Does the Economic Crisis Shift the Clean Energy Calculus?

This week: The coronavirus shockwave brings staggering losses of lives, jobs, and money. So many applied for unemployment last week – 5 times more than ever before – that it was hard for graphic artists to draw a Y-axis that would fit them in historical comparisons. We’re now at 10 million unemployment claims.  With so much turmoil and uncertainty, we are going to dig back into some of the big themes of the week.  First, we’ll have a recap of stimulus activity. The day after the unprecedented unemployment numbers, the federal government approved a boost to the economy twice as large as any before in the history of the United States. What’s in it? What’s coming next? Then, essential workers in energy: how grid operators are making sure that all-important juice keeps flowing to your home or essential workplace. And finally, how the oil price shock may – or may not – impact renewables investment from fossil fuel majors. Mentioned on the show:Gail Tverberg: Our Infinite WorldDSIRE: The database of renewablesEnergy Storage News: Editor’s BlogRecommended reading:VOX: How the Covid-19 Recession Could Become a DepressionWSJ: After 3 Coronavirus Packages, Congress is Already Prepping a FourthThe Hill: McCarthy Says Fourth Stimulus Might Not Be NecessaryBloomberg: Winners and Losers in Congress’s $2 Trillion Rescue PlanAmerican Petroleum Institute: Open Letter to Congress and White HouseInside Climate News: Trump’s Move to Suspend Env. Enforcement is a Lifeline to OilE&ENews: Inside New York’s Grid LockdownDailyEnergyInsider: PJM Adapts to New Normal During Covid-19 CrisisBloomberg: US To Let Nuclear Plants Defer Repairs, Schedule Longer ShiftsOilPrice.com: Can Big Oil Still Fund Its Renewable Energy Push?This podcast is brought to you by CPower. CPower is helping organizations chart a path to the energy future. Visit thecpowerway.com/future to learn how CPower can guide your decisions on distributed generation, demand response and your energy spend.