Author: Ronald Bethea   Published: September 22, 2025   PCPCMThe Online Digital Podcast-Radio-YouTube TV Network

Solar Now and the Future with Its Economic Impact on Black America

 Show Summary

African Energy and Economic Empowerment

Ronald discussed the mission of the Positive Change Purchasing Cooperative, which aims to increase market share for African and African American-owned renewable energy companies, address high energy costs at HBCUs, and reduce underemployment among young African Americans. He highlighted the importance of environmental education and the economic impacts of climate change, mentioning the show’s sponsorship by the Black Sports Legends Foundation. Ronald also shared information about data centers in Northern Virginia, noting their significance in AI, crypto mining, and blockchain technology, and encouraged viewers to research this topic further.

Quick recap

The meeting focused on discussing the Positive Change Purchasing Cooperative’s mission to increase market share for African and African American-owned renewable energy companies while addressing energy costs at HBCUs and reducing underemployment. Various energy-related topics were covered, including rising costs in the PJM grid region, the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining, and the proposed construction of large data centers with significant energy consumption. The discussion concluded with an exploration of federal tax credits for renewable energy projects and their expiration date, along with suggestions for individuals to reduce their energy costs through rooftop solar installations.

PJM Grid Control and Pricing

Ronald discussed the impact of rising energy costs and the recent meeting of 13 governors and the DC government in Philadelphia to address issues with the PJM grid. He explained that the governors are demanding more control over the grid’s planning and operation, as well as calling for lower prices. Ronald highlighted the significant rate hikes in the PJM region, including a 686% increase in 2023, and emphasized the urgent need for action due to the economic impact on consumers and businesses.

Bitcoin Mining’s Energy Impact

Ronald discussed an article about New York Bitcoin miners purchasing power plants, highlighting the high energy demand and environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining. He explained how Bitcoin mining operates, including the energy-intensive process of solving complex algorithms to validate transactions. Ronald also mentioned a recent summit in Dubai sponsored by Brookings, where representatives from around the world discussed the projected construction of 8,000 data centers globally.

Maryland’s High Energy Cost Scandal

Ronald discussed the high energy costs in Maryland, highlighting a recent article by Inside Climate News that exposed how the PJM grid operator overcharged consumers by billions of dollars through flawed capacity auctions. He explained that Maryland residents were unfairly paying for out-of-state power needs and infrastructure, particularly for data centers in Virginia, leading to a 19% increase in monthly bills for some customers. The Office of People’s Council filed complaints against PJM, arguing that the Federal Regulatory Commission should retroactively fix the auction rules to reduce consumer costs by $5 billion.

Solar Energy and Community Impact

Ronald discussed his upcoming meeting with the Executive Director of Maryland Clean Energy Center on October 1st to discuss solar energy’s economic impact on Black America. He highlighted issues in Prince George’s County, where residents have been displaced from Washington D.C. due to high housing costs, and expressed concerns about a proposed data center at the former Landover Mall site. Tanya Beckman led a community rally against the data center project, emphasizing the prioritization of human health over capitalist interests.

Bright Seat Tech Park Power Concerns

Ronald discussed the proposed $5 billion Bright Seat Tech Park data campus, which would span 4.1 square miles and utilize up to 820 megawatts of power daily. He highlighted the significant energy consumption of such a large data center, equivalent to powering approximately 656,000 average American homes. Ronald also raised concerns about the proposed use of dirt gas turbine plants to power the data center and questioned the methods of power transmission, emphasizing the environmental and community impact of traditional grid infrastructure compared to underground cabling.

Rising Electricity Costs and Influence

Ronald discussed an article by Charles Harper and Melanine Kamar that explored rising electricity bills in the U.S., highlighting how Americans are feeling overwhelmed by utility costs. He noted that 1 in 3 Americans are struggling to pay their bills and criticized the PJM’s voting members, who are largely stakeholders in the fossil fuel industry, for their limited support of solar and wind energy projects. Ronald also touched on political influences, mentioning a meeting where the current president allegedly promised leniency to the tech and fossil fuel industries, and questioned the financial contributions from these industries during the president’s campaign.

Rising Energy Costs: Key Factors

Ronald explained the factors contributing to rising energy costs, including volatile fossil fuel prices, increased electricity demand, and the impact of climate change. He highlighted that while Republicans blame renewable energy, the main cause is the rising cost of fossil fuels, which account for about 60% of U.S. electricity production. Ronald also discussed how global instability and new tariffs are driving up gas and gasoline prices, affecting consumers and the broader economy.

Federal Tax Credits for Clean Energy

Ronald discussed the upcoming expiration of federal tax credits for electric vehicles and renewable energy projects, highlighting their impact on the U.S. auto industry and energy costs. He explained how state policies on energy production and efficiency affect utility bills, noting that states investing in clean energy have lower price increases. Ronald emphasized the benefits of wind and solar power, which are cheaper and faster to build than fossil fuel plants, and suggested that individuals can reduce their energy costs by installing rooftop solar panels, which are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit before it expires.

Renewable Energy for Black America

Ronald hosted a 60-minute radio show discussing the economic impact of renewable energy on Black America, emphasizing support for African and African American-owned renewable energy companies and initiatives. He encouraged listeners to visit PositiveChangePC.com to donate and learn more about the program, which aims to address energy costs at HBCUs, develop renewable energy projects, and reduce underemployment. Ronald expressed his commitment to continuing the show and bringing on new guests, highlighting the importance of using information as a tool for action in these challenging times.

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