Paul Williams
@pewilliams.bsky.social
Executive director, Center for Public Enterprise (publicenterprise.org)
Brooklyn, NY
Brooklyn, NY
Pinned
Paul Williams
@pewilliams.bsky.social
· Nov 26
You asked. We delivered.
We finally got around to putting some CPE hats and shirts together, just in time for the holidays.
shop.publicenterprise.org
We finally got around to putting some CPE hats and shirts together, just in time for the holidays.
shop.publicenterprise.org
Reposted by Paul Williams
As many of you know, CPE’s work focuses on the public investment side of housing, energy, and other infrastructure.
Our panel at the Abundance conference was appropriately titled “Finance: The Missing Pillar of Abundance?” The space was packed—standing room only.
Our panel at the Abundance conference was appropriately titled “Finance: The Missing Pillar of Abundance?” The space was packed—standing room only.
September 7, 2025 at 9:49 PM
As many of you know, CPE’s work focuses on the public investment side of housing, energy, and other infrastructure.
Our panel at the Abundance conference was appropriately titled “Finance: The Missing Pillar of Abundance?” The space was packed—standing room only.
Our panel at the Abundance conference was appropriately titled “Finance: The Missing Pillar of Abundance?” The space was packed—standing room only.
As many of you know, CPE’s work focuses on the public investment side of housing, energy, and other infrastructure.
Our panel at the Abundance conference was appropriately titled “Finance: The Missing Pillar of Abundance?” The space was packed—standing room only.
Our panel at the Abundance conference was appropriately titled “Finance: The Missing Pillar of Abundance?” The space was packed—standing room only.
September 7, 2025 at 9:49 PM
As many of you know, CPE’s work focuses on the public investment side of housing, energy, and other infrastructure.
Our panel at the Abundance conference was appropriately titled “Finance: The Missing Pillar of Abundance?” The space was packed—standing room only.
Our panel at the Abundance conference was appropriately titled “Finance: The Missing Pillar of Abundance?” The space was packed—standing room only.
Reposted by Paul Williams
My favorite part of writing this report—but also the most worrying part—was explaining why we do NOT believe the LPO can currently finance new nuclear reactors.
We looked into Vogtle's project finance and argue it was a "financial anomaly" that will be impossible to replicate:
We looked into Vogtle's project finance and argue it was a "financial anomaly" that will be impossible to replicate:
August 19, 2025 at 5:18 PM
My favorite part of writing this report—but also the most worrying part—was explaining why we do NOT believe the LPO can currently finance new nuclear reactors.
We looked into Vogtle's project finance and argue it was a "financial anomaly" that will be impossible to replicate:
We looked into Vogtle's project finance and argue it was a "financial anomaly" that will be impossible to replicate:
Reposted by Paul Williams
The Loan Programs Office now has an "Energy Dominance Financing" program.
How does it work? What can it do for developers? And what more does it need from the DOE and Congress to continue to support new clean energy technologies?
@publicenterprise.bsky.social:
publicenterprise.org/report/whats...
How does it work? What can it do for developers? And what more does it need from the DOE and Congress to continue to support new clean energy technologies?
@publicenterprise.bsky.social:
publicenterprise.org/report/whats...
What's next for the LPO?
Read the full report here.
Executive Summary
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, now made law, looks better for the Loan Programs Office than what the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee ha...
publicenterprise.org
August 19, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The Loan Programs Office now has an "Energy Dominance Financing" program.
How does it work? What can it do for developers? And what more does it need from the DOE and Congress to continue to support new clean energy technologies?
@publicenterprise.bsky.social:
publicenterprise.org/report/whats...
How does it work? What can it do for developers? And what more does it need from the DOE and Congress to continue to support new clean energy technologies?
@publicenterprise.bsky.social:
publicenterprise.org/report/whats...
Reposted by Paul Williams
Here, @pewilliams.bsky.social @jeffhauser.bsky.social & Marshall Kosloff model an Abundance-populist synthesis.
Hint: it's a lot easier when you root Abundance in the local YIMBYism that inspired it, which the national conversation often distracts from.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
Hint: it's a lot easier when you root Abundance in the local YIMBYism that inspired it, which the national conversation often distracts from.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
561 | Jeff Hauser vs. Paul Williams - Debating What the Abundance Agenda Gets Right and Wrong
Podcast Episode · The Realignment · 07/15/2025 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com
July 17, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Here, @pewilliams.bsky.social @jeffhauser.bsky.social & Marshall Kosloff model an Abundance-populist synthesis.
Hint: it's a lot easier when you root Abundance in the local YIMBYism that inspired it, which the national conversation often distracts from.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
Hint: it's a lot easier when you root Abundance in the local YIMBYism that inspired it, which the national conversation often distracts from.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
Reposted by Paul Williams
Just heard @pewilliams.bsky.social explaining that the grassroots YIMBY movement knows unleashing supply requires major zoning reform and cutting red tape, and also ensuring private actors act for public good. Nuance doesn’t get clicks but it does get stuff right.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
July 18, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Just heard @pewilliams.bsky.social explaining that the grassroots YIMBY movement knows unleashing supply requires major zoning reform and cutting red tape, and also ensuring private actors act for public good. Nuance doesn’t get clicks but it does get stuff right.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Paul Williams
Last week, California passed a landmark law exempting many infill housing developments from CEQA.
Here’s how we can do the same thing on a national level, exempting urban infill housing from NEPA. New report from Aaron Shroyer for @publicenterprise.bsky.social:
Here’s how we can do the same thing on a national level, exempting urban infill housing from NEPA. New report from Aaron Shroyer for @publicenterprise.bsky.social:
July 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Last week, California passed a landmark law exempting many infill housing developments from CEQA.
Here’s how we can do the same thing on a national level, exempting urban infill housing from NEPA. New report from Aaron Shroyer for @publicenterprise.bsky.social:
Here’s how we can do the same thing on a national level, exempting urban infill housing from NEPA. New report from Aaron Shroyer for @publicenterprise.bsky.social:
Last week, California passed a landmark law exempting many infill housing developments from CEQA.
Here’s how we can do the same thing on a national level, exempting urban infill housing from NEPA. New report from Aaron Shroyer for @publicenterprise.bsky.social:
Here’s how we can do the same thing on a national level, exempting urban infill housing from NEPA. New report from Aaron Shroyer for @publicenterprise.bsky.social:
July 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Last week, California passed a landmark law exempting many infill housing developments from CEQA.
Here’s how we can do the same thing on a national level, exempting urban infill housing from NEPA. New report from Aaron Shroyer for @publicenterprise.bsky.social:
Here’s how we can do the same thing on a national level, exempting urban infill housing from NEPA. New report from Aaron Shroyer for @publicenterprise.bsky.social:
Reposted by Paul Williams
Our own @pewilliams.bsky.social co-wrote with @scientistsorg.bsky.social on state derisking of clean energy projects! Thread 1/
This is part of an ongoing CPE research on state capacity improvements for doing project development! Next report coming soon on state EDAs.
fas.org/publication/...
This is part of an ongoing CPE research on state capacity improvements for doing project development! Next report coming soon on state EDAs.
fas.org/publication/...
De-Risking the Clean Energy Transition
As federal uncertainty grows and climate goals face political headwinds, a new coalition of subnational actors is rising to stabilize markets, accelerate permitting, and finance a more inclusive green...
fas.org
June 18, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Our own @pewilliams.bsky.social co-wrote with @scientistsorg.bsky.social on state derisking of clean energy projects! Thread 1/
This is part of an ongoing CPE research on state capacity improvements for doing project development! Next report coming soon on state EDAs.
fas.org/publication/...
This is part of an ongoing CPE research on state capacity improvements for doing project development! Next report coming soon on state EDAs.
fas.org/publication/...
Toplines from HUD section of Trump proposed FY26 budget:
Sections 8, 9, 202 and 811 all eliminated and replaced by much smaller state block grant.
Elimination of HOME+CDBG.
Elimination of the Pathways to Removing Obstacles program, which helped cities do zoning/permitting reform.
Sections 8, 9, 202 and 811 all eliminated and replaced by much smaller state block grant.
Elimination of HOME+CDBG.
Elimination of the Pathways to Removing Obstacles program, which helped cities do zoning/permitting reform.
May 2, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Toplines from HUD section of Trump proposed FY26 budget:
Sections 8, 9, 202 and 811 all eliminated and replaced by much smaller state block grant.
Elimination of HOME+CDBG.
Elimination of the Pathways to Removing Obstacles program, which helped cities do zoning/permitting reform.
Sections 8, 9, 202 and 811 all eliminated and replaced by much smaller state block grant.
Elimination of HOME+CDBG.
Elimination of the Pathways to Removing Obstacles program, which helped cities do zoning/permitting reform.
Reposted by Paul Williams
My colleague and I just published a report on the implications of the market structure of Enhanced Geothermal (EGS) on policy options for stimulating the sector.
publicenterprise.org/report/commi...
publicenterprise.org/report/commi...
Committing to the Drill Bit
Committing to the Drill Bit: Derisking Enhanced Geothermal's Unique Market Structure
publicenterprise.org
April 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
My colleague and I just published a report on the implications of the market structure of Enhanced Geothermal (EGS) on policy options for stimulating the sector.
publicenterprise.org/report/commi...
publicenterprise.org/report/commi...
Reposted by Paul Williams
The Public Utility Commission of Texas approves first ultra-high voltage (745 kV) transmission lines in the state to help power electrification of the Permian oil patch. 🔌💡
The plan calls for the construction of 765-kilovolt transmission lines, which are designed to carry more electricity than the 345-kilovolt lines currently standard in the ERCOT grid. 🔌💡
www.tdworld.com/overhead-tra...
www.tdworld.com/overhead-tra...
PUCT Approves Development of First Extra High Voltage Transmission Lines in ERCOT Region
The plan calls for the construction of 765-kilovolt transmission lines, which are designed to carry more electricity than the 345-kilovolt lines currently standard in the ERCOT...
www.tdworld.com
April 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The Public Utility Commission of Texas approves first ultra-high voltage (745 kV) transmission lines in the state to help power electrification of the Permian oil patch. 🔌💡
Reposted by Paul Williams
Published a report arguing for Western states to collaborate on the deployment of enhanced geothermal technologies.
This "Mountain West" consortium ought to pursue regulatory harmonization and cooperation on various development issues.
publicenterprise.org/report/enhan...
This "Mountain West" consortium ought to pursue regulatory harmonization and cooperation on various development issues.
publicenterprise.org/report/enhan...
Enhanced Geothermal Consortium for the Mountain West
Read the full report here.
Next-generation geothermal technologies are at the frontier of energy development in the United States. Drawing on drilling techniques developed during the shale boom, en...
publicenterprise.org
April 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Published a report arguing for Western states to collaborate on the deployment of enhanced geothermal technologies.
This "Mountain West" consortium ought to pursue regulatory harmonization and cooperation on various development issues.
publicenterprise.org/report/enhan...
This "Mountain West" consortium ought to pursue regulatory harmonization and cooperation on various development issues.
publicenterprise.org/report/enhan...
Reposted by Paul Williams
John Jay econ alum @pewilliams.bsky.social makes the case that to bring down housing costs, we have to address supply.
Imagine a game of musical chairs—but it’s NYC’s housing market.
@pewilliams.bsky.social breaks down why we have to stop playing the game and add chairs: Supply is key to affordability. 🏠 #FiresideStacks 🔥 www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
@pewilliams.bsky.social breaks down why we have to stop playing the game and add chairs: Supply is key to affordability. 🏠 #FiresideStacks 🔥 www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
March 31, 2025 at 3:10 AM
John Jay econ alum @pewilliams.bsky.social makes the case that to bring down housing costs, we have to address supply.
Reposted by Paul Williams
Mark Carney, asked about housing:
"We need to build affordable housing at a scale we haven't seen since the second world war. My government is going to do that."
He suggests an announcement on this is coming in a few days.
"We need to build affordable housing at a scale we haven't seen since the second world war. My government is going to do that."
He suggests an announcement on this is coming in a few days.
March 25, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Mark Carney, asked about housing:
"We need to build affordable housing at a scale we haven't seen since the second world war. My government is going to do that."
He suggests an announcement on this is coming in a few days.
"We need to build affordable housing at a scale we haven't seen since the second world war. My government is going to do that."
He suggests an announcement on this is coming in a few days.
Reposted by Paul Williams
Love @pewilliams.bsky.social and his take on how we can shape housing markets to produce more supply. So pleased to partner up.
Imagine a game of musical chairs—but it’s NYC’s housing market.
@pewilliams.bsky.social breaks down why we have to stop playing the game and add chairs: Supply is key to affordability. 🏠 #FiresideStacks 🔥 www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
@pewilliams.bsky.social breaks down why we have to stop playing the game and add chairs: Supply is key to affordability. 🏠 #FiresideStacks 🔥 www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
March 25, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Love @pewilliams.bsky.social and his take on how we can shape housing markets to produce more supply. So pleased to partner up.
Reposted by Paul Williams
More new pro-housing content from @rooseveltinstitute.org, this time courtesy of the great @pewilliams.bsky.social! www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
The Musical Chairs Theory of Housing
For hundreds of years, thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers all moved on the same day. Moving Day, which fell on May 1 each year, coincided with near-universal annual lease renewals from landlords ...
www.firesidestacks.com
March 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM
More new pro-housing content from @rooseveltinstitute.org, this time courtesy of the great @pewilliams.bsky.social! www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
Reposted by Paul Williams
Imagine a game of musical chairs—but it’s NYC’s housing market.
@pewilliams.bsky.social breaks down why we have to stop playing the game and add chairs: Supply is key to affordability. 🏠 #FiresideStacks 🔥 www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
@pewilliams.bsky.social breaks down why we have to stop playing the game and add chairs: Supply is key to affordability. 🏠 #FiresideStacks 🔥 www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
March 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Imagine a game of musical chairs—but it’s NYC’s housing market.
@pewilliams.bsky.social breaks down why we have to stop playing the game and add chairs: Supply is key to affordability. 🏠 #FiresideStacks 🔥 www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
@pewilliams.bsky.social breaks down why we have to stop playing the game and add chairs: Supply is key to affordability. 🏠 #FiresideStacks 🔥 www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
Reposted by Paul Williams
As I noted, Roosevelt will be doing more work on housing going forward. Today we have a great guest post from housing expert and fellow JFI alum @pewilliams.bsky.social !
Smart writeup from my colleague @pewilliams.bsky.social on how housing shortages impact the efficacy of voucher programs. More supply = more successful redistribution!
www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
www.firesidestacks.com/p/the-musica...
The Musical Chairs Theory of Housing
For hundreds of years, thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers all moved on the same day. Moving Day, which fell on May 1 each year, coincided with near-universal annual lease renewals from landlords ...
www.firesidestacks.com
March 25, 2025 at 7:13 PM
As I noted, Roosevelt will be doing more work on housing going forward. Today we have a great guest post from housing expert and fellow JFI alum @pewilliams.bsky.social !
Reposted by Paul Williams
Boosting housing supply helps increase the odds that housing voucher holders find a home to rent where they can use their voucher.
As Chirag says: more supply means more effective redistribution.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
March 25, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Boosting housing supply helps increase the odds that housing voucher holders find a home to rent where they can use their voucher.
Reposted by Paul Williams
This is such a key point. Fundamentally to solve the housing crisis we need more redistribution and more housing.
As Chirag says: more supply means more effective redistribution.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
March 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
This is such a key point. Fundamentally to solve the housing crisis we need more redistribution and more housing.
Reposted by Paul Williams
The reason I champion more housing is not because I’m a free market developer shill (I’m not). It’s because the ethos of “there’s not room for more” always hurts our poorest neighbors the most. Zoning reform won’t solve affordability but without it we can’t make real progress.
As Chirag says: more supply means more effective redistribution.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
March 25, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The reason I champion more housing is not because I’m a free market developer shill (I’m not). It’s because the ethos of “there’s not room for more” always hurts our poorest neighbors the most. Zoning reform won’t solve affordability but without it we can’t make real progress.
Reposted by Paul Williams
This is insane — hopefully forever banishes the myth that expanding supply does nothing for low-income people
As Chirag says: more supply means more effective redistribution.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
March 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
This is insane — hopefully forever banishes the myth that expanding supply does nothing for low-income people
As Chirag says: more supply means more effective redistribution.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
March 25, 2025 at 6:24 PM
As Chirag says: more supply means more effective redistribution.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.
A family given a housing voucher in a supply constrained market often never finds a home.