The Climate Minute

KXL RIP? The Climate Minute Podcast

Big news this week- Trans Canada blinked first and has asked for a ‘suspension’ of the Keystone XL pipeline applications. Climate Hawks should be proud of leading this fight.  Keystone is part of the ‘supply’ of fossil fuels. Carbon emissions result from the demand for (or use of) fossil fuels. Should activists target one or the other, or both? Good question. We discuss.

Check out live  links at our blog, http://www.massclimateaction.net/blog.
Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

A Legacy Moment: The Climate Minute Podcast

In Massachusetts, the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station will shutter in 2019,  depriving the state of a big chuck on carbon-free energy. What should be done to fill the gap? Build more pipelines for carbon polluting natural gas? Import out-of-state power from Hydro-Quebec? Or build a green energy infrastructure right at home? This is a moment where great things can be done, if our leaders hear the call. We discuss.

Check out live  links at our blog, http://www.massclimateaction.net/blog.
Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.
Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

TPP, Part Deux: The Climate Minute Podcast

The terms of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) treaty have finally been concluded in a closed session in Atlanta. While the text is still secret, the arguments have begun. Climate Hawks are suspicious of the ‘Investor State Dispute Resolution” mechanism, which gives enormous opportunities for Big Oil to undermine future climate legislation. Here in Massachusetts, the Governor will allow utilities to charge a fee to electrical ratepayers to cover the cost of new pipelines. Is it fair to call that a tax? Still it is a pretty a sweet deal for Kinder Morgan!

Check out live  links at our blog, http://www.massclimateaction.net/blog.
Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.
Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Just Four Cape Winds: The Climate Minute Podcast

The real possibility of a shutdown of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station creates a crisis (or perhaps an opportunity.) It means that Climate Hawks should demand clean energy to fill the gap.  It would take only four projects comparable to Cape Wind to fill that gap. There are bills in the Massachusetts Statehouse that relate to clean energy, and they are the being debated.  Further, now that KXL is in deep trouble, and Shell has withdrawn from the Chukchi Sea, what is next for Climate Hawks? Our next big push should be for a ban on the extraction of carbon based fuels from federally owned lands, whether they are in the American West or off our coastal shores.
The reading list:
•    Pilgrim Nuclear Station on the ropes
•    An energy showdown in the Statehouse?
•    Is this about electricity prices or true leadership?
•    Is offshore wind a possibility?
•    Climate Hawk focus: Fossil fuel on Federal lands
Check out live  links at our blog, http://www.massclimateaction.net/blog.
Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.
Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

The Pope and signs of hope- The Climate Minute Podcast

Pope Francis came to town this week and spoke openly about the need to address climate change. That was remarkable all by itself, but there were several other heartening signs- from new Senate bills to promises from China it has been a good week.
The reading list:
•    CSPAN video of the Pope in the Joint Session. His climate related remarks start at about 37 minutes.
•    InsideClimate News' Begley comments on the Pope
•    Climate Hawks and Keystone- take pride!
•    A Climte Bill in the Senate!Action from China!
•    Attend the 9/29 hearings at the Statehouse on important energy legislation
•    Attend a hearing on the Governor's Executive Order 562!
•    Sign up for an October 14 event!

Check out live  links at our blog, http://www.massclimateaction.net/blog.
Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Who's intruding on who? The Climate Minute Podcast

The political battles over clean power continue, and Climate Hawks need to stay in the game. We discuss.

The reading list:
•    Eminent Domain in West Rox
•    Baker accused of 'market intrusion'
•    Hearings on Kinder Morgan in Western MA
•    Dirty money fighting solar


Check out live  links at our blog, http://www.massclimateaction.net/blog.
Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Smoke from wildfires mixes with a metaphorical smoking gun: The Climate Minute Podcast

In an ironic moment, the California Assembly tip-toed away from aggressive climate legislation, at the behest of Big Oil, even as climate-enhanced wildfires marched with a heavy footprint through various towns outside Sacramento.  Further, the destructive behavior of the oil industry was highlighted by a report that Exxon realized even in the 1970’s that their petroleum products were creating a serious global problem. The report might be the ‘smoking gun’ equivalent to revelations in past decades about what the tobacco industry knew about cancer even as they denied the medical evidence.

Check out live  links at our blog, http://www.massclimateaction.net/blog.
Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

A Recognizable Feature of Hope: The Climate Minute Podcast

Near the bottom of the landing page for the Massachusetts Power Forward there is a quote from Grace Paley: “The only recognizable feature of hope is action.” That is a great turn of phrase, and the Clean Power Vision puts the idea in to action:
Massachusetts has emerged as a national leader on energy, making substantial progress in transitioning away from polluting sources of power to renewable energy and energy efficiency. But now our state is poised to invest billions of dollars to replace retiring power plants with long-lived infrastructure that will shape our future. We must ensure that our state adopts an energy policy that supports local renewable energy resources, keeps energy dollars in our communities, creates good green jobs and protects our Commonwealth from climate change and life-threatening pollution. We call on our Governor and legislature to power forward with energy solutions that are accountable to our communities, our environment and our future.

Check out live  links at our blog, http://www.massclimateaction.net/blog.
Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

No more gas pipelines in Massachusetts! - The Climate Minute Podcast

Across the country, the fossil fuel industry is trying to build dangerous and unnecessary pipelines. Massachusetts is no exception- there are TWO pipelines proposed for the state.  These provide a good case study of industry methods and how to oppose them, even if you do not live  in  the Massachusetts. The proponents of the new pipelines claim to be working to provide sufficient gas for the local economy to grow.  But, like Dorothy in Oz, if you peek behind the curtain it becomes clear the industry wants to export the gas away from Massachusetts! That is just one worry- here are six more reasons to oppose these pipelines.

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Soak Up the Sun! Renewable Energy Day of Action at the State House-The Climate Minute Podcast

Thursday, July 30, 2015
10:45 AM – 1 PM
Bulfinch Entrance, Massachusetts State House
(24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133)
 
RSVP at http://www.massclimateaction.net/renewable_rally

It’s the middle of summer and the sun is shining — but utility companies want to keep us in the dark. They’ve put a cap on the state’s most important solar energy program. As a result, solar development and other renewable energy projects have stalled in more than 170 towns and cities.
 
We should do everything we can to soak up the energy of the sun. Will you join us at the State House to call for action?
 
Join us for the Soak Up the Sun day of action on Thursday, July 30 at the State House!
 
Solar is great. It’s clean, it’s renewable, and it’s helping reduce our dependence on dirty fossil fuels. But the utilities see solar panels as a threat — and that’s why they insisted on placing a cap on net metering, a program that helps make solar affordable for families, businesses, and local governments. In towns and cities where caps have already been met new solar and other renewable energy projects have been unable to move forward.
 
On July 30, we’re gathering at the State House and calling on state officials to lift the caps and commit to a target of 20% solar by 2025. At 10:45 AM, we’ll rally outside the State House entrance. Then we’ll head into the building to meet with legislators and their staff.
 
Come to the State House on Thursday, July 30 at 10:45 AM and help us bring more renewables to Massachusetts. The theme of the rally is “beach party,” so make sure to bring your beach gear! Towels, inflatable beach balls, beach umbrellas, etc. There’s never been a better time for us to repower our state with clean energy from renewables.
 
Hope to see you there!

Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com
Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre