Open Circuit

The abundance agenda meets scarcity politics

28 snips
May 30, 2025
Costa Samaras, Director of the Carnegie Mellon Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and former White House energy advisor, dives into America's struggle with building and clean energy amidst political turmoil. He critiques a recent House bill dismantling the Inflation Reduction Act, arguing it jeopardizes affordable energy and local manufacturing. Samaras discusses the potential of the 'abundance agenda' to foster infrastructure development and counteract escalating electricity demands, urging a shift towards proactive policy and investment in clean energy.
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INSIGHT

House Bill Threatens Clean Energy Progress

  • The recently passed House bill repeals much of the Inflation Reduction Act and raises the national debt by up to $5 trillion.
  • This bill would make clean energy more expensive and slow investment, threatening energy affordability and manufacturing jobs in the U.S.
INSIGHT

Solar and Storage Are Urgent Needs

  • The U.S. must add 150 gigawatts of new generating capacity by 2030, mostly solar and battery storage.
  • Making solar and batteries more expensive forces building overseas, hurting affordability and supply security.
INSIGHT

GOP Lawmakers Reject Own Districts' Interests

  • 80% of Inflation Reduction Act investments flowed to Republican districts, yet all GOP members voted to repeal those incentives.
  • Political allegiance overrode constituent economic interests, harming jobs and clean energy projects in those districts.
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