Political Climate

Democrats have claimed the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm elections. It gives the party powerful new oversight authority. But will it translate to meaningful action on climate and clean energy?Several moderate Republicans were voted out of Congress this week, casting doubt on any hope of bipartisan legislation. At the same time, Democrats now have chance to block the GOP's deregulatory activity and put climate and clean energy back the national agenda.  Then there are the states, where several Democrats campaigned and won on a platform endorsing 100 percent renewable energy. Several high-profile climate related ballot initiatives did not advance on Tuesday, but the outcome may not be as bad for clean energy as it may seem. In this episode of Political Climate, we debate the outcome of the 2018 midterms. Finally, we discuss the outcome of Brandon and Shane’s friendly O’Rourke vs. Cruz bet — and where to go for dinner.Recommended reading: GTM: Midterms 2018: Mixed Results for the Renewable Energy Agenda E&E: Dems prepare 'flood' of energy, climate investigations Inside Climate: Clean Energy’s Future Could Rise or Fall with These Governor’s Races Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

We’ve heard a lot about the potential for a "blue wave" in this year’s midterms — but what about a green one?We’re talking about all things climate and clean energy in the 2018 midterm election in this special episode of Political Climate, recorded live at Yale University.It’s less than a week until voting day. So how are climate and clean energy playing into this year’s election, for both Democrats and Republicans? In this show we’ll dissect campaign ads, talk about some tight races, track fundraising and discuss key ballot initiatives.Plus, we take a listener question on what to expect if Republicans hold onto Congress, and get Brandon and Shane’s midterm predictions.The final word: "Vote." Recommended reading: NYT: Three Campaign Ads That Are Putting Climate Change on the Agenda Vox: A Green New Deal is on the ballot in Washington state this year Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

A battle over the future of U.S. clean car standards just stepped up a gear. We sit down with the woman leading the charge against Trump to keep more stringent fuel economy rules in place. Mary Nichols is currently on her second tour as chair of the California Air Resources Board. Arguably no single individual has done more to advance the Golden State’s pioneering — and bipartisan — effort to clean up its air and combat climate change.In this episode, we get the backstory on California’s effort to block the Trump administration’s proposal to freeze federal fuel economy standards and rescind the state's ability to set its own rules (17:10). We also hear about the “dark forces” attempting to stall electric vehicle growth, and how California overcame political polarization to enact some of the nation’s most progressive climate policies.Recommended reading:  GTM: California Girds for Battle as EPA Rules to Weaken Vehicle Emissions Standards GTM: Exclusive: Top EPA Official Lays Out Post-Pruitt Policy Priorities  GTM: Cities, States and Businesses Within Striking Distance of Paris Climate Goals—Without Trump AEE: Where Do Candidates for Governor Stand on Advanced Energy Growth? The Hill: Dem senator calls for ban on Saudi Arabian oil imports Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

Time is running out to combat climate change. The United Nations has released an alarming new climate science report — but will it even matter? We discuss how the report is being received by leaders in the U.S. and abroad.Plus, we look at the politics of ditching coal power. The new UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report calls for a global coal phase out by 2050. How feasible is that?Finally, Judge Brett Kavanaugh has been confirmed. We wrap up the show by wading into what that could mean for the midterms.Recommended reading: Vox: Report: we have just 12 years to limit devastating global warming Washington Examiner: Republican climate hawks hope dire UN report will sway skeptics  HBR: The Scale of the Climate Catastrophe Will Depend on What Businesses Do Over the Next Decade GTM: The Death of Global Coal Growth Guardian: Australian government backs coal in defiance of IPCC climate warning  GTM: Key Backer of Trump’s Coal and Nuclear Bailout Effort is Nominated to FERC GTM: Scrutinizing Judge Kavanaugh’s Past (Energy and Environmental Record)  WaPo: Another sign that the Kavanaugh fight is energizing Republican voters Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

Cutting fossil fuel subsidies, updating building codes, offering electric vehicle ridesharing programs for farm workers, and more. In this show, we talk climate solutions.A new landmark United Nations climate report concluded that world leaders have just 12 years to fundamentally restructure society, including dramatic changes to the energy system, if we are to avoid the most disastrous impacts of climate change.That’s not a very sunny outlook. Particularly in today’s partisan political landscape.And yet, stakeholders continue to push for climate policy action.In this episode, we speak to experts at the clean economy group Green For All, the conservative think tank R Street Institute, and the policy firm Energy Innovation about the policies believe are necessary — and politically feasible — to implement.Recommended reading: Vox: A Green New Deal is on the ballot in Washington state this year Portland Business Journal: Oregon cap-and-trade backers eye 2019 after failed short-session bid Washington Examiner: Confessions of a Former Carbon Tax Skeptic Book: Designing Climate Solutions  Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

Is an federal carbon price worth pursuing in a politically divided United States?We hear the case for why it is.Advocates say an economy-wide carbon tax would send a clear market signal to emitters, while accounting for the externalities and risks that fossil fuels pose to the U.S. economy. The concept aligns with classic conservative principles on small government and rooting solutions in the free-market.But for all the talk of markets and economics, most Republican lawmakers find a carbon price toxic.And yet, in recent months several conservative carbon tax proposals have emerged at the national level, including legislation introduced by Republican Representative Carlos Curbelo, and they're shaking up the usual partisan dynamics around climate action.As the Trump administration continues to roll back Obama-era climate policies, climate activists from across the U.S. are moving forward with a national carbon pricing proposal that they believe can gain bipartisan support.In this episode, we speak to leaders of the Citizens' Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy group focused drumming up political momentum to pass a carbon fee and dividend proposal. They make the business case for carbon pricing, and explain why they believe a bipartisan federal carbon bill can — and eventually will — get passed. Recommended reading: CCL: Carbon Fee and Dividend Policy GTM: Why Only 5,000 Voters Could Help Pass a New Republican Carbon Tax Guardian: Republican lawmaker pitches carbon tax in defiance of party stance E&E: How much is Big Oil working to pass a carbon tax? We checked Daily Chronicle: Shell, BP Go Separate Ways as Washington Voters Weigh New Fee on Greenhouse-Gas Polluters Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

“Decarbonization” was the catchword of last week’s Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco.Stakeholders from all over the world made new commitments to combatting climate change. But the spotlight was really on California, where Governor Jerry Brown signed an historic bill into law — requiring the state to power its electric grid with 100 percent carbon-free resources by 2045.That’s not all. Brown kicked off the week with a bang by also signing an executive order committing the California to complete carbon neutrality by 2045.So the Political Climate team sat down with a man who knows a thing or two about decarbonization in the Golden State: Michael Picker, president of the California Public Utilities Commission.The CPUC is responsible for regulating the state’s electricity sector, and will oversee many aspects of California’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Managing that transition will be the state’s greatest challenge, according to Picker.Recommended reading: GTM: On to Governor Brown’s Desk: What 100% Clean Energy Means for California Vox: California Gov. Jerry Brown casually unveils history’s most ambitious climate target NYT: Jerry Brown Made Climate Change His Issue. Now, He’s Not Sure How Much Politicians Can Do. GTM: How Community Choice Aggregation Fits Into California’s Clean Energy Future Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

California lawmakers just passed an historic 100 percent clean electricity mandate. A few years ago, advocating for 100 percent clean energy was considered radical. Even some political allies of the cause argued that the concept was so far-fetched it was damaging to the climate movement.Democratic podcast co-host Brandon Hurlbut recalls the early days of championing 100 percent renewables as a member of the Solutions Project — and the lessons learned.Next, we hear from Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols, to learn how his red Southern state became a top 10 U.S. solar market without any incentives.And we explore how other states can follow in California’s clean energy wake.Recommended reading: GTM: On to Governor Brown’s Desk: What 100% Clean Energy Means for California Vox: A beginner’s guide to the debate over 100% renewable energy Inside Climate: How Georgia Became a Top 10 Solar State, With Lawmakers Barely Lifting a Finger NYT: In Trump Country, Renewable Energy Is Thriving GTM: Senator Heinrich: A 100% Clean Energy Grid Is ‘Completely Doable’ Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

Senator Martin Heinrich believes a 100 percent clean energy electric grid is within reach during his lifetime. There will be technical challenges to overcome, but it’s “completely doable,” he said, in an exclusive interview with Political Climate.This week marks the launch of Senator Heinrich’s “Clean Energy Vision,” a part of his re-election campaign for this fall. The ad and supporting document outline a multi-pronged approach for strengthening New Mexico's clean energy economy — including investments in energy storage, wind and solar, transmission lines and workforce development.The plan doesn’t explicitly call for a 100 percent clean energy grid, but “clearly stating that the grid should be 100 percent clean energy is so important, because people need an idea to rally around,” said Heinrich.In this special episode, the senator describes his Clean Energy Vision, and how he intends to make that vision a reality in these highly partisan times.Recommended reading: Martin's Clean Energy Vision GTM: Senator Heinrich: A 100% Clean Energy Grid Is ‘Completely Doable’ Albuquerque Business First: See where NM's headed on oil and renewables Heller, Heinrich Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish Investment Tax Credit For Energy Storage Alaska Public Media: Energy bill fails; Murkowski blames House GTM: Your Guide to the Bitter Debate Over 100% Renewable Energy Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

Are people who care about climate change downplaying the issue under social and political pressure? Has their alarmism been too muted? Or has the outcry become so loud that it's drowning out the possibility of collective action? The jury is out. In this episode of Political Climate, we tackle a difficult question posed by a listener on the severity of the climate threat and the appropriate policy response. Amy Harder, energy and climate reporter for Axios, joins us to discuss. But first we revisit the Democratic National Committee. The DNC has decided to once again accept donations from fossil fuel interests. The move comes just two months after the committee adopted a separate resolution banning donations from political action committees tied to coal, oil and gas companies. The reversal has spurred a debate among Democrats on matching up policies and values. We also discuss the Kigali Amendment — a global climate agreement that key U.S. industry players, and many Republicans, are urging President Trump to ratify. Recommended reading: GTM: Fossil Fuel Dollars and Democrats Huffington Post: Democratic National Committee Backtracks On Its Ban Of Fossil Fuel Donations Axios: Trump clashes with business on Obama-era climate treaty NYT: Losing Earth: The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change NYT: Science Alone Won’t Save the Earth. People Have to Do That. Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.