Political Climate

Whiplash, anyone? After many months of intense negotiations and more than one derailment, the U.S. Senate recently passed the largest legislative investment in climate action in U.S. history.The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 contains an enormous amount of spending for climate protection and clean energy — $369 billion over 10 years — and is expected to put the country on a path to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030. But it’s not all good news for everyone. In order to get the support of Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, the final bill made significant cuts to the Democrats’ initial budget reconciliation plan, plus some other compromises. Political Climate hosts Julia Pyper, Shane Skelton and Brandon Hurlbut discuss how climate and clean energy provisions survived the reconciliation bill roller coaster and the impact of key elements of the Inflation Reduction Act.Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music or pretty much wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate.Recommended reading: Canary Media: Inflation Reduction Act: Follow Canary’s coverage Vox: The Inflation Reduction Act, explained Scientific American: Nearly $53 Billion in Federal Funding Could Revive the U.S. Computer Chip Industry Canary Media: Climate bill could spur ​‘market transformation’ in home electrification Canary Media: What could the climate bill do for environmental justice? ***Political Climate is brought to you by MCE. Today, MCE offers nearly 40 Bay Area communities almost twice as much renewable energy as the state average. The power of MCE is about more than clean energy — it’s the power of people over profit. Learn more at mceCleanEnergy.org.

Have we entered a new era for nuclear power? Energy security needs, financial pressures, and climate concerns are driving renewed interest in nuclear power plants — particularly small modular reactors that are easier and cheaper to build. Amid growing global demand, the U.S. has an opportunity to lead in an emerging nuclear technology race. But the successful deployment of advanced nuclear projects hinges on policy support to mobilize investment and streamline construction. In the second episode of Political Climate’s Arsenal of Clean Energy series, host Julia Pyper is joined by Alan Ahn, senior resident fellow for Third Way's Climate and Energy Program and Carol Berrigan, executive director of federal programs and supplier relations at the Nuclear Energy Institute, to discuss how inventing and deploying U.S. advanced nuclear technology can help securely decarbonize energy systems and revitalize former coal communities at home and abroad. "Arsenal of Clean Energy” is made possible by Third Way, a center-left think tank championing modern solutions to the most challenging problems in US policy, including the economy, national security and climate change. Learn more at thirdway.org Recommended reading:  State Department: United States Takes Next Step in Supporting Innovative Clean Nuclear Technology in Europe NYT: Romania Sees an Opening to Become an Energy Power in Europe Third Way: Revitalizing America’s Nuclear Energy Supply Chain CNN: This nuclear reactor could be a game changer for the climate crisis Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music or pretty much wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate.

How can you go solar when you can’t put panels on your roof? Don't worry, there is a way! Through shared solar arrays — a model known as community solar. In this Political Climate Newsflash episode, host Julia Pyper and producer Maria Virginia Olano are joined by Canary Media Staff Writer Alison Takemura to discuss the growing popularity of community solar. Currently there are 4.9 gigawatts of community solar installed in the United States, and big plans to grow that number exponentially over the next decade. Not only does community solar put more clean energy on the grid and help states and municipalities reach their climate and clean energy goals, but it can also save people money on their electric bills. But the success of community solar projects often hinges on putting the right policies in place. Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or pretty much wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate.Recommended reading: Canary Media: What is community solar? And how can you sign up? Canary Media: Will California finally fix its community solar programs? U.S. Department of Energy: DOE Sets 2025 Community Solar Target to Power 5 Million Homes Institute for Local Self-Reliance: National Community Solar Programs Tracker Canary Media: How cities and counties can grow their clean energy profiles Political Climate is brought to you by MCE. Today, MCE offers nearly 40 Bay Area communities almost twice as much renewable energy as the state average. The power of MCE is about more than clean energy — it’s the power of people over profit. Learn more at mceCleanEnergy.org.

The U.S. Supreme Court wrapped up its term last month with a series of high-profile and controversial decisions — including on the case West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency. In that opinion, a 6-3 majority determined the EPA does not have the authority to regulate carbon emissions from power plants based on the “generation shifting” approach used in the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.Conservative leaders applauded the decision for reigning in regulatory overreach, while liberals and environmentalists expressed shock and dismay at restrictions placed on rules to reduce emissions. What the Supreme Court case ultimately means for climate action is complex. There are regulations the EPA can still pursue. At the same time, a legal shadow now hangs over government agencies amid ongoing gridlock in Congress. To discuss the path forward, Political Climate hosts Julia Pyper and Shane Skelton are joined by Jay Duffy, an attorney with the Clean Air Task Force, who represented a diverse group of environmental and public health organizations in the West Virginia v. EPA case.Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or pretty much wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate. While you're here, please leave a review! Thank you.Recommended reading: Clean Air Task Force: Supreme Court takes key tool out of EPA’s toolbox, but multiple options remain for agency to regulate climate pollution Canary Media: Supreme Court hamstrings federal efforts to clean up US power sector Canary Media: Most voters support EPA limiting CO2 pollution from power plants  Politico: 'We don’t have to pretend anymore': Greens ready to bail on D.C.  Political Climate is brought to you by MCE. Today, MCE offers nearly 40 Bay Area communities almost twice as much renewable energy as the state average. The power of MCE is about more than clean energy — it’s the power of people over profit. Learn more at mceCleanEnergy.org

As nations scramble to wean off of Russian energy, the U.S. has committed to supporting its European allies in their quest for energy security. At the same time, American consumers are confronting the highest rate of inflation in 40 years, paying more at the pump and for their utility bills than ever before.These trends have led to an increase in U.S. oil and gas production — and calls for even greater market expansion. But this shift could have serious implications for the clean energy transition. On this episode of Political Climate, we wrestle with how to walk the fine line between meeting today’s immediate energy demands, maintaining lower prices for American consumers and achieving our climate goals.This is the first episode in a monthly podcast series we’re calling “The Arsenal of Clean Energy: Strengthening the Bonds of Clean Energy, Innovation, and Sovereignty," featuring leading economists and energy policy experts Ellen Hughes-Cromwick of Third Way, Dana Peterson of The Conference Board, and Christy Goldfuss of the Center for American Progress.“Arsenal of Clean Energy” is made possible by Third Way, a center-left think tank championing modern solutions to the most challenging problems in US policy, including the economy, national security and climate change. Learn more at thirdway.orgRecommended reading: Third Way: Making the US the World’s Arsenal of Clean Energy Politico: To Beat Putin, Europe Needs America’s Clean Energy Fact Sheet: President Biden Takes Bold Executive Action to Spur Domestic Clean Energy Manufacturing CNBC: Inflation rose 8.6% in May, highest since 1981

Despite remarkable breakthroughs in clean energy deployment, there has been little progress made on the thorny issue of what to do with solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and other equipment when they reach the end of their useful life. Without proper recycling or reuse, these materials could do real harm to ecosystems and communities. Failure to effectively recycle could also threaten the long-term viability of a clean energy economy that is already facing strains in the supply of some raw materials, such as lithium and cobalt. In this Newsflash episode, host Julia Pyper and producer Maria Virginia Olano are joined by guest Emily Burlinghaus, who has been researching clean energy recycling as a fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies in Potsdam, Germany. As part of Canary Media's dedicated week of coverage on how to make clean energy cleaner, the three discuss opportunities and roadblocks in the emerging field of recycling renewable energy assets.Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or pretty much wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate.Recommended reading: Canary Media: Recycling Renewables: A special series Canary Media: Why we need to recycle clean energy technologies — and how to do it Atlantic Council: As the US struggles to “green” supply chains, new EU battery regulation offers lessons U.S. Department of Energy: DOE Releases Action Plan For Photovoltaic Systems End-Of-Life Management The Carbon Copy: The battery recycling boom Political Climate is brought to you by FischTank PR. From PR and digital marketing to content writing, the team at FischTank helps you develop a strategy for bringing your work not only to wider audiences, but to the right audience. To learn more about FischTank’s approach to cleantech and services, visit fischtankpr.comPolitical Climate is also brought to you by MCE. Today, MCE offers nearly 40 Bay Area communities almost twice as much renewable energy as the state average. The power of MCE is about more than clean energy — it’s the power of people over profit. Learn more at mceCleanEnergy.org

The hydrogen debate has evolved over the past two decades, shifting from how hydrogen could be used in the auto industry toward its potential use in hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as trucking, aviation, shipping and energy-intensive heavy industry. Hydrogen projects are being announced and developed all over the world. Just this week, the U.S. government committed $8 billion in infrastructure funding to build out clean hydrogen hubs across the country. But not all hydrogen is created equal. Is it really a miracle fuel for deep decarbonization or is it an over-hyped climate solution that could lock in fossil fuel use?On this episode of Political Climate, hosts Julia Pyper and Shane Skelton are joined by Rachel Fakhry, senior advocate for the climate and clean energy program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, to talk through the promises and challenges of the hydrogen economy. Plus, the hosts talk through President Biden’s new executive order to halt the threat of new tariffs on solar panels and boost domestic clean energy manufacturing. Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or pretty much wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate.Recommended reading: Canary Media: Biden to halt solar tariff threat for two years NRDC: Hydrogen Beta Testing Must Ensure Climate-Alignment U.S. Department of Energy: DOE Launches Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's $8 Billion Program for Clean Hydrogen Hubs Across U.S. Canary Media: Which states will win out on $9.5B in federal clean hydrogen funding? Canary Media: Massive green hydrogen hub in Utah wins $504M federal loan guarantee Austrian World Summit 2022 Political Climate is brought to you by FischTank PR. From PR and digital marketing to content writing, the team at FischTank helps you develop a strategy for bringing your work not only to wider audiences, but to the right audience. To learn more about FischTank’s approach to cleantech and services, visit fischtankpr.comPolitical Climate is also brought to you by MCE. Today, MCE offers nearly 40 Bay Area communities almost twice as much renewable energy as the state average. The power of MCE is about more than clean energy — it’s the power of people over profit. Learn more at mceCleanEnergy.org

Some of the most important news doesn’t make big, splashy headlines. That can be because developments unfold slowly or are super-wonky, or simply get overlooked in a busy news cycle. That’s why the Political Climate team is creating a new Newsflash series, a monthly episode in your Political Climate feed in which we’ll bring you a behind-the-scenes look at a news story you might have missed.In this inaugural episode, host Julia Pyper and producer Maria Virginia Olano bring you snippets from an interview with Lisa Garcia, a regional administrator at the EPA, about the work the agency is doing to deploy funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed last year. It’s a huge, important topic that’s gotten far too little media coverage. As Garcia put it, “The infusion of funding for infrastructure is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or pretty much wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate.Recommended reading: Canary Media: Q&A with Lisa Garcia: Getting environmental justice right at the EPA EPA Fact Sheet: EPA & the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Electrek: Biden administration kicks off $5 billion electric Clean School Bus program The Hill: Congress needs to support EPA’s environmental protection infrastructure

Faced with record-high gas prices, more and more American consumers are looking to dump the pump. In the first three months of 2022, electric vehicle registrations shot up 60 percent, even as the overall car market shrunk. EVs have experienced steady sales growth over the past decade but are still far from being mainstream. Could the combination of expensive gasoline and exciting new plug-in models see the U.S. turn a corner on mass EV adoption?On this episode of Political Climate, hosts Julia Pyper, Brandon Hurlbut, and Shane Skelton talk about the policies and innovations unlocking greater transportation electrification – as well as the challenges ahead. From manufacturing bottlenecks and raw material supplies to high up-front costs and political opposition, there are still bumps on the road mainstreaming EVs. Plus, the hosts make a new bet – and need your help!Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or pretty much wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate.Recommended reading: Canary Media: EVs can be cheaper on a monthly basis than gas-powered cars Canary Media: Electric heavy-duty trucks are hitting the roads in California and beyond Axios: Ford F-150 Lightning review: A watershed moment for electric vehicles Politico: The gasoline price-gouging fight to nowhere Political Climate: Mineral Security and Implications for the Energy Transition Political Climate is brought to you by FischTank PR. From PR and digital marketing to content writing, the team at FischTank helps you develop a strategy for bringing your work not only to wider audiences, but to the right audience. To learn more about FischTank’s approach to cleantech and services, visit fischtankpr.comPolitical Climate is also brought to you by MCE. Today, MCE offers nearly 40 Bay Area communities almost twice as much renewable energy as the state average. The power of MCE is about more than clean energy — it’s the power of people over profit. Learn more at mceCleanEnergy.org

A major push is underway to onshore energy production and manufacturing in America now that Russia’s attack on Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerabilities of global energy supply chains. But the undertaking is complicated by competing political priorities, as U.S. leaders seek to strengthen the country’s energy security while advancing its climate goals. On this episode of Political Climate, our hosts talk through efforts to boost American-made clean energy through executive action. They also check the status of Democrats’ budget reconciliation bill as the midterm election season approaches, and examine a new push to cut a bipartisan climate deal.Also on the show (33.30), a conversation with Abby Hopper, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, about a trade case launched in the name of boosting American clean energy manufacturing that threatens to derail U.S. solar deployment – putting jobs at risk and climate goals out of reach. Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or pretty much wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate.Recommended reading: Politico: Dems grimace at Manchin’s bipartisan energy detour Canary Media: Will the Biden administration let one company kill US solar? DOE Fact Sheet: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Will Deliver For American Workers, Families and Usher in the Clean Energy Future Climate Solutions Lab: Mapping U.S. Military Dependence on Russian Fossil Fuels Political Climate is brought to you by FischTank PR. From PR and digital marketing to content writing, the team at FischTank helps you develop a strategy for bringing your work not only to wider audiences, but to the right audience. To learn more about FischTank’s approach to cleantech and services, visit fischtankpr.comPolitical Climate is also brought to you by MCE. Today, MCE offers nearly 40 Bay Area communities almost twice as much renewable energy as the state average. The power of MCE is about more than clean energy — it’s the power of people over profit. Learn more at mceCleanEnergy.org