Smart businesses can improve their bottom line by incorporating   principles of sustainability into all facets of their operations, from design to production, to supply chains and beyond. A new book, “The Sustainability Scorecard” quite literally provides a way to assess progress down this path. We speak to one of the authors about the implications of this idea.

The reading list:

• Get the Sustainability Scorecard at Amazon
• Get the Sustainability Scorecard at Penguin House
• Get The Sustainability Scorecard at Audible

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

Jeff Roy had a major hand in creating the new MA climate bill. He explains what’s in the bill, why it is important, and why you should call the Governor at 617-725-4005 to ask him to sign the legislation!

The reading list:

• WBUR Explainer
• Lots of links at Franklin Matters

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

We've updated our podcast artwork. Isn't it a beautiful new logo? We talk with the artist.

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

MCAN released a report on energy mix of the state’s Municipal Light Plants. (MLP) The report found that:

• In 2020, several municipal utilities showed clear leadership by exceeding, or coming close to meeting, the clean energy requirements that investor-owned utilities in MA must meet.
• 12 municipal utilities had already met and exceeded 2030 state clean energy requirements and three had exceeded their 2040 state clean energy requirements under the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standard, a standard that applies only to municipal utilities. 
• Yet 33 of the 40 municipal utilities had a percentage of clean energy that was less than 1%. 

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.  

The reading list:

• MCAN's new report on MLP energy usage
• Charts from the new report
• The Boston Globe's front page article
• The Climate Minute asks "What's an MLP?"

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

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.

The reading list:

• bit.ly/FERC-toolkit – put this link in to get to the toolkit
• Here is an alternate link to the tool kit
• Markey on the MOPR
• Meet the FERC Commissioners
• Mireille's podcast at Community Action Works
• The Climate Minute podcast talks to an expert on how the MOPR rigs the auction
• The Climate Minute podcast demystifies ISO, FERC,MOPR etc
• The Climate Minute goes down the MOPR rabbit hole
• The Climate Minute on why we need more sunshine on the grid managers

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

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 reading list:

• Inspiring Civic Leaders – Inspiration to action
  • https://inspiringcivicleaders.com
• Elected Officials to Protect America
  • http://www.protectingamerica.net/
• https://dominicfrongillo.com/
• Ithaca's decarbonization plans

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

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.

The reading list:

• Boston Globe on MA sputtering EV plans
• MassLive on the new Senate Bill
• Amy Westervelt of Drilled News on the IPCC's Chapter 5
• Chapter 5 from the IPCC. Read the Executive Summary.
• The Globe on Wu's plan to electrify school buses
• The Conversation on the myth of electric cars
• A blog on the concept of 'degrowth' in the IPCC report
• Commonwealth MAg on the slow pace of MBTA electrification
• James Aloisi in Commonwealth Magazine on the need to fund other forms of transit

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

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?

The reading list:

The MOPR

• BreathCleanNS FERC party on April 14 7PM
  • Join the Fix the Grid Campaign for a FERC Comment Party on Thursday, April 14th at 7pm on Zoom to ask any questions you have, draft your comment, and get support through the tricky FERC submission process! Register here, and share the information with your friends
• ISO NE asks FERC to delay the MOPR rule.
• The Climate Minute goes down the MOPR rabbit hole- How are these decisions made?
• The Climate Minute discusses MOPR with an expert
• Senator Markey's CHARGE Act

The Future of Gas

• AGO calls for DPU to investigate transition off gas
  • "Today’s petition urges the DPU to work with stakeholders to develop a nation-leading regulatory and policy roadmap that protects customers during the necessary transition away from reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels. "
• MA DPU docket site. Enter 20-80 to find the Future of Gas documents
• Nice glossy website on the Future of Gas
• WBUR discusses activist’s complaints about the Future of Gas commission
• The Boston Globe on activist’s complaints on the Future of Gas
• History of EOEEA
• Biographies of DPU Commissioners
• MA DOER Net zero building code proposal allowing natural gas in advanced buildings!
• Dave Roberts talks to HEET about the idea of a geo-thermal district
• The Climate Minute on the Future of Heat

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

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.

The reading list:

MCAN's 2021 MLP scorecard

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

What do ISO-NE, FERC, NESCOE and NEPOOL have to do with clean energy? In fact, what the heck is ISO-NE anyway? Listen to an expert help us understand who are the stakeholders in our electrical grid planning and what their motivations are.

The reading list:

• The Climate Minute in February on the MOPR delay
• Utility Dive on the MOPR delay
• Acadia Center
• Senator Markey's CHARGE Act
• ISO-NE
• See the organizational chart near the bottom of this link!
• FERC
• NEPOOL
• NESCOE

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