I'm an experienced digital marketer and video producer looking for a communications/marketing role in a climate-focused business or nonprofit. If you know of anyone looking for help in that arena, please let me know!
You've had some great recent episodes on utility regulation reforms. Deregulation/restructuring seems to be a mixed bag in terms of customer benefits (especially at the retail level), while PBR and other reforms will take time to implement at PUCs. I've learned recently about Octopus Energy in the UK, and it seems like it's had success in being an innovative, competitive retail electricity supplier that's captured a lot of market share whilst also being more dynamic about pricing to utilize renewables and EVs better. I've wondered if you've had a chance to dig into how/why they were successful (maybe a future pod episode?) and whether it can be replicated in the US as a viable alternative.
Partly a question, partly just trying to advocate out to the Volts listener base.
How do you feel about ranked choice voting? I share the grief you feel about the election and can't help thinking that more and more people are voting for the candidate they hate the least. People feel like voting for someone other than the big 2 (e.g. green party) is a wasted vote. I think ranked choice voting benefits voters anywhere on the spectrum and the only people it doesn't benefit are the parties that get to be lazy and only need to be "better than the other guy". I also think this has a much easier chance of passing than things like getting rid of the electoral college. What are your thoughts?
Hi, is it possible to do a podcast on PJM? The RTO is the largest in the US and it also keeps having issues with its auctions, which are jacking up rates and then also have been met with multiple delays. It would be interesting to get a persepective as to what is going on and why.
I second this! Talen Energy announced early retirement of two coal plants around Baltimore and the recent capacity auction is paying $$$ to keep them running with RMR contracts. So paying for fossil fuels twice over. Now there's a 6-month delay and we're all waiting to see what PJM will (or won't) do. Would love a deep dive on the politics and reforms here!
I guess the question with pjm is what are those auctions supposed to accomplish. In theory at least a high auction price is supposed to demonstrate that capacity margins are tight and incent the construction of new capacity resources. So if you take a pro capacity market view these auction results are the market functioning as intended.
How has the U.S.-China relationship as it relates to climate change changed over the past few years? What truth is there to the simplified assertion that China is becoming the "good guy" and the U.S. the "bad guys"? Would China have the clout, potentially in conjunction with the E.U., to impose carbon adjustments/tariffs at America's expense, dragging us (kicking and screaming no doubt) into alignment with the rest of the civilized world? Thanks!
On the subject of agriculture emissions, if carbon loses from the soil are taken into account ag could be closer to 30%. Our grain fed meat industry is a big culprate with confinement feeding requiring much of the nation's soil damaging tillage. Pasture raised and fatened meat and poultry actually builds soil sequestering carbon. It also is much healthier for you being high in omega 3s instead of 6s. Well developed pasture soils actually absorb lots of the methane emissions.
Asked similarly last time, but what do you see as the biggest obstacles and solutions to apartment electrification? In Chicago we have a lot of two and three-flats as well as big apartment buildings, and the IRA doesn't seem to be enough motivation for these buildings to electrify, unless a non-profit like Elevate is involved and covering more of the costs.
I'm also in Chicago... 1 solution is to ask for electric utilities and appliances when apartment shopping. There's a lot of big buildings that are all electric already. 1 obstacle is getting to a place where boilers can be replaced with hydronic heat pumps. These are not super available in the US and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a contractor willing to install one. Many of these 2-3 flats have boilers for heat.
It's charitable giving season. Do you have any recommendations for organizations to contribute to this November? I was thinking NRDC, Greenpeace, Sierra Club and Sightline Institute might be good choices, but would love to hear your thoughts.
Widespread BEV adoption in the US is held back by the inconvenience of charging, when you don't own a driveway.
I wonder if we are analyzing the issue of hydrogen fuel cell cars wrong. There is so much discussion about efficiency, when ICE cars are way less efficient than both BEV and FCEV. The public doesn't care about efficiency, they want convenience and a reasonable price.
I know a BEV fan who recently bought their kid a gas hybrid because the public charging infrastructure failed them. An FCEV would have been a better solution for the kid and for the planet. Yes, the kid would have to move to California: Win-win.
I suspect the *real* benefit of FCEV is simply about parking. FCEVs refuel like today’s gas station. Drive up once per week, fill in 5–10 minutes, be on your way. Drive clean and quiet all week with NO SPECIAL PARKING SPACE required. This is *so valuable* to apartment dwellers. Plus, you get the HOV lane. Apartment dwellers have been treated like poor people -- their time and convenience doesn't count.
One recent story about a BEV "Uber" service in NY plans to turn over each charging station 10 time per day! The stations are open to the public. What a hassle -- after you charge your car you have to return and then find another parking spot.
The hydrogen fuel is FREE for the time being. I had a Clarity for 3 years and never paid a cent for fuel; I used this Honda credit card; worked great. This won’t last, but it is true today. You get 10k miles/yr. for your 3-year lease. I would be very interested to know the economics of these fuel stations. Blue hydrogen is $3-$5/kg at the factory gate. It was sold for $18/kg when I had a Clarity FCEV a few years ago, and now it is $34/kg. Why? Just to consume the manufacturer subsidy?
Of course, FCEV in the U.S only works in California. That is still about 25% of the EV market. Just be sure to live near one of the newer hydrogen stations with liquid H2 storage — they are reliable.
FCEV fans should promote the parking convenience ahead of the other benefits, like the scalability of hydrogen solutions.
In my dream world the steel, cement and fertilizer industries are decarbonized with green hydrogen made by safe modular nuclear reactors. The transportation use of hydrogen will be a small fraction.
With the focus now shifting towards states and cities, what mechanisms exist for coordination? What mechanisms would you like to see come into being? I've been thinking that blue states and cities forming a sort of shadow federal government in the a absence of positive federal action could solve a lot of problems.
How optimistic (if at all) are you about offshore wind in the next few years? Can we expect to see new projects come online in next five years? If not, can solar pick up the slack?
Geothermal Rising is collaborating with the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy on a workshop focused on building relationships with tribes. The event is designed for non-tribal entities interested in partnering with tribes or working on/near tribal lands or cultural sites.
I'm so sorry about the lost of your beloved family pet! Any loss like that is hard, but triply so when other losses are piled on top. Please know that your amazing work has touched many people, including myself, and you deserve all the time you need for orienting to life changes. HUGS
I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of Forest, and I loved seeing the photos of him with you and the kids. It's utterly unfair that we have to say goodbye to our fur children, and I truly identify with the grief you're feeling: When I lost my best friend of 21 years, my feline familiar Spanky, I was inconsolable for over a year. Sending you all kitty kisses from Wamba and Giacomo.
So very sorry for your loss of Forest! Truly a heart wrenching experience. May the memories will become more cherished and bring back smiles before too long!
David, it was so nice to meet you at the event in Berkeley. Thank you for being gracious despite the introduction of my para-social-induced awkwardness to your conversation, lol. I really enjoyed the chat, and the event. I wish I had words of encouragement but here we are. You said above, everything has an end, that includes all this bad shit.
In light of the potential cessation, if not destruction, of the federal response to climate change, I'd like to take this moment to remind us all that not only is much of the fight elsewhere (states, as David often says) including metro areas and the municipalities within them. If you can get a pro-climate city council and mayor, then they can influence regional bodies like the PUC, the air resources board, the transit agencies, and also serve as a springboard to state office where their range of actions can be broader, if a bit thinner. In any case, work locally to begin with, and don't stop. Also, David, my condolences on your four-footed family member. Peace!
I took my wife to Canary Media event in Berkeley last week, a little worried she might be bored listening to the energy geeks. The whole 2 hours she was alert, engaged, paying attention. Afterwards I asked her why she found the event so interesting. She said: now I finally understand what you've talking about for the last 30 years.
Sorry about Forest, David. New empty nester here with an older dog too. I have a lot of thoughts on communication strategy and infrastructure but think I'd better take my doggo for a lunchtime walk instead.
The comms strategy suggestion is to engage in the fight where minds can be changed, and that's the online discussion. There's no way around, only through. Everywhere, climate policy advocates flee hostile ignorance, and fossil fuel boosters dominate the conversation: Reddit, X/Twitter, local news boards. It does not help to preach to the converted. You have to go where the undecideds get their opinions. My advice to everyone here - show up. Carpe diem!
Hi David - my question -I heard you at the recent Canary Media event in Berkeley and completely agree with you that Republican communications strategies and infrastructure were crucial to their wins this election. Do you know of any individuals or group or collaborative working to create a more complete communications system and media environment for Dems to counteract the one the Republicans spent decades developing?
Such a holistic project could include but not be limited to; analyzing what makes the Republican system so effective; identifying the missing elements in a Democratic version; conducting a thorough survey of the bits and pieces we already have; figuring out how to create as many of the missing pieces as soon as possible; finding homes for and building the missing pieces; creating a leadership and coordination structure (I’m guessing it would be a collaborative of some kind); and fundraising for this huge effort.
PS so sorry about Forest. What a hard loss at a time that is already hard enough.
I understand the pain of letting go of a family member as your children take off on their own. It all seems so much, but it is a needed transition. Nothing stays. We learn to let go of what was and embrace what is to be.
Regarding #2: Technology and economics have taken hold, and progress will be made over the next 4 years. Also, look at who is the #1 contributor to your strongman's campaign. EV's, decarb, electrification are forces beyond the control of our country's government. Now it can only de delayed a bit. There's not exactly a silver lining, but it will be OK.
So heart wrenching to say farewell to a beloved dog who has been so much a part of your happy family for so many precious years. I want to tell you something wise and beautiful I learned from my Rottie/shepherd Mojo. He died quite suddenly from cancer we didn't know he had. I took him to the vet because he was acting unwell and got the diagnosis and was not at all prepared for the goodbye that had to be said. As I was driving home afterward, on this beautiful summer day, past fields of wild lupine, I "heard" him tell me "I'm closer to you now than I was when I was alive." He found a way to calm and comfort me across the mortal divide. So true and so so wise and so kind. He spoke for all beloved dog companions who leave us, always too soon. I hope it brings you consolation as it does to me from more than 20 years ago.
--- CLIMATE JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES ---
I'm an experienced digital marketer and video producer looking for a communications/marketing role in a climate-focused business or nonprofit. If you know of anyone looking for help in that arena, please let me know!
--- MAILBAG QUESTIONS ---
I'm sorry about Forest. :-(
You've had some great recent episodes on utility regulation reforms. Deregulation/restructuring seems to be a mixed bag in terms of customer benefits (especially at the retail level), while PBR and other reforms will take time to implement at PUCs. I've learned recently about Octopus Energy in the UK, and it seems like it's had success in being an innovative, competitive retail electricity supplier that's captured a lot of market share whilst also being more dynamic about pricing to utilize renewables and EVs better. I've wondered if you've had a chance to dig into how/why they were successful (maybe a future pod episode?) and whether it can be replicated in the US as a viable alternative.
Partly a question, partly just trying to advocate out to the Volts listener base.
How do you feel about ranked choice voting? I share the grief you feel about the election and can't help thinking that more and more people are voting for the candidate they hate the least. People feel like voting for someone other than the big 2 (e.g. green party) is a wasted vote. I think ranked choice voting benefits voters anywhere on the spectrum and the only people it doesn't benefit are the parties that get to be lazy and only need to be "better than the other guy". I also think this has a much easier chance of passing than things like getting rid of the electoral college. What are your thoughts?
Hi, is it possible to do a podcast on PJM? The RTO is the largest in the US and it also keeps having issues with its auctions, which are jacking up rates and then also have been met with multiple delays. It would be interesting to get a persepective as to what is going on and why.
I second this! Talen Energy announced early retirement of two coal plants around Baltimore and the recent capacity auction is paying $$$ to keep them running with RMR contracts. So paying for fossil fuels twice over. Now there's a 6-month delay and we're all waiting to see what PJM will (or won't) do. Would love a deep dive on the politics and reforms here!
I guess the question with pjm is what are those auctions supposed to accomplish. In theory at least a high auction price is supposed to demonstrate that capacity margins are tight and incent the construction of new capacity resources. So if you take a pro capacity market view these auction results are the market functioning as intended.
Except they have been simultaneously limiting new capacity. It almost seems like they are trying to create a certain outcome.
How has the U.S.-China relationship as it relates to climate change changed over the past few years? What truth is there to the simplified assertion that China is becoming the "good guy" and the U.S. the "bad guys"? Would China have the clout, potentially in conjunction with the E.U., to impose carbon adjustments/tariffs at America's expense, dragging us (kicking and screaming no doubt) into alignment with the rest of the civilized world? Thanks!
Just a plug for more battery tech episodes! I'm a nerd and geek so while policy is still better for us long term (like veggies!) I still want my cake!
On the subject of agriculture emissions, if carbon loses from the soil are taken into account ag could be closer to 30%. Our grain fed meat industry is a big culprate with confinement feeding requiring much of the nation's soil damaging tillage. Pasture raised and fatened meat and poultry actually builds soil sequestering carbon. It also is much healthier for you being high in omega 3s instead of 6s. Well developed pasture soils actually absorb lots of the methane emissions.
Henry Swayze
Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition
And supporter of soil4climate.org
Did you mean this to be a reply to the battery tech request?
Asked similarly last time, but what do you see as the biggest obstacles and solutions to apartment electrification? In Chicago we have a lot of two and three-flats as well as big apartment buildings, and the IRA doesn't seem to be enough motivation for these buildings to electrify, unless a non-profit like Elevate is involved and covering more of the costs.
I'm also in Chicago... 1 solution is to ask for electric utilities and appliances when apartment shopping. There's a lot of big buildings that are all electric already. 1 obstacle is getting to a place where boilers can be replaced with hydronic heat pumps. These are not super available in the US and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a contractor willing to install one. Many of these 2-3 flats have boilers for heat.
It's charitable giving season. Do you have any recommendations for organizations to contribute to this November? I was thinking NRDC, Greenpeace, Sierra Club and Sightline Institute might be good choices, but would love to hear your thoughts.
Can parking save hydrogen fuel cell cars?
Widespread BEV adoption in the US is held back by the inconvenience of charging, when you don't own a driveway.
I wonder if we are analyzing the issue of hydrogen fuel cell cars wrong. There is so much discussion about efficiency, when ICE cars are way less efficient than both BEV and FCEV. The public doesn't care about efficiency, they want convenience and a reasonable price.
I know a BEV fan who recently bought their kid a gas hybrid because the public charging infrastructure failed them. An FCEV would have been a better solution for the kid and for the planet. Yes, the kid would have to move to California: Win-win.
I suspect the *real* benefit of FCEV is simply about parking. FCEVs refuel like today’s gas station. Drive up once per week, fill in 5–10 minutes, be on your way. Drive clean and quiet all week with NO SPECIAL PARKING SPACE required. This is *so valuable* to apartment dwellers. Plus, you get the HOV lane. Apartment dwellers have been treated like poor people -- their time and convenience doesn't count.
One recent story about a BEV "Uber" service in NY plans to turn over each charging station 10 time per day! The stations are open to the public. What a hassle -- after you charge your car you have to return and then find another parking spot.
The hydrogen fuel is FREE for the time being. I had a Clarity for 3 years and never paid a cent for fuel; I used this Honda credit card; worked great. This won’t last, but it is true today. You get 10k miles/yr. for your 3-year lease. I would be very interested to know the economics of these fuel stations. Blue hydrogen is $3-$5/kg at the factory gate. It was sold for $18/kg when I had a Clarity FCEV a few years ago, and now it is $34/kg. Why? Just to consume the manufacturer subsidy?
Of course, FCEV in the U.S only works in California. That is still about 25% of the EV market. Just be sure to live near one of the newer hydrogen stations with liquid H2 storage — they are reliable.
FCEV fans should promote the parking convenience ahead of the other benefits, like the scalability of hydrogen solutions.
In my dream world the steel, cement and fertilizer industries are decarbonized with green hydrogen made by safe modular nuclear reactors. The transportation use of hydrogen will be a small fraction.
With the focus now shifting towards states and cities, what mechanisms exist for coordination? What mechanisms would you like to see come into being? I've been thinking that blue states and cities forming a sort of shadow federal government in the a absence of positive federal action could solve a lot of problems.
How optimistic (if at all) are you about offshore wind in the next few years? Can we expect to see new projects come online in next five years? If not, can solar pick up the slack?
--- SHARE WORK, ASK FOR HELP, FIND COLLABORATORS ---
Anyone familiar with the European Offshore Market? If willing to chat and share notes, please lmk.
--- CLIMATE EVENTS & MEETUPS ---
Geothermal Rising is collaborating with the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy on a workshop focused on building relationships with tribes. The event is designed for non-tribal entities interested in partnering with tribes or working on/near tribal lands or cultural sites.
December 4, 2024 - Salt Lake City, UT
Learn more here: https://geothermal.org/events/workshop-way-forward-pathways-trust-geothermal-projects-tribal-communities
This is labeled as a geothermal event but is not technology specific.
--- EVERYTHING ELSE ---
I'm so sorry about the lost of your beloved family pet! Any loss like that is hard, but triply so when other losses are piled on top. Please know that your amazing work has touched many people, including myself, and you deserve all the time you need for orienting to life changes. HUGS
I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of Forest, and I loved seeing the photos of him with you and the kids. It's utterly unfair that we have to say goodbye to our fur children, and I truly identify with the grief you're feeling: When I lost my best friend of 21 years, my feline familiar Spanky, I was inconsolable for over a year. Sending you all kitty kisses from Wamba and Giacomo.
So very sorry for your loss of Forest! Truly a heart wrenching experience. May the memories will become more cherished and bring back smiles before too long!
David, it was so nice to meet you at the event in Berkeley. Thank you for being gracious despite the introduction of my para-social-induced awkwardness to your conversation, lol. I really enjoyed the chat, and the event. I wish I had words of encouragement but here we are. You said above, everything has an end, that includes all this bad shit.
Too many sad things all at once. Hang in there, take time.
In light of the potential cessation, if not destruction, of the federal response to climate change, I'd like to take this moment to remind us all that not only is much of the fight elsewhere (states, as David often says) including metro areas and the municipalities within them. If you can get a pro-climate city council and mayor, then they can influence regional bodies like the PUC, the air resources board, the transit agencies, and also serve as a springboard to state office where their range of actions can be broader, if a bit thinner. In any case, work locally to begin with, and don't stop. Also, David, my condolences on your four-footed family member. Peace!
I took my wife to Canary Media event in Berkeley last week, a little worried she might be bored listening to the energy geeks. The whole 2 hours she was alert, engaged, paying attention. Afterwards I asked her why she found the event so interesting. She said: now I finally understand what you've talking about for the last 30 years.
Dogs are one of the best joys in life. We don't deserve them. May all dogs get to live & die as well as Forest.
Sorry about Forest, David. New empty nester here with an older dog too. I have a lot of thoughts on communication strategy and infrastructure but think I'd better take my doggo for a lunchtime walk instead.
Carpe diem!
The comms strategy suggestion is to engage in the fight where minds can be changed, and that's the online discussion. There's no way around, only through. Everywhere, climate policy advocates flee hostile ignorance, and fossil fuel boosters dominate the conversation: Reddit, X/Twitter, local news boards. It does not help to preach to the converted. You have to go where the undecideds get their opinions. My advice to everyone here - show up. Carpe diem!
Hi David - my question -I heard you at the recent Canary Media event in Berkeley and completely agree with you that Republican communications strategies and infrastructure were crucial to their wins this election. Do you know of any individuals or group or collaborative working to create a more complete communications system and media environment for Dems to counteract the one the Republicans spent decades developing?
Such a holistic project could include but not be limited to; analyzing what makes the Republican system so effective; identifying the missing elements in a Democratic version; conducting a thorough survey of the bits and pieces we already have; figuring out how to create as many of the missing pieces as soon as possible; finding homes for and building the missing pieces; creating a leadership and coordination structure (I’m guessing it would be a collaborative of some kind); and fundraising for this huge effort.
PS so sorry about Forest. What a hard loss at a time that is already hard enough.
Yes and: dive into the parasocial relationship between DJT and MAGA. Two recent data points might be Katha Pollitt at a rally https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/trump-rally-madison-square-garden-2/ ("Trump loves me!") and AOC talking to Trump/AOC voters on Joy Reid's show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoP9BJiItSI&t=6s ("Trump will protect you" messaging to voters ).
Assuming elections in the future will matter, of course.
Long may Forest run. Those dogs give us their bodies, hearts and souls. And they take ours. Love 'em. Their memories always make you smile.
I understand the pain of letting go of a family member as your children take off on their own. It all seems so much, but it is a needed transition. Nothing stays. We learn to let go of what was and embrace what is to be.
Forest is so cute. I am sorry about Forest =(
Regarding #2: Technology and economics have taken hold, and progress will be made over the next 4 years. Also, look at who is the #1 contributor to your strongman's campaign. EV's, decarb, electrification are forces beyond the control of our country's government. Now it can only de delayed a bit. There's not exactly a silver lining, but it will be OK.
So heart wrenching to say farewell to a beloved dog who has been so much a part of your happy family for so many precious years. I want to tell you something wise and beautiful I learned from my Rottie/shepherd Mojo. He died quite suddenly from cancer we didn't know he had. I took him to the vet because he was acting unwell and got the diagnosis and was not at all prepared for the goodbye that had to be said. As I was driving home afterward, on this beautiful summer day, past fields of wild lupine, I "heard" him tell me "I'm closer to you now than I was when I was alive." He found a way to calm and comfort me across the mortal divide. So true and so so wise and so kind. He spoke for all beloved dog companions who leave us, always too soon. I hope it brings you consolation as it does to me from more than 20 years ago.
I’m so sorry about your dog Forest!