The Climate Minute

Making Sense of Climate-Episode 3

Recently, I have had the pleasure of being a guest on someone else's podcast! This is the 3rd of several episodes of The Climate Minute that will be cross postings from a digital media site called Franklin Matters. In this show we talk about electrifying homes in the state.  Since the impacts of climate change go from the global to the very local, he and I have been trying to make sense of what is happening here in MA, especially as it pertains to the state's Climate Roadmap. The roadmap is now enshrined in law, and as a state we need to implement policies to achieve the goals. Our conversations are mostly about the ups and downs of that process.

Making Sense of Climate-Episode 2

Recently, I have had the pleasure of being a guest on someone else's podcast! This is the second of several episodes of The Climate Minute that will be cross postings from a digital media site called Franklin Matters. In this show we review additional elements of the roadmap.  Since the impacts of climate change go from the global to the very local, he and I have been trying to make sense of what is happening here in MA, especially as it pertains to the state's Climate Roadmap. The roadmap is now enshrined in law, and as a state we need to implement policies to achieve the goals. Our conversations are mostly about the ups and downs of that process.

Making Sense of Climate-Episode 1

Recently, I have had the pleasure of being a guest on someone else's podcast! The next several episodes of The Climate Minute will be cross postings from a digital media site called Franklin Matters. Specifically, I have been talking with Steve Sherlock. He uses blogs and podcasts to help people in the small MA town -that we both live in- to learn about town meetings and community events. In an age where small town newspapers are dying, this is a great model.  Since the impacts of climate change go from the global to the very local, he and I have been trying to make sense of what is happening here in MA, especially as it pertains to the state's Climate Roadmap. The roadmap is now enshrined in law, and as a state we need to implement policies to achieve the goals. Our conversations are mostly about the ups and downs of that process.

MCAN’s new report on the MLP energy mix

MCAN released a report on energy mix of the states Municipal Light Plants. The bottom line is that while municipal utilities know how to be leaders in combating the climate crisis, they are still well behind the rest of the state.  

Pineapples to politics- a path to climate activism

A young town councilman found himself in the vanguard of a grassroots uprising against fracking in New York State. How did that happen? What life experiences helped him answer the call of history? Listen in.

How to tell FERC you want clean energy now, not in 2025

You can send a comment to demand that the Federal Government allow a rapid transition to clean energy. Until April 21, FERC is accepting public comments about the MOPR rule. The extension of the rule to 2025 delays implementation of clean energy. The rule should just be eliminated. Listen in to hear an expert explain the issue and what you can do. Go to bit.ly/FERC-toolkit to get help: talking points, sample letters, guides to the FERC process and more.  

How the grassroots stopped fracking in NY

Ten years ago, NY State was about to become a hot bed of fracking. However, grassroots resistance sprung up and eventually won the day. We talk to Dominic Frongillo, who as a local elected official saw the fight firsthand. Listen in.

The demand for electric vehicles

Massachusetts has committed to put 750,000 EV’s on the road by 2030, but is falling way behind. This raises the question: do people want electric vehicles for their own sake, or do they ‘demand’ the clean convenient transportation services an EV can provide? Such a question suggests we could satisfy the demand for clean convenient transportation in a way that doesn’t rely on EV’s. Chapter 5 of the recent IPCC report puts this idea on a good basis, saying that “the potential of demand-side strategies across all sectors to reduce emissions is 40-70%.” This is a big deal, to paraphrase POTUS.  

Why we need more sunshine on MA energy decisionmaking

Two issues show the need for more transparency and public insight into decisions regarding our energy supply. First, ISO-NE has asked FERC to allow an extension of the MOPR. This jargon-laden statement is confusing enough, but we should wonder who is making the decisions at ISO-NE. Second, the DPU is running the “20-80 docket” (aka the Future of Gas) by giving a sweetheart deal to the gas industry. It seems fair to ask: who runs the DPU?

What is an MLP?

Massachusetts is dotted with Municipal Light Plant (MLP) towns. So what is an MLP? How does it differ from an Investor Owned Utility (IOU)? Why should you care? Listen in as an MCAN expert explains these important facets of the clean energy transition.