Matthias Muehlbauer’s Post

The Midwest offers an inspiring example for how leaders can deliver on the promise of improving the lives of all Americans by investing in climate solutions and our clean energy economy, well past election day and every day. Why? They deliver good-paying jobs and keep the lights on during winter storms, they deliver fewer cases of childhood asthma and lower utility bills, and they deliver farming that improves soil and water quality and solar and wind that pays farmers and local governments. Climate solutions are the win-win that delivers these benefits and more. Midwestern auto, steel and coal plants drove our country forward in the last century. Midwestern agriculture has long fed a growing nation. To win the Midwest, candidates at all levels need to show us exactly what they will do to transform the Rust Belt and the farmland that surrounds it into a clean energy and agricultural powerhouse that fuels America’s growth and middle-class prosperity for a 21st century economy. Read more in McKnight president Tonya Allen and former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard's opinion piece in U.S. News & World Report ahead of tonight's vice presidential debate: https://lnkd.in/gQJ_YEQK

Connecticut has tremendous opportunity to reap the benefits of offshore wind. This Thursday, September 5th at 12pm ET, I will be joining a panel with representatives from Green Energy Consumers Alliance, Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM), and RHODE ISLAND AFL-CIO to discuss climate and public health, economic growth, energy reliability, and environmental justice benefits of offshore wind across the Northeast. With offshore wind bids in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts expected to be announced this Friday, September 6th, join us to hear why our region must move forward with our clean energy transition. Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Nbrvg0 Need a quick read on the benefits of offshore wind? Op-Ed from Emily Koo, Acadia Center's Senior Policy Advocate and Rhode Island Program Director, and Amanda Barker with the Green Energy Consumers Alliance on the critical nature of offshore wind for a livable and equitable future: https://lnkd.in/g5XAhSpE Want a glimpse into what is guiding Connecticut's offshore wind development? The State of Connecticut's 2023 Offshore Wind Strategic Roadmap: https://lnkd.in/gchX4Nxd #Connecticut #OffshoreWind #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition

"There aren’t enough words to cover all the legislation being bandied about in state roundhouses this year, so I’ll stick with a relatively small sampling of measures that, I hope, will provide a snapshot of the good, the bad and the ugly — not to mention the occasionally hateful and the downright crazy. "In Utah, lawmakers are clinging desperately to fossil fuels, so much so that the Salt Lake Tribune called it “the year of coal” for the GOP-dominated Legislature. Republicans want to rewrite state energy policy to boost “reliable” and “affordable” resources — i.e., coal and natural gas — and deprioritize clean and renewable energy, which lands at the very bottom of their list of desirable achievements. One proposed bill would require the state to encourage development of oil shale, while a separate effort seeks to make it difficult or impossible for utilities to close coal or natural gas plants, even for economic reasons. These proposals echo laws passed in Wyoming in recent years, which have managed to drive up utility rates without doing much to save the coal industry. Wyoming’s session has only just begun, but so far the legislators have already held a hearing featuring climate deniers, who loudly tout the benefits of carbon dioxide emissions." #energy #policy #sustainability

Since I did the same for Harris, I might as well do the same for her VP pick, Tim Walz. Mr.Walz has not been shy about his intentions regarding energy, climate, and greenhouse gas emissions since his time in Congress and as governor of Minnesota. In 2019: Signed an executive order that established a climate change sub-cabinet within his administration which was advised by a citizen board. 2022: Unveiled a plan to reduce emissions within his state by increasing the sales of EVs to 20% by providing purchasing incentives for consumers and dealers. Additionally, announced investments in developing the EV charging network within his state. 2023: Signed a law requiring Minnesota to generate all of its electricity from wind, solar, and other carbon-free sources by 2040. 2024: Signed a law to speed up the permitting process for renewable electricity projects. https://lnkd.in/eW24Smb8

Forwarding a listing in the Front Porch Lincoln Forum Issue No. 3534 • Mar 11, 2024 “ Neighbors, Important climate legislation is being considered by the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy in Vermont's State Senate this year. Three bills are up for debate: S.252 (Thermal Energy Networks), H.668 (Low Income Electric Ratepayer Protection), and H.289 (Renewable Energy Standards). To ensure that our community's voice is heard, I've signed an open letter urging the committee to prioritize local, low-emissions energy, affordable community-based heat, and protection for low-income electric ratepayers from inevitable cost increases. Let's work together to build a more equitable future for our state and beyond. “ #climatepolicy #equitablefuture

"As we sprint towards Election Day, I urge voters to support candidates who understand the value of an all-of-the-above energy approach. Reducing global carbon emissions without reducing energy choices is possible, and we know the leaders who have the determination to make it happen. " Read more about the 40 CRES-endorsed Republican candidates from Heather Reams in her latest op-ed for RealClearEnergy: https://lnkd.in/eHdhq9B7

It’s a busy week in Congress. Here are a few of the hearings we’re keeping an eye on: • House Energy and Commerce Energy, Climate and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing on efforts to dismantle the Snake River Dams (1/30) • House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on the misuse of Green Bank funding (1/30) • House Science, Space and Technology Research and Technology Subcommittee hearing on risks and resilience (1/30) • House Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing on five pieces of legislation (1/31) • Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on methane emissions from landfills (1/31) Learn more about this week’s happenings in Washington, DC in the Bracewell PRG Energy Update from Frank Maisano: https://hubs.ly/Q02j8Fgg0 #energypolicy #infrastructure #climatepolicy

It is hard to imagine taming anything in TEXAS........but this is really worth a try. #gridresilience #gridmodernization #TEXAS Texas Democrats want the feds to tame, integrate state’s power grid https://lnkd.in/dJQnRrM8

Economy depends on policy. It is more the case in PV industry. We'll continue to watch closely on the future of clean energy in US market. #CleanEnergy #PV #ESS #BESS #SolarEnergy Jobs Ma

Massachusetts, like California, is facing the challenge where the price we pay for electricity exceeds the social marginal cost. This leads to our society - individual actors and as a collective - to look to a future with sub-optimal levels of electricity use. Building and transportation electrification will reduce our total energy use, and the emissions associated with these sectors, but we need the price we pay for electricity to reflect those benefits.