Ben Wilson is joined by Dr. Zhenshan Chen, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech. Ben will chat with Dr. Chen about his latest study “Impact of large-scale solar on property values in the United States: Diverse effects and causal mechanisms” including the methodology used, a note on previous studies and what makes this research unique. Later on in the episode, Ben is joined by Skyler to discuss how the US aluminum industry is faced with power issues.

Read Dr. Chen’s study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2418414122

Additional studies referenced:

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/solar-farms-dont-hurt-nearby-property-values-new-research-finds

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/15032023/solar-property-values/
In the News Story: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-aluminum/us-manufacturing-power-challenges

Ben Wilson is joined by Energy Right Director of Policy and Engagement, Dylan Taylor to cover the 2025 Solar Farm Summit hosted in Chicago, IL. While there, they interviewed an array of experts including:

Iain Ward - Solar Agricultural Services Inc.

Ethan Winter - American Farm Trust

Austin Kinzer - American Farm Trust

Camren Maierle - American Lamb Board

James McKinon - Helical Solar

Stacie Peterson - American Solar Grazers Association

John Langdon - Solar Saves Farms

Jana Jenkins - Solar Saves Farms

Later on in the episode, Skyler joins Ben to discuss the proposal of a new transmission line through Northern VA.

In this episode, Skyler Zunk sits down with Susan and Rob from the Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy to explore how their work directly impacts Chambers and communities across the nation. They take time to discuss permitting reform, supporting good projects, and Rob and Susan provide advice for local Chamber leaders. Later, Ben Wilson joins Skyler for an in the news discussion centered around solar growth across the nation.

Learn more about the Chambers of Innovation and Clean Energy at https://www.chambersforinnovation.com/

The America First Energy Podcast is brought to you by Energy Right. To learn more about the Energy Right, visit www.energyrightus.org. Follow the America First Energy Podcast on X @AmericaFirstEP

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/us-construction-record-breaking

Ben Wilson is joined by Energy Right Director of Policy and Engagement, Dylan Taylor to bring you coverage of the 2025 Resilient Virginia Conference. We’ll highlight conversations with Austin Counts and Kara Dotten from Appalachian Voices, catch up with Harrisonburg City Council Member, Laura Dent and wrap up our conversation with Energy Right Board Member, Corin Jackson.

Later on, Ben and Dylan will recap the conference and discuss new investments in Brunswick County, VA!

The America First Energy Podcast is brought to you by Energy Right. To learn more about the Energy Right visit www.energyrightus.org. Follow the America First Energy Podcast on X @AmericaFirstEP

Skyler and Ben spend time breaking down the latest PJM update and the letter that 9 Governors signed onto a letter expressing their concerns with rising prices.

Join the America First Energy Podcast, on the farm! Starting off with Ben, who is joined by Allison Wickham, where she walks us through the agrivoltaics practices she employs with bees at the Siller Pollinator Company, sharing solutions and what she’s learned from her time beekeeping. Next up, Skyler is with a longtime friend of Energy Right, Matt English, a solar grazer who invited us back to his farm to chat about lambing season and his dual use farm. To wrap up the episode, Skyler and Ben discuss an opinion piece out of Cardinal News by Dwayne Yancey.

Read the Cardinal News story “Virginia is at a Critical Crossroads which means rural Virginia is too"

https://cardinalnews.org/2025/07/14/nothern-virginia-is-at-a-critical-crossroads-which-means-rural-virginia-is-too/

The America First Energy Podcast is brought to you by Energy Right. To learn more about the Energy Right visit www.energyrightus.org. Follow the America First Energy Podcast on X @AmericaFirstEP

Skyler and Ben are back with another power update from PJM ahead of warm summer weather. They also discuss news out of Pennsylvania and break down the power producers inside of the PJM interconnect.

The America First Energy Podcast is brought to you by Energy Right, learn more by visiting www.energyrightus.org