Matt Henry
@menrywy.bsky.social
Working on a just energy transition for Gridworks
Formerly: NREL, University of Wyoming
Currently: Facilitator and policy strategist
Enviro Humanities PhD
Book on water justice
Based in MT
https://www.matthenryphd.com/
Formerly: NREL, University of Wyoming
Currently: Facilitator and policy strategist
Enviro Humanities PhD
Book on water justice
Based in MT
https://www.matthenryphd.com/
Reposted by Matt Henry
Saw some survey and interview data from rural communities with a pretty large sample size and there is a lot of antipathy toward AI and data centers across the political spectrum by default. Huge political opportunity there just waiting for Dems, but in no way confident they’ll take it.
December 12, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Saw some survey and interview data from rural communities with a pretty large sample size and there is a lot of antipathy toward AI and data centers across the political spectrum by default. Huge political opportunity there just waiting for Dems, but in no way confident they’ll take it.
Vehemently opposes data centers could be added here
i will amend my earlier tweet. whichever party solves the prices of housing *and child care* will rule america for a generation
December 13, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Vehemently opposes data centers could be added here
Reposted by Matt Henry
If your argument is that your favored projects are unable to comply with longstanding, bedrock environmental protections, so we should get rid of those protections, let me suggest you consider a different argument.
December 12, 2025 at 3:40 PM
If your argument is that your favored projects are unable to comply with longstanding, bedrock environmental protections, so we should get rid of those protections, let me suggest you consider a different argument.
I keep thinking about how data center developers will never enjoy the political and cultural capital of other large industries - coal, e.g. - because there’s no possible way to sell them as the economic lifeblood of the communities in which they’re sited.
Saw some survey and interview data from rural communities with a pretty large sample size and there is a lot of antipathy toward AI and data centers across the political spectrum by default. Huge political opportunity there just waiting for Dems, but in no way confident they’ll take it.
December 12, 2025 at 6:54 AM
I keep thinking about how data center developers will never enjoy the political and cultural capital of other large industries - coal, e.g. - because there’s no possible way to sell them as the economic lifeblood of the communities in which they’re sited.
Saw some survey and interview data from rural communities with a pretty large sample size and there is a lot of antipathy toward AI and data centers across the political spectrum by default. Huge political opportunity there just waiting for Dems, but in no way confident they’ll take it.
December 12, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Saw some survey and interview data from rural communities with a pretty large sample size and there is a lot of antipathy toward AI and data centers across the political spectrum by default. Huge political opportunity there just waiting for Dems, but in no way confident they’ll take it.
Reposted by Matt Henry
There are a lot of junior people looking to leaving NREL/NLR. The work they went there to do has dried up; rumors of big layoffs in the new year abound. If you’re hiring in the clean energy/climate space, please consider them. There are so many brilliant, driven people about to be displaced.
December 11, 2025 at 2:24 AM
There are a lot of junior people looking to leaving NREL/NLR. The work they went there to do has dried up; rumors of big layoffs in the new year abound. If you’re hiring in the clean energy/climate space, please consider them. There are so many brilliant, driven people about to be displaced.
There are a lot of junior people looking to leaving NREL/NLR. The work they went there to do has dried up; rumors of big layoffs in the new year abound. If you’re hiring in the clean energy/climate space, please consider them. There are so many brilliant, driven people about to be displaced.
December 11, 2025 at 2:24 AM
There are a lot of junior people looking to leaving NREL/NLR. The work they went there to do has dried up; rumors of big layoffs in the new year abound. If you’re hiring in the clean energy/climate space, please consider them. There are so many brilliant, driven people about to be displaced.
Confronting deep and existential burnout. Felt like I did a speed run of the last 12 years.
December 9, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Confronting deep and existential burnout. Felt like I did a speed run of the last 12 years.
Reposted by Matt Henry
Much as I love to nerd out about energy and climate, I now believe that when Dems regain power, they'd be absolutely batshit to tackle any issue other than reforming our deeply corrupted democracy and judiciary. Without that, progress on anything else will be temporary, shallow, contingent.
December 4, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Much as I love to nerd out about energy and climate, I now believe that when Dems regain power, they'd be absolutely batshit to tackle any issue other than reforming our deeply corrupted democracy and judiciary. Without that, progress on anything else will be temporary, shallow, contingent.
Our dog is dying and we’re in the weird song and dance with the vet where we know we owe it to the dog to figure out what’s wrong so we can make her (the dog) comfortable but the vet is trained to prolong life at all (mental/financial) costs but it’s clear the end is near and it’s all just sad.
December 4, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Our dog is dying and we’re in the weird song and dance with the vet where we know we owe it to the dog to figure out what’s wrong so we can make her (the dog) comfortable but the vet is trained to prolong life at all (mental/financial) costs but it’s clear the end is near and it’s all just sad.
We should fund and platform more historians. We should address our deep institutional weaknesses and fix our democracy before any energy transition or meaningful work on climate can happen, and when that work does happen, it needs to be done in a way that really resonates with people.
In my world (energy policy), to a first approximation, *everyone* underestimated how bad Republicans would be this time around.
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
December 4, 2025 at 5:39 AM
We should fund and platform more historians. We should address our deep institutional weaknesses and fix our democracy before any energy transition or meaningful work on climate can happen, and when that work does happen, it needs to be done in a way that really resonates with people.
Reposted by Matt Henry
In my world (energy policy), to a first approximation, *everyone* underestimated how bad Republicans would be this time around.
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
December 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
In my world (energy policy), to a first approximation, *everyone* underestimated how bad Republicans would be this time around.
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
Very much feeling for my former NREL colleagues tonight. Situation described as “bedlam” at the lab. Vibes are in shambles.
December 2, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Very much feeling for my former NREL colleagues tonight. Situation described as “bedlam” at the lab. Vibes are in shambles.
Reposted by Matt Henry
Hey if anyone at NREL or DOE or anywhere really knows more or has thoughts about the renaming of NREL and wants to share, Signal is davelevitan.26 and you can remain anonymous
News Release: Energy Department Renames NREL 'National Lab of the Rockies' | NREL
www.nrel.gov
December 1, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Hey if anyone at NREL or DOE or anywhere really knows more or has thoughts about the renaming of NREL and wants to share, Signal is davelevitan.26 and you can remain anonymous
Good context, did not know this. I’m sure it won’t stop the rebranding but the legality of things doesn’t seem to matter to this admin.
thank god we've been liberated from the woke oppression of [checks notes] Gerald Ford.
Worth noting that not only is NREL's name specified by statute - and that the name NREL is already more all-of-the-above than its original name: The Solar Energy Research Institute.
Worth noting that not only is NREL's name specified by statute - and that the name NREL is already more all-of-the-above than its original name: The Solar Energy Research Institute.
The Trump administration says it has renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory the "National Laboratory of the Rockies." "The renaming is effective immediately and will be reflected in all public communications and official correspondence." www.nrel.gov/news/detail/... 🔌💡
December 2, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Good context, did not know this. I’m sure it won’t stop the rebranding but the legality of things doesn’t seem to matter to this admin.
Ok I’ve been dragging my feet on this essay reflecting on institutional decline and the U.S. energy transition but the NREL renaming might just be the fire I need.
December 1, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Ok I’ve been dragging my feet on this essay reflecting on institutional decline and the U.S. energy transition but the NREL renaming might just be the fire I need.
Official news release.
NREL is now NLOR (does not roll off the tongue).
www.nrel.gov/news/detail/...
NREL is now NLOR (does not roll off the tongue).
www.nrel.gov/news/detail/...
December 1, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Official news release.
NREL is now NLOR (does not roll off the tongue).
www.nrel.gov/news/detail/...
NREL is now NLOR (does not roll off the tongue).
www.nrel.gov/news/detail/...
Holy shit. NREL is now the National Laboratory of the Rockies?!
In the early days of DOGE people there were whispering about a name change to avoid the ire of MAGAs. It pissed me off - prioritizing the preservation of the institution at the expense of its state mission? So disappointing.
In the early days of DOGE people there were whispering about a name change to avoid the ire of MAGAs. It pissed me off - prioritizing the preservation of the institution at the expense of its state mission? So disappointing.
December 1, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Holy shit. NREL is now the National Laboratory of the Rockies?!
In the early days of DOGE people there were whispering about a name change to avoid the ire of MAGAs. It pissed me off - prioritizing the preservation of the institution at the expense of its state mission? So disappointing.
In the early days of DOGE people there were whispering about a name change to avoid the ire of MAGAs. It pissed me off - prioritizing the preservation of the institution at the expense of its state mission? So disappointing.
Heads up - our daughter requested parental approval for apps on her Kindle listed as "FREE." A few months later, we realized we were getting charged for them weekly, between $9.99 and $19.99. Fine print suggests the download was free but the app usage was wildly expensive. Be careful!
November 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Heads up - our daughter requested parental approval for apps on her Kindle listed as "FREE." A few months later, we realized we were getting charged for them weekly, between $9.99 and $19.99. Fine print suggests the download was free but the app usage was wildly expensive. Be careful!
MTG talked shit and now she’s bouncing. I don’t trust any of it.
November 22, 2025 at 2:47 AM
MTG talked shit and now she’s bouncing. I don’t trust any of it.
Reposted by Matt Henry
huge news: a key house committee just advanced a major bipartisan permitting deal that would block future presidents from rescinding permits for political reasons
good for anyone who wants to build renewables, bad for anyone who wants to block pipelines
via @heatmap.news
good for anyone who wants to build renewables, bad for anyone who wants to block pipelines
via @heatmap.news
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 20, 2025 at 9:32 PM
huge news: a key house committee just advanced a major bipartisan permitting deal that would block future presidents from rescinding permits for political reasons
good for anyone who wants to build renewables, bad for anyone who wants to block pipelines
via @heatmap.news
good for anyone who wants to build renewables, bad for anyone who wants to block pipelines
via @heatmap.news
Reposted by Matt Henry
"DOE has been using its powers to keep dispatchable plants from retiring under President Trump. Those efforts could cost ratepayers about $3.1 billion a year in 2028 ..." This isn't the "energy dominance" anyone signed up for ...
www.utilitydive.com/news/xcel-co...
www.utilitydive.com/news/xcel-co...
Xcel, Colorado agencies propose extending life of Comanche 2 coal unit
Xcel’s 750-MW, coal-fired Comanche 3 is offline until at least June, and Colorado peak demand forecasts are rising quickly.
www.utilitydive.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:16 PM
"DOE has been using its powers to keep dispatchable plants from retiring under President Trump. Those efforts could cost ratepayers about $3.1 billion a year in 2028 ..." This isn't the "energy dominance" anyone signed up for ...
www.utilitydive.com/news/xcel-co...
www.utilitydive.com/news/xcel-co...
Reposted by Matt Henry
Hi all! I’m opening up speaking slots for 2026, especially for universities, conferences, and orgs interested in just energy transitions, public institutions under pressure, and career pathways at the intersection of humanities/social sciences and energy policy. /1
November 19, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Hi all! I’m opening up speaking slots for 2026, especially for universities, conferences, and orgs interested in just energy transitions, public institutions under pressure, and career pathways at the intersection of humanities/social sciences and energy policy. /1
Hi all! I’m opening up speaking slots for 2026, especially for universities, conferences, and orgs interested in just energy transitions, public institutions under pressure, and career pathways at the intersection of humanities/social sciences and energy policy. /1
November 19, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Hi all! I’m opening up speaking slots for 2026, especially for universities, conferences, and orgs interested in just energy transitions, public institutions under pressure, and career pathways at the intersection of humanities/social sciences and energy policy. /1
The greatest part about remote work is sitting in a chair with my feet on the ottoman sending emails in front of the fireplace after two days of getting rained/snowed on in the backcountry.
November 18, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The greatest part about remote work is sitting in a chair with my feet on the ottoman sending emails in front of the fireplace after two days of getting rained/snowed on in the backcountry.