Justin Gerdes
@justingerdes.bsky.social
I publish the Quitting Carbon newsletter. Subscribe: https://www.quittingcarbonmedia.com/. Former Managing Editor, Energy Monitor. Send story ideas or tips: [email protected] or Signal: JustinGerdes.85
Pinned
Justin Gerdes
@justingerdes.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Welcome to Quitting Carbon
Reporting and analysis on the projects, people, and policies advancing the energy transition.
Welcome to Quitting Carbon, a newsletter that will chronicle the most important story of our lives: human...
www.quittingcarbonmedia.com
Some personal news: I'm very excited to share that I'm launching a newsletter called Quitting Carbon, focused on the projects, people, and policies advancing the energy transition. Read more about what I'll be up to and subscribe! www.quittingcarbonmedia.com/welcome-to-q...
Reposted by Justin Gerdes
"Adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps collectively saved US households between $5.6 to $8.8 billion in 2023 alone."
"80% of users are satisfied with their heat pumps, and nearly 95% of EV owners are likely to consider purchasing another EV for their next vehicle."
"80% of users are satisfied with their heat pumps, and nearly 95% of EV owners are likely to consider purchasing another EV for their next vehicle."
New Brattle Report Finds Beneficial Electrification Delivers Billions in Savings to US Households Along with Significant Emissions Reductions - Brattle
Harnessing the benefits of electric technology over the last decade saved US households between $5.6 to $8.8 billion in 2023 alone and prevented more than
www.brattle.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:39 PM
"Adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps collectively saved US households between $5.6 to $8.8 billion in 2023 alone."
"80% of users are satisfied with their heat pumps, and nearly 95% of EV owners are likely to consider purchasing another EV for their next vehicle."
"80% of users are satisfied with their heat pumps, and nearly 95% of EV owners are likely to consider purchasing another EV for their next vehicle."
"South Australia’s growing fleet of big batteries has hit a stunning new milestone – grabbing a world-leading 40% share of instantaneous demand in the evening peak on Tuesday in Australia’s most advanced renewable grid," reports @gilesparkinson.bsky.social: reneweconomy.com.au/big-batterie... 🔌💡
reneweconomy.com.au
November 26, 2025 at 4:57 AM
"South Australia’s growing fleet of big batteries has hit a stunning new milestone – grabbing a world-leading 40% share of instantaneous demand in the evening peak on Tuesday in Australia’s most advanced renewable grid," reports @gilesparkinson.bsky.social: reneweconomy.com.au/big-batterie... 🔌💡
"A big bipartisan permitting reform deal may be in the offing in Washington. But getting it done will require taking away one of Donald Trump’s favorite toys: The power to mess with solar and wind permits," reports @jael.bsky.social: heatmap.news/politics/per... 🔌💡
Trump Is the Biggest Wild Card in Permitting Reform
Congress is motivated to pass a bipartisan deal, but Democrats are demanding limits on executive power.
heatmap.news
November 26, 2025 at 4:47 AM
"A big bipartisan permitting reform deal may be in the offing in Washington. But getting it done will require taking away one of Donald Trump’s favorite toys: The power to mess with solar and wind permits," reports @jael.bsky.social: heatmap.news/politics/per... 🔌💡
"Unfortunately, a decade into the revelations of how social media is poisoning us, government and the social media platforms are actually unwinding the very few safeguards they’ve ever put into place," writes @vermontgmg.bsky.social: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/the-very-b...
November 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
"Unfortunately, a decade into the revelations of how social media is poisoning us, government and the social media platforms are actually unwinding the very few safeguards they’ve ever put into place," writes @vermontgmg.bsky.social: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/the-very-b...
@schiff.senate.gov is "crafting first-of-its-kind data center legislation aimed at protecting consumers and the electric grid from the energy demands of artificial intelligence," reports Nico Portuondo: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene... 🔌💡
E&E News: Schiff eyes bill to guard against data center impacts
The California senator wants to rein in Big Tech’s power-hungry data-center boom with new safeguards.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:17 AM
@schiff.senate.gov is "crafting first-of-its-kind data center legislation aimed at protecting consumers and the electric grid from the energy demands of artificial intelligence," reports Nico Portuondo: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene... 🔌💡
"This week, five of the region’s states launched a $450 million effort to warm more of the homes in the often-frigid region with energy-efficient, low-emission heat pumps instead by burning fossil fuels," reports Sarah Shemkus: www.canarymedia.com/articles/hea... 🔌💡
New England kicks off $450M plan to supercharge heat pump adoption
The program aims to use federal funds awarded under the Biden administration to deploy more than 500,000 heat pumps in the chilly region over the next few…
www.canarymedia.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:49 PM
"This week, five of the region’s states launched a $450 million effort to warm more of the homes in the often-frigid region with energy-efficient, low-emission heat pumps instead by burning fossil fuels," reports Sarah Shemkus: www.canarymedia.com/articles/hea... 🔌💡
An in-depth analysis of all the key outcomes at COP30 in Belém from the team at @carbonbrief.org: www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou... #ClimateSky
COP30: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belém - Carbon Brief
A voluntary plan to curb fossil fuels, a goal to triple adaptation finance and new...
www.carbonbrief.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
An in-depth analysis of all the key outcomes at COP30 in Belém from the team at @carbonbrief.org: www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou... #ClimateSky
"Soaring electricity prices are triggering a wave of power shutoffs nationwide, leaving more Americans in the dark as unpaid bills pile up," reports @abha-b.bsky.social: wapo.st/3Xb0mXI 🔌💡
More Americans are getting their power shut off, as unpaid bills pile up
Average electricity costs have risen 11 percent since January, more than three times the rate of inflation.
wapo.st
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
"Soaring electricity prices are triggering a wave of power shutoffs nationwide, leaving more Americans in the dark as unpaid bills pile up," reports @abha-b.bsky.social: wapo.st/3Xb0mXI 🔌💡
Wyoming and Basin Electric recently took a step toward building the first new coal-fired power plant in the U.S. more than a decade: cowboystatedaily.com/2025/10/27/w... via @davidcsdreporter.bsky.social h/t @alexckaufman.bsky.social 🔌💡
Wyoming, Basin Electric Take Step Toward First New Coal Plant In Over A Decade
Wyoming and Basin Electric took a step Monday toward building the first new coal-fired power plant in more than a decade. Adding a second unit to the Dry…
cowboystatedaily.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Wyoming and Basin Electric recently took a step toward building the first new coal-fired power plant in the U.S. more than a decade: cowboystatedaily.com/2025/10/27/w... via @davidcsdreporter.bsky.social h/t @alexckaufman.bsky.social 🔌💡
Reposted by Justin Gerdes
My latest at Quitting Carbon: Electrification programs advance in California and New York City, research roundup, and more highlights from what I've been reading: www.quittingcarbonmedia.com/what-im-read... 🔌💡
What I’m reading: Electrification programs advance in California and New York City, research roundup, and more
Quitting Carbon is a 100% subscriber-funded publication. To support my work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation.
Welcome back to another recap of highlights from...
www.quittingcarbonmedia.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:03 AM
My latest at Quitting Carbon: Electrification programs advance in California and New York City, research roundup, and more highlights from what I've been reading: www.quittingcarbonmedia.com/what-im-read... 🔌💡
EIA: Between January and August 2025, utility-scale solar generation in California totaled 40.3 BkWh, nearly double the 22.0 BkWh over the same period in 2020. Meanwhile, natural gas supplied 45.5 BkWh of electricity, 18% less than during the same period in 2020: www.eia.gov/todayinenerg... 🔌💡
November 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
EIA: Between January and August 2025, utility-scale solar generation in California totaled 40.3 BkWh, nearly double the 22.0 BkWh over the same period in 2020. Meanwhile, natural gas supplied 45.5 BkWh of electricity, 18% less than during the same period in 2020: www.eia.gov/todayinenerg... 🔌💡
"The cost of running coal plants rose 28 percent from 2021 to 2024, nearly double the rate of inflation over that time, forcing consumers to pay $6 billion in unnecessary energy bills," writes @energyinnovation.org's @silviomarcacci.bsky.social: thepowerline.substack.com/p/coals-not-... 🔌💡
Coal’s Not Coming Back
19th century technology can’t compete economically with 21st century clean energy
thepowerline.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 AM
"The cost of running coal plants rose 28 percent from 2021 to 2024, nearly double the rate of inflation over that time, forcing consumers to pay $6 billion in unnecessary energy bills," writes @energyinnovation.org's @silviomarcacci.bsky.social: thepowerline.substack.com/p/coals-not-... 🔌💡
"This was the week from hell for environmental policy in the United States,” Vermont Law and Graduate School's Pat Parenteau told @maxinejoselow.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/c...
In One Week, Trump Moves to Reshape U.S. Environmental Policy
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 AM
"This was the week from hell for environmental policy in the United States,” Vermont Law and Graduate School's Pat Parenteau told @maxinejoselow.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/c...
Weekend reading: Electrification programs advance in California and New York City, and noteworthy reports and studies you might have missed in a research roundup: www.quittingcarbonmedia.com/what-im-read... via Quitting Carbon🔌💡
What I’m reading: Electrification programs advance in California and New York City, research roundup, and more
Quitting Carbon is a 100% subscriber-funded publication. To support my work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation.
Welcome back to another recap of highlights from...
www.quittingcarbonmedia.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Weekend reading: Electrification programs advance in California and New York City, and noteworthy reports and studies you might have missed in a research roundup: www.quittingcarbonmedia.com/what-im-read... via Quitting Carbon🔌💡
"What’s going to be more telling is when they have a new, updated mission of the Office of Electricity or a new, updated mission of the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation.” - a source told @alexckaufman.bsky.social about DOE's new reorganization: heatmap.news/energy/depar... 🔌💡
11 Takeaways from the DOE’s Big Reorganization
Here’s what stood out to former agency staffers.
heatmap.news
November 22, 2025 at 12:56 AM
"What’s going to be more telling is when they have a new, updated mission of the Office of Electricity or a new, updated mission of the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation.” - a source told @alexckaufman.bsky.social about DOE's new reorganization: heatmap.news/energy/depar... 🔌💡
"At their all-time high, in 2017, global sales of pure internal combustion vehicles hit 79.9 million units, per data from the International Energy Agency. Last year, 54.8 million internal combustion cars were sold, a 31% reduction." www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele... via @danmccarthy.bsky.social
Chart: EVs are ascendant — and gas cars are past their prime
Sales of gas-only vehicles are down by 31% from their peak, while electric vehicle sales are growing rapidly worldwide, largely due to China.
www.canarymedia.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:21 AM
"At their all-time high, in 2017, global sales of pure internal combustion vehicles hit 79.9 million units, per data from the International Energy Agency. Last year, 54.8 million internal combustion cars were sold, a 31% reduction." www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele... via @danmccarthy.bsky.social
My latest at Quitting Carbon: Electrification programs advance in California and New York City, research roundup, and more highlights from what I've been reading: www.quittingcarbonmedia.com/what-im-read... 🔌💡
What I’m reading: Electrification programs advance in California and New York City, research roundup, and more
Quitting Carbon is a 100% subscriber-funded publication. To support my work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation.
Welcome back to another recap of highlights from...
www.quittingcarbonmedia.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:03 AM
My latest at Quitting Carbon: Electrification programs advance in California and New York City, research roundup, and more highlights from what I've been reading: www.quittingcarbonmedia.com/what-im-read... 🔌💡
Oregon Governor @tinakotek.bsky.social "on Wednesday issued an executive order directing state agencies to speed up energy project permitting and processes to connect renewable energy to the state’s electric grid for the long haul." www.opb.org/article/2025... via @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social 🔌💡
Gov. Kotek orders state agencies to move faster on clean energy projects, electrification
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek issued an executive order meant to get agencies to identify barriers to clean energy projects and transmission and find solutions by 2027.
www.opb.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Oregon Governor @tinakotek.bsky.social "on Wednesday issued an executive order directing state agencies to speed up energy project permitting and processes to connect renewable energy to the state’s electric grid for the long haul." www.opb.org/article/2025... via @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social 🔌💡
"A key House panel this afternoon advanced a bipartisan permitting deal that would include language appearing to bar Donald Trump or any other president from rescinding permits for energy projects," reports @jael.bsky.social: heatmap.news/energy/speed... 🔌💡
House Permitting Bill Would Block Trump From Pulling Permits
It was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee on Thursday by a vote of 25 to 18.
heatmap.news
November 21, 2025 at 6:15 AM
"A key House panel this afternoon advanced a bipartisan permitting deal that would include language appearing to bar Donald Trump or any other president from rescinding permits for energy projects," reports @jael.bsky.social: heatmap.news/energy/speed... 🔌💡
"High-speed rail has added another structural headwind. ... The rapid expansion of China’s railway network has fundamentally reshaped domestic travel patterns, pushing airlines into even fiercer competition along their remaining profitable corridors." www.scmp.com/economy/econ... via Mia Nurmamat
As high-speed rail erodes airfares, China’s airlines are stuck in overcapacity
Flight loads have surpassed pre-pandemic levels on high-density routes, but China’s carriers are still struggling to balance their books.
www.scmp.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
"High-speed rail has added another structural headwind. ... The rapid expansion of China’s railway network has fundamentally reshaped domestic travel patterns, pushing airlines into even fiercer competition along their remaining profitable corridors." www.scmp.com/economy/econ... via Mia Nurmamat
"And if the history of energy has an arc, it bends toward solutions that are leaner, cheaper, and more secure. On every measure, solar beats LNG," argue @kingsmillbond.bsky.social and @sambutl3r.bsky.social: www.semafor.com/article/11/2... 🔌💡
View: In the coming energy glut, solar will outshine LNG
China and the US have competing visions for the future of energy, and Beijing is looking like the safer bet.
www.semafor.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:32 PM
"And if the history of energy has an arc, it bends toward solutions that are leaner, cheaper, and more secure. On every measure, solar beats LNG," argue @kingsmillbond.bsky.social and @sambutl3r.bsky.social: www.semafor.com/article/11/2... 🔌💡
"We can pull the old boiler out. We don’t have to change radiators or piping. We plug right into the system from the bottom and — bam — we’re in business,” MPN's Julia Cyr told @scigat.bsky.social: www.skylight.nyc/articles/res... via @skylightnyc.bsky.social 🔌💡
Steam heat systems learning new tricks | Skylight
A legacy boiler company is pioneering boiler replacement with a steam-generating heat pump powerful enough to heat New York's biggest apartment buildings
www.skylight.nyc
November 20, 2025 at 7:26 PM
"We can pull the old boiler out. We don’t have to change radiators or piping. We plug right into the system from the bottom and — bam — we’re in business,” MPN's Julia Cyr told @scigat.bsky.social: www.skylight.nyc/articles/res... via @skylightnyc.bsky.social 🔌💡
"A House subcommittee on Wednesday advanced several pieces of legislation to weaken energy efficiency programs, cancel standards for manufactured homes and eliminate some home rebates, building codes and job training programs." www.utilitydive.com/news/house-s... via Robert Walton 🔌💡
Bills to weaken DOE efficiency programs advance
Republican lawmakers say the proposals will make housing and appliances more affordable and improve consumer choice. Energy efficiency advocates say they will raise consumer energy costs.
www.utilitydive.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
"A House subcommittee on Wednesday advanced several pieces of legislation to weaken energy efficiency programs, cancel standards for manufactured homes and eliminate some home rebates, building codes and job training programs." www.utilitydive.com/news/house-s... via Robert Walton 🔌💡
"The Regent is among the dozens of buildings that the city of Lincoln has helped weatherize and repair since 2023, as part of a program to rehabilitate decrepit buildings and improve their energy efficiency without pricing out tenants." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c... by @carabuckley.bsky.social 🔌💡
In Nebraska, Makeovers for Buildings That Don’t Price Out the Locals
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:40 PM
"The Regent is among the dozens of buildings that the city of Lincoln has helped weatherize and repair since 2023, as part of a program to rehabilitate decrepit buildings and improve their energy efficiency without pricing out tenants." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c... by @carabuckley.bsky.social 🔌💡
South Australia "on Sunday morning posted a spectacular new record for wind output, breaking total wind and renewable shares at the same time. ... the share of wind energy hit a new peak of 157.2% of local demand at 5.30 am." reneweconomy.com.au/australias-m... via @gilesparkinson.bsky.social 🔌💡
reneweconomy.com.au
November 17, 2025 at 10:41 PM
South Australia "on Sunday morning posted a spectacular new record for wind output, breaking total wind and renewable shares at the same time. ... the share of wind energy hit a new peak of 157.2% of local demand at 5.30 am." reneweconomy.com.au/australias-m... via @gilesparkinson.bsky.social 🔌💡