The man rewiring coal country

In 2013, Dan Conant quit his job in the solar industry and moved home to a West Virginia town of 1,500 to put panels on his own church. The deal he drew up was a standard power purchase agreement, the same structure nonprofits use across the country. The West Virginia Public Service Commission ruled it at odds with the state's utility monopolies and shut it down.

So he improvised. Instead of passing a plate, Conant crowdsourced water heaters. Members of the congregation and half the businesses in town let him attach internet-connected remote controls to their tanks, and he registered the resulting network of 100 water heaters as a virtual power plant on the PJM regional grid, adjusting them second by second to the grid's needs. On the CEO.com Podcast, Conant said his wife ran the trading. The project would have cost Shepherdstown Presbyterian more than $50,000. By his Senate testimony, it cost the congregation one dollar. "We did that back in 2013, 2014," he said. "Now, of course, Tesla is doing it with its battery systems. There are lots of virtual power plants going on, but we did it first in a small town in West Virginia."

Solar Holler kept giving projects away. It didn't bill a normal contract until its third or fourth year.

Every conversation on the CEO.com Podcast ends by asking who gave the guest a chance. Conant named his professors at Allegheny College, where he took his undergraduate degree, and the two friends who hired him into solar with no experience. Then he thanked the congregation that let him experiment on their water heaters. Solar Holler and everything after it, he said, "was because they didn't laugh me out of the room."

The company that grew out of the church job is, by Conant's account, the largest solar developer and installer in central Appalachia. It is a licensed electrical contractor in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio, based in Huntington, with about 100 employees and roughly 37 megawatts installed since 2013. Conant had credentials when he came home. He was the first employee at SunCommon, Vermont's largest solar installer, then a technical advisor to the Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative, and he holds a master's from Johns Hopkins. None of it addressed the actual constraint. Word got around fast, and within a week, by his account to the Senate, demand from community organizations had outstripped the capacity of everyone who had ever installed solar in the state.

He built the workforce where the layoffs were. In 2015, Solar Holler launched Rewire Appalachia with Coalfield Development, a nonprofit in Wayne County, and the company paid for apprentices' associate degrees at Mount West Community College, their electrical journeyworker courses, and their solar certification training. It later built a training program with the local IBEW and carpenters union. Conant says the crews voted to organize in 2020, and Solar Holler is today a unionized solar company, a rarity among residential installers. "West Virginia really kickstarted the labor movement," he said. "Just because you're changing the energy source doesn't mean you need to get rid of all the other great things that have come along with it."

Underneath it all is a demographic problem. West Virginia, Conant points out, is the only state with fewer people today than in the 1950s. Coal employment in the state peaked above 130,000 workers in 1940 and fell under 21,000 by 2011, even as production climbed, because machines replaced men. The towns built around the mines emptied out with them. Conant grew up hearing that ambition meant leaving. He and his classmates, he said, "all talked about getting out or moving away."

The business is harder than the mission statement. Conant says the company grew more than 75 percent a year for five straight years, which kept it pinned against its cash and credit lines the whole time. Rates give him his best sales pitch and his most reliable opponents: he told the Senate that West Virginia utility rates rose faster than any other state's from 2008 to 2017, averaging 6.1 percent a year against a national rate of 1.4 percent. Solar Holler intervened at the Public Service Commission against a FirstEnergy proposal that would have halved what solar owners earn selling power back, and in February 2024 Conant announced an agreement that stopped the cut.

The reprieve was partial. Appalachian Power customers who install after a March 1, 2026 cutoff lose one-to-one net metering and earn 12.4 cents per kWh for exported power, 27 percent below the old rate. Congress ended the residential solar tax credit in 2025, and Conant told the Solar Energy Industries Association that lawmakers gave little thought to business planning cycles. The order book held anyway.

The company stayed booked through 2025, sold into 2026, and kept finishing community projects like a nearly 90-kilowatt array for a retirement community in Abingdon, Virginia, expected to save residents more than $685,000. Whether residential solar in Appalachia works long term without the credit and at the lower export rate is a question Solar Holler now gets to answer in public.

The demand side is doing him favors. Conant's hometown sits 30 miles up the Potomac from the Northern Virginia data centers that host much of the internet, and AI has utilities in the region roughly doubling their load forecasts. His argument is speed. A conventional power plant can take seven years to bring online. "It takes us a month or two to put in a rooftop array from contract to actually putting it in," he said. "It turns out people need power, and solar energy is the cheapest way on the planet to make it."

Solar Holler is now putting solar on schools in Wayne County, deep in the southern coalfields, and hiring the county's own students to help. The apprenticeship program began in 2023 with five Wayne High School seniors and has since had students installing panels on their own school buildings and earning hours toward union classification. Conant says they spend four days a week in class and one day a week as paid members of Solar Holler crews, that he targets seniors on purpose because that is the year a West Virginia kid decides whether to leave, and that 40 percent of the first two cohorts hired on full time at graduation. As for the schools, he said the savings from the latest rate hikes will "pay for nine teachers forever."

00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:00:21 What Is Solar Holler
00:01:20 Impact of Solar on Communities
00:02:03 West Virginia's Energy Legacy
00:02:44 State Support for Solar Companies
00:04:34 A Day in the Life of a CEO
00:06:00 Virtual Power Plant and Crowdfunding Innovation
00:09:24 Leadership Lessons
00:11:00 Revitalizing West Virginia
00:13:48 Decline of Coal Industry and Population
00:15:58 Combating Brain Drain With Internships
00:19:31 Economic Outlook for 2025
00:22:51 AI and Power Needs
00:25:44 The Importance of Giving Chances

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Dan,<00:00:12.442> thank<00:00:12.604> you<00:00:12.636> so<00:00:12.766> much<00:00:12.945> for<00:00:13.026> coming<00:00:13.253> on<00:00:13.335> the<00:00:13.416> show.

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Yeah,<00:00:21.530> uh,<00:00:21.805> so<00:00:22.259> at<00:00:22.421> Solar<00:00:22.664> Holler,<00:00:22.923> we're<00:00:23.409> the<00:00:23.489> largest<00:00:23.846> developer<00:00:24.218> installer<00:00:24.623> of<00:00:24.720> solar<00:00:25.012> projects<00:00:25.514> in<00:00:25.756> Central<00:00:26.064> Appalachia,<00:00:26.890> uh,<00:00:27.466> particularly<00:00:27.883> in<00:00:27.963> my<00:00:28.123> home<00:00:28.300> state<00:00:28.509> of<00:00:28.541> West<00:00:28.765> Virginia,<00:00:29.969> but<00:00:30.290> we<00:00:30.370> also<00:00:31.156> work<00:00:31.397> in<00:00:31.654> Kentucky<00:00:32.295> and<00:00:32.681> Ohio<00:00:33.098> and<00:00:33.178> Virginia.

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So<00:03:56.718> there's<00:03:57.200> a<00:03:57.361> real<00:03:58.099> interest<00:03:58.806> in<00:04:00.186> people<00:04:01.053> kind<00:04:01.294> of<00:04:01.856> taking<00:04:02.112> control.

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You<00:04:03.876> know,<00:04:04.517> we've<00:04:04.694> got<00:04:04.918> a<00:04:05.079> monopoly<00:04:05.624> utility<00:04:06.201> that<00:04:07.788> they<00:04:07.820> don't<00:04:08.029> have<00:04:08.189> to<00:04:08.285> compete.

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They<00:04:09.568> can<00:04:09.729> just<00:04:10.049> keep<00:04:10.290> raising<00:04:10.610> prices<00:04:11.156> however,<00:04:11.396> however<00:04:12.759> much<00:04:12.951> they<00:04:13.096> can<00:04:13.336> convince<00:04:13.817> the<00:04:13.961> Public<00:04:14.154> Service<00:04:14.459> Commission<00:04:14.859> to<00:04:15.244> let<00:04:15.340> them<00:04:15.501> do.

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And<00:04:17.088> as<00:04:17.601> a<00:04:17.649> result,<00:04:17.986> people<00:04:18.210> are<00:04:18.467> kind<00:04:18.691> of<00:04:19.493> looking<00:04:19.814> for<00:04:19.910> alternatives.

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And,<00:04:22.700> and<00:04:23.983> solar<00:04:24.624> is<00:04:25.442> the<00:04:25.843> easiest<00:04:26.388> and<00:04:27.061> kind<00:04:27.205> of<00:04:27.606> easiest<00:04:27.927> to<00:04:28.007> understand<00:04:28.568> and<00:04:28.873> easiest<00:04:29.210> to<00:04:29.290> put<00:04:29.434> in<00:04:29.466> place.

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What<00:04:31.629> does<00:04:31.744> a<00:04:31.810> typical<00:04:32.220> day<00:04:32.385> look<00:04:32.565> like<00:04:32.795> for<00:04:32.877> you?

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Oh,<00:04:36.751> all<00:04:36.899> over<00:04:37.063> the<00:04:37.162> place.

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I<00:04:41.938> get<00:04:42.590> excited<00:04:42.917> by<00:04:43.014> shiny<00:04:43.341> new<00:04:43.569> things,<00:04:44.401> so<00:04:44.532> there's<00:04:44.793> that.

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So<00:04:48.153> I<00:04:48.395> personally<00:04:48.974> am<00:04:49.231> super<00:04:49.456> involved<00:04:49.778> on<00:04:49.858> the<00:04:50.341> policy<00:04:51.049> and<00:04:51.210> finance<00:04:51.596> front.

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So<00:04:52.979> we're<00:04:55.247> constantly<00:04:55.569> involved<00:04:55.971> in<00:04:56.100> Public<00:04:56.311> Service<00:04:56.603> Commission<00:04:57.270> cases<00:04:58.261> or<00:05:00.890> federal<00:05:03.425> legislation.

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So<00:05:05.509> kind<00:05:06.252> of<00:05:06.898> working<00:05:07.221> on<00:05:07.367> that.

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On<00:05:09.224> the<00:05:09.370> finance<00:05:09.788> side,<00:05:10.674> it's<00:05:12.382> been<00:05:12.462> really<00:05:12.785> interesting<00:05:13.413> that<00:05:13.816> for<00:05:14.218> a<00:05:14.476> long<00:05:14.798> time,<00:05:15.201> our<00:05:15.845> biggest<00:05:16.087> challenge<00:05:16.474> had<00:05:16.635> always<00:05:16.876> been<00:05:17.037> that<00:05:17.134> we<00:05:17.279> were<00:05:17.360> growing<00:05:17.617> too<00:05:17.778> fast.

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We<00:05:19.847> had<00:05:21.314> 5<00:05:21.637> straight<00:05:22.040> years<00:05:22.508> where<00:05:22.927> we<00:05:23.008> were<00:05:23.169> growing<00:05:23.411> more<00:05:23.572> than<00:05:23.669> 75%<00:05:24.362> a<00:05:24.443> year.

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And<00:05:25.720> whenever<00:05:26.203> you<00:05:26.316> do<00:05:26.461> that,<00:05:26.622> you're<00:05:26.847> constantly<00:05:27.250> hitting<00:05:27.492> up<00:05:27.605> against<00:05:27.895> your<00:05:28.153> cash,<00:05:29.361> you<00:05:29.393> know,<00:05:29.764> your<00:05:29.989> lines<00:05:30.183> of<00:05:30.247> credit.

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And<00:05:32.501> so<00:05:32.988> constantly<00:05:33.328> negotiating<00:05:33.879> with<00:05:34.041> banks<00:05:34.430> and<00:05:34.933> financiers<00:05:35.581> for<00:05:37.591> the<00:05:37.672> financing<00:05:38.175> that'll<00:05:38.402> allow<00:05:38.661> us<00:05:38.742> to<00:05:38.888> do<00:05:39.309> more<00:05:39.471> stuff.

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And<00:05:42.469> yeah,<00:05:42.632> so<00:05:43.022> that's,<00:05:43.364> that's<00:05:43.608> a<00:05:43.624> good<00:05:43.771> time.

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And<00:05:45.921> then,<00:05:47.558> you<00:05:47.738> know,<00:05:47.836> and<00:05:48.294> then<00:05:48.572> a<00:05:48.720> little<00:05:48.867> bit<00:05:48.981> of<00:05:49.063> everything<00:05:49.538> beyond<00:05:49.783> that<00:05:50.012> too.

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Tell<00:05:51.345> us<00:05:51.506> about<00:05:51.748> this<00:05:52.069> virtual<00:05:52.697> power<00:05:53.035> plant<00:05:53.421> idea<00:05:53.743> and<00:05:53.904> this<00:05:54.065> whole<00:05:54.789> crowdfunding<00:05:56.318> model<00:05:57.042> that<00:05:57.203> you<00:05:57.380> kind<00:05:57.605> of<00:05:57.863> innovated<00:05:58.426> for<00:05:58.587> this<00:05:58.828> industry.

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So<00:06:01.836> back<00:06:02.082> in<00:06:02.261> 2013,<00:06:06.058> I<00:06:06.558> grew<00:06:06.703> up<00:06:06.800> in<00:06:06.881> West<00:06:07.107> Virginia,<00:06:07.607> grew<00:06:07.752> up<00:06:07.865> in<00:06:08.091> my<00:06:08.188> small<00:06:08.479> town<00:06:08.672> of<00:06:08.801> 1,500<00:06:09.302> people,<00:06:09.947> moved<00:06:10.173> away<00:06:11.077> for<00:06:11.384> college<00:06:11.804> and<00:06:12.046> grad<00:06:12.288> school<00:06:12.691> and<00:06:13.498> getting<00:06:13.740> into<00:06:13.886> the<00:06:13.984> industry.

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But<00:06:14.951> in<00:06:15.049> 2013,<00:06:15.950> moved<00:06:16.196> back<00:06:16.441> home<00:06:16.851> to<00:06:18.166> start<00:06:18.489> up<00:06:18.634> the<00:06:18.715> company.

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And<00:06:20.491> I<00:06:20.750> really<00:06:20.976> wanted<00:06:21.331> to<00:06:22.268> work<00:06:23.963> to<00:06:24.206> do<00:06:24.367> my<00:06:24.529> work<00:06:24.771> with<00:06:25.352> churches<00:06:25.918> and<00:06:26.660> nonprofits<00:06:27.290> around<00:06:27.420> the<00:06:27.468> state,<00:06:28.600> figuring<00:06:29.053> that<00:06:29.312> they're<00:06:29.474> the<00:06:29.554> folks<00:06:29.878> who<00:06:30.040> need<00:06:30.201> it<00:06:30.363> most.

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The<00:06:32.304> way<00:06:32.530> you<00:06:32.708> typically<00:06:33.372> do<00:06:33.582> solar<00:06:33.986> for<00:06:34.390> groups<00:06:34.649> like<00:06:34.811> that<00:06:35.280> is<00:06:35.927> what's<00:06:36.089> called<00:06:36.202> a<00:06:36.267> power<00:06:36.509> purchase<00:06:36.720> agreement,<00:06:37.300> where<00:06:37.623> a<00:06:37.655> solar<00:06:38.123> company<00:06:38.994> owns<00:06:39.252> the<00:06:39.397> panels,<00:06:40.075> sells<00:06:40.462> the<00:06:40.543> power<00:06:41.027> to<00:06:41.349> the<00:06:41.446> church,<00:06:42.624> and<00:06:42.963> then<00:06:43.285> takes<00:06:43.592> the<00:06:43.689> tax<00:06:43.866> credits<00:06:44.415> behind<00:06:44.640> the<00:06:44.673> scenes.

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And<00:06:45.383> you<00:06:45.479> had<00:06:45.624> to<00:06:45.705> do<00:06:45.850> it<00:06:45.931> that<00:06:46.092> way<00:06:46.189> because<00:06:47.002> nonprofits<00:06:47.564> don't<00:06:47.869> pay<00:06:47.949> any<00:06:48.125> taxes<00:06:48.752> in<00:06:48.848> the<00:06:48.928> first<00:06:49.233> place<00:06:49.795> to<00:06:49.971> be<00:06:50.004> able<00:06:50.132> to<00:06:50.212> get<00:06:50.373> credits.

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Hmm.

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Well,<00:06:52.122> I<00:06:52.251> started<00:06:53.326> working<00:06:53.663> with<00:06:53.904> my<00:06:54.065> congregation,<00:06:55.188> Shepherdstown<00:06:56.151> Presbyterian<00:06:56.793> Church,<00:06:57.500> and<00:06:57.997> we<00:06:58.495> attempted<00:06:58.960> to<00:06:59.057> do<00:06:59.281> the<00:06:59.362> first<00:06:59.907> power<00:07:00.084> purchase<00:07:00.421> agreement<00:07:00.967> in<00:07:01.127> the<00:07:01.256> state,<00:07:02.733> but<00:07:02.957> then<00:07:03.118> we<00:07:03.278> got<00:07:03.455> shut<00:07:03.792> down<00:07:04.562> by<00:07:05.140> the<00:07:05.606> Public<00:07:05.798> Service<00:07:06.168> Commission<00:07:06.585> for<00:07:06.826> violating<00:07:07.388> the<00:07:07.532> utility's<00:07:08.094> monopoly<00:07:08.832> on<00:07:08.912> selling<00:07:09.234> power.

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The<00:07:10.357> PSC<00:07:10.839> said<00:07:11.240> no,<00:07:11.625> only,<00:07:12.749> only<00:07:12.925> the<00:07:13.070> utility<00:07:13.487> can<00:07:13.648> do<00:07:13.808> that<00:07:14.354> and<00:07:16.198> Sorry,<00:07:16.936> too<00:07:17.032> bad.

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And<00:07:18.123> at<00:07:18.700> this<00:07:18.860> point,<00:07:19.085> I'd<00:07:19.181> already<00:07:19.405> quit<00:07:19.518> my<00:07:19.662> job.

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I'd<00:07:20.063> already<00:07:20.239> moved<00:07:20.528> home<00:07:21.730> and<00:07:22.147> needed<00:07:22.388> to<00:07:22.452> figure<00:07:22.692> out<00:07:22.949> something<00:07:23.510> to<00:07:23.654> do.

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And<00:07:24.857> so<00:07:25.498> we<00:07:26.059> went<00:07:26.156> back<00:07:26.316> to<00:07:26.396> the<00:07:26.476> drawing<00:07:26.797> board<00:07:27.342> and<00:07:28.785> created<00:07:29.507> the<00:07:29.587> first<00:07:29.828> virtual<00:07:30.164> power<00:07:30.469> plant<00:07:30.661> in<00:07:30.709> the<00:07:30.790> country,<00:07:31.287> which<00:07:31.671> the<00:07:31.832> idea<00:07:32.072> is,<00:07:32.168> instead<00:07:32.473> of<00:07:32.505> having<00:07:32.954> a<00:07:33.115> coal<00:07:33.291> plant<00:07:33.692> or<00:07:34.093> a<00:07:34.237> nuclear<00:07:34.654> plant<00:07:35.055> in<00:07:35.135> one<00:07:35.295> single<00:07:35.600> place,<00:07:36.418> what<00:07:36.514> if<00:07:36.642> you<00:07:36.802> hook<00:07:36.995> up<00:07:37.364> hundreds<00:07:37.796> or<00:07:37.861> even<00:07:38.165> thousands<00:07:38.807> or<00:07:39.127> millions<00:07:39.801> of<00:07:40.025> little<00:07:40.506> things<00:07:41.051> and<00:07:41.452> coordinate<00:07:41.789> them<00:07:41.949> all<00:07:42.110> at<00:07:42.206> the<00:07:42.270> same<00:07:42.511> time?

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And<00:07:44.340> in<00:07:44.437> our<00:07:44.597> case,<00:07:44.919> we<00:07:45.079> did<00:07:45.240> that<00:07:45.481> with<00:07:45.705> water<00:07:45.946> heaters.

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So<00:07:47.086> I<00:07:47.167> convinced<00:07:47.696> 100<00:07:48.275> of<00:07:48.451> my<00:07:48.788> neighbors<00:07:49.495> in<00:07:49.720> our<00:07:49.977> tiny<00:07:50.282> little<00:07:50.458> town<00:07:50.956> to<00:07:51.422> let<00:07:51.550> me<00:07:51.598> install<00:07:51.984> a<00:07:52.048> remote<00:07:52.225> control<00:07:53.333> on<00:07:53.429> their<00:07:53.590> water<00:07:53.830> heater.

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And<00:07:54.473> then<00:07:54.633> my<00:07:54.778> wife<00:07:54.954> started<00:07:55.340> day<00:07:55.436> trading<00:07:55.822> them<00:07:56.223> on<00:07:56.255> and<00:07:56.384> off,<00:07:56.705> on<00:07:56.801> and<00:07:56.881> off<00:07:57.363> every<00:07:58.326> 2<00:07:58.567> seconds<00:07:59.354> with<00:07:59.675> fluctuations<00:08:00.350> of<00:08:00.414> the<00:08:00.494> power<00:08:00.719> grid.

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And<00:08:02.341> we—<00:08:02.839> so<00:08:02.999> we're<00:08:03.208> using<00:08:03.465> water<00:08:03.706> heaters<00:08:04.027> to<00:08:04.107> stabilize<00:08:04.894> the<00:08:04.990> entire<00:08:05.697> power<00:08:06.018> grid<00:08:07.062> across<00:08:07.961> West<00:08:08.202> Virginia<00:08:08.587> and<00:08:09.149> Maryland,<00:08:09.727> D.C.,<00:08:10.514> Pennsylvania.

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So<00:08:11.815> we're<00:08:12.120> playing<00:08:12.377> in<00:08:12.521> this<00:08:12.923> real-time<00:08:13.886> market.

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And<00:08:14.944> we<00:08:15.088> used<00:08:15.248> all<00:08:15.345> the<00:08:15.425> revenue<00:08:15.825> from<00:08:15.986> that<00:08:16.242> to<00:08:16.387> give<00:08:16.611> away<00:08:16.803> solar<00:08:17.332> to<00:08:17.829> the<00:08:17.909> Presbyterian<00:08:18.470> Church.

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So<00:08:20.073> that<00:08:20.394> initial<00:08:21.500> project<00:08:22.222> would<00:08:22.366> have<00:08:22.542> cost<00:08:23.119> the<00:08:23.424> congregation<00:08:24.081> $55,000.

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Instead,<00:08:26.469> it<00:08:26.502> didn't<00:08:26.950> cost<00:08:27.175> them<00:08:27.351> anything.

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And<00:08:28.746> it<00:08:28.810> was<00:08:29.034> all<00:08:29.131> paid<00:08:29.435> for<00:08:29.692> just<00:08:29.996> by<00:08:30.397> these<00:08:30.653> little<00:08:31.936> day<00:08:32.337> trading,<00:08:32.689> little<00:08:33.138> blips<00:08:33.603> in,<00:08:34.645> in<00:08:34.821> electricity<00:08:35.302> consumption.

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So<00:08:37.947> we,<00:08:38.428> we<00:08:38.588> did<00:08:38.749> that<00:08:39.374> back<00:08:39.646> in<00:08:39.791> 2013,<00:08:40.432> 2014.

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Now,<00:08:41.634> of<00:08:41.858> course,<00:08:42.355> Tesla<00:08:42.676> is<00:08:42.772> doing<00:08:42.916> it<00:08:42.997> with<00:08:43.141> their<00:08:43.237> battery<00:08:43.638> systems.

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There's<00:08:45.642> Lots<00:08:45.900> of<00:08:45.965> virtual<00:08:46.272> power<00:08:46.514> plants<00:08:46.773> going<00:08:47.080> on,<00:08:47.338> but<00:08:47.580> we<00:08:48.065> did<00:08:48.227> it<00:08:48.404> first<00:08:49.018> in<00:08:49.293> small<00:08:49.600> town<00:08:49.907> West<00:08:50.085> Virginia,<00:08:50.892> which<00:08:51.296> makes<00:08:51.539> me<00:08:52.023> really<00:08:52.249> proud.

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And<00:08:54.863> then<00:08:55.331> from<00:08:55.509> there,<00:08:55.752> we<00:08:56.075> did<00:08:56.398> it<00:08:56.495> first<00:08:56.802> with<00:08:56.948> the—<00:08:57.433> with<00:08:58.031> my<00:08:58.177> church<00:08:58.581> and<00:08:58.726> then<00:08:59.066> the<00:08:59.470> Harpers<00:08:59.793> Ferry<00:09:00.262> Library<00:09:00.844> and<00:09:01.248> then<00:09:01.636> an<00:09:01.733> affordable<00:09:02.137> housing<00:09:02.541> group.

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And<00:09:03.107> we,<00:09:03.673> for<00:09:03.818> the<00:09:03.899> first<00:09:04.400> couple<00:09:04.530> of<00:09:04.562> years<00:09:04.965> of<00:09:05.062> our<00:09:05.208> business,<00:09:05.999> that's—<00:09:07.371> I—<00:09:07.856> we<00:09:07.936> never<00:09:08.340> charged<00:09:08.744> for<00:09:08.841> a<00:09:08.921> project.

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We<00:09:09.567> just<00:09:09.955> kept<00:09:10.455> giving<00:09:10.681> them<00:09:10.794> away.

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I<00:09:12.612> don't<00:09:13.080> think<00:09:13.226> it<00:09:13.258> was<00:09:13.403> until<00:09:13.791> year<00:09:13.968> 3<00:09:14.356> or<00:09:14.453> 4<00:09:14.840> that<00:09:15.018> we<00:09:15.163> actually,<00:09:15.906> you<00:09:16.148> know,<00:09:17.520> actually<00:09:19.296> built<00:09:19.474> a<00:09:19.554> system<00:09:19.942> for<00:09:21.644> like<00:09:21.806> a<00:09:21.822> normal<00:09:22.292> contract.

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That's<00:09:24.561> wild.

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That's<00:09:25.517> really<00:09:25.696> cool.

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Tell<00:09:27.847> us<00:09:28.490> what<00:09:28.603> you've<00:09:28.747> learned<00:09:28.972> about<00:09:29.149> leadership<00:09:29.856> throughout,<00:09:30.499> you<00:09:30.580> know,<00:09:30.982> leading<00:09:31.223> this<00:09:31.399> company.

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And<00:09:32.685> you're<00:09:33.312> a<00:09:33.569> leader<00:09:33.810> in<00:09:33.891> a<00:09:33.971> lot<00:09:34.212> of<00:09:34.293> different<00:09:34.550> spaces.

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You're<00:09:34.935> the<00:09:35.000> leader<00:09:35.177> of<00:09:35.257> the<00:09:35.337> company,<00:09:35.643> but<00:09:35.723> you're<00:09:35.884> also,<00:09:36.764> you<00:09:36.847> know,<00:09:37.175> there<00:09:37.339> in<00:09:37.487> West<00:09:37.668> Virginia<00:09:38.079> and<00:09:38.177> even<00:09:38.473> beyond,<00:09:38.917> a<00:09:38.982> leader<00:09:39.229> in<00:09:39.393> the<00:09:39.492> solar<00:09:39.886> space<00:09:40.362> and<00:09:40.461> energy<00:09:40.789> and<00:09:40.872> things<00:09:41.036> like<00:09:41.085> that.

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What<00:09:41.582> have<00:09:41.662> you<00:09:41.806> learned<00:09:41.982> about<00:09:42.159> leadership?

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For<00:09:44.146> me,<00:09:44.386> it's<00:09:44.691> really<00:09:44.947> about—<00:09:46.935> it's<00:09:47.688> not<00:09:49.836> about<00:09:50.140> hierarchy.

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It's<00:09:51.599> more<00:09:51.759> about<00:09:52.560> just<00:09:54.243> sharing<00:09:55.124> what<00:09:55.285> I'm<00:09:55.381> excited<00:09:55.750> about<00:09:55.990> and<00:09:57.288> what<00:09:57.448> ideas<00:09:58.394> are<00:09:59.516> popping<00:09:59.772> into<00:09:59.933> my<00:10:00.093> head.

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And<00:10:01.615> then<00:10:02.561> I<00:10:02.737> love<00:10:02.962> having<00:10:03.378> whiteboarding<00:10:04.100> sessions<00:10:04.725> with<00:10:05.221> the<00:10:06.648> whole<00:10:07.161> team<00:10:07.465> and<00:10:07.545> the<00:10:07.690> company<00:10:07.946> and<00:10:08.331> we're<00:10:08.587> going<00:10:08.828> through<00:10:08.972> all<00:10:09.068> these<00:10:09.292> crazy<00:10:09.565> ideas<00:10:09.949> and<00:10:10.174> how<00:10:10.254> are<00:10:10.350> we<00:10:10.494> actually<00:10:10.687> going<00:10:10.863> to<00:10:11.536> pull<00:10:11.648> them<00:10:11.857> off.

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Of<00:10:13.315> course,<00:10:13.540> you<00:10:13.572> need<00:10:13.780> people<00:10:14.117> who<00:10:14.598> are<00:10:14.983> good<00:10:15.143> at<00:10:15.223> the<00:10:15.319> details<00:10:15.800> and<00:10:15.960> good<00:10:16.185> at<00:10:16.858> organization<00:10:17.483> and<00:10:18.750> fitting<00:10:19.247> those<00:10:19.647> people<00:10:19.888> into<00:10:20.128> the<00:10:20.529> right<00:10:20.753> space.

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But<00:10:22.196> yeah,<00:10:22.453> it's<00:10:22.998> very<00:10:23.190> much<00:10:23.511> not<00:10:23.735> a<00:10:24.953> dictatorial,<00:10:26.604> like,<00:10:28.624> my<00:10:28.785> way<00:10:28.929> or<00:10:29.025> the<00:10:29.153> highway<00:10:29.650> kind<00:10:29.810> of<00:10:29.907> place.

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It's,<00:10:31.975> we're<00:10:32.311> all<00:10:32.632> here<00:10:32.936> because<00:10:33.193> we<00:10:33.433> love<00:10:33.658> this<00:10:33.834> thing<00:10:34.074> and<00:10:34.219> let's<00:10:34.796> jam<00:10:35.036> on<00:10:35.116> this<00:10:35.341> and<00:10:36.479> do<00:10:36.655> it<00:10:36.784> because<00:10:37.040> we<00:10:37.120> all<00:10:37.264> love<00:10:37.425> it.

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So<00:10:38.870> that,<00:10:39.207> that<00:10:39.368> tends<00:10:40.172> to<00:10:40.557> be<00:10:41.216> the<00:10:41.312> approach<00:10:41.602> within<00:10:41.859> the<00:10:41.939> company.

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And<00:10:43.707> then,<00:10:44.896> you<00:10:44.992> know,<00:10:45.073> as<00:10:45.314> far<00:10:45.555> as<00:10:46.454> being<00:10:46.599> involved<00:10:47.001> in<00:10:47.081> the<00:10:47.306> wider<00:10:47.579> solar<00:10:47.901> space,<00:10:49.331> I<00:10:49.395> think<00:10:50.054> what<00:10:50.632> has—<00:10:51.821> what's<00:10:52.046> been<00:10:52.207> so<00:10:52.368> important<00:10:52.770> for<00:10:52.946> us<00:10:53.268> all<00:10:53.412> along<00:10:53.750> is<00:10:53.975> that<00:10:54.633> we're<00:10:55.035> not<00:10:55.196> just—<00:10:55.501> we're<00:10:55.614> not<00:10:56.321> just<00:10:56.562> representing<00:10:57.060> a<00:10:57.124> company,<00:10:57.510> we're<00:10:57.606> actually<00:10:58.169> representing<00:10:58.586> our<00:10:58.795> customers.

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And<00:11:00.740> so<00:11:01.061> we,<00:11:02.170> you<00:11:02.202> know,<00:11:02.668> whenever<00:11:04.419> Whenever<00:11:04.741> the<00:11:04.998> company—<00:11:05.624> whenever<00:11:05.865> our<00:11:05.962> customers<00:11:06.428> are<00:11:06.508> taken<00:11:06.765> advantage<00:11:07.392> of<00:11:07.713> by<00:11:07.890> the<00:11:08.034> utilities,<00:11:08.758> we're<00:11:08.918> out<00:11:09.079> there<00:11:10.043> alongside<00:11:10.702> them.

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And<00:11:11.971> we're<00:11:13.996> thinking<00:11:14.558> about<00:11:14.863> this<00:11:15.201> not<00:11:15.361> just<00:11:15.667> from<00:11:15.908> the<00:11:16.165> perspective<00:11:17.048> of<00:11:18.253> a<00:11:18.494> company<00:11:18.976> trying<00:11:19.201> to<00:11:19.234> make<00:11:19.475> money,<00:11:19.844> but<00:11:20.181> how<00:11:20.342> do<00:11:20.487> you—<00:11:21.788> how<00:11:22.013> do<00:11:22.094> you<00:11:22.817> use<00:11:23.459> the<00:11:23.636> company<00:11:24.134> to<00:11:25.725> drive—<00:11:27.573> drive<00:11:27.894> the<00:11:28.038> revitalization<00:11:28.778> of<00:11:28.858> an<00:11:28.922> entire<00:11:29.195> state?

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You<00:11:30.304> know,<00:11:31.991> West<00:11:32.216> Virginia<00:11:32.473> is<00:11:32.554> the<00:11:32.634> only<00:11:32.811> state<00:11:33.036> that's<00:11:33.261> lost<00:11:33.518> population<00:11:34.739> since<00:11:35.124> the<00:11:35.269> '50s.

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Like,<00:11:37.695> the<00:11:38.001> entire<00:11:38.322> country<00:11:38.595> has<00:11:38.740> tripled<00:11:39.238> or<00:11:40.331> more<00:11:40.829> at<00:11:40.925> this<00:11:41.134> point,<00:11:42.098> and<00:11:42.596> here's<00:11:44.524> West<00:11:44.749> Virginia<00:11:45.071> actually<00:11:45.424> slowly<00:11:45.826> declining<00:11:46.276> in<00:11:46.372> population.

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So<00:11:46.999> we've<00:11:47.159> got<00:11:47.481> lots<00:11:47.674> of<00:11:47.754> towns<00:11:48.381> that<00:11:49.425> have<00:11:49.586> been<00:11:49.907> emptying<00:11:50.373> out,<00:11:51.739> and<00:11:52.703> we're<00:11:53.362> doing<00:11:53.763> everything<00:11:54.246> we<00:11:54.390> can<00:11:54.744> to<00:11:55.113> try<00:11:55.290> to<00:11:56.573> locate<00:11:56.958> manufacturing<00:11:57.535> back<00:11:57.759> in<00:11:57.791> the<00:11:57.839> state<00:11:58.096> and<00:11:58.320> advocate<00:11:58.721> for<00:11:58.769> that,<00:11:58.977> even<00:11:59.202> if<00:11:59.314> it's<00:11:59.522> not<00:11:59.618> going<00:11:59.730> to<00:11:59.779> be<00:11:59.923> us<00:12:00.163> doing<00:12:00.323> the<00:12:00.420> manufacturing,<00:12:01.205> just<00:12:01.542> because<00:12:02.327> we<00:12:02.503> care<00:12:02.663> about<00:12:02.888> this<00:12:03.048> place<00:12:03.305> and<00:12:03.705> want,<00:12:04.106> want<00:12:04.250> our<00:12:04.346> towns<00:12:04.603> to<00:12:04.731> survive.

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And,<00:12:06.975> you<00:12:07.007> know,<00:12:08.273> doing,<00:12:08.738> doing<00:12:08.978> work<00:12:09.155> with<00:12:09.459> low-income<00:12:09.940> folks<00:12:10.180> because<00:12:10.918> those<00:12:11.094> are<00:12:11.142> our<00:12:11.382> people<00:12:11.719> and<00:12:12.023> our<00:12:12.120> neighbors<00:12:12.424> and<00:12:12.584> our<00:12:12.681> friends.

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And<00:12:14.299> so<00:12:14.748> all<00:12:14.780> of<00:12:14.844> our<00:12:14.989> policy<00:12:15.389> work<00:12:15.566> is<00:12:15.710> kind<00:12:15.822> of<00:12:16.351> geared<00:12:16.527> towards<00:12:16.848> that.

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We<00:12:18.050> even<00:12:18.434> unionized<00:12:19.076> as<00:12:19.268> a<00:12:19.332> solar<00:12:19.572> company,<00:12:20.598> or<00:12:20.774> we<00:12:21.079> unionized<00:12:21.640> our,<00:12:22.121> our<00:12:22.954> installation<00:12:23.483> crews<00:12:24.140> willingly.

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And,<00:12:27.342> uh,<00:12:27.472> we<00:12:27.666> approached<00:12:28.054> the<00:12:28.200> union<00:12:28.718> to<00:12:29.187> bring<00:12:29.349> them,<00:12:29.753> uh,<00:12:30.498> to<00:12:30.789> join<00:12:31.031> up<00:12:31.371> back<00:12:31.598> in<00:12:31.695> 2020.

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And<00:12:33.636> we<00:12:33.798> did<00:12:33.960> that<00:12:34.090> because,<00:12:35.168> you<00:12:35.265> know,<00:12:36.698> West<00:12:36.924> Virginia<00:12:37.809> really<00:12:38.147> kickstarted<00:12:38.614> the<00:12:38.711> labor<00:12:38.952> movement<00:12:39.500> back<00:12:39.677> in<00:12:39.709> the<00:12:39.758> '20s,<00:12:40.627> uh,<00:12:41.046> 19-teens<00:12:42.334> and<00:12:42.415> '20s,<00:12:42.898> and<00:12:43.703> even<00:12:43.929> really<00:12:44.106> even<00:12:44.332> before<00:12:44.655> that.

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And<00:12:47.317> our,<00:12:47.656> our<00:12:47.801> approach<00:12:48.124> has<00:12:48.366> always<00:12:48.624> been<00:12:48.785> that,<00:12:49.334> you<00:12:49.366> know,<00:12:49.754> just,<00:12:50.076> just<00:12:50.254> because<00:12:50.544> you're<00:12:50.641> changing<00:12:50.964> the<00:12:51.044> energy<00:12:51.383> source<00:12:52.012> doesn't<00:12:52.400> mean<00:12:52.577> you<00:12:52.658> need<00:12:52.980> to<00:12:54.985> get<00:12:55.146> rid<00:12:55.643> of<00:12:55.771> all<00:12:55.931> the<00:12:56.028> other<00:12:56.749> great<00:12:57.054> things<00:12:57.375> that<00:12:57.487> had<00:12:58.674> come<00:12:58.834> along<00:12:59.075> with<00:12:59.299> it.

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So<00:13:01.079> we're,<00:13:01.544> we're<00:13:01.641> really<00:13:01.881> proud<00:13:02.026> of<00:13:02.058> that.

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We're<00:13:02.459> the—<00:13:03.421> to<00:13:03.549> my<00:13:03.645> knowledge,<00:13:05.409> there<00:13:05.730> were<00:13:05.874> only<00:13:06.051> a<00:13:06.195> handful<00:13:06.532> of<00:13:06.612> companies<00:13:07.478> at<00:13:07.815> that<00:13:07.975> point<00:13:08.521> that,<00:13:09.082> especially<00:13:09.884> on<00:13:09.980> the<00:13:10.621> smaller<00:13:11.167> end,<00:13:11.648> like<00:13:12.305> with<00:13:12.546> residential<00:13:13.187> and<00:13:13.348> small,<00:13:13.845> small<00:13:14.069> commercial,<00:13:15.192> circa<00:13:15.497> 2020,<00:13:15.994> all<00:13:16.074> the<00:13:16.218> unionized<00:13:16.972> shops<00:13:17.341> were<00:13:17.854> huge<00:13:18.223> utility<00:13:18.656> scale.

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Kind<00:13:19.867> of<00:13:19.997> industrial<00:13:20.567> shops.

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So<00:13:21.544> proving<00:13:21.952> that<00:13:22.131> we<00:13:22.212> could<00:13:22.456> do<00:13:22.701> that,<00:13:24.567> uh,<00:13:24.587> in<00:13:24.924> like<00:13:26.193> while<00:13:26.354> working<00:13:26.531> on<00:13:26.691> people's<00:13:26.997> homes<00:13:27.398> was,<00:13:28.121> uh,<00:13:28.700> basically<00:13:29.085> unheard<00:13:29.407> of<00:13:29.503> at<00:13:29.648> that<00:13:29.889> point.

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Why<00:13:31.431> has<00:13:31.833> West<00:13:32.074> Virginia<00:13:32.861> uniquely<00:13:33.440> experienced<00:13:33.890> that<00:13:34.083> decline<00:13:34.582> since<00:13:34.888> the<00:13:34.969> '50s?

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Uh,<00:13:37.369> back<00:13:37.546> then<00:13:37.852> we<00:13:38.658> had—<00:13:40.768> at<00:13:40.849> its<00:13:41.251> peak<00:13:41.477> we<00:13:41.557> had<00:13:41.638> about<00:13:41.831> 400,000<00:13:42.540> coal<00:13:42.750> miners<00:13:44.899> out<00:13:45.063> of<00:13:45.490> 1.8<00:13:46.064> million<00:13:46.474> people.

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Oh,<00:13:48.381> well,<00:13:48.895> so<00:13:49.281> just<00:13:49.586> if<00:13:49.682> you<00:13:50.004> think<00:13:50.566> that<00:13:51.594> everybody,<00:13:52.655> everybody<00:13:53.137> was<00:13:53.297> involved<00:13:53.635> in<00:13:53.763> the<00:13:53.860> industry<00:13:54.486> and<00:13:54.824> like<00:13:54.984> you<00:13:55.065> go<00:13:55.225> across<00:13:55.611> the<00:13:55.691> southern<00:13:56.013> part<00:13:56.173> of<00:13:56.205> the<00:13:56.270> state<00:13:56.671> and<00:13:56.816> you've<00:13:56.928> got<00:13:57.555> entire<00:13:57.941> towns<00:13:58.519> that<00:13:58.760> have<00:14:00.511> just<00:14:01.250> shrunk<00:14:01.957> and,<00:14:02.311> you<00:14:02.777> know,<00:14:04.287> as,<00:14:05.090> as<00:14:05.653> the<00:14:05.749> coal<00:14:06.071> industry<00:14:06.472> became<00:14:06.954> more<00:14:07.581> mechanized,<00:14:08.465> as<00:14:08.641> it<00:14:09.043> like<00:14:10.087> the,<00:14:10.232> like<00:14:10.328> the<00:14:10.666> image<00:14:10.891> of<00:14:10.971> a<00:14:11.035> coal<00:14:11.212> miner<00:14:11.453> is<00:14:11.774> someone<00:14:12.080> with<00:14:12.192> a<00:14:12.256> pickaxe,<00:14:13.220> like<00:14:14.690> literally<00:14:16.725> picking<00:14:16.984> at<00:14:17.065> the<00:14:17.210> coal<00:14:18.277> underground.

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Well,<00:14:19.909> starting<00:14:20.280> in<00:14:20.377> about<00:14:20.603> the<00:14:20.765> '80s,<00:14:21.977> in<00:14:22.155> the<00:14:22.252> 1980s,<00:14:23.370> that,<00:14:23.950> that<00:14:24.111> started<00:14:24.370> to<00:14:24.482> change.

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And<00:14:26.611> coal<00:14:26.789> miners<00:14:28.160> for<00:14:28.257> the<00:14:28.370> last<00:14:28.725> 30<00:14:28.968> to<00:14:29.033> 40<00:14:29.276> years<00:14:29.518> have<00:14:29.680> been<00:14:29.858> more<00:14:30.133> like<00:14:32.027> they,<00:14:32.933> they<00:14:33.256> operate<00:14:33.515> big<00:14:33.726> rigs,<00:14:34.065> they're<00:14:34.616> driving<00:14:35.263> big<00:14:35.425> equipment,<00:14:36.007> they're<00:14:37.619> using,<00:14:38.782> using<00:14:39.048> dozers<00:14:39.713> and<00:14:40.352> dynamite,<00:14:40.736> and<00:14:41.089> it's,<00:14:41.393> it's<00:14:41.537> just<00:14:41.650> a<00:14:41.714> different<00:14:42.034> industry<00:14:42.499> than<00:14:42.595> it<00:14:42.659> was<00:14:42.900> back<00:14:43.060> then.

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So<00:14:43.492> it's<00:14:43.941> gotten<00:14:44.117> a<00:14:44.197> whole<00:14:44.342> lot<00:14:44.502> more<00:14:44.662> efficient<00:14:45.223> from<00:14:45.479> a,<00:14:46.505> uh,<00:14:46.761> personnel,<00:14:47.466> uh,<00:14:47.803> perspective.

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You<00:14:48.284> need<00:14:48.444> a<00:14:48.668> whole<00:14:48.828> lot<00:14:48.989> fewer<00:14:49.870> miners<00:14:50.287> to<00:14:50.431> produce<00:14:51.152> the,<00:14:51.793> uh,<00:14:51.969> same<00:14:52.129> amount<00:14:52.370> of<00:14:52.434> coal.

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And<00:14:53.411> with<00:14:53.652> that,<00:14:53.988> everything<00:14:54.533> kind<00:14:54.693> of,<00:14:55.334> uh,<00:14:55.815> shrunk<00:14:56.200> up.

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And<00:14:56.440> then<00:14:56.616> when<00:14:56.760> you<00:14:56.937> don't<00:14:57.658> need<00:14:57.834> as<00:14:57.978> many<00:14:58.203> miners,<00:14:58.699> that<00:14:58.860> means<00:15:00.366> you<00:15:00.526> don't<00:15:00.766> need<00:15:00.863> as<00:15:01.007> many<00:15:01.407> grocery<00:15:01.760> stores,<00:15:02.225> you<00:15:02.305> don't<00:15:02.497> need<00:15:02.641> as<00:15:02.786> many<00:15:04.148> teachers,<00:15:04.532> you<00:15:04.612> don't—<00:15:05.029> like,<00:15:05.494> when<00:15:06.231> in<00:15:07.032> when<00:15:07.192> you've<00:15:07.337> got<00:15:07.497> an<00:15:07.529> entire<00:15:07.914> town<00:15:08.234> of<00:15:08.330> like<00:15:08.715> 3,000,<00:15:09.260> 5,000<00:15:09.789> people<00:15:10.061> and<00:15:10.141> the<00:15:10.222> main<00:15:10.622> industry<00:15:11.055> is<00:15:11.840> the<00:15:11.921> mine<00:15:12.946> and<00:15:13.587> the<00:15:13.636> mine<00:15:13.828> doesn't<00:15:14.084> need<00:15:14.229> as<00:15:14.341> many<00:15:14.629> people<00:15:14.966> anymore,<00:15:15.206> the<00:15:15.302> town's<00:15:15.671> just<00:15:15.751> going<00:15:15.879> to<00:15:16.809> shrink<00:15:17.114> up.

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Add<00:15:18.316> on<00:15:18.556> top<00:15:18.797> of<00:15:18.893> that,<00:15:19.197> that,<00:15:20.239> you<00:15:20.287> know,<00:15:20.800> even,<00:15:21.602> even<00:15:21.762> back<00:15:21.954> in<00:15:22.018> the<00:15:22.098> '50s,<00:15:22.723> people<00:15:22.900> were<00:15:23.701> telling<00:15:24.983> kids<00:15:25.288> going<00:15:25.544> through<00:15:26.105> West<00:15:26.330> Virginia<00:15:26.650> high<00:15:26.747> schools<00:15:27.131> that<00:15:27.324> if<00:15:27.468> you<00:15:27.548> want<00:15:27.676> to<00:15:27.708> make<00:15:27.885> it<00:15:27.933> in<00:15:28.029> this<00:15:28.189> world,<00:15:28.510> you<00:15:28.574> got<00:15:28.654> to<00:15:28.734> get<00:15:28.894> out.

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And<00:15:30.754> like,<00:15:31.010> if<00:15:31.138> you<00:15:31.218> ever<00:15:31.331> saw<00:15:31.475> the<00:15:31.555> movie<00:15:31.859> October<00:15:32.212> Sky<00:15:32.981> that<00:15:33.719> came<00:15:33.943> out<00:15:34.039> back<00:15:34.200> in<00:15:34.264> the<00:15:34.296> '90s,<00:15:34.745> that<00:15:34.841> was<00:15:35.725> That<00:15:35.774> was<00:15:36.274> really<00:15:37.016> the<00:15:37.097> feeling.

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Well,<00:15:40.970> the<00:15:41.439> results<00:15:41.777> of<00:15:41.842> that<00:15:42.003> is<00:15:42.100> you<00:15:42.181> get<00:15:42.326> a<00:15:42.342> brain<00:15:42.568> drain.

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Everybody<00:15:43.375> who's<00:15:43.714> ambitious,<00:15:44.263> everybody<00:15:44.570> who<00:15:45.969> wants<00:15:46.291> to<00:15:46.838> go<00:15:47.240> get<00:15:47.353> a<00:15:47.401> good<00:15:47.498> job<00:15:48.125> ends<00:15:48.382> up<00:15:48.704> going<00:15:49.251> away<00:15:49.508> to<00:15:49.589> college<00:15:50.072> or<00:15:50.619> just<00:15:50.796> kind<00:15:50.940> of<00:15:50.972> floating<00:15:51.359> away.

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And<00:15:56.155> all<00:15:56.236> of<00:15:56.334> that<00:15:56.497> just<00:15:56.644> kind<00:15:56.758> of<00:15:56.807> feeds<00:15:57.067> on<00:15:57.149> itself.

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So<00:15:58.436> in<00:15:59.006> order<00:15:59.185> to<00:15:59.348> reverse<00:15:59.837> that,<00:16:00.310> you've<00:16:00.570> got<00:16:00.896> to<00:16:01.973> you've<00:16:02.117> got<00:16:02.245> to<00:16:02.310> make<00:16:02.759> good<00:16:03.802> opportunities<00:16:04.636> available<00:16:05.021> to<00:16:05.101> people.

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You've<00:16:05.743> got<00:16:05.855> to<00:16:06.369> actually<00:16:07.588> give<00:16:07.813> people<00:16:08.085> a<00:16:08.134> reason<00:16:08.390> to<00:16:08.470> stay<00:16:08.711> home<00:16:09.979> and,<00:16:11.503> and<00:16:12.161> also,<00:16:12.546> and<00:16:13.364> really<00:16:13.605> just<00:16:13.765> provide<00:16:15.450> the<00:16:15.530> types<00:16:15.947> of<00:16:16.075> jobs<00:16:16.412> and<00:16:16.557> careers<00:16:17.038> that<00:16:17.295> people<00:16:17.455> are<00:16:17.535> going<00:16:17.648> to<00:16:17.760> want<00:16:17.840> to<00:16:18.177> do<00:16:18.498> every<00:16:18.739> day<00:16:18.979> for,<00:16:19.846> for<00:16:19.942> their<00:16:20.038> lives.

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And,<00:16:22.669> you<00:16:22.766> know,<00:16:23.311> not<00:16:23.488> that,<00:16:23.857> not<00:16:24.033> that<00:16:24.177> we're<00:16:24.418> everything<00:16:24.915> to<00:16:25.012> that,<00:16:25.397> we,<00:16:25.782> we<00:16:25.878> can't<00:16:26.279> be,<00:16:26.744> but<00:16:27.130> That's<00:16:27.803> where<00:16:28.044> we're<00:16:28.188> trying<00:16:28.348> to<00:16:28.428> provide<00:16:28.685> a<00:16:28.701> little<00:16:29.182> sliver<00:16:29.792> of<00:16:30.048> what<00:16:30.209> we<00:16:30.369> can.

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And,<00:16:32.594> you<00:16:32.614> know,<00:16:33.015> at<00:16:33.095> this<00:16:33.320> point,<00:16:33.560> we've<00:16:34.859> got<00:16:35.805> about<00:16:36.222> 95<00:16:36.784> folks<00:16:38.949> working,<00:16:39.510> working<00:16:39.734> at<00:16:39.815> Solar<00:16:40.039> Holler.

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One<00:16:41.306> of<00:16:41.338> the<00:16:41.418> other<00:16:41.595> really<00:16:41.899> cool<00:16:42.140> things<00:16:42.958> that<00:16:43.102> we've<00:16:43.262> been<00:16:43.439> doing<00:16:43.760> to<00:16:44.241> combat<00:16:44.882> the<00:16:45.026> brain<00:16:45.203> drain<00:16:46.566> is<00:16:47.111> launching<00:16:47.929> internship<00:16:48.394> programs<00:16:48.955> with<00:16:50.495> different<00:16:50.800> county<00:16:50.976> school<00:16:51.152> systems.

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So<00:16:52.740> one<00:16:52.917> is<00:16:53.782> the<00:16:53.943> school<00:16:54.279> system<00:16:54.584> that<00:16:54.648> I<00:16:54.664> was<00:16:54.824> mentioning<00:16:55.145> that<00:16:55.305> we're<00:16:55.481> solarizing,<00:16:56.972> we're<00:16:58.030> covering<00:16:58.655> all<00:16:58.752> their<00:16:58.912> schools<00:16:59.617> with<00:16:59.729> solar,<00:17:00.435> but<00:17:00.755> we've<00:17:01.060> also<00:17:01.236> got<00:17:01.477> an<00:17:01.541> internship<00:17:02.038> program<00:17:02.599> going<00:17:02.919> with<00:17:03.160> their<00:17:03.320> Vo-Tech<00:17:03.881> programs.

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So<00:17:05.164> kids<00:17:05.709> are<00:17:06.382> seniors<00:17:06.847> in<00:17:06.927> high<00:17:07.087> school,<00:17:08.273> are<00:17:09.171> going<00:17:09.812> to<00:17:09.956> school<00:17:10.293> 4<00:17:10.517> days<00:17:10.662> a<00:17:10.694> week<00:17:10.998> for<00:17:11.960> electrical<00:17:12.377> theory<00:17:12.858> and<00:17:13.178> history<00:17:13.659> and<00:17:14.284> carpentry<00:17:14.765> and<00:17:15.423> every—<00:17:15.727> everything<00:17:16.128> else<00:17:16.449> they're<00:17:16.865> going<00:17:17.010> to<00:17:17.042> school<00:17:17.266> for.

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And<00:17:18.068> then<00:17:18.292> one<00:17:18.468> day<00:17:18.532> a<00:17:18.629> week<00:17:18.869> they're<00:17:19.013> paid<00:17:19.190> members<00:17:19.510> of<00:17:19.542> our<00:17:19.671> crews.

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We're<00:17:21.597> really<00:17:21.838> specifically<00:17:22.319> targeting<00:17:22.705> seniors<00:17:23.042> in<00:17:23.122> high<00:17:23.283> school<00:17:23.540> because<00:17:23.829> that's<00:17:24.231> a<00:17:24.407> really<00:17:24.568> important<00:17:24.953> fork<00:17:25.307> in<00:17:25.371> your<00:17:25.515> life<00:17:26.238> where<00:17:26.431> you<00:17:26.656> can<00:17:26.800> either<00:17:27.700> go<00:17:27.796> down<00:17:28.085> one<00:17:28.262> path<00:17:28.583> that<00:17:28.679> means<00:17:29.209> moving<00:17:29.531> away,<00:17:30.028> moving<00:17:30.285> out<00:17:30.334> of<00:17:30.366> state,<00:17:30.992> moving<00:17:31.217> to<00:17:31.313> Columbus<00:17:32.036> or<00:17:32.261> Pittsburgh<00:17:33.080> or<00:17:34.525> Raleigh<00:17:34.927> or<00:17:35.087> wherever<00:17:35.473> you're<00:17:35.633> going<00:17:36.934> to<00:17:37.095> go.

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And<00:17:37.336> if<00:17:37.480> you<00:17:37.577> do<00:17:37.737> that,<00:17:37.962> you're<00:17:38.059> probably<00:17:38.315> never<00:17:38.540> coming<00:17:38.781> back.

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Odds<00:17:39.825> are<00:17:40.050> you're<00:17:40.307> not<00:17:40.468> coming<00:17:40.708> back.

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Or<00:17:42.058> if<00:17:42.218> you<00:17:43.134> stick<00:17:43.439> around<00:17:43.760> at<00:17:43.840> that<00:17:44.145> point,<00:17:44.627> you<00:17:45.189> get<00:17:45.286> to<00:17:45.462> stay<00:17:45.687> close<00:17:45.864> to<00:17:45.912> your<00:17:46.008> family,<00:17:46.394> get<00:17:46.570> to<00:17:46.667> stay<00:17:46.972> close<00:17:47.213> to<00:17:47.357> your<00:17:47.630> social<00:17:47.936> networks<00:17:48.899> and<00:17:50.506> kind<00:17:50.666> of<00:17:50.907> make<00:17:51.084> a<00:17:51.148> go<00:17:51.309> of<00:17:51.405> it.

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And<00:17:52.835> so<00:17:53.060> we're<00:17:53.430> currently<00:17:53.864> on<00:17:53.944> our<00:17:54.041> third<00:17:54.362> cohort.

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And<00:17:57.800> during<00:17:57.977> the<00:17:58.057> first<00:17:58.379> two<00:17:58.604> cohorts,<00:17:59.102> we<00:17:59.182> ended<00:17:59.359> up<00:17:59.487> having<00:17:59.809> a<00:17:59.905> 40%<00:18:00.564> sign-on<00:18:01.207> rate<00:18:02.219> full-time<00:18:03.022> at<00:18:03.183> graduation.

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So<00:18:05.272> I'm<00:18:06.412> just<00:18:06.798> thrilled<00:18:07.055> about<00:18:07.296> that<00:18:07.360> in<00:18:07.537> terms<00:18:07.778> of<00:18:08.196> developing<00:18:10.108> the<00:18:10.188> talents<00:18:10.911> that<00:18:11.008> we<00:18:11.152> need<00:18:11.538> to<00:18:11.940> actually<00:18:12.357> pull<00:18:15.812> pull<00:18:15.958> this<00:18:16.200> off,<00:18:16.361> where<00:18:16.797> turns<00:18:17.490> out<00:18:17.668> you<00:18:17.700> need<00:18:17.813> a<00:18:17.829> lot<00:18:17.991> of<00:18:18.055> people<00:18:18.717> to,<00:18:19.265> to,<00:18:20.556> uh,<00:18:21.217> to,<00:18:22.169> uh,<00:18:24.606> run,<00:18:25.170> run<00:18:25.300> an<00:18:25.492> entire<00:18:25.990> economy<00:18:26.376> off<00:18:26.553> of<00:18:26.698> renewables.

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But<00:18:28.385> then<00:18:29.172> from<00:18:29.429> the<00:18:29.976> brain<00:18:30.153> drain<00:18:30.779> perspective,<00:18:31.245> I'm<00:18:31.358> really,<00:18:31.904> really<00:18:32.145> excited<00:18:32.724> that<00:18:32.884> we've<00:18:33.286> been<00:18:33.431> able<00:18:33.559> to<00:18:34.653> have<00:18:34.799> so<00:18:34.896> much<00:18:35.009> success<00:18:35.949> with<00:18:36.095> that.

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What<00:18:37.651> do<00:18:37.732> you<00:18:37.894> read,<00:18:38.607> and<00:18:38.769> what<00:18:38.947> reading<00:18:39.190> recommendations<00:18:39.839> would<00:18:39.984> you<00:18:40.065> have<00:18:40.244> for<00:18:40.406> us?

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For<00:18:43.546> a<00:18:43.562> long<00:18:43.805> time,<00:18:44.049> I<00:18:44.357> only<00:18:44.535> read<00:18:44.697> nonfiction,<00:18:45.346> but<00:18:45.655> I'm<00:18:46.239> needing<00:18:46.806> more<00:18:46.969> and<00:18:47.050> more<00:18:47.212> fiction<00:18:47.618> these<00:18:47.796> days.

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Interesting.

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So<00:18:50.413> my<00:18:50.592> favorite<00:18:51.872> book<00:18:52.066> of<00:18:52.212> the<00:18:52.293> past<00:18:52.763> year<00:18:53.412> is<00:18:55.211> a<00:18:55.292> book<00:18:55.454> called<00:18:55.697> The<00:18:55.794> Northwoods<00:18:56.669> by<00:18:56.750> Daniel<00:18:57.058> Mason.

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It<00:18:58.116> follows<00:18:58.793> a<00:18:58.873> single<00:18:59.485> farm<00:18:59.985> in<00:19:00.146> Massachusetts<00:19:00.935> through<00:19:01.579> 400<00:19:01.998> years<00:19:02.465> and<00:19:02.626> all<00:19:02.723> the<00:19:02.884> families<00:19:03.528> that<00:19:04.640> kind<00:19:04.753> of<00:19:04.817> cycle<00:19:05.381> in<00:19:05.526> and<00:19:05.622> out<00:19:05.864> of<00:19:06.025> this<00:19:06.412> apple<00:19:06.589> orchard.

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And<00:19:08.593> has<00:19:08.819> a<00:19:08.836> little<00:19:08.997> bit<00:19:09.143> of<00:19:09.483> paranormal<00:19:09.968> stuff<00:19:10.210> in<00:19:10.291> there<00:19:10.453> too<00:19:11.100> and<00:19:11.342> some<00:19:11.504> ghosts.

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But<00:19:13.364> that's<00:19:13.930> probably<00:19:14.900> the<00:19:14.981> single<00:19:15.305> book<00:19:15.531> that's<00:19:15.774> stuck<00:19:16.097> with<00:19:16.340> me<00:19:16.841> the<00:19:16.890> most<00:19:17.594> over<00:19:17.745> the<00:19:17.829> past<00:19:18.165> year,<00:19:20.396> which<00:19:20.638> I<00:19:20.718> think<00:19:20.880> makes<00:19:21.154> sense<00:19:21.670> given<00:19:21.831> my<00:19:22.106> attachment<00:19:22.557> to<00:19:23.041> places<00:19:23.541> and,<00:19:23.703> you<00:19:25.397> know,<00:19:25.881> places<00:19:26.284> and<00:19:26.445> countryside.

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And<00:19:28.627> that<00:19:29.192> book<00:19:29.418> really<00:19:29.596> just<00:19:29.822> made<00:19:29.903> me<00:19:29.967> happy.

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That's<00:19:31.695> incredible.

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Tell<00:19:33.852> us<00:19:34.477> how<00:19:34.654> you're<00:19:34.814> thinking<00:19:35.215> about—<00:19:36.160> we're<00:19:36.513> speaking<00:19:37.459> beginning<00:19:37.924> of<00:19:38.020> 2025<00:19:38.806> here.

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How<00:19:39.783> are<00:19:39.864> you<00:19:40.024> thinking<00:19:40.425> about<00:19:41.130> this<00:19:41.371> year<00:19:41.707> versus<00:19:42.509> last<00:19:42.893> year<00:19:43.230> at<00:19:43.390> this<00:19:43.551> time,<00:19:44.657> economic<00:19:45.170> outlook<00:19:45.731> and<00:19:45.859> how<00:19:45.955> things<00:19:46.260> are<00:19:46.356> looking?

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I<00:19:46.773> mean,<00:19:46.981> obviously<00:19:48.104> there<00:19:48.184> was<00:19:48.264> some<00:19:48.456> unpredictability<00:19:49.242> at<00:19:49.482> the<00:19:49.562> beginning<00:19:49.899> of<00:19:50.027> last<00:19:50.284> year<00:19:50.444> for<00:19:51.310> obvious<00:19:51.566> reasons<00:19:52.111> and<00:19:52.224> some<00:19:52.528> unobvious.

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How<00:19:53.795> are<00:19:53.955> you<00:19:54.035> feeling<00:19:54.227> right<00:19:54.372> now?

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Yeah,<00:19:56.776> this<00:19:56.953> is<00:19:57.081> an<00:19:57.161> interesting<00:19:58.123> year<00:19:58.460> for<00:19:59.510> renewables<00:20:00.749> in<00:20:00.830> general,<00:20:03.084> given,<00:20:03.792> given<00:20:04.033> the<00:20:04.130> new<00:20:04.275> administration<00:20:04.935> coming<00:20:05.176> in.

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So<00:20:06.609> we're<00:20:07.108> just—<00:20:09.040> yeah,<00:20:09.217> I<00:20:09.250> think<00:20:09.362> there's<00:20:10.072> a<00:20:10.169> lot<00:20:10.395> of<00:20:10.718> uncertainty<00:20:11.283> right<00:20:11.525> now<00:20:13.558> around—<00:20:14.107> yeah,<00:20:15.478> I<00:20:15.511> don't<00:20:18.238> know<00:20:18.367> if<00:20:18.464> you<00:20:18.544> want<00:20:18.641> to<00:20:18.690> edit<00:20:18.867> this<00:20:19.109> out,<00:20:19.352> but<00:20:20.159> there's<00:20:20.353> going<00:20:20.579> to—<00:20:21.709> we're,<00:20:22.662> we're<00:20:22.904> dealing<00:20:23.728> over<00:20:23.889> the<00:20:23.954> last<00:20:24.148> 2<00:20:24.374> weeks<00:20:24.697> with<00:20:26.793> federal<00:20:27.067> agencies<00:20:28.667> ignoring<00:20:29.458> contracts<00:20:30.121> that<00:20:30.347> had<00:20:30.444> been<00:20:31.429> signed<00:20:32.124> over<00:20:32.285> the<00:20:33.174> last<00:20:33.513> year,<00:20:33.852> so<00:20:34.062> we're<00:20:34.402> just<00:20:34.967> dealing<00:20:35.274> with<00:20:35.420> the<00:20:35.534> bureaucracy<00:20:36.513> of<00:20:36.595> all<00:20:36.676> that.

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And<00:20:40.200> tariffs<00:20:41.263> being<00:20:41.424> implemented<00:20:41.972> this<00:20:42.149> weekend.

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And<00:20:42.809> so<00:20:43.180> there's<00:20:46.482> all<00:20:46.643> of<00:20:46.724> the<00:20:46.820> government<00:20:47.288> uncertainty,<00:20:48.173> but<00:20:49.000> the<00:20:49.569> other<00:20:49.813> things<00:20:50.528> that<00:20:50.707> are<00:20:51.522> And<00:20:52.725> the—<00:20:53.126> those<00:20:53.303> are<00:20:53.383> the<00:20:53.511> headwinds.

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The<00:20:54.474> tailwinds<00:20:55.212> that<00:20:55.357> we're<00:20:55.453> dealing<00:20:55.694> with<00:20:55.918> though<00:20:56.095> are<00:20:56.416> that<00:20:56.737> there's<00:20:56.961> more<00:20:57.138> power<00:20:58.261> needed<00:20:58.823> than<00:20:58.919> ever<00:20:59.128> before.

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Artificial<00:21:00.171> intelligence<00:21:00.732> has<00:21:00.845> taken<00:21:01.133> off,<00:21:01.310> and<00:21:01.390> it<00:21:01.470> turns<00:21:01.775> out<00:21:01.952> you<00:21:02.032> need<00:21:02.257> a<00:21:02.273> ton<00:21:02.497> of<00:21:02.530> juice<00:21:03.396> to<00:21:03.540> power<00:21:03.797> those,<00:21:05.065> uh,<00:21:05.466> data<00:21:05.643> centers.

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And<00:21:06.766> in<00:21:06.846> particular<00:21:07.311> for<00:21:07.408> us<00:21:07.568> in<00:21:07.648> West<00:21:07.889> Virginia,<00:21:08.852> like,<00:21:09.093> my,<00:21:09.397> my<00:21:09.558> hometown<00:21:10.842> is<00:21:11.724> like<00:21:11.901> in,<00:21:12.286> in<00:21:12.366> the<00:21:12.462> Eastern<00:21:12.767> Panhandle,<00:21:13.265> like<00:21:13.489> right<00:21:13.650> on<00:21:13.746> the<00:21:13.778> Potomac<00:21:14.147> River.

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Uh,<00:21:15.110> so<00:21:15.656> we're,<00:21:16.394> you<00:21:16.458> know,<00:21:16.650> 30<00:21:17.052> miles<00:21:17.501> from<00:21:17.677> the<00:21:17.822> data<00:21:18.014> centers<00:21:18.560> in<00:21:19.443> Northern<00:21:19.764> Virginia<00:21:20.245> that<00:21:20.341> are<00:21:20.470> powering<00:21:20.742> the<00:21:20.807> entire<00:21:21.144> internet.

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Just<00:21:22.652> gobs<00:21:23.053> and<00:21:23.198> gobs,<00:21:23.775> gobs<00:21:24.096> and<00:21:24.177> gobs<00:21:24.433> of<00:21:24.498> power<00:21:25.123> that<00:21:25.284> you<00:21:25.460> need<00:21:25.621> to<00:21:25.781> do<00:21:25.942> that.

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And<00:21:26.327> the<00:21:26.568> only<00:21:26.808> way<00:21:26.905> to<00:21:27.001> get<00:21:27.145> power<00:21:27.627> onto<00:21:27.787> the<00:21:27.884> grid<00:21:28.173> fast<00:21:28.445> enough<00:21:28.895> is<00:21:28.991> to<00:21:29.472> be<00:21:30.259> putting<00:21:30.435> in<00:21:30.596> panels<00:21:31.783> in<00:21:32.184> little,<00:21:32.762> little<00:21:32.923> bits.

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It<00:21:33.468> takes,<00:21:33.966> it<00:21:34.030> takes<00:21:34.223> a<00:21:34.351> ton<00:21:34.608> of<00:21:34.672> time.

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It<00:21:35.073> can<00:21:35.250> take<00:21:35.410> 7<00:21:35.875> years<00:21:36.212> to<00:21:36.437> put<00:21:36.598> in<00:21:37.560> a<00:21:38.058> utility<00:21:38.459> scale<00:21:39.406> or<00:21:41.332> like<00:21:41.749> a<00:21:41.813> giant<00:21:42.054> power<00:21:42.311> plant.

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It<00:21:43.418> takes<00:21:43.739> us<00:21:44.236> a<00:21:44.397> month<00:21:45.183> or<00:21:45.360> two.

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To<00:21:46.340> put<00:21:47.435> a,<00:21:49.143> to<00:21:49.304> put<00:21:49.465> in<00:21:49.546> a<00:21:49.948> rooftop<00:21:50.351> array,<00:21:51.543> like<00:21:51.801> from,<00:21:52.348> from<00:21:52.526> contract<00:21:53.105> to<00:21:53.331> actually<00:21:53.718> putting<00:21:54.056> it<00:21:54.136> in.

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So,<00:21:56.728> you<00:21:56.760> know,<00:21:57.115> we—<00:21:58.099> that's<00:21:58.647> all<00:21:58.728> at<00:21:58.825> our<00:21:58.970> back<00:21:59.212> right<00:21:59.406> now,<00:21:59.777> that<00:22:00.664> it<00:22:00.761> turns<00:22:01.067> out<00:22:02.519> people<00:22:02.697> need<00:22:02.858> power<00:22:03.568> and<00:22:03.745> solar<00:22:04.148> is<00:22:04.471> the<00:22:04.794> cheapest<00:22:05.197> way<00:22:05.262> on<00:22:05.391> the<00:22:05.504> planet<00:22:05.762> to<00:22:05.860> make<00:22:06.087> it.

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And<00:22:07.388> that's,<00:22:07.794> that's<00:22:08.054> not<00:22:08.201> changing<00:22:08.770> no<00:22:08.867> matter<00:22:09.583> what<00:22:09.745> kind<00:22:09.989> of<00:22:10.152> bureaucratic<00:22:11.772> kerfluffles<00:22:12.735> go<00:22:12.895> on<00:22:13.376> in<00:22:13.456> the<00:22:13.537> meantime.

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Yeah,<00:22:14.820> for<00:22:14.980> sure.

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Give<00:22:15.686> me<00:22:15.798> a<00:22:15.862> sense<00:22:16.247> for<00:22:16.584> how<00:22:16.809> you<00:22:16.905> think<00:22:17.146> about<00:22:18.172> this<00:22:18.413> need<00:22:18.589> for<00:22:18.749> power<00:22:19.231> in<00:22:19.375> the<00:22:19.535> age<00:22:19.712> of<00:22:19.808> AI.

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I<00:22:20.289> mean,<00:22:20.738> it's<00:22:20.899> obviously<00:22:21.155> what<00:22:21.316> everybody's<00:22:21.717> thinking<00:22:22.022> about.

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I<00:22:22.294> mean,<00:22:23.000> the<00:22:23.144> president<00:22:23.545> with<00:22:23.658> a<00:22:23.722> bunch<00:22:23.962> of,<00:22:24.267> you<00:22:24.299> know,<00:22:24.444> huge<00:22:24.764> tech<00:22:25.085> leaders<00:22:26.048> announced<00:22:26.384> a<00:22:26.449> $500<00:22:27.090> billion<00:22:28.838> project<00:22:29.256> that<00:22:29.416> was<00:22:29.576> mostly<00:22:30.058> around<00:22:30.314> infrastructure,<00:22:30.988> meaning<00:22:31.806> mostly<00:22:32.127> around<00:22:32.383> power<00:22:32.848> and<00:22:32.945> data<00:22:33.185> centers.

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Um,<00:22:34.869> how<00:22:34.966> do<00:22:35.094> you<00:22:35.254> think<00:22:35.431> that<00:22:35.671> gets<00:22:35.832> solved?

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How<00:22:36.554> do—<00:22:36.714> I<00:22:36.794> mean,<00:22:36.955> if<00:22:37.035> we<00:22:37.131> need<00:22:37.340> that<00:22:37.420> much<00:22:37.660> power,<00:22:37.997> and<00:22:38.093> it's<00:22:38.254> interesting<00:22:38.607> because<00:22:38.863> maybe<00:22:39.120> we<00:22:39.264> don't,<00:22:39.842> because<00:22:40.067> post<00:22:40.324> that,<00:22:41.127> Deepseek<00:22:41.834> comes<00:22:42.156> out<00:22:42.333> and<00:22:42.429> says<00:22:43.216> that<00:22:43.377> they<00:22:43.457> did<00:22:43.618> it<00:22:43.763> for<00:22:43.859> way<00:22:44.020> less.

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So<00:22:44.341> who<00:22:44.502> knows?

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But<00:22:45.626> how<00:22:45.787> are<00:22:45.932> you<00:22:46.028> thinking<00:22:46.366> about<00:22:46.816> AI<00:22:47.233> and<00:22:47.314> our<00:22:47.410> need<00:22:47.699> for<00:22:47.796> power<00:22:48.438> and<00:22:48.503> how<00:22:48.744> we<00:22:49.065> don't<00:22:49.306> have<00:22:49.483> nearly<00:22:49.804> enough<00:22:50.142> according<00:22:50.447> to<00:22:50.592> the<00:22:50.752> experts?

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Yeah,<00:22:52.632> it's<00:22:52.937> been<00:22:53.179> fascinating<00:22:53.725> watching<00:22:54.303> the<00:22:54.448> utilities<00:22:55.685> adjust<00:22:56.231> their<00:22:56.697> projections<00:22:57.662> on<00:22:57.983> how<00:22:58.015> much<00:22:58.304> power<00:22:58.802> they're<00:22:58.899> going<00:22:59.043> to<00:22:59.204> need.

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And,<00:23:00.180> you<00:23:00.200> know,<00:23:01.196> the<00:23:02.161> Commonwealth<00:23:02.594> of<00:23:02.659> Virginia,<00:23:03.221> for<00:23:03.301> instance,<00:23:05.069> they've<00:23:06.241> The<00:23:06.905> forecasts<00:23:07.552> in<00:23:07.633> the<00:23:07.779> last<00:23:08.054> year<00:23:08.361> or<00:23:09.332> two<00:23:09.882> have<00:23:11.905> changed<00:23:12.569> so<00:23:12.747> that<00:23:12.909> they're<00:23:13.378> doubling<00:23:13.945> the<00:23:14.042> amount<00:23:14.268> of<00:23:14.333> power<00:23:14.594> they<00:23:14.697> need<00:23:15.194> as<00:23:15.366> a<00:23:15.435> state,<00:23:17.320> just<00:23:17.594> because<00:23:17.997> of,<00:23:19.289> just<00:23:19.531> because<00:23:19.870> of<00:23:20.015> the<00:23:20.241> data<00:23:20.435> centers<00:23:21.371> that<00:23:21.484> are<00:23:22.033> in<00:23:22.436> pipeline<00:23:23.792> or<00:23:23.873> in<00:23:23.970> queue.

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Once<00:23:26.862> again,<00:23:27.007> it<00:23:27.184> kind<00:23:27.329> of<00:23:27.426> all<00:23:27.507> comes<00:23:27.749> back<00:23:27.926> to<00:23:28.055> speed.

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And<00:23:30.072> right,<00:23:30.733> right<00:23:30.959> now<00:23:31.137> you've<00:23:31.298> got<00:23:31.459> this<00:23:31.701> huge<00:23:32.024> logjam<00:23:32.669> of<00:23:33.516> Everybody<00:23:34.564> who<00:23:35.064> is<00:23:35.290> thinking<00:23:35.483> about<00:23:35.709> building<00:23:36.177> a<00:23:36.612> solar<00:23:36.902> farm<00:23:37.160> or<00:23:37.306> wind<00:23:37.483> farm<00:23:37.951> or<00:23:40.063> re-upping<00:23:40.547> a<00:23:40.563> nuclear<00:23:40.950> plant<00:23:41.514> or<00:23:41.901> anything<00:23:42.224> like<00:23:42.450> that,<00:23:42.578> they're<00:23:42.787> all<00:23:43.189> kind<00:23:43.751> of<00:23:44.249> just<00:23:44.554> throwing<00:23:44.956> their<00:23:45.052> hats<00:23:45.293> in<00:23:45.374> the<00:23:45.438> ring<00:23:45.775> and<00:23:45.936> it,<00:23:46.723> it's<00:23:46.900> taking<00:23:47.687> years<00:23:48.024> and<00:23:48.249> years<00:23:48.442> and<00:23:48.651> years<00:23:48.908> to<00:23:49.069> analyze<00:23:49.454> all<00:23:49.551> that.

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So<00:23:50.515> on<00:23:50.579> the<00:23:50.659> one<00:23:50.772> hand,<00:23:50.932> you<00:23:51.061> actually<00:23:51.254> need<00:23:51.495> some<00:23:51.639> AI<00:23:52.041> to<00:23:52.170> figure<00:23:52.514> out<00:23:52.761> how<00:23:52.859> to<00:23:52.941> do<00:23:53.171> all<00:23:53.253> the<00:23:53.746> power<00:23:54.156> clustering<00:23:54.813> analysis,<00:23:56.819> which<00:23:57.304> I<00:23:57.337> don't<00:23:57.806> know<00:23:57.886> if<00:23:57.967> that<00:23:58.129> helps<00:23:58.355> our<00:23:58.517> problem<00:23:59.180> or<00:24:00.312> it<00:24:00.393> should,<00:24:00.716> it<00:24:00.797> should<00:24:01.121> drive<00:24:01.606> a<00:24:01.686> bunch<00:24:01.929> of<00:24:02.010> efficiency<00:24:02.576> in<00:24:02.802> how<00:24:03.045> you<00:24:03.542> actually<00:24:03.926> analyze<00:24:04.327> it<00:24:05.625> to<00:24:05.785> bring<00:24:05.961> stuff<00:24:06.250> on<00:24:06.426> board.

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So<00:24:07.227> there's<00:24:07.420> some<00:24:07.548> really<00:24:07.788> cool<00:24:08.109> companies<00:24:09.166> in<00:24:09.295> this,<00:24:09.775> in<00:24:09.855> the<00:24:09.887> solar<00:24:10.192> software<00:24:10.528> space<00:24:10.977> working<00:24:11.538> on<00:24:12.660> that<00:24:14.182> angle.

00:24:15.063 --> 00:24:20.287
Shout<00:24:15.240> out<00:24:15.320> to<00:24:15.400> my<00:24:15.544> friends<00:24:15.801> at<00:24:15.961> Kavala<00:24:16.361> Analytics<00:24:17.403> working<00:24:17.788> on<00:24:18.028> that.

00:24:20.432 --> 00:24:27.354
But<00:24:21.009> beyond<00:24:21.329> that,<00:24:21.569> too,<00:24:22.050> you<00:24:22.595> just<00:24:22.771> really<00:24:22.947> need<00:24:23.092> to<00:24:23.252> think<00:24:23.588> about<00:24:23.909> it<00:24:24.053> from<00:24:24.229> a,<00:24:25.399> from<00:24:25.576> the<00:24:25.656> perspective<00:24:26.217> of<00:24:26.633> speed<00:24:26.938> to<00:24:27.002> market.

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And<00:24:28.684> if<00:24:28.796> it's<00:24:29.995> You<00:24:30.588> know,<00:24:31.920> we—<00:24:32.339> there<00:24:32.435> was<00:24:32.516> an<00:24:32.597> announcement<00:24:34.354> maybe<00:24:34.531> a<00:24:34.547> month<00:24:34.789> ago.

00:24:35.192 --> 00:24:51.562
I<00:24:35.256> forget<00:24:35.434> exactly<00:24:35.820> when<00:24:36.143> that's<00:24:38.867> a—<00:24:40.173> that<00:24:40.479> Virginia<00:24:40.817> is<00:24:40.914> trying<00:24:41.075> to<00:24:41.204> put<00:24:41.350> the<00:24:41.446> first<00:24:42.106> nuclear<00:24:44.505> fusion<00:24:46.454> power<00:24:46.679> plant<00:24:47.001> into<00:24:47.162> operation<00:24:47.581> down<00:24:47.742> in<00:24:47.822> Norfolk<00:24:49.497> or<00:24:50.318> down<00:24:50.495> in<00:24:50.608> Hampton<00:24:50.866> Roads<00:24:51.270> somewhere.

00:24:52.258 --> 00:24:57.271
But<00:24:52.743> even<00:24:52.889> with<00:24:53.051> that<00:24:53.229> announcement,<00:24:53.860> we're<00:24:53.941> still<00:24:55.345> if<00:24:55.510> everything<00:24:55.855> goes<00:24:56.086> right,<00:24:56.349> 6<00:24:56.530> or<00:24:56.596> 7<00:24:56.826> years<00:24:57.007> away.

00:24:58.472 --> 00:25:08.169
In<00:24:58.555> the<00:24:58.637> meantime,<00:25:02.716> you've<00:25:02.894> got<00:25:03.136> data<00:25:03.378> centers<00:25:03.700> that<00:25:04.023> need<00:25:04.168> the<00:25:04.201> electricity,<00:25:05.782> and<00:25:06.120> that<00:25:06.282> means<00:25:06.685> they're<00:25:06.846> probably<00:25:07.250> going<00:25:07.347> to<00:25:07.411> be<00:25:07.572> burning<00:25:07.766> more<00:25:07.976> coal.

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They're<00:25:08.847> probably<00:25:09.041> going<00:25:09.170> to<00:25:09.347> be<00:25:09.750> burning<00:25:09.912> more<00:25:10.074> gas<00:25:10.884> just<00:25:11.030> because<00:25:11.306> that's<00:25:11.678> what's<00:25:11.857> available<00:25:12.181> right<00:25:12.489> now.

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And<00:25:13.461> if<00:25:13.623> you<00:25:14.028> want<00:25:14.272> to<00:25:14.515> meet<00:25:14.758> it<00:25:15.001> in<00:25:15.163> a<00:25:15.649> non-carbon<00:25:16.314> way,<00:25:17.380> you<00:25:17.494> just<00:25:17.741> have<00:25:18.086> to<00:25:18.710> be<00:25:19.547> putting<00:25:19.793> in<00:25:20.286> more<00:25:21.158> solar<00:25:21.657> as<00:25:21.899> easily<00:25:22.222> as<00:25:22.367> you<00:25:22.464> can,<00:25:22.931> which<00:25:23.044> is<00:25:23.125> going<00:25:23.254> to<00:25:23.335> be<00:25:23.496> on<00:25:23.593> rooftops.

00:25:24.092 --> 00:25:25.463
It's<00:25:24.189> going<00:25:24.318> to<00:25:24.399> be<00:25:24.963> behind<00:25:25.205> the<00:25:25.270> meter.

00:25:25.512 --> 00:25:33.956
It's<00:25:25.592> going<00:25:25.657> to<00:25:25.689> be<00:25:25.850> where<00:25:26.011> people<00:25:26.318> are<00:25:26.511> already<00:25:26.898> using<00:25:27.221> power<00:25:28.334> and<00:25:28.672> just<00:25:29.140> using,<00:25:29.704> using<00:25:29.850> those<00:25:30.108> rooftops<00:25:32.453> as,<00:25:33.196> as<00:25:33.342> much<00:25:33.520> as<00:25:33.665> we<00:25:33.762> can.

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Because<00:25:34.732> like<00:25:34.862> I<00:25:34.894> said,<00:25:35.136> we<00:25:35.298> can<00:25:35.945> instead<00:25:36.252> of<00:25:36.349> a<00:25:36.446> 7-year<00:25:36.996> wait,<00:25:37.238> we<00:25:37.400> can<00:25:38.192> go<00:25:38.386> from<00:25:38.758> contract<00:25:39.243> to<00:25:39.324> actually<00:25:39.502> building<00:25:39.824> it<00:25:40.065> in<00:25:40.226> the<00:25:40.307> space<00:25:40.870> of<00:25:40.951> a<00:25:41.015> month<00:25:41.434> or<00:25:41.595> two.

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Yeah,<00:25:42.963> that's<00:25:43.204> interesting.

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Finally,<00:25:44.879> we<00:25:45.040> end<00:25:45.136> every<00:25:45.297> interview<00:25:45.587> with<00:25:45.684> the<00:25:45.764> same<00:25:45.941> question,<00:25:46.489> and<00:25:46.569> that<00:25:46.746> is<00:25:46.907> at<00:25:46.988> CEO.com,<00:25:47.696> we<00:25:47.793> believe<00:25:48.034> the<00:25:48.179> chances<00:25:48.582> one<00:25:48.759> gives<00:25:49.719> is<00:25:49.848> just<00:25:49.993> as<00:25:50.106> important<00:25:50.364> as<00:25:50.493> the<00:25:50.590> chances<00:25:50.913> one<00:25:51.139> takes.

00:25:52.203 --> 00:25:54.719
When<00:25:52.429> you<00:25:52.590> hear<00:25:52.752> that,<00:25:52.929> who<00:25:53.090> gave<00:25:53.252> you<00:25:53.348> a<00:25:53.413> chance<00:25:53.735> to<00:25:53.816> get<00:25:53.961> you<00:25:54.042> to<00:25:54.123> where<00:25:54.284> you<00:25:54.397> are<00:25:54.542> today?

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There's<00:25:56.478> a<00:25:56.558> couple<00:25:56.897> folks.

00:26:00.486 --> 00:26:11.277
All<00:26:00.566> my<00:26:01.696> professors<00:26:02.213> at<00:26:02.342> Allegheny<00:26:02.907> who<00:26:04.312> took<00:26:04.473> a<00:26:04.521> chance<00:26:04.860> on<00:26:04.941> a<00:26:05.409> crazy<00:26:05.668> kid<00:26:05.894> with<00:26:06.055> crazier<00:26:06.475> hair<00:26:07.668> from<00:26:08.957> little<00:26:09.199> Appalachia,<00:26:10.342> little<00:26:10.568> Appalachian<00:26:11.003> town.

00:26:12.275 --> 00:26:24.612
Beyond<00:26:12.984> that,<00:26:15.014> my<00:26:15.159> friends<00:26:15.481> Dwayne<00:26:15.722> and<00:26:15.819> James,<00:26:17.498> who<00:26:18.147> hired<00:26:18.406> me<00:26:18.552> into<00:26:18.730> my<00:26:18.892> first<00:26:19.168> solar<00:26:19.443> role,<00:26:20.335> uh,<00:26:20.756> despite<00:26:21.567> having<00:26:22.944> no<00:26:23.090> experience<00:26:23.901> in<00:26:24.241> the<00:26:24.338> industry.

00:26:25.127 --> 00:26:28.123
Um,<00:26:26.899> yeah,<00:26:27.140> so<00:26:27.366> thanks,<00:26:27.543> Dwayne<00:26:27.720> and<00:26:27.849> James.

00:26:29.057 --> 00:26:42.052
And,<00:26:29.459> um,<00:26:30.748> and<00:26:30.844> then<00:26:32.036> I'd<00:26:32.358> say<00:26:32.696> an<00:26:32.922> even<00:26:33.180> bigger<00:26:33.582> shout<00:26:33.968> out<00:26:34.289> goes<00:26:34.691> to<00:26:36.057> all<00:26:36.154> my<00:26:36.314> friends<00:26:37.102> at<00:26:37.359> Shepherdstown<00:26:38.066> Presbyterian<00:26:39.256> who,<00:26:40.172> you<00:26:40.252> know,<00:26:40.959> what<00:26:41.040> was<00:26:41.120> that,<00:26:41.377> 12<00:26:41.602> years<00:26:41.795> ago<00:26:41.956> now?

00:26:44.095 --> 00:26:54.419
Took<00:26:44.338> a,<00:26:45.307> took<00:26:45.484> a<00:26:45.549> chance<00:26:46.114> that<00:26:47.632> I'd<00:26:48.278> actually<00:26:48.536> be<00:26:48.617> able<00:26:48.762> to<00:26:49.279> pull<00:26:49.586> off<00:26:49.828> this<00:26:50.215> crazy<00:26:50.555> idea<00:26:50.716> of<00:26:50.813> a<00:26:50.942> virtual<00:26:51.200> power<00:26:51.426> plant<00:26:51.846> and<00:26:51.927> that<00:26:52.072> they<00:26:52.169> were<00:26:52.315> willing<00:26:52.557> to<00:26:52.638> be<00:26:52.734> guinea<00:26:52.977> pigs<00:26:53.380> in<00:26:53.445> their<00:26:53.510> own<00:26:53.623> homes<00:26:54.029> with<00:26:54.257> it.

00:26:54.663 --> 00:27:07.573
And<00:26:56.693> all<00:26:56.725> the<00:26:56.872> good<00:26:57.034> stuff<00:26:57.603> that<00:26:57.992> has<00:26:58.967> come<00:26:59.292> out<00:26:59.454> of,<00:26:59.747> come<00:27:01.160> out<00:27:01.257> of<00:27:01.550> it<00:27:01.727> and<00:27:02.535> all<00:27:02.567> of<00:27:02.631> Solar<00:27:02.922> Holler<00:27:03.261> and<00:27:03.358> everything<00:27:03.681> that<00:27:04.101> developed<00:27:04.553> after<00:27:04.747> that<00:27:04.957> was<00:27:05.926> because<00:27:06.491> they<00:27:06.588> didn't<00:27:06.814> laugh<00:27:07.056> me<00:27:07.153> out<00:27:07.250> of<00:27:07.314> the<00:27:07.395> room.

00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:09.177
So<00:27:08.920> Thanks,<00:27:09.016> y'all.

00:27:09.709 --> 00:27:11.029
Dan,<00:27:10.304> thank<00:27:10.482> you<00:27:10.546> so<00:27:10.691> much.

00:27:11.351 --> 00:27:12.511
Uh,<00:27:11.673> really<00:27:11.834> appreciate<00:27:12.189> you<00:27:12.253> coming<00:27:12.479> on.

00:27:12.575 --> 00:27:17.761
Congratulations<00:27:13.235> on<00:27:13.300> everything<00:27:13.606> you<00:27:13.702> built,<00:27:13.880> seriously,<00:27:14.266> and<00:27:14.347> you're<00:27:14.443> making<00:27:14.685> a<00:27:14.749> difference<00:27:15.071> in<00:27:15.136> the<00:27:15.216> world,<00:27:16.038> which<00:27:16.263> is,<00:27:16.585> which<00:27:16.746> is<00:27:16.843> unique<00:27:17.326> and<00:27:17.406> really<00:27:17.632> fun.

00:27:18.320 --> 00:27:20.080
I<00:27:18.513> appreciate<00:27:19.257> the<00:27:19.321> chance<00:27:19.547> to<00:27:19.644> be<00:27:19.725> on<00:27:19.870> here.