Building codes matter for climate work. The future of buildings lies in complete electrification of things now done with gas, like home heating and cooking. “Good insulation” is not enough. Recently special interests like the natural (methane) gas industry have tried to prevent improved building codes that deal with electrification. Listen in for details and say farewell to an MCAN veteran.

The reading list:

• Mother Jones reports the story
• MCAN webinar on Net Zero
• MCAN fact sheet on Net Zero

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.

Arcane questions about past decisions hides the reality of a deeper uncertainty at FERC concerning the wisdom of building the Weymouth Compressor. We talk to an expert about what is really happening between FERC, Enbridge and the stalwart activists in the Fore River Basin.

The reading list:

• Earthwhile's Miriam Wasser on the implications of events in Weymouth
• Drilled podcast talks to Miriam Wasser
• https://www.nocompressor.com/

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

Massachusetts is close to a landmark climate bill. We talk to two experts about how the provisions of the new bill align with the MCAN vision.

The reading list:

• Commonwealth Magazine: Baker very pleased with climate bill
• MCAN Legislative priorities

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

Covid and Climate represent challenges that “nations” fail to meet. Nations focus on ‘globalization’ of human issues like trade, travel and information while ignoring the physical limits of the planet. We discuss new ways to think about how humanity should organize itself- with the goal of preserving itself!

The reading list:

• Gilman in Noema on Governing in the Planetary Age
• The Climate Minute on Gilman's prescient forecasting of insurrection
• The C-40 Initiative
• The Climate Minute on ideas that are lying around
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice

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

The Next Generation Roadmap bill advanced in the Massachusetts Senate, and continues to inch forward. If it becomes law, t will serve as a context and reference point to assess other bills and policies. For example, are MBTA service cuts consistent with reducing emissions by 50%? What shall we do to retrofit the 80% of existing buildings that will still be standing in 2050? The roadmap bill is not an end, but a beginning.

The reading list:

• Commonwealth on the Senate action
• The Globe on MBTA cuts
• Should we have free bus service?
• Retrofitting the "triple-deckah"
• Mother Jones on the international building code

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

Massachusetts’ proposed “100% Clean Act” deals with both clean electricity (from wind and solar) and other forms of clean energy in transportation and buildings. In this episode we talk to an expert about the pragmatic path to 100% clean energy in these sectors.

The reading list:

• The EnvironmentMasssachusetts home page 
• Fact sheet on the 100% Clean Act 
• The 100% Clean Act - Briefing on what is in the bill!
• Find your State Rep, ask them to co-sponsor!

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

Massachusetts’ proposed “100% Clean Act” would eliminate carbon emissions from electricity generation, transportation and buildings. In this episode we talk to an expert about the pragmatic path to 100% clean electricity by 2035.

The reading list:

• The EnvironmentMasssachusetts home page 
• Fact sheet on the 100% Clean Act 
• The 100% Clean Act - Briefing on what is in the bill!
• Commonwealth Magazine on Vineyard Wind
• A description of the Haliade wind turbind
• Find your State Rep, ask them to co-sponsor!

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

The MCAN Newsletter keeps you up to date on climate issues and activities. Check it out.

The reading list:

• The February 2021 MCAN newsletter
• MCAN's home page- sign up for the newsletter here!

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

Disaster struck in Texas in February. A combination of man-made, climate-related weather extremes and man-made planning mistakes and malfeasance led to millions freezing in the dark without water. The debacle in the Lone Star state can be viewed from many perspectives and provides lessons to us all. We try to get our arms around a few of these.

The reading list:

• The NYT on the mess
• The Atlantic on what went wrong
• Vox on Texan Turbines

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

The new Green Future Act proposal in the MA Legislature provides the funding for climate initiatives. What are those new initiatives? What are the benefits? We talk with an expert about how the money will be spent and what that spending will do.

The reading list:

• Learn more and read the House factsheet here
• The Climate Minute reviews the funding mechanisms of the GFA
• Green Future Now
• Baker's 2030 roadmap document
• WBUR on Baker's rejection of the second climate bill
• gov on TCI
• Read the Policy Roundup on the bill (and sign up!)
• Sign up for Lobby Day March 4

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