Empowered State | Roadtrip Nation

Electric planes. Towns powered by waterfalls. Offshore wind farms. This isn't the far-off future of clean energy—it's what's happening right now in New York State. Join three New Yorkers as they explore the clean energy revolution taking place in their backyard.

A new series exploring the most exciting innovations in clean and renewable energy through the eyes of three young adults.

Meet the roadtrippers, then follow along as they explore hydroelectric power’s potential at Niagara Falls and visit one of New York's greenest cities.

The roadtrippers climb inside the next generation of electric planes and learn how to harness the Earth's power through geothermal energy.

How can we make sure the clean energy revolution creates a better future for all? The roadtrippers talk to policymakers and activists about the human side of the switch.

As the trip comes to an end, interviews with clean energy executives and entrepreneurs help the roadtrippers tap into their own power to drive the industry forward.

Overview
The Roadtrip
The Roadtrippers
The Route

Can your career actually give you the power to save the planet?

Millions of young people are hoping the answer is “yes”—and the growing world of clean energy seems to be a promising place to start. Ride along for the journey as three New Yorkers travel across their state to explore the industry's innovations, from offshore wind farms to sustainable skyscrapers—and discover how the clean energy revolution is empowering people everywhere.

Made possible by:

Insights from the Interviews

"You're the ones who are really going to have to live with this—so you're a key part to fixing this challenge."

Daniella Piper, Chief Transformation Officer & Regional Manager of Western New York, New York Power Authority

"One person cannot go up against global corporations and fix climate change—it's going to take collective power and harnessing our anger, which has so much power to make change. How do you channel that power into something that's good?"

Acting Director of Sustainability, City of Ithaca

"There is this momentum—the energy universe is very exciting! So I do have hope around the movement toward more sustainable energy sources."

Chief Technical Officer, Revel

Featured Interviews

Daniella Piper

Chief Transformation Officer & Regional Manager of Western New York, New York Power Authority

Michael Phinney

Owner & Principal Architect, Phinney Design Group

Rebecca Evans

Acting Director of Sustainability, City of Ithaca

Kathy Hannun

Co-Founder & President, Dandelion Geothermal

Tony Lee

Chief Technical Officer, Revel

Emma Davis

Flight Test Engineer, Beta Technologies

Kereem Berry

Executive Director, M.A.P.P., Inc.

Elizabeth Yeampierre

Executive Director, UPROSE

Jennifer Garvey

Head of New York Market Strategy, Ørsted

Adam Cohen

Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, NineDot Energy

Catch us on public television

Enter your zip code to see when this program will be playing on your local public television station.

STATION	DATE	TIME
........	........	........

Ready to explore your path into clean energy?

Hear from more people leading the way in clean energy, and get tools and resources that will help you start down your own path—from exploring training and education options, to applying for clean energy careers!

Explore More Resources

Subscribe to Roadtrip Nation’s newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on new road trip opportunities, documentary releases, and more!