Making the World More Energy Literate – Ron Stein

Ron Stein is teaching the world a thing or two about energy literacy. A professional engineer, energy advisor, and national TV commentator, Ron has spent much of his life trying to get more people to truly understand energy – where it comes from, how it works, and what we can expect in the future. 

In this episode, Ron talks about what he calls the “elephant in the room” when it comes to decarbonization, his Pulitzer Prize nominated book, and his long career in the energy industry:

• There’s no doubt about it, our entire modern society – from medication to food to infrastructure and beyond – all was made possible thanks to the discovery of oil. When talking about the energy transition, Ron cautions dropping oil and gas before reliable alternatives are readily available. To him, that’s like “jumping out of a plane without a parachute.”
• Ron’s book “Clean Energy Exploitation” was nominated for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize. It delves into the unethical side of the EV revolution – an industry that is profiting off of environmental degradation and human atrocities in the developing world. Mining rare metals, like lithium, is an inherently dirty practice, destroying waterways and strip mining the land clean. Ron hopes that his book will make more people aware of this negative, exploitative side of electrification, which he says government subsidies are only encouraging. 
• After starting off his career as a project manager for refineries and chemical plants, Ron later did a stint at Universal Studios where he oversaw the building of the Jaws ride. Eventually, he would start his own company, PTS Advance, which partners with engineering firms and refineries to augment their core staff when excess needs arise. The family-owned business now has locations across the country, with over 1000 contractors staffing various energy infrastructure projects.

For more, check out Ron’s interview with The Epoch Times.