Joshua Basseches
@joshuabasseches.bsky.social
Renewable energy and climate politics and policy. Assistant Professor at Tulane University. Forthcoming book about utilities and state-level renewable electricity policymaking. More at joshuabasseches.com
Pinned
How to make clean energy progress under Trump in the states—blue and red alike
Cheaper energy bills are a nonpartisan issue—no matter where you live.
www.technologyreview.com
In a new Op-Ed for @technologyreview.com, I draw on research from my forthcoming book to suggest a playbook for clean energy advocates in these backwards times:
www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/19/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/19/1...
At a certain point, our leaders must ask themselves what should the rest of the society be asked to sacrifice to enable the voraciousness of Big Tech:
www.eenews.net/articles/spr...
www.eenews.net/articles/spr...
Spread of data centers raises risk of winter outages, grid monitor warns
Regions where peak electricity demand has risen quickly face the highest risks, says the North American Electric Reliability Corp.
www.eenews.net
November 25, 2025 at 5:42 PM
At a certain point, our leaders must ask themselves what should the rest of the society be asked to sacrifice to enable the voraciousness of Big Tech:
www.eenews.net/articles/spr...
www.eenews.net/articles/spr...
Hamm is a ballroom donor:
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
E&E News: Hamm’s Continental buys into Pluspetrol shale field, Argentine official says
U.S. independent drillers look to take their shale expertise across borders to South America’s second-largest economy.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Hamm is a ballroom donor:
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
The latest skirmish between CARB and a co-chair of the EJ Advisory Committee is part of a much longer history. (1/)
www.eenews.net/articles/cal...
www.eenews.net/articles/cal...
California environmental justice adviser quits to protest state agency
The California Air Resources Board exhibits "growing hostility" to its EJ advisory panel, the co-chair said in her resignation letter.
www.eenews.net
November 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The latest skirmish between CARB and a co-chair of the EJ Advisory Committee is part of a much longer history. (1/)
www.eenews.net/articles/cal...
www.eenews.net/articles/cal...
Excited to dig into @greenprofgreen.bsky.social’s book, which arrived in today’s mail!
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Excited to dig into @greenprofgreen.bsky.social’s book, which arrived in today’s mail!
It's true, sometimes short-term costs are necessary for long-term savings. But monopoly utility profits are also part of the story, and policymakers can tackle those -- thus lowering consumer costs -- *without* backtracking on climate policy:
heatmap.news/politics/dem...
heatmap.news/politics/dem...
Democrats’ New Affordability Message Is Complicating Climate Policy
The transition to clean energy will be expensive today, even if it’ll be cheaper in the long run.
heatmap.news
November 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
It's true, sometimes short-term costs are necessary for long-term savings. But monopoly utility profits are also part of the story, and policymakers can tackle those -- thus lowering consumer costs -- *without* backtracking on climate policy:
heatmap.news/politics/dem...
heatmap.news/politics/dem...
The legislator behind this bill -- who also chairs the relevant committee in the House -- received an influx of utility dollars within days of introducing it, as Commonwealth Beacon has reported. (1/)
acadiacenter.org/house-climat...
acadiacenter.org/house-climat...
House climate bill is a big step backward - Acadia Center
Massachusetts is known as a leader in clean energy and climate action. Our policies have lowered emissions, created jobs, and helped families save money on energy. But a bill currently under considera...
acadiacenter.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The legislator behind this bill -- who also chairs the relevant committee in the House -- received an influx of utility dollars within days of introducing it, as Commonwealth Beacon has reported. (1/)
acadiacenter.org/house-climat...
acadiacenter.org/house-climat...
My research finds that regulated monopoly investor-owned electric utilities are not in the habit of giving something away for nothing. (1/)
November 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
My research finds that regulated monopoly investor-owned electric utilities are not in the habit of giving something away for nothing. (1/)
Fossil fuel companies argue that simply being required to disclose their pollution is violating their First Amendment rights (because, of course, corporations are people 🙄). #ClimateInTheCourts
www.eenews.net/articles/cha...
www.eenews.net/articles/cha...
Chamber urges Supreme Court to block California climate laws
Business groups say the laws violate companies' First Amendment rights.
www.eenews.net
November 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Fossil fuel companies argue that simply being required to disclose their pollution is violating their First Amendment rights (because, of course, corporations are people 🙄). #ClimateInTheCourts
www.eenews.net/articles/cha...
www.eenews.net/articles/cha...
"The Trump administration is claiming that they're doing this to help save costs for the American family, but they’re really only focused on the cost savings to the regulated entities [corporations/polluters].”
www.eenews.net/articles/thi...
www.eenews.net/articles/thi...
Think tank flips the script on Trump EPA’s economic analyses
The NYU School of Law’s Institute for Policy Integrity says the costs of deregulation far exceeds the benefits.
www.eenews.net
November 24, 2025 at 7:31 PM
"The Trump administration is claiming that they're doing this to help save costs for the American family, but they’re really only focused on the cost savings to the regulated entities [corporations/polluters].”
www.eenews.net/articles/thi...
www.eenews.net/articles/thi...
Utilities are rightly cautious about building nuclear plants. Failed and delayed plants like VC Summer and Vogtle left ratepayers on the hook for billions, causing giant PR crises:
www.eenews.net/articles/cos...
www.eenews.net/articles/cos...
Cost-conscious utilities resist Trump’s push for nuclear revival
The administration has yet to convince major utilities to commit to building large reactors again.
www.eenews.net
November 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Utilities are rightly cautious about building nuclear plants. Failed and delayed plants like VC Summer and Vogtle left ratepayers on the hook for billions, causing giant PR crises:
www.eenews.net/articles/cos...
www.eenews.net/articles/cos...
While candidates *talk* about lowering electricity bills, unelected (appointed) commissioners in California may be on the verge of actually *doing* something about it. Other PUCs should consider trimming ROE as well, putting Main St. ahead of Wall St.
www.eenews.net/articles/cal...
www.eenews.net/articles/cal...
California regulator recommends lowering utilities’ return on equity
The California Public Utilities Commission could vote next month on utilities' profit structure for 2026.
www.eenews.net
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
While candidates *talk* about lowering electricity bills, unelected (appointed) commissioners in California may be on the verge of actually *doing* something about it. Other PUCs should consider trimming ROE as well, putting Main St. ahead of Wall St.
www.eenews.net/articles/cal...
www.eenews.net/articles/cal...
Bravo New York Public Service Commission 👏
www.eenews.net/articles/ny-...
www.eenews.net/articles/ny-...
NY regulator wants to shield energy assistance in face of federal delays
It ensures delays in federal aid for low-income ratepayers won’t also prevent families from getting heating help from the state-level program.
www.eenews.net
November 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Bravo New York Public Service Commission 👏
www.eenews.net/articles/ny-...
www.eenews.net/articles/ny-...
Terrific and comprehensive review of barriers to buildings decarbonization:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reviewing the 95 sociotechnical barriers to the decarbonization of buildings - Nature Communications
This study identifies 95 interrelated barriers to building decarbonization, showing that social, political, and behavioral factors, alongside technical ones, inhibit the adoption of low carbon solutio...
www.nature.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Terrific and comprehensive review of barriers to buildings decarbonization:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Didn't see this gentleman on the list of ballroom donors, so good luck ...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...
An Oil Company Running Into Rough Waters off the California Coast Is Looking to Trump for Help - Inside Climate News
A vote to deny Sable Offshore permits to restart production builds on a series of lawsuits and an accusation of insider trading, but the CEO wants the president to help it overcome its setbacks.
insideclimatenews.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Didn't see this gentleman on the list of ballroom donors, so good luck ...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...
There's a lot of talk about electricity bills, but much less about the people who actually have the greatest influence over them: public utility commissioners. Gov. Braun will be making key decisions on appointments in Indiana. Thanks to @indianacapitalchronicle.com for covering:
Nine finalists named for Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission openings • Indiana Capital Chronicle
Indiana officials on Thursday named nine finalists for three open seats on the powerful Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
indianacapitalchronicle.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:10 PM
There's a lot of talk about electricity bills, but much less about the people who actually have the greatest influence over them: public utility commissioners. Gov. Braun will be making key decisions on appointments in Indiana. Thanks to @indianacapitalchronicle.com for covering:
An amazing story:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Pabst, Pamphlets and a Petition: A Harvard-Yale Tailgate in the Trump Era
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
An amazing story:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Why has it been so much easier to build interstate gas lines than interstate electric transmission lines? This report has some answers:
cleanenergygrid.org/wp-content/u...
cleanenergygrid.org/wp-content/u...
cleanenergygrid.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Why has it been so much easier to build interstate gas lines than interstate electric transmission lines? This report has some answers:
cleanenergygrid.org/wp-content/u...
cleanenergygrid.org/wp-content/u...
Not "energy dominance":
www.utilitydive.com/news/the-wee...
www.utilitydive.com/news/the-wee...
The week in 5 numbers: Electricity prices extend rise, regulators rein in data centers
Meanwhile, new renewable generation projects continue to face delays and cancellations.
www.utilitydive.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Not "energy dominance":
www.utilitydive.com/news/the-wee...
www.utilitydive.com/news/the-wee...
I hope Democratic state lawmakers throughout the country who are considering rollbacks to state-level climate policy will watch this:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=jySY...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=jySY...
FULL BRIEFING: Pelosi, Jeffries, Whitehouse Address Climate Change Challenges | DRM News | AL1F
YouTube video by DRM News
m.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I hope Democratic state lawmakers throughout the country who are considering rollbacks to state-level climate policy will watch this:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=jySY...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=jySY...
The House Energy Committee chairman in MA, who is attempting to roll back the state's climate mandates, received $4,100 in campaign contributions in a single day from energy industry lobbyists: (1/)
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/energ...
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/energ...
Energy industry pads key lawmaker’s campaign coffers as major bill advances - CommonWealth Beacon
Cusack's legislation would lower the amount of renewable energy the utilities would be required to purchase and cut the state’s energy efficiency initiative, which is funded through the utilities’ rat...
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The House Energy Committee chairman in MA, who is attempting to roll back the state's climate mandates, received $4,100 in campaign contributions in a single day from energy industry lobbyists: (1/)
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/energ...
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/energ...
So important to preserve FERC's independence, as commissioners serving under Reagan through Biden note in an amicus brief: (1/2)
www.eenews.net/articles/for...
www.eenews.net/articles/for...
Former regulators ask Supreme Court to preserve FERC independence
The high court is considering a case that could overturn protections that make it harder for presidents to fire commissioners.
www.eenews.net
November 21, 2025 at 5:05 PM
So important to preserve FERC's independence, as commissioners serving under Reagan through Biden note in an amicus brief: (1/2)
www.eenews.net/articles/for...
www.eenews.net/articles/for...
Nice deep dive on the Biden administration's EV legacy:
www.eenews.net/articles/bid...
www.eenews.net/articles/bid...
Biden’s EV plan failed. Or did it?
We never got those promised EV chargers — but we did get a future for EVs.
www.eenews.net
November 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Nice deep dive on the Biden administration's EV legacy:
www.eenews.net/articles/bid...
www.eenews.net/articles/bid...
Reposted by Joshua Basseches
Rebuilding after fire requires community voices—but designing meaningful engagement processes is no easy task. We offer some guidance in this new report.
When fires destroy transportation infrastructure, rebuilding often restores old risks instead of creating improved & safer mobility. Our new research explores how agencies can build meaningful partnerships w/ communities to guide resilient rebuilding
Read the report here: bit.ly/47T0n8W #UCLALuskin
Read the report here: bit.ly/47T0n8W #UCLALuskin
Collaborative Community Engagement for Post-Disaster Transportation Rebuilding | UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Opportunities for Los Angeles After the January 2025 Fires…
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Rebuilding after fire requires community voices—but designing meaningful engagement processes is no easy task. We offer some guidance in this new report.