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

The reading list:

• Globe on the House action
• BlueMassGroup on the House action
• Better Future blog
• Protest July 19 at Statehouse
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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

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

The reading list:

• The Climate Reality Project
• _{Thursday July 19 at the Statehouse}
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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

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.

The reading list:

• Applied Economic Clinic report on economic impact of the clean energy bill
• The Climate Minute on the passage of the Senate bill
• RE100
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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

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 reading list:

• Kristin Mink tells Scott to resign
• Ingraham tell Pruitt to resign
• John Kelly wanted Pruitt to resign
• NYT: Pruitt resigns
• Pruitt's cringe-worthy resignation letter
• Bill Shine did it?
• Meet the new boss, Andy Wheeler
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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 (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 reading list:

• Wikipedia on Astroturfing
• Vox's Dave Robert's take on the plan

Events

• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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 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.

The reading list:

• Legal Planet: What does retirement mean for environment
• Vox: Make SCOTUS term limited
• Grist: what retirement means
• Grist: A new climate champion
• Detention camps are totalitarian
• Safe Communities Act
• MoveOn June 30 events
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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 Massachusetts Senate recently passed "An Act to Promote a Clean Energy Future", otherwise known as the “Pacheco Bill” after Senator Mark Pacheco who introduced it. The bill has so many good aspects, it is hard to fit them all into a single podcast! Listen in as we discuss a lot of them. Now the bill awaits action in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. It could face a much tougher time there, and needs the support of all climate hawks! Join the MCAN Legislative Action Team to help out.

The reading list:

• MASSLive on the bill
• WWLP on the bill
• RenewablesNow on the bill
• PV Magazine on the bill
• Utilitydive on the bill
• UCS on the bill
• CLF explanation of Net Metering
• BlueMassGroup on Transporation under the bill
• MCAN Legislative Action Team
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES
• Schoolhouse Rock "I'm just a bill"

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.

The dark policies being enforce on our borders by the Trump administration can be considered in parallel with it’s similar impulses on climate. Denial of facts and humanity are needed to either separate families or deny the reality of global warming. One man who does not deny facts is Jim Hansen, the NASA scientist who 30 years ago told Congress that the climate is changing. We consider his legacy. Listen in.

The reading list:

• The Solstice
• Why Climate Hawks should oppose the immigration policies
• NPR's Folkenflik on White House lies
• James Hansen's 30 year anniversary
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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

Despite pressure at the G7 Summit and a poignant message from Pope Francis about the importance of addressing climate change, Trump refuses to accept reality and show leadership. Will we lose our top climate scientists and watch as the rest of the world moves forward on the clean energy revolution without us? Tune in for more details!

Reading list:

• BlackRock’s push for ‘social responsibility’ highlights this major shift among corporations
• In the Trump Administration, Science Is Unwelcome. So Is Advice. - The New York Times
• France says "Make out Planet Great Again!
• Pope warns oil executives: Climate change may ‘destroy civilization’ | TheHill
• G6 leaders advance climate agenda while Trump's US defends fossil fuels

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.

The politics of climate change and clean energy rolled on this week in Boston. Marty Walsh held an international mayoral climate summit and discussed plans to coordinate clean energy plans with other cities, but activists were upset by his support for urban pipelines and reticence to implement Community Choice Energy. In parallel, Senator Pacheco’s excellent energy bill (S2545) nears a vote in the upper house. Listen in!

The reading list:

• Read about Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) aka Community Choice Energy (CCE)
• Boston to join other cities to collectively buy energy from renewable sources - The Boston Globe
• Activists criticize Boston mayor over energy policies - The Boston Globe
• Mayors can get around the feds in going green - The Boston Globe
• Status of Pacheco Bill!
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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