
Energy + Health: Part 3 of Fresh Energy's 2022 Summer Webinar Series
07/21/22 • 71 min
Energy and climate issues play out across our society—in books and film, institutions of higher learning, our democracy, and in the very air we breathe.
Once again this July, Thursdays are Fresh Energy summer webinar series days! Register here to join Fresh Energy and special guests for four fun and engaging discussions about the many facets of energy in our lives.
From tailpipe emissions, to natural gas in our homes, to other reliance on fossil fuels, air quality across Minnesota is impacted. How can we incorporate health impacts of energy decisions? Fresh Energy's Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, senior lead for innovation and impact, sat down with Emma Hines from RMI, Theresa "Tee" McClenty from MN350, and Jessie Carr Shmool from the Minnesota Department of Health to discuss.
P.S. Register to join us at the Fresh Frolic on August 24 at The Market at Malcolm Yards!
Meet the Panelists:
Emma Hines | she/her | RMI
Emma Hines is an Associate in RMI’s Carbon-Free Buildings program, where she works on the climate, health, and air quality co-benefits of building electrification. Prior to joining RMI, Emma participated in a two-year fellowship with the Climate and Health Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She also previously served as a member of the teaching faculty for the Climate Change and Health Online Certificate Program with the Yale School of Public Health.
Theresa “Tee” McClenty | MN350
Tee has witnessed the impact of the climate crisis first-hand. Her youngest son was born with asthma and continues to experience complications from it as a young adult. This story, she knows, is not unique. Many communities of color are hardest hit by the negative impacts of climate change. Tee joined MN350 in 2022 in a continuation of her career as a servant for all communities. She has dedicated her life to ensuring that all communities have ALL the resources available provided to them. She has worked more than 18 years in emergency medicine, seeing first-hand the impact of climate on people’s health.
Jessie Carr Shmool | she/her | Minnesota Department of Health
Jessie Carr Shmool is an environmental epidemiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health, where she leads the Environmental Health Tracking and Biomonitoring programs. Jessie earned her MPH in environmental health policy from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and DrPH in environmental epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh, where her training focused on air pollution epidemiology, cumulative exposure assessment, GIS and spatial statistics, community-engaged research methods, and environmental health disparities.
This webinar was made possible by Great River Energy (Gold Sponsor) and Sunrun (Bronze Sponsor).
Thank you
Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.
Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/
Energy and climate issues play out across our society—in books and film, institutions of higher learning, our democracy, and in the very air we breathe.
Once again this July, Thursdays are Fresh Energy summer webinar series days! Register here to join Fresh Energy and special guests for four fun and engaging discussions about the many facets of energy in our lives.
From tailpipe emissions, to natural gas in our homes, to other reliance on fossil fuels, air quality across Minnesota is impacted. How can we incorporate health impacts of energy decisions? Fresh Energy's Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, senior lead for innovation and impact, sat down with Emma Hines from RMI, Theresa "Tee" McClenty from MN350, and Jessie Carr Shmool from the Minnesota Department of Health to discuss.
P.S. Register to join us at the Fresh Frolic on August 24 at The Market at Malcolm Yards!
Meet the Panelists:
Emma Hines | she/her | RMI
Emma Hines is an Associate in RMI’s Carbon-Free Buildings program, where she works on the climate, health, and air quality co-benefits of building electrification. Prior to joining RMI, Emma participated in a two-year fellowship with the Climate and Health Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She also previously served as a member of the teaching faculty for the Climate Change and Health Online Certificate Program with the Yale School of Public Health.
Theresa “Tee” McClenty | MN350
Tee has witnessed the impact of the climate crisis first-hand. Her youngest son was born with asthma and continues to experience complications from it as a young adult. This story, she knows, is not unique. Many communities of color are hardest hit by the negative impacts of climate change. Tee joined MN350 in 2022 in a continuation of her career as a servant for all communities. She has dedicated her life to ensuring that all communities have ALL the resources available provided to them. She has worked more than 18 years in emergency medicine, seeing first-hand the impact of climate on people’s health.
Jessie Carr Shmool | she/her | Minnesota Department of Health
Jessie Carr Shmool is an environmental epidemiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health, where she leads the Environmental Health Tracking and Biomonitoring programs. Jessie earned her MPH in environmental health policy from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and DrPH in environmental epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh, where her training focused on air pollution epidemiology, cumulative exposure assessment, GIS and spatial statistics, community-engaged research methods, and environmental health disparities.
This webinar was made possible by Great River Energy (Gold Sponsor) and Sunrun (Bronze Sponsor).
Thank you
Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.
Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/
Previous Episode

Energy + Higher Ed: Part 2 of Fresh Energy's 2022 Summer Webinar Series
Energy and climate issues play out across our society—in books and film, institutions of higher learning, our democracy, and in the very air we breathe.
Once again this July, Thursdays are Fresh Energy summer webinar series days! Register here to join Fresh Energy and special guests for four fun and engaging discussions about the many facets of energy in our lives.
Today's webinar features how Minnesota colleges are modeling net zero innovation—and teaching the next generation of leaders. But what’s next on the horizon for these important institutions? Join Fresh Energy's Allen Gleckner and guests Martha Larson of RMF Engineering, Rose Patzer of Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence, and Amelia Vohs of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy to discuss this and more.
Meet the Panelists:
Martha Larson | she/her | RMF Engineering
Martha Larson is currently the Director of Sustainability at RMF Engineering. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1999 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Martha began her career in Chicago as an acoustical consultant and project manager for complex visual and performing arts projects. In 2010, Martha became the first Manager of Campus Energy & Sustainability at Carleton College where she helped the college reduce its carbon footprint by nearly 70%. Notable projects included the Kracum wind turbine installation and an eight-year transition of the College’s district energy system from steam heating to low temperature hot water with geothermal heating and cooling.
Rose Patzer | she/her | Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence
Rose Patzer has an MBA in Business Administration and a B.A. in Chemistry. Rose has served as faculty at Minnesota West since 2007 in the Biofuels Technology and Energy Technical Specialist programs. She also provides project management services to the Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence activities and actively participates in the Minnesota Energy Consortium meetings. She has a number of publications, presentations, awards, and certifications in areas renewable energy, biodiesel and agriculture. She enjoys promoting awareness about the renewable and traditional energy industries and has actively participated in a variety of energy-related federal and state grants throughout her career. Rose currently serves as the interim executive director for the Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence.
Amelia Vohs | she/her | Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
Amelia Vohs is a regulatory attorney with the local non-profit Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) and an instructor of the Environment and Energy Law Clinic through the University of Minnesota. She litigates clean energy cases, specializing in matters before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and other state uti
Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.
Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/
Next Episode

Energy + The Arts: Part 4 of Fresh Energy's 2022 Summer Webinar Series
Energy and climate issues play out across our society—in books and film, institutions of higher learning, our democracy, and in the very air we breathe.
Once again, this July, Thursdays were Fresh Energy summer webinar series days! Many special guests joined Fresh Energy each Thursday for four fun and engaging discussions about the many facets of energy in our lives.
From science fiction to popular Hollywood films, energy and climate are part of the arts today. How accurate are these depictions, and can they spur action? Fresh Energy's Anjali Bains, lead director of energy access and equity, sat down with writer Naomi Kritzer, Olga Tchepikova-Treon with the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities’ department of cultural studies, and artist Ben Weaver.
P.S. Want a taste of our electric future? Register to join us at the Fresh Frolic on August 24 at The Market at Malcolm Yards for an all-electric end-of-summer celebration!
Meet the Panelists:
Naomi Kritzer | she/her | Writer
Naomi Kritzer has been writing science fiction and fantasy for over twenty years; her fiction has won the Hugo Award, the Lodestar Award, the Edgar Award, and the Minnesota Book Award. Her newest book is Chaos on CatNet, which is a sequel to Catfishing on CatNet, and is set in Minneapolis. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her spouse, two kids (when the college kid is home from college) and four cats. The number of cats is subject to change without notice. You can find Naomi online at naomikritzer.com or on Twitter as @naomikritzer.
Olga Tchepikova-Treon | she/her | University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Olga Tchepikova-Treon is a doctoral candidate and graduate instructor in the UMN cultural studies department, where she is writing a dissertation on disability aesthetics in alternative film cultures. Currently finishing up a Fellowship at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Museum of American History, her ongoing research looks at the ways medical films are used in art cinema contexts. To Olga, teaching film as cultural and historical commentary is one of the best things about working in the university environment. Her favorite place in the Twin Cities is the Trylon Cinema, where she volunteers at the box office.
Ben Weaver | Artist
Ben is a poet, songwriter, letterpress printer/book maker, public speaker, and endurance cyclist. Ben creates work that breaks down the emotional and systemic structures separating humans from the ability to feel our connections to the greater web of life and each other. The songs and poems he writes and performs work to dispel illusions of division. They hold open space for the wisdom that sits within the trees, rivers, rocks, plants and animals to reignite the inherent stories of wildness and mutuality living inside us all.
This webinar was made p
Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.
Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshenergytoday/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freshenergy.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshenergytoday
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/decarbonize-the-clean-energy-podcast-221761/energy-health-part-3-of-fresh-energys-2022-summer-webinar-series-25347911"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to energy + health: part 3 of fresh energy's 2022 summer webinar series on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy