DeepSummary
The episode features a discussion with Dr. Leah Stokes, author of the book 'Short Circuiting Policy', about the ways utility companies and fossil fuel interests have historically resisted and weakened clean energy policies across the United States. Stokes details how groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) have written model bills aimed at rolling back renewable portfolio standards and net metering laws, and how utilities have tried to frame these policies as costly subsidies.
Stokes argues that while there has been positive momentum with some utilities adopting ambitious clean energy targets, many are still proposing new gas infrastructure or keeping old coal plants open longer than economically necessary. She says the U.S. is still far behind the pace needed to meet climate targets and transition the electricity system in time.
The episode also covers the 2020 presidential election, discussing whether Bernie Sanders' climate voters will support Joe Biden now that Sanders is out of the race. While some climate groups are holding out on endorsing Biden, Stokes expresses optimism that they will ultimately back him over Trump, who she calls 'the climate denier in chief'. However, she believes Biden will need to be pushed to adopt bolder policies like a clean electricity standard.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Utility companies and fossil fuel interest groups have historically undermined and weakened clean energy policies in the U.S., though recent positive momentum is emerging.
- Stokes argues the U.S. is still far behind the pace needed to transition the electricity system quickly enough to meet climate targets.
- Biden will likely need to be pushed to adopt bolder policies like a clean electricity standard to seriously address climate change.
- The youth climate movement could play a key role in influencing Biden's climate agenda if they ultimately mobilize to support him over Trump.
- Arizona Public Service is highlighted as one of the worst offenders in actively fighting clean energy policies through lobbying and election spending.
- Utilities saw policies like net metering as potentially sparking a 'death spiral' of customers leaving the system and higher rates.
- Some argue clean energy entrepreneurs need to donate big to Biden if they want to influence his environmental and stimulus plans.
- Overall, the episode portrays an ongoing battle to counteract utility resistance and strengthen climate policies in the U.S.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I think the clean energy entrepreneurs are going to have to open up their wallets. They're going to have to write some big checks to Joe Biden, and they're going to have to say, look, we want our policies in these stimulus bills because Joe Biden actually does have an ability to impact how these stimulus bills are drafted over the next, next, you know, two to three months.“ by Jigger Shah
- “Utilities started to worry that the more customers were opting out of the system, the fewer kilowatt hours of load they would be serving and the higher the rates would go, which would make it profitable for other customers to opt out. And this was what they termed the death spiral.“ by Leah Stokes
- “Young people have a lot of moral authority on the climate issue. I think that they're extremely good messengers because people can understand the stakes when these people speak about the climate crisis.“ by Leah Stokes
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Episode Information
The Energy Gang
Wood Mackenzie
4/18/20
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This week: The many ways that dirty energy has controlled the politics of clean energy.
Dr. Leah Stokes, an expert on interest groups and their influence over policy, joins the gang. Her new book, Short Circuiting Policy, is the focus of our episode.
Who are the truly bad actor utilities? How have they held back climate policy, and where would we be without their resistance?
Suddenly, utilities are embracing much more ambitious carbon-free energy targets. How optimistic should we be about their intentions?
We’ll talk about the history of clean energy politics detailed in Leah’s book, which she researched over a seven-year period.
Then: the election. With Bernie Sanders out, what will his climate voters do? How long will they hold out, what influence do they have, and how will they wield it?
Recommended reading:
- Leah Stokes: Short Circuiting Policy
- Washington Post: Elizabeth Warren says ‘government has been bought and paid for’ by big business. Political scientists say she’s got a point.
- Guardian: Trump Administration Declines to Strengthen U.S. Clean Air Standards
- L.A. Times: Exposure to Air Pollution Linked to Higher Coronavirus Death Rates
- The Atlantic: Trump’s New Auto Rollback is an Economic Disaster
- The Atlantic: “We Knew They Had Cooked the Books”
- NYT: Coronavirus Does Not Slow Trump’s Regulatory Rollbacks
- NYT: Trump’s Environmental Rollbacks Find Opposition Within: Staff Scientists
- The Hill: Democrat questions WH transparency in rollback of bedrock env law
- Inside Climate News: Joe Biden Must Convince Climate Voters He’s a True Believer
- The Hill: State of the Race: Green groups press Biden after Sanders exits
- Common Dreams: After Sanders Exits Race, Climate Campaigners Thank Him for 'Raising the Bar' and Urge Biden to 'Step Up'
- Guardian Opinion: Dear Joe Biden, Here is how you can earn our support
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