Volts community thread #16
Open to all free & paid subscribers.
David’s Notes
1. 📫 Leave your mailbag questions below!
You may have noticed that I tried something new for February’s bonus episode: a “What the F is happening” news roundtable episode rather than a mailbag. People seemed to enjoy it? Perhaps I’ll alternate between the two formats. As always, if you have opinions, share!
📌 Note: This was the first time we’ve sent out a “free preview”, which is an abbreviated version of the bonus episode meant to entice free subscribers into signing up for a paid subscription. A lot of paid subscribers got that free preview, which understandably confused some of them. A reminder: paid subs can listen to full episodes of bonus content via the Substack website/app or by sending them to their preferred podcast player using these instructions.
2. 🍸Hey Seattle area subscribers — what are you doing this Wednesday, March 19, at 1pm? I’ll be taping a live guest spot on the Climate Papa Podcast at the 9Zero Climate Innovation Hub, followed by some audience Q&A, and you’re invited! Sign up here asap — it’s free or a $5 donation.
3. ⚡ Last March, I mentioned that we were putting the finishing touches on Volts: Jumpstart, a cross between a “Best Of” list and a “Start Here” list. We, uh … got distracted. But we’re back to it! Sam has put together a great list, but before we send it out, I want to ask y’all: which Volts episodes do you find yourself returning to and/or sending to friends and colleagues? Which ones are must-listens for newcomers? Let us know in the comments below!
4. 🚌 Episode update: in 2023, I spoke with Duncan McIntyre of Highland Electric Fleets about getting electric school buses into the hands of school districts like Montgomery County Maryland.
Welp. According to Bethesda Magazine:
MCPS has ended the remainder of its contract with its Massachusetts-based electric bus company following the county inspector general’s report that the district wasted “millions” of dollars by not enforcing the agreement, MCPS said late Friday afternoon in a statement.
….
The district’s long-term concerns include problems with a growing number of the buses experiencing “extended periods of service interruption,” especially during colder weather; the “current state of the EV school bus industry”; and recent changes that would “withhold federal grant funding related to alternative and sustainable” vehicles, Lopez said.
Bummer. (I need to check back in on electric buses.)
5. ✅ Community comment of the month: Philip has a critical take on stranded assets in Massachusetts’ push to decarbonize:
Just a reminder that I’m headed to Chicago next week. If you’re in the area, come to the Canary Media event or just hit me up for a coffee/beer!
Monthly Thread — How It Works
This is your monthly opportunity to share! Use the comments section in this community thread to:
CLIMATE JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES: Share climate jobs/opportunities
SHARE WORK, ASK FOR HELP, FIND COLLABORATORS: Share your climate-related work, ask for help, or find collaborators
CLIMATE EVENTS & MEETUPS: Share climate-related events and meetups
EVERYTHING ELSE: Discuss David’s Notes or anything else climate-related
MAILBAG QUESTIONS: Ask a question for this month’s mailbag episode (anyone can ask a question but mailbags are a paid-sub-only perk). Volts has a form for those who are shy, but David prioritizes questions posted in this thread.
🚨 To keep organized, please only “REPLY” directly under one of Sam’s headline comments. Anything inappropriate, spammy, etc may be deleted. Be nice! Check out our Community Guidelines.
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