As the demand for renewable energy grows, the expansion of transmission infrastructure has become a critical need for facilitating the clean energy transition. However, this expansion often runs up against the need to protect vital wildlife habitats and natural ecosystems. Striking a balance between advancing clean energy and preserving biodiversity is an increasingly complex challenge that utilities, policymakers, and environmental advocates must navigate. In the latest episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, Veronica Ung-Kono, Staff Attorney and Clean Energy Transmission Policy Specialist at the National Wildlife Federation, discusses how these two worlds intersect.

Episode #180: “Balancing Clean Energy Expansion with Wildlife Protection” with Veronica Ung-Kono, Staff Attorney and Clean Energy Transmission Policy Specialist at the National Wildlife Federation [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]

Listen in as Veronica shares her unique perspective on how to expand the nation’s transmission infrastructure while protecting wildlife. From understanding migration patterns to safeguarding lesser-known ecosystems, Veronica explores how her team is working to ensure that clean energy development doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. Listen in as this conversation covers these critical issues and learn how early collaboration between developers and environmental advocates can lead to more sustainable outcomes. Explaining how and why to look at transmission with a bigger picture lens, Veronica notes:

“The key challenges for wildlife and natural resources are really just opportunities for us to think more holistically about grid planning. One of the key challenges with linear structures like transmission is habitat fragmentation, which can create barriers for species to move and migrate. And this is an essential ecological process, right, for health and species health and genetic diversity. And keep in mind, climate change can augment these direct challenges when you assess the cumulative impacts for a region. And our regulation in this country focuses so heavily on those direct impacts or short-term indirect impacts on a project-by-project basis, which is similar to the issue of how we address grid planning. That’s why advocates fought so hard for improved regional and interregional planning for FERC Order 1920 with long-term regional transmission planning that identifies needs at least 20 years out. So this boils down to choosing collective action.”

This entry into the podcasts, like all of the series episodes, can be found on all major podcast outlets, including iTunes and Spotify, or it can be listened to directly on the Energy Central platform (where we also feature a written transcription if you’d prefer to read). Give it a listen and share your reaction in the comments.

About Energy Central Podcast Series:

The ‘Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast’ Series features conversations with thought leaders in the utility sector. At least twice monthly, we’ll connect with a Power Industry Leader to discuss compelling topics that impact utility professionals. Some podcasts may be a continuation of thought-provoking posts or discussions started in the community by an Energy Central Community Member. Others may be with an industry leader interested in sharing their expertise and doing a deeper dive into hot topics or issues relevant to the industry. 

If you want to be a guest on a future episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast, let us know! We’ll be pulling guests from our community members who submit engaging content that gets our community talking, and perhaps that next guest will be you! Likewise, if you see an article submitted by a fellow Energy Central community member that you’d like to hear about in more detail, feel free to send us a note to nominate them. To contact us, email community@energycentral.com. Podcast interviews are free for Expert Members and professionals who work for a utility. We have package offers available for solution providers and vendors. 

About Energy Central:

Energy Central is a community platform for electric power industry professionals to share, learn and connect in a collaborative environment. Supported by leading industry organizations, our mission is to help industry professionals connect and advance knowledge sharing for the benefit of the industry. We help the industry work better. Join the Energy Central Community today and be part of a growing community of over 200,000 registered members. 

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