What if the most compelling case for clean energy isn't climate change, economics, or energy independence?

What if it's public health?

Former EPA Administrator Michael Regan has spent his career connecting pollution, environmental protection, and energy policy to the everyday health of American communities. In this special collaboration between SunCast and Energy Empire, Nico Johnson and Jigar Shah sit down with Regan to explore why he viewed the EPA as a public health agency first, and what today's clean energy leaders can learn from communities demanding a greater voice in decisions that affect their lives.

From North Carolina's landmark coal ash settlement to EPA's Journey to Justice initiative, Regan shares how listening to communities reshaped the way he approached enforcement, regulation, and environmental protection. The conversation also tackles one of the industry's most pressing challenges: how to build the infrastructure America needs while maintaining public trust amid rising concerns over affordability, data centers, and rapid load growth.

For developers, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, this episode offers a timely reminder that successful energy transitions depend not only on technology and capital, but on people.

Expect to learn:

🔹 Why Michael Regan believes the EPA is fundamentally a public health agency

🔹 How community engagement led to stronger environmental enforcement and better outcomes

🔹 What today's data center debates reveal about trust, affordability, and energy planning

🔹 Why clean energy messaging resonates most when framed around health, competitiveness, and national security

Whether you're developing projects, deploying capital, shaping policy, or leading organizations through the energy transition, this conversation offers practical lessons on building trust, finding common ground, and creating solutions that work for everyone.

Listen now to hear one of America's most influential environmental leaders explain why the future of clean energy is ultimately about protecting people.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

939: Former EPA Chief Michael Regan on Clean Energy and Public Health

SunCast

939: Former EPA Chief Michael Regan on Clean Energy and Public Health