Electricity providers are raising rates. How should you think about this? From a climate perspective, we should recognize the long term problem and build more renewables.   This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well.

Topics covered this time

• Electric rate increases
  • DPU process, Inequity around New England, ISO New England
  • The Globe on the rate hikes
  • why are electricity prices so uneven across New England?
  • Municipal aggregation for Franklin shields us
• Machin and side deal
  • FERC role mentioned for aiding in interstate transmission role
• Ezra Klien podcast with Jesse Kenkins
  • Scope of work required
  • Heat pump explanation
• Affordable housing, zoning for residential & commercial neighborhoods

Jesse Jenkins https://netzeroamerica.princeton.edu/   and https://repeatproject.org/

Podcast link

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS84MkZJMzVQeA/episode/NzEwY2Y1NTMtMGFjYS00YmI0LTg3YWUtMGUxYjAxNjk2Zjgw?ep=14

There is a great section on heat pumps as well as an explanation on the side effect of reducing premature deaths due to improved air quality

Other climate podcast referral -> https://www.volts.wtf/p/welcome-to-volts

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

In a big win for climate activists, Joe Manchin withdrew his flawed permitting bill. Climate folks should be impressed with their growing political clout, but what comes next? How does our country, in an equitable way, build the urgently needed transmission infrastructure that we need?

The reading list:

• EENews discusses the fallout of Manchin's withdrawal
• The Climate MInute discusses the connection of Maine's Transmission line to the National issue.
• DRVolts podcast on permitting reform
• The Grijalva NEPA reform bill

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Massachusetts has passed a historic climate bill, but it is only a beginning of the work we must do. Representative Jeff Roy talks about what comes next.

The reading list:

• Here is a link to the original show on WFPR, plus show notes

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Representative Jeff Roy explains the motivations for the new climate bill.

The reading list:

• Here is the original link, with show notes

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

We talk to Maya Van Rossum about how she came to be an environmental activist.

The reading list:

• The Delaware Riverkeeper
• Van Rossum on the Climate Minute podcast discussing Green Amendments
• Maya van Rossum's new edition of "The Green Amendment"
• For the Generations website

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Our Constitutions, at the state and Federal level, explicitly lay out protected, enforceable rights. You have a right to free speech, to have a gun and to practice your favorite religion. Your 5^th Amendment right is currently in vogue. Why not a right to clean air and water? We speak with the leader of an effort to put enforceable rights to a working environment into our fundamental law. Her galaxy brain idea is a constitutionally protected individual right to a safe environment.

GREEN AMENDMENTS are self-executing provisions added to the bill of rights section of a constitution that recognize and protect the rights of all people, including future generations, to pure water, clean air, a stable climate, and a healthy environment.

The reading list:

• Maya van Rossum's new edition of "The Green Amendment"
• For the Generations website
• Enviro Legislators on the Green Amendment

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

As the world warms, our economy grinds forward on the assumptions of infinite growth and endless inputs from the natural world. Is capitalism the friend or foe of climate solutions? How do we move to a world of economic equity and long-term sustainability? What form of capitalism would be beneficial? Is there a way to tame capitalism to serve the needs of humanity? We discuss big philosophical questions with an author who has studied corporate sustainability.

The reading list:

• The Climate Minute talks to Urvashi Bhatnagar about her book, The Sustainabilty Scorecard
• Get the Sustainability Scorecard at Amazon
• Get the Sustainability Scorecard at Penguin House
• Get The Sustainability Scorecard at Audible
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Friedman
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bretton_Woods_Conference

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Rhode Island may be a small state, but it has taken big steps to address climate change. We talk to an expert on climate politics in the Ocean State.

The reading list:

• Green Energy Consumers website
• Learn about "Shave the Peak"
• The Climate Minute podcast with Kai Salem on Shaving the Peak
• A summary of the RI legislative session
• An Act on Climate
• Brattle Study on wind in RI
• The ECRI website
• NE offshore wind coalition website
• The Electric Transportation Act
• The MA roadmap

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

A new report matches up leak locations to nearby MA schools. The leaks were fixed, but who wants methane leaks near their kid’s schools? For better or worse, this is the system working as intended. Listen in to consider better ways to heat our school buildings.

The reading list:

• UndauntedK12 report on gas leaks near school
• HEET website
• The Climate Minute Podcast on the data and methods underlying the report
• Benzene in the methane in your kitchen

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge MA is gem. It is a national historic site, as well as an active burial ground, a wildlife sanctuary, an art gallery and a repository of stories. Now Mount Auburn is taking the lead in understanding how its mission to commemorate the dead interacts with climate change. Listen in for a fascinating discussion.

The reading list:

• Matthew Stevens' opinion in Commonwealth Magazine on green burial opporunities
• Mount Auburn Cemetery Website
• Wikipedia on Rural Cemeteries
• The National Park Service on Mount Auburn

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre