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Volts

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David Roberts

Volts is a podcast about leaving fossil fuels behind. I've been reporting on and explaining clean-energy topics for almost 20 years, and I love talking to politicians, analysts, innovators, and activists about the latest progress in the world's most important fight. (Volts is entirely subscriber-supported. Sign up!) [www.volts.wtf] (https://www.volts.wtf?utm_medium=podcast)

#382

Advocating for decarbonization in 2026

In this episode, Aliya Haq unpacks how her two decades in the climate movement have reshap... more

12 Dec 2025

1 HR 14 MINS

1:14:09

12 Dec 2025

#381

California warms up to a larger Western energy market

I’m joined by Brian Turner and Kathleen Staks to unpack the details of the newly authorize... more

10 Dec 2025

58 MINS

58:05

10 Dec 2025

#380

How Illinois passed its third big clean-energy bill in a decade

Why is a deregulated state like Illinois suddenly embracing central planning? In this epis... more

03 Dec 2025

1 HR 26 MINS

1:26:17

03 Dec 2025

#379

What's going on in electricity world?

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit [www.volts.wtf] (https://www... more

28 Nov 2025

09 MINS

09:58

28 Nov 2025

#378

What's the deal with balcony solar?

Will cheap, DIY solar reach American renters? In Germany, millions of people plug solar pa... more

26 Nov 2025

1 HR 07 MINS

1:07:20

26 Nov 2025

#377

Clean electrification is inevitable

Energy strategist Kingsmill Bond joins me to explain why the transition to “electrotech” i... more

21 Nov 2025

1 HR 22 MINS

1:22:34

21 Nov 2025

#376

What's the deal with indoor air quality?

Environmentalism has typically focused on outdoor air quality, but climate change is pushi... more

19 Nov 2025

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:03

19 Nov 2025

#375

How to make a market for distributed energy flexibility

Distributed energy resources are everywhere, but connecting buyers and sellers is a coordi... more

12 Nov 2025

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:48

12 Nov 2025

#374

So, there were some elections. How'd they go?

In this episode, I welcome back Caroline Spears from Climate Cabinet for a post-election d... more

10 Nov 2025

1 HR 01 MINS

1:01:47

10 Nov 2025

#373

Octopus extends its tentacles into America

In this episode, I chat with Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy US, about bringing the com... more

07 Nov 2025

53 MINS

53:50

07 Nov 2025

#372

Hey governors: you can salvage sustainable transportation, but you need to do it quick!

With the White House actively dismantling clean transportation policy, what can states do ... more

05 Nov 2025

53 MINS

53:16

05 Nov 2025

#371

Michael Liebreich on a "pragmatic climate reset"

Lately, everyone from Tony Blair to Daniel Yergin is calling for a “climate reset,” so I b... more

31 Oct 2025

42 MINS

42:59

31 Oct 2025

#370

The escalating battle over renewable energy certificates (RECs)

In this episode I’m joined by Wilson Ricks and Killian Daly, who are involved in the proce... more

29 Oct 2025

1 HR 09 MINS

1:09:28

29 Oct 2025

#369

Can "second life" EV batteries work as grid-scale energy storage?

Redwood Materials has long dominated EV battery recycling, but what if they could drain ev... more

22 Oct 2025

59 MINS

59:08

22 Oct 2025

#368

Yes, you weenies: a war on cars

I chat with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, the hosts behind the unapologetic podcast “The... more

20 Oct 2025

1 HR 09 MINS

1:09:11

20 Oct 2025

#367

How to get New York back on track toward its climate targets

New York passed one of the most ambitious climate laws in the country, but is now struggli... more

17 Oct 2025

49 MINS

49:55

17 Oct 2025

#366

Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson on governing a blue city in 2025

In this episode, I talk with Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson, a longtime transit an... more

15 Oct 2025

1 HR 08 MINS

1:08:17

15 Oct 2025

#365

Super-deep geothermal drilling ... with microwaves

In this episode, I chat with Quaise CEO Carlos Araque about unlocking geothermal energy on... more

10 Oct 2025

44 MINS

44:40

10 Oct 2025

#364

Pay attention to the most important political race of 2025

Why should you care about a utility commission race in Georgia? Because it’s a national be... more

08 Oct 2025

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:31

08 Oct 2025

#363

Can advance market commitments jumpstart climate’s hardest sectors?

In this episode, I chat with investor Clay Dumas of Lowercarbon Capital about the growing ... more

03 Oct 2025

36 MINS

36:56

03 Oct 2025

#362

Could we get hyperscalers to buy heat pumps for households?

Data centers are creating a grid crunch, so what if they paid to solve it by upgrading our... more

01 Oct 2025