Dan Schroeder
@dvschroeder.bsky.social
Physicist, educator, number-cruncher. Cartoon by the great Cal Grondahl. physics.weber.edu/schroeder
Here's the applicable text of the Federal Power Act. I'm not going to get into a further discussion of whether it's applicable here but there's nothing to indicate that this provision "does not apply to state power plants" (whatever those even are). www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
16 U.S. Code § 824a - Interconnection and coordination of facilities; emergencies; transmission to foreign countries
www.law.cornell.edu
January 17, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Here's the applicable text of the Federal Power Act. I'm not going to get into a further discussion of whether it's applicable here but there's nothing to indicate that this provision "does not apply to state power plants" (whatever those even are). www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
The applicable laws, passed by Congress, are the Federal Power Act and the Department of Energy Organization Act, cited in the first sentence of the DOE order.
January 17, 2026 at 4:55 PM
The applicable laws, passed by Congress, are the Federal Power Act and the Department of Energy Organization Act, cited in the first sentence of the DOE order.
Yeah, I can see how that might mean operations are required, but I can also see how it might not mean that. I feel sorry for the judge who'll ultimately have to sort this out.
January 17, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Yeah, I can see how that might mean operations are required, but I can also see how it might not mean that. I feel sorry for the judge who'll ultimately have to sort this out.
I'm a mere theoretical physicist, but some of my best friends are lawyers. My best guess is that it's not unconstitutional for the federal government to have the authority to issue such emergency orders—but that in this case there's no emergency so the order is illegal under federal law.
January 17, 2026 at 4:48 PM
I'm a mere theoretical physicist, but some of my best friends are lawyers. My best guess is that it's not unconstitutional for the federal government to have the authority to issue such emergency orders—but that in this case there's no emergency so the order is illegal under federal law.
Here's the DOE order: "TransAlta shall take all measures necessary to ensure that Centralia Unit 2 is available to operate at the direction of either [BPA or CAISO]." www.energy.gov/documents/or...
www.energy.gov
January 17, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Here's the DOE order: "TransAlta shall take all measures necessary to ensure that Centralia Unit 2 is available to operate at the direction of either [BPA or CAISO]." www.energy.gov/documents/or...
US emissions in 2025 were not meaningfully impacted by the federal policy changes in 2025, but we project that those policy changes could have increasing effects in the years to come. Read more in our new note: rhg.com/research/us-...
Preliminary US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimates for 2025
Based on preliminary economic and energy activity data, we estimate that in 2025, US greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.4%, marking a change from the prior two years of decreases in emissions.
rhg.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:49 AM
I just don't understand how they purport to derive the Born rule.
January 13, 2026 at 9:31 PM
I just don't understand how they purport to derive the Born rule.
In the second chart, the line for solar omits rooftop—right?
January 13, 2026 at 7:25 PM
In the second chart, the line for solar omits rooftop—right?
Reposted by Dan Schroeder
The increase in emissions was driven by a rise in coal electricity generation due to higher natural gas prices and growing power demand. Colder winter temperatures also drove higher space heating demand in buildings, pushing up direct emissions from fuel use in buildings.
January 13, 2026 at 4:18 PM
The increase in emissions was driven by a rise in coal electricity generation due to higher natural gas prices and growing power demand. Colder winter temperatures also drove higher space heating demand in buildings, pushing up direct emissions from fuel use in buildings.
I've settled on Groundhog Day (Candlemas) as the time to draw the line.
January 13, 2026 at 4:39 AM
I've settled on Groundhog Day (Candlemas) as the time to draw the line.
I now have the actual book in my hands. Flipping through it, I see but a single graph! Also a couple of maps and a handful of data tables.
How important is the book? It looks like a very easy read, but should I make it a priority?
How important is the book? It looks like a very easy read, but should I make it a priority?
January 13, 2026 at 4:32 AM
I now have the actual book in my hands. Flipping through it, I see but a single graph! Also a couple of maps and a handful of data tables.
How important is the book? It looks like a very easy read, but should I make it a priority?
How important is the book? It looks like a very easy read, but should I make it a priority?
Neat but confusing! Is there more explanation somewhere?
January 11, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Neat but confusing! Is there more explanation somewhere?
Terrific column. Thanks!
Another reform I'd like to see is allowing apartments wherever office buildings are allowed.
Another reform I'd like to see is allowing apartments wherever office buildings are allowed.
January 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Terrific column. Thanks!
Another reform I'd like to see is allowing apartments wherever office buildings are allowed.
Another reform I'd like to see is allowing apartments wherever office buildings are allowed.
Well in that case I commend that person!
(My co-author brought the Vonnegut passage to my attention when I was indexing our book, which includes a self-indulgent entry for "Weinberg's nose".)
(My co-author brought the Vonnegut passage to my attention when I was indexing our book, which includes a self-indulgent entry for "Weinberg's nose".)
January 9, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Well in that case I commend that person!
(My co-author brought the Vonnegut passage to my attention when I was indexing our book, which includes a self-indulgent entry for "Weinberg's nose".)
(My co-author brought the Vonnegut passage to my attention when I was indexing our book, which includes a self-indulgent entry for "Weinberg's nose".)
A delightful thread!
Though my first thought was from Vonnegut: You can always tell when an author has been self-indulgent enough to index their own book. 😉
Though my first thought was from Vonnegut: You can always tell when an author has been self-indulgent enough to index their own book. 😉
January 9, 2026 at 6:53 PM
A delightful thread!
Though my first thought was from Vonnegut: You can always tell when an author has been self-indulgent enough to index their own book. 😉
Though my first thought was from Vonnegut: You can always tell when an author has been self-indulgent enough to index their own book. 😉
He calls your article a "very good piece". How is that consistent with your interpretation that he's suggesting you'd be fine with more blackouts?
January 9, 2026 at 4:46 AM
He calls your article a "very good piece". How is that consistent with your interpretation that he's suggesting you'd be fine with more blackouts?