banner
LightNews
howardmc.bsky.social
Howard Crystal
@howardmc.bsky.social
960 followers 960 following 29 posts
Energy Justice Legal Director, Ctr. for Biological Diversity // Public Interest Lawyer // aka Bruce
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
howardmc.bsky.social
Howard Crystal @howardmc.bsky.social · 16h
“The Republican Party has long denied the severe risks that climate change presents. Under Mr. Trump, Republicans have gone even further. They have become the party that stands in the way of lower energy prices for American households.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/o...
Opinion | This Is Why Your Energy Bills Are Going Up
www.nytimes.com
2
Reposted by Howard Crystal
uclalawemmett.bsky.social
UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 1d
Gov. Newsom should sign AB 1167 to keep costs down for utility ratepayers by ensuring they are not forced to subsidize utilities’ political lobbying and PR, our @denisegrab.bsky.social writes at @legal-planet.org.

legal-planet.org/2025/10/08/s...
Signing AB 1167 Would be a Win for Energy Affordability  - Legal Planet
AB 1167, which seeks to protect ratepayers from subsidizing utility lobbying, still awaits Governor Newsom’s signature.
legal-planet.org
8 9
Reposted by Howard Crystal
missionvespa.bsky.social
Matt Vespa @missionvespa.bsky.social · 1d
💯. @governor.ca.gov - be the Governor that stood up to for-profit utilities and sign #AB1167 to make California the 7th state to protect customers from footing the bill for their lobbying and promotional campaigns!
uclalawemmett.bsky.social
UCLA Emmett Institute @uclalawemmett.bsky.social · 1d
Gov. Newsom should sign AB 1167 to keep costs down for utility ratepayers by ensuring they are not forced to subsidize utilities’ political lobbying and PR, our @denisegrab.bsky.social writes at @legal-planet.org.

legal-planet.org/2025/10/08/s...
Signing AB 1167 Would be a Win for Energy Affordability  - Legal Planet
AB 1167, which seeks to protect ratepayers from subsidizing utility lobbying, still awaits Governor Newsom’s signature.
legal-planet.org
6 10
Reposted by Howard Crystal
davidpomerantz.bsky.social
David Pomerantz @davidpomerantz.bsky.social · 4d
A bill is sitting on @GavinNewsom’s desk that would lower Californians’ utility bills – all he has to do is sign it. But rumors are swirling that he plans to do the opposite - a move that could prove disastrous for California and for Newsom. A 🧵:
1 18 41
Reposted by Howard Crystal
annmesnikoff.bsky.social
Ann Mesnikoff @annmesnikoff.bsky.social · 5d
Garden bounty! Proving Capitol Hill can be productive in October (and abundant).
1 1
Reposted by Howard Crystal
annmesnikoff.bsky.social
Ann Mesnikoff @annmesnikoff.bsky.social · 6d
It’s back!
1 1
Reposted by Howard Crystal
annmesnikoff.bsky.social
Ann Mesnikoff @annmesnikoff.bsky.social · 6d
Join us next Friday at the Supreme Court! 5:30.
1 1
howardmc.bsky.social
Howard Crystal @howardmc.bsky.social · 6d
howardmc.bsky.social
Howard Crystal @howardmc.bsky.social · 6d
nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
Legal Victory: FEMA Must Consider Rooftop Solar for Puerto Rico’s Ailing Grid
Center for Biological Diversity: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico— Conservation and community groups have won a legal challenge to federal plans to spend billions of dollars to rebuild Puerto Rico’s electric gri...
nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
1 1 4
Reposted by Howard Crystal
environment.theguardian.com
Guardian Environment @environment.theguardian.com · 8d
Border wall slicing through Arizona wildlife corridor begins construction: ‘A show of force for nothing’
Border wall slicing through Arizona wildlife corridor begins construction: ‘A show of force for nothing’
The 30ft-high wall between the US and Mexico will cut through one of the last unbroken grasslands in the west, leaving residents alarmed over the potential impact on wildlife and water use
www.theguardian.com
6 4
Reposted by Howard Crystal
righttozero.bsky.social
Right To Zero @righttozero.bsky.social · 10d
TAKE ACTION and tell @governor.ca.gov to sign these commonsense bills into law
earthjustice.org/action/tell-...
Tell Newsom to sign these commonsense bills into law
Tell Newsom to sign these commonsense bills into law
earthjustice.org
1 3 2
Reposted by Howard Crystal
annmesnikoff.bsky.social
Ann Mesnikoff @annmesnikoff.bsky.social · 10d
We got ours last Monday! Love it.
1 3
Reposted by Howard Crystal
jeffbradynews.bsky.social
Jeff Brady @jeffbradynews.bsky.social · 13d
"A judge is considering Duke Energy's motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought against it by the town of Carrboro... claiming the utility giant engaged in a public deception campaign for decades to dismiss concerns around climate change" - @celllyg.bsky.social @wunc.org www.wunc.org/environment/...
Judge considers motion to dismiss Carrboro's lawsuit against Duke Energy
The town of Carrboro filed suit against Duke Energy last December, alleging the utility giant engaged in a public deception campaign to dismiss concerns about climate change. Lawyers for Duke Energy a...
www.wunc.org
1 4
Reposted by Howard Crystal
laikenjordahl.bsky.social
Laiken Jordahl @laikenjordahl.bsky.social · 13d
This interview with my dear colleague Russ McSpadden is a phenomenal roundup of our work to stop Trump's absurd and irreversibly destructive push to wall off Arizona's San Rafael Valley.

And if you're not already following @peccarynotpig.bsky.social, you should!
jackhumphrey.com
Jack 🦫 @jackhumphrey.com · 20d
Biodiversity Battle in the Borderlands: I recently spoke with Russ McSpadden @peccarynotpig.bsky.social from @biologicaldiversity.org. Hear stories about Jaguars, Ocelots, Bears, a huge number of bird species, and what you can do to help protect them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ech...
Episode 155: Jaguars, Justice, and the Border Wall – Stories from the Frontlines With Russ McSpadden
YouTube video by Rewilding Institute
www.youtube.com
11 24
Reposted by Howard Crystal
wchlchapelboro.bsky.social
97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro.com @wchlchapelboro.bsky.social · 13d
The Town of Carrboro presented its legal rationale for continuing a 2024 lawsuit against Duke Energy.

It argues the utility company deceived the public on the subject of climate change, which has now begun to damage the town’s infrastructure.
Town of Carrboro Argues Case in Duke Energy, Climate Change Lawsuit's Initial Hearing - Chapelboro.com
The Town of Carrboro presented its legal rationale for continuing a 2024 climate change-focused lawsuit against Duke Energy on Thursday.
chapelboro.com
1 5
Reposted by Howard Crystal
skyoutbriout.bsky.social
Brian Gordon @skyoutbriout.bsky.social · 13d
The town of Carrboro and Duke Energy met in a downtown Raleigh courtroom this week to debate whether the town can sue over Duke's approach to climate change:

www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Can an NC town sue Duke Energy like it’s a tobacco company in 1998?
Carrboro is trying to do what no local government has done before.
www.newsobserver.com
1 1
Reposted by Howard Crystal
robertscotthorton.bsky.social
Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · Aug 30
Your electricity bills are going up and up and up. And guess who is responsible. time.com/7312151/ener...
Energy Costs are Rising. Trump and Big Tech Are to Blame
On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to cut energy costs in half. Now, energy costs are skyrocketing.
time.com
1 17 34
Reposted by Howard Crystal
motherjones.com
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · Aug 30
“It’s just incredibly cruel.”

Kristi Noem waives environmental laws to build Trump’s wall through a wildlife refuge.
Kristi Noem waives environmental laws to build Trump's wall through a wildlife refuge
It's not justified, conservationists say. "It’s just incredibly cruel.”
www.motherjones.com
70 310 560
Reposted by Howard Crystal
sevier.io
isaac @sevier.io · Aug 26
The former chair of the New Mexico Public Service Commission thinks their utility should be in public hands rather than captured by Blackstone.

"Imagine Public Service Company of New Mexico developing the lowest-cost, greenest electricity grid possible instead of focusing on profits."
State should buy a controlling interest to make PNM greener, cheaper
Imagine Public Service Company of New Mexico developing the lowest-cost, greenest electricity grid possible instead of focusing on profits.
www.santafenewmexican.com
1 18 37
Reposted by Howard Crystal
aripeskoe.bsky.social
Ari Peskoe @aripeskoe.bsky.social · Aug 28
Utilities' speech violates the First Amendment when its paid for by the public. New article by my colleague Eliza Martin shows that a 2018 Supreme Court case prevents utilities from charging ratepayers for advertising and political activity -- www.utilitydive.com/news/unconst...
Unconstitutional: Utilities are funding political speech with captive ratepayer funds
When ratepayers are forced to subsidize utility political activity through state-set rates, utilities and the state compel objecting ratepayers to fund a private company's political speech.
www.utilitydive.com
5 120 300
Reposted by Howard Crystal
johnffarrell.bsky.social
John Farrell @johnffarrell.bsky.social · Aug 28
Put some "magic" balls on your transmission lines and, voila!, more capacity and lower congestion costs. State utility regulators should mandate deployment on all high voltage lines: vist.ly/44w62
Neurons boost grid capacity - Great River Energy
Great River Energy and Heimdall share dynamic line rating project results One year ago, Great River Energy started the largest dynamic line rating (DLR) deployment in the United States with the goal of getting more capacity out of its existing transmission lines. The cooperative partnered with Heimdall Power to install 50 “Neurons” on 10 transmission […]
greatriverenergy.com
1 2 2
Reposted by Howard Crystal
laikenjordahl.bsky.social
Laiken Jordahl @laikenjordahl.bsky.social · Aug 25
Breaking: Trump's DHS waives all enviro laws to wall off premier Texas Wildlife Refuge.

There’s a special cruelty in walling off a wildlife refuge created for conservation. All under the guise of a fake emergency, as border crossings are at record lows.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Trump Administration Waives Dozens of Laws to Bulldoze Border Wall Through Texas National Wildlife Refuge
Center for Biological Diversity: STARR COUNTY, Texas— The Trump administration today waived 31 environmental and public health laws to speed border wall construction through the Lower Rio Grande Valle...
biologicaldiversity.org
2 46 68
Reposted by Howard Crystal
biologicaldiversity.org
Center for Biological Diversity @biologicaldiversity.org · Aug 22
BREAKING: A federal judge has ordered the state of Florida and the Trump administration to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees and begin winding down operations at the mass detention center in Big Cypress National Preserve known as #AlligatorAlcatraz.

More info: biodiv.us/3JrVXMs
2 15 67
Reposted by Howard Crystal
publiccarbon.bsky.social
Taylor McKinnon @publiccarbon.bsky.social · Aug 22
Following a Center for Biological Diversity lawsuit, a federal judge today ordered Florida and the Trump admin. to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees, and begin winding down operations at “Alligator Alcatraz” in Big Cypress National Preserve. biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Judge Halts Operations at Everglades Detention Center With Preliminary Injunction
MIAMI— A federal judge today ordered the state of Florida and the Trump administration to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees and begin winding down operations at the mass detention center ...
biologicaldiversity.org
1 15 40
Reposted by Howard Crystal
johnffarrell.bsky.social
John Farrell @johnffarrell.bsky.social · Aug 18
A reminder that a deep analysis found rooftop #solar a net benefit to all #California electric customers. A potential opportunity to rebuild this market for driving energy costs down: canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
1 8