The Climate Minute

So the MA Legislature took a swing and missed. No, they fumbled a great chance. No, they dropped the ball. No, they struck out. No, they choked. No, they “could’a been contenders.”

OK, sports metaphors don’t work for everyone.

The MA Legislature, like Frodo at the Crack of Doom, looked into the abyss of demands from the fossil industry and lost heart. Unfortunately, Gollum was not there to bite the ring off.

OK, LOTR references are too opaque.

The MA Legislature had the chance to make our state the nation’s leader in clean energy policy, and they failed. It is as simple as that. Constrained by a rigid hierarchy of power in the House and beholden to powerful corporate energy interests, our elected officials ignored visionary policies passed by the Senate and produced a milquetoast, uninspired energy bill that only a utility could love. 

As climate hawks, we will take the 2% RPS in this bill but focus on electing true clean energy advocates. And, by the way, we will return to the next legislative session with renewed commitment.

As they used to say about the Red Sox, “Wait ‘til next year!”

From the Arctic heat wave to political hypocrisy, we discuss the climate news of the week.

What is the RPS? Why should you care? Listen in as we talk with Eugenia Gibbons (of the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance) about changes to the renewable portfolio standards being considered by the Massachusetts Legislature.

Russia is known for its chess grandmasters, but in Helsinki on July 16th, Trump and Putin, possibly motivated by oil interests, may have handed a checkmate to the rest of the world. This week, follow us through a chain of news analysis that illustrates America’s obsession with fossil fuels and why it promises to lead only to stranded and ---literally---sunken assets.

We discuss the status of clean energy legislation on Beacon Hill. Listen in!

We continue our chat with Senator Pacheco on the Clean Energy Future bill, and how he became a climate activist. Listen in!

Massachusetts State Senator Marc Pacheco is the sponsor of the Clean Energy Future bill that recently passed the Senate. He joined the Climate Minute to discuss some key aspects of the bill. The Senator pointed out that the economic and health benefits of building a renewable future come at no risk, since studies show there would be no rise in electricity rates. This is based on a study by the Applied Economics Clinic. Listen in as we discuss battery storage, solar rates and other aspects of the bill. Remember: Call your State Representative soon (like NOW!) at 617-722-2000 and urge them to support the related bills in the House.

Today’s breaking news is that Scott Pruitt has finally resigned. His venality may be gone but what comes next? Listen in for insight and perspective.

The (ahem) “Americans for Carbon Dividends” PAC has proposed a carbon fee and dividend plan, sponsored by Trent Lot of Mississippi and John Breaux of Louisiana. Lots of big-wig conservative types are smiling on the idea. Should climate hawks rejoice? Not yet! The poison bill is to prevent EPA from regulating CO2, and absolve Exxon from lawsuits. Listen in.

The retirement of Anthony Kennedy is bad news for climate hawks (along with lots of others.) That bad news comes together with cruelty on our borders, against both children and Muslims. How should we interpret these events and formulate a path forward? Listen in.