Over the past 5 years, Colorado’s Democratic trifecta has produced a cascade of legislation on climate, energy, housing, and land use (among other things). We dive into some of these achievements and the politics behind them with Gov. Jared Polis and his top climate policy advisor (and previous Volts guest) Will Toor.
Amazing, great guys. Huge progress on climate policies. Really inspiring.
I did not hear how the Governor was able to guarantee $200K housing. British Columbia has enacted almost identical land use reforms. Most people assume that more housing supply will drive prices down but, paradoxically, it actually it drives prices up since materials, land and labor are in short supply here. So, a consequence is that million-dollar condos are getting built, benefitting real estate developers but almost no one else. It won't provide affordable rental housing or low income housing, nor will it satisfy those who want real family home of their own. Also, urban biodiversity is taking a hit despite the reduced urban sprawl.
The narrative that it's better to use clean domestic oil and gas and not that dirty stuff made in the Middle East is a bone thrown to the kind of people who...like to chew bones. Let's just face that the real story is: If anyone is going to keep making money from oil and gas, we want it to be us.
Fascinating interview, David, even for someone who is not yet a complete energy geek. Leaves me anxious to learn more about where geothermal is being built out in Colorado. Congrats.
I’m surprised they didn’t mention it, but almost the entire Colorado Mesa University campus in Grand Junction is climate controlled by a geothermal district!
Amazing, great guys. Huge progress on climate policies. Really inspiring.
I did not hear how the Governor was able to guarantee $200K housing. British Columbia has enacted almost identical land use reforms. Most people assume that more housing supply will drive prices down but, paradoxically, it actually it drives prices up since materials, land and labor are in short supply here. So, a consequence is that million-dollar condos are getting built, benefitting real estate developers but almost no one else. It won't provide affordable rental housing or low income housing, nor will it satisfy those who want real family home of their own. Also, urban biodiversity is taking a hit despite the reduced urban sprawl.
The narrative that it's better to use clean domestic oil and gas and not that dirty stuff made in the Middle East is a bone thrown to the kind of people who...like to chew bones. Let's just face that the real story is: If anyone is going to keep making money from oil and gas, we want it to be us.
I was surprised by this comment "My favorite example of Democratic control in action — well, maybe tied with Minnesota — is Colorado. "
I think my state of Washington has done more. We're raising about $1 billion per year doe clean energy projects, not just $200 million
Fascinating interview, David, even for someone who is not yet a complete energy geek. Leaves me anxious to learn more about where geothermal is being built out in Colorado. Congrats.
I’m surprised they didn’t mention it, but almost the entire Colorado Mesa University campus in Grand Junction is climate controlled by a geothermal district!
Hell yeah, that’s my Gov!
And my guy, Will!
But I just got to the phish piece…heartbroken!