) simplifies the adoption of nature-based solutions for farmers. 🌱 Land Restoration: In the US, 1.6 million acres of degraded land can benefit from Living Carbon's trees, which proliferate, tolerate heavy metals, and help restore ecosystems. 📈 VCM: Living Carbon supports a robust Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) by generating diverse income streams (e.g., timber) and benchmarking its trees against others to ensure high-quality credits. 🌳 Scalability: Tree enhancement is scalable due to existing planting infrastructure. Living Carbon focuses on the Poplar tree, leveraging its well-known genetics to optimize carbon removal processes. Take a tour through the Living Carbon greenhouse below!

Are clean energy tax credits safe in this election cycle? In a recent letter to our LPs, we shared our thoughts on the upcoming election. Notably, the clean energy and climate movement appears less mobilized this cycle compared to 2020, prompting us to examine what’s at stake. Brandon Hurlbut, Co-founder of Boundary Stone Partners, dives deep into the topic and shares ways to engage beyond voting: 📚 Educate the public on policies that support climate-friendly tech 🏛️ Advocate for protecting the IRA by lobbying elected officials 🤝 Join a coalition like Clean Energy for America Learn more below and share your thoughts with us in the comments.