Smart Energy Voices

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil brings together three industry leaders from SED’s Advisory Board to examine how shifting policies, rising demand, and rapid technological change have reshaped energy and sustainability strategies across sectors in 2025 and what 2026 may bring. Tom Kelly, Senior Energy Manager, SUNY Purchase College, offers a higher education perspective, outlining the challenges of volatile markets, evolving state mandates, and the growing role of students in driving sustainability priorities. Emily Schapira, President and CEO, Philadelphia Energy Authority, discusses how the Philadelphia Energy Authority is navigating the loss of federal funding while still advancing equitable clean energy initiatives, including the city’s landmark LED streetlighting project. Finally, Scott Bargerstock, Principal, Mindre Consulting, shares insights from his decades in manufacturing, highlighting geopolitical pressures, grid expansion, and innovation in storage and nuclear technologies.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…  Challenges of forecasting markets without consistent federal information (03:36)  On complying with New York’s Executive Order 22 (05:29)  SUNY Purchase College’s energy and sustainability priorities (07:17)  SUNY Purchase College’s $50M geothermal project (10:56)  Impacts of federal policy rollbacks and stalled clean energy programs (15:35)  Philadelphia’s creative financing strategies amid uncertainty (19:36)  Philadelphia’s $90M LED streetlighting overhaul (22:56)  Biggest challenges energy procurement managers are facing (31:24)  Innovation priorities like battery storage and safety concerns (33:31)  The  restoration of the nuclear industry in the US (39:33)  For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Tom Kelly  On LinkedIn  Connect with Emily Schapira  On LinkedIn Connect with Scott Bargerstock  On LinkedIn  Connect With Smart Energy Decisions  Smart Energy Decisions  Follow us on LinkedIn  Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio  If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected].

In this episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna sits down with Kevin Rabinovitch, Global VP of Sustainability at Mars, to discuss the company’s journey toward maintaining their environmental goals, with a special focus on Scope 3 emissions. The conversation covers insights from Rabinovitch’s 31-year career at Mars, the evolution of their strategy, how it’s integrated into business operations, and the challenges and opportunities of driving change across a global supply chain. Whether it’s data systems, supplier engagement, renewable energy, or emerging technologies, this episode includes many insights for those looking to improve their Scope 3 strategy. Embedding sustainability into your business strategy (02:30) Discovering where sustainability objectives meet daily decisions (4:04) Why Mars prioritized Scope 3 emissions (09:36) Meeting challenges in aggregating data across the business and supply chain (12:26) Supplier engagement, estimation philosophy, and more (16:59) Driving efficiency, motivation, and business value (17:39) Tactics for adapting to different markets and risk appetites in renewable energy (23:42) Advice for those starting their own journey in the industry (44:12) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Kevin Rabinovitch On LinkedIn Kevin Rabinovitch is the Global VP Sustainability for Mars, Incorporated. In his role, he leads the Performance Acceleration and Shared Services team supporting the Mars Sustainable in A Generation Plan. Spanning the entirety of Mars' global sustainability impacts, Performance Acceleration focuses on creating new business capabilities and reengineering to accelerate and more efficiently deliver the SiG Plan. Shared Services leverages the global scale and power of Mars to support the segments of Petcare, Snacking and Food & Nutrition on subjects such as a global portfolio of renewable energy, sustainability data systems & tools, carbon removal projects and the Mars Sustainable Investment Fund.  Externally, among other roles, Kevin sits on the Board of the Livelihoods Carbon Fund 3, teaches Business & Sustainability at Virginia Tech and Georgetown University and frequently speaks externally on behalf of Mars’ sustainability program. He has been with Mars for 31 years, 18 years in sustainability, having helped start Mars’ program and the first 13 years in R&D functions of multiple Mars business segments in the U.S. and Europe, specializing in technology development, scale-up, and intellectual property. Connect with Mars, Inc. Follow Mars on LinkedIn Follow Kevin Rabinovitch on LinkedIn Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Follow Abhinav Krishna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio. If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected].

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, we bring you a conversation from SED Forum Fall featuring Chris Pennington of Iron Mountain and Brett Thompson of CMC and moderated by Debra Chanil, Editorial & Research Director at Smart Energy Decisions. They explore a major shift underway in energy strategy, moving from a focus on procurement to optimizing how and when energy is used. As renewable generation grows, aligning consumption with clean energy availability is becoming increasingly important. Pennington shares how data centers are integrating on-site storage and hourly matching to enhance flexibility, while Thompson explains how CMC manages electric arc furnace operations and demand response participation to support grid reliability. Together, they highlight the growing need for flexible load strategies, stronger utility partnerships, and forward-looking planning in the ever-changing energy landscape. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Why energy strategy is shifting from procurement to optimized usage (03:40) Changing grid dynamics and shifting peak pricing periods (07:39) Demand response and managing load peaks (14:20) Where energy customers should focus next (15:47) Policy and regulatory challenges (16:48) How data centers are affecting grid capacity and costs (18:18) The future of clean energy (20:24) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Chris Pennington On LinkedIn Chris Pennington is Director of Energy & Sustainability for Iron Mountain Data Centers. His responsibilities include the development of Iron Mountain’s global sustainability program and identification of opportunities to innovate for a more sustainable digital future. He received the Green Power Leader of the Year award in 2021 from the Center for Resource Solutions and championed Iron Mountain’s public commitment to 24/7 carbon free energy that same year. Chris actively participates in the Clean Energy Buyers Association as faculty for their energy buyer support programs, as well as Eurelectric’s 24/7 carbon free energy hub. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you’re interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Plugged In, we bring you a panel discussion at the recent SED Forum Fall on the growing importance of energy resiliency as a strategic imperative. The panel, moderated by Melissa Heim, Principal of Commercialization and Development at Constellation, features Levi Love, Manager of Energy Procurement and Analytics at Sheetz, Scott Czubkowski, National Director of Energy and Facility Performance at Medxcel, and Abhinav Krishna, Vice President of Commercialization and Development at Constellation. This panel of experts explores how organizations across sectors are designing resilient and sustainable energy strategies to withstand disruptions and ensure business continuity. They discuss approaches including leveraging data and analytics for operational insights and integrating behind-the-meter and front-of-the-meter solutions. The panelists also share how innovations like battery technology, AI, and long-range data networks are shaping the future of energy resiliency, and why combining sustainability with reliability is essential for building a stronger, more adaptive energy future. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… ● Energy resiliency and its growing importance (01:30) ● Macro trends shaping energy resiliency strategies (02:51) ● Sheetz’s approach to energy resilience and sustainability (04:41) ● Medxcel’s healthcare-focused resiliency strategy (06:27) ● The ROI of resilience through cross-departmental data (09:43) ● On improving data accuracy and real-time insights (10:45) ● Behind-the-meter and front-of-the-meter solutions (14:15) ● Emerging technologies in healthcare energy systems (17:40) ● On battery technology and AI-powered energy analytics (19:55) ● AI, and the evolution of small modular reactors and long-duration storage (21:11) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow ChuckHanna on LinkedIn Follow Abinav Krishna on LinkedIn    Follow Raj Bazaj on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil presents a special double header from the recent SED Forum Fall, examining how recent U.S. policy changes are reshaping the clean energy landscape. Stanley Reynolds, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Arizona, unpacks the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) and its reversal of key Inflation Reduction Act incentives. He outlines the bill’s potential economic impacts, including higher energy costs and reduced investment, while also pointing to reasons for optimism like competitiveness in the renewables space and continued innovation. Peter Kelly-Detwiler, Principal at NorthBridge Energy Partners, continues the discussion with insights on navigating this environment. He highlights the industry’s resilience, the growing role of breakthrough technologies like geothermal and modular nuclear, and strategies for energy buyers to adapt amid uncertainty and opportunity. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill and its economic impacts (03:16) Key provisions of the OBBB, including rescinded IRA funds (04:09) Forecasts for energy prices, investment, and jobs (10:45) Opportunities in renewables, innovation, and state-level policy (13:01) Arizona as a case study for policy impacts and opportunities (15:55) Status of major offshore and onshore projects post-OBBB (20:08) Emerging technologies like advanced geothermal (25:04) Rising electricity demand from data centers and electrification (30:14) On-site generation and geothermal systems as near-term solutions (34:38) Legal, ESG, and financial considerations for energy buyers (38:10) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Stanley Reynolds On LinkedIn Stanley Reynolds joined the University of Arizona after earning a doctorate in Economics from Northwestern University. He has served as Economics Department Head and Vice Dean of the Eller College of Management at U. of Arizona. His areas of expertise include energy economics, environmental economics, and industrial organization. His research has been published in leading economics journals such as Econometrica, Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the Rand Journal of Economics. His current research examines the economics of grid-scale energy storage, the impact of environmental policy on energy markets, and integration of renewable energy into the electric grid. Connect with Peter Kelly-Detwiler On LinkedIn Peter Kelly-Detwiler has 30 years of experience in the electric energy industry, with much of his career in competitive power markets. He’s currently a leading consultant in the electric industry, providing strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate the rapid evolution of the electric power grid. Mr. Kelly-Detwiler offers numerous keynotes and workshops on a wide range of topics. He has also written widely on energy issues for Forbes.com and GE, with over 300 articles to his credit. His book on the transformation of electric power markets – “The Energy Switch” – was published by Prometheus Books in June of 2021. Connect With Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]