“We’re giving [companies] the avenue to take something that historically has been an inconvenience and turn that into an opportunity to make them some Money, whether that be selling energy to the grid, or putting energy back into the operations of their facilities. So, what could have cost them money in the past can now be a huge benefit. At the same time, you’re doing something great for the world and our future.”
Autumn Huskins on Electric Ladies Podcast
Addressing climate change presents two big questions: How do we reduce waste and keep it out of landfills, and how can we power our electricity-dependent Economy without exacerbating climate change? An innovative waste-to-energy Technology in San Luis Obispo, California is diverting waste from landfills, creating exciting new revenue streams – and even helping make wine!
Listen to Autumn Hustins, Finance Director at Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), as she explores a renewable energy source that is providing clean power to ~600,000 homes and businesses in the local economy, with plans to grow.
You’ll hear about:
- How Hitachi Zosen Inova’s waste-to-energy plant is converting agricultural and food waste into electricity for the local grid.
- New revenue streams that waste-to-energy innovations create for business and local communities.
- Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on the adoption of waste-to-energy projects.
- How the green energy transition is creating new jobs in places previously reliant on fossil fuels.
- Plus, the secret to a great career is surprisingly simple.
“You go to work every day in the job that you’re in. You do your absolute best. You give your all to that particular position, and the positions will follow. I don’t care what your role is. I don’t care if you’re the janitor or the CEO, I think you approach the job the same way and do the best that you can possibly do, and it’ll work out.”
Autumn Huskins on Electric Ladies Podcast
Read Joan’s Forbes articles here.
You’ll also like:
- ICWS Webinar, Joan Michelson moderates an enlightening webinar with top leaders on The Future of the Energy Transition and the Grid.
- Gauri Singh, Deputy Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency, on the deployment of clean energy around the world.
- Björk Kristjánsdóttir, COO/CFO of Carbon Recycling International, on turning CO2 into valuable products.
- Bethia Burke, President of The Fund For Our Economic Future, on the impact of green jobs on local economies.
- Vanessa Chan, former Chief Commercialization Officer of the Department of Energy, on funding the transition to clean energy.
More from Electric Ladies Podcast!
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Joan Michelson, MBA is a highly accomplished business leader and award-winning strategic social impact and ESG – environment, social, governance – leader, who drove breakthrough results at Chrysler (in EVs), American Express and Deloitte, small businesses, and government agencies. She is an instructor on ESG issues to professionals, leaders and board members across industries. Her specialties include leveraging ESG solutions and partnerships strategically for maximum benefit, helping organizations recruit innovative, diverse women, and helping these women thrive in their careers. She is based in the Washington D.C. area.
Joan is also an accomplished journalist who has worked with top media organizations and hosts and produces the acclaimed Electric Ladies podcast (formerly known as Green Connections Radio), about innovation and leadership in energy-, climate- and sustainability-related issues across industries, featuring women experts.
She writes regularly for Forbes on these issues and has also been in the Harvard Business Review, HuffPost, TheAtlantic.com, Greenbiz, The New Economy magazine (distributed at the World Economic Forum), New Thinking magazine, regional business journals; and various other media. She coproduced segments with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” ABC News, and “The Crusaders,” and television specials on NBC.
Joan has spent her career working in energy-sustainability-climate-ESG issues and in marketing communications, including as head of communications and co-leader of the sales and marketing team of Chrysler’s Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), driving “best year ever” growth and significantly accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles. Prior to GEM, she led marketing communications efforts to high-net-worth and high-visibility clients in management consulting-financial services companies Deloitte and American Express. She's a native of NYC and has a BA from UCLA, an MBA from Baruch College at City University of NY, and post-graduate studies at Harvard Business School, The New School and The Aspen Institute, among others. She has a Sustainability and ESG certification from Competent Boards.
