Ethan Elkind
@ethanelkind.bsky.social
Director of the Climate Program at Berkeley Law CLEE, author of Railtown (book on history of LA Metro Rail), and host of KALW’s Your Call (Mondays/Fridays) & State of the Bay.
Deep dive review here on the new all-electric postal delivery vans, coming soon to (most of) your neighborhoods.
Very excited my drive report on an important new #EV is now live. This was in the works for a while after Oshkosh was kind enough to let us drive a very early prototype of their Next Generation Delivery Vehicle.
You'll soon see these throughout the U.S. as USPS renews its aged fleet. Watch for 'em!
You'll soon see these throughout the U.S. as USPS renews its aged fleet. Watch for 'em!
www.caranddriver.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Deep dive review here on the new all-electric postal delivery vans, coming soon to (most of) your neighborhoods.
Reposted by Ethan Elkind
Very excited my drive report on an important new #EV is now live. This was in the works for a while after Oshkosh was kind enough to let us drive a very early prototype of their Next Generation Delivery Vehicle.
You'll soon see these throughout the U.S. as USPS renews its aged fleet. Watch for 'em!
You'll soon see these throughout the U.S. as USPS renews its aged fleet. Watch for 'em!
www.caranddriver.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Very excited my drive report on an important new #EV is now live. This was in the works for a while after Oshkosh was kind enough to let us drive a very early prototype of their Next Generation Delivery Vehicle.
You'll soon see these throughout the U.S. as USPS renews its aged fleet. Watch for 'em!
You'll soon see these throughout the U.S. as USPS renews its aged fleet. Watch for 'em!
Reposted by Ethan Elkind
I’ve been waiting for an answer from the L.A. Department of Water and Power on when exactly they’d stop burning coal at Intermountain. They had promised by the end of November. This certainly appears to be it.
Something to be thankful for!
Utah's largest coal-fired power plant—the Intermountain Power Project, located in the west desert near Delta and serving southern California—stopped burning coal at mid-day on Wednesday, just in time for Thanksgiving. 🔌💡
Utah's largest coal-fired power plant—the Intermountain Power Project, located in the west desert near Delta and serving southern California—stopped burning coal at mid-day on Wednesday, just in time for Thanksgiving. 🔌💡
November 28, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I’ve been waiting for an answer from the L.A. Department of Water and Power on when exactly they’d stop burning coal at Intermountain. They had promised by the end of November. This certainly appears to be it.
Super cheap solar and batteries means you can skip the grid connection (or at least connect faster with a smaller one) for EV fast charging sites.
Tesla just finished its largest charging station, along Interstate 5 between L.A. and San Francisco. It's got 164 chargers, and they're all powered by solar panels and batteries: insideevs.com/news/780042/...
Tesla Just Opened Its Biggest Supercharger Station Ever—And It's Powered By Solar And Batteries
Tesla's huge 164-stall charger in California is powered by solar panels and huge amounts of off-grid storage.
insideevs.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Super cheap solar and batteries means you can skip the grid connection (or at least connect faster with a smaller one) for EV fast charging sites.
A new investigation reveals $28B in dirty money laundered through crypto exchanges, while the US weakens oversight.
We'll discuss today on Your Call w/ @spencerwoodman.bsky.social & Sam Ellefson @icij.org.
Tune in @kalwradio.bsky.social 10am PT or stream live!
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
We'll discuss today on Your Call w/ @spencerwoodman.bsky.social & Sam Ellefson @icij.org.
Tune in @kalwradio.bsky.social 10am PT or stream live!
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
ICIJ investigation exposes crypto industry’s $28b in dirty money
As the crypto industry has become less regulated, billions in funds from scammers, money launderers, and other criminal groups have flowed onto major crypto exchanges.
www.kalw.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A new investigation reveals $28B in dirty money laundered through crypto exchanges, while the US weakens oversight.
We'll discuss today on Your Call w/ @spencerwoodman.bsky.social & Sam Ellefson @icij.org.
Tune in @kalwradio.bsky.social 10am PT or stream live!
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
We'll discuss today on Your Call w/ @spencerwoodman.bsky.social & Sam Ellefson @icij.org.
Tune in @kalwradio.bsky.social 10am PT or stream live!
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
Chinese companies are poised to dominate the global electric truck market, with big repercussions for diesel fuel demand:
apnews.com/article/chin...
apnews.com/article/chin...
China's diesel trucks are shifting to electric. That could change global LNG and diesel demand
China is rapidly replacing its aging diesel trucks with electric models, signaling a major shift in the world’s largest vehicle market.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Chinese companies are poised to dominate the global electric truck market, with big repercussions for diesel fuel demand:
apnews.com/article/chin...
apnews.com/article/chin...
The safety benefits of switching to an all-electric home and getting off of fossil gas appliances may be the most compelling reason to switch for most people, next to improving indoor air quality.
House explosion caused by child turning on lamp during a gas leak, neighbor says
House explosion caused by child turning on lamp during a gas leak, neighbor says
Officials have determined a gas leak caused a home explosion in Chino Hills over the weekend that injured eight people, forced temporary evacuations and damaged nearby homes.
www.latimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The safety benefits of switching to an all-electric home and getting off of fossil gas appliances may be the most compelling reason to switch for most people, next to improving indoor air quality.
Reposted by Ethan Elkind
This would be a huge loss! I can’t imagine the East Bay without the steam train.
The current month to month lease makes it impossible for the operators to make long term needed investments.
Urge East Bay Regional Park District to approve a long-term lease, by emailing [email protected].
The current month to month lease makes it impossible for the operators to make long term needed investments.
Urge East Bay Regional Park District to approve a long-term lease, by emailing [email protected].
Without a long-term lease from the East Bay park district, the Redwood Valley Railway may move from its longtime home in the Berkeley Hills.
Tilden steam train owner says Berkeley Hills attraction’s days may be numbered
Without a long-term lease from the East Bay park district, the Redwood Valley Railway may move from its longtime home in the Berkeley Hills.
www.berkeleyside.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This would be a huge loss! I can’t imagine the East Bay without the steam train.
The current month to month lease makes it impossible for the operators to make long term needed investments.
Urge East Bay Regional Park District to approve a long-term lease, by emailing [email protected].
The current month to month lease makes it impossible for the operators to make long term needed investments.
Urge East Bay Regional Park District to approve a long-term lease, by emailing [email protected].
Iowa City raised parking and utility fees to pay for free buses, and ridership has surged beyond pre-pandemic levels with attendant emissions decreases:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Iowa City raised parking and utility fees to pay for free buses, and ridership has surged beyond pre-pandemic levels with attendant emissions decreases:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
The cost of climate change now hitting homeowners across the country:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Rising Home Insurance Premiums Are Eating Into Home Values in Disaster-Prone Areas
Changes in the insurance market have started to affect home prices in the most disaster-prone areas, new research finds, pushing some homeowners’ finances to the breaking point.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The cost of climate change now hitting homeowners across the country:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Ethan Elkind
Some years ago LA upzoned a single family area next to the Expo/Bundy station. 20 homeowners sold their property at huge profits to developers and now they’re turning into 600 new apartments.
Hopefully we’ll see projects like this all over the state in coming years now that SB79 has legalized them.
Hopefully we’ll see projects like this all over the state in coming years now that SB79 has legalized them.
Vertical construction underway for trio of apartment buildings near Expo/Bundy Station
Just south of Expo/Bundy Station in Sawtelle, the arrival of two orange tower cranes are the latest sign of progress on the construction of a trio of developments from Carmel Partners.
la.urbanize.city
November 17, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Some years ago LA upzoned a single family area next to the Expo/Bundy station. 20 homeowners sold their property at huge profits to developers and now they’re turning into 600 new apartments.
Hopefully we’ll see projects like this all over the state in coming years now that SB79 has legalized them.
Hopefully we’ll see projects like this all over the state in coming years now that SB79 has legalized them.
Researchers from @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social discover human-like whale "vowels" in how sperm whales communicate, in a promising use case for AI:
ls.berkeley.edu/news/uc-berk...
ls.berkeley.edu/news/uc-berk...
UC Berkeley and Project CETI study shows sperm whales communicate in ways similar to humans
The way sperm whales communicate may be more similar to human language than previously thought. The acoustic properties of whale calls resemble vowels, a defining feature of human language, according ...
ls.berkeley.edu
November 18, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Researchers from @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social discover human-like whale "vowels" in how sperm whales communicate, in a promising use case for AI:
ls.berkeley.edu/news/uc-berk...
ls.berkeley.edu/news/uc-berk...
Prescribed burning in the Sierras leads to short term carbon losses but long-term carbon sequestration benefits, per new @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social study:
news.berkeley.edu/2025/11/17/p...
news.berkeley.edu/2025/11/17/p...
Prescribed burning helps store forest carbon in big, fire-resistant trees - Berkeley News
A two decade long experiment in the Sierra Nevada found that regular prescribed burns promote carbon sequestration in live trees and plants, maintaining forests’ long-term ability to store carbon whil...
news.berkeley.edu
November 18, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Prescribed burning in the Sierras leads to short term carbon losses but long-term carbon sequestration benefits, per new @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social study:
news.berkeley.edu/2025/11/17/p...
news.berkeley.edu/2025/11/17/p...
Tune in at 6pm PT - I'll be discussing COP30 and what it means for California as a guest (not host) on @stateofthebay.bsky.social.
LMK here (or call in) if you have any questions or comments you'd like me to address!
LMK here (or call in) if you have any questions or comments you'd like me to address!
TONITE 11.17 6pm @kalwradio.bsky.social
@pginsburgsf.bsky.social Phil Ginsburg talks w us about his remarkable career @sfrecpark.bsky.social * CA at COP30 w State Sen Josh Bender @ethanelkind.bsky.social @cleeberkeley.bsky.social & Isabel Rewick @environmentyale.bsky.social * Shobha Rao's new book
@pginsburgsf.bsky.social Phil Ginsburg talks w us about his remarkable career @sfrecpark.bsky.social * CA at COP30 w State Sen Josh Bender @ethanelkind.bsky.social @cleeberkeley.bsky.social & Isabel Rewick @environmentyale.bsky.social * Shobha Rao's new book
November 18, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Tune in at 6pm PT - I'll be discussing COP30 and what it means for California as a guest (not host) on @stateofthebay.bsky.social.
LMK here (or call in) if you have any questions or comments you'd like me to address!
LMK here (or call in) if you have any questions or comments you'd like me to address!
Reposted by Ethan Elkind
TONITE 11.17 6pm @kalwradio.bsky.social
@pginsburgsf.bsky.social Phil Ginsburg talks w us about his remarkable career @sfrecpark.bsky.social * CA at COP30 w State Sen Josh Bender @ethanelkind.bsky.social @cleeberkeley.bsky.social & Isabel Rewick @environmentyale.bsky.social * Shobha Rao's new book
@pginsburgsf.bsky.social Phil Ginsburg talks w us about his remarkable career @sfrecpark.bsky.social * CA at COP30 w State Sen Josh Bender @ethanelkind.bsky.social @cleeberkeley.bsky.social & Isabel Rewick @environmentyale.bsky.social * Shobha Rao's new book
November 17, 2025 at 3:12 PM
TONITE 11.17 6pm @kalwradio.bsky.social
@pginsburgsf.bsky.social Phil Ginsburg talks w us about his remarkable career @sfrecpark.bsky.social * CA at COP30 w State Sen Josh Bender @ethanelkind.bsky.social @cleeberkeley.bsky.social & Isabel Rewick @environmentyale.bsky.social * Shobha Rao's new book
@pginsburgsf.bsky.social Phil Ginsburg talks w us about his remarkable career @sfrecpark.bsky.social * CA at COP30 w State Sen Josh Bender @ethanelkind.bsky.social @cleeberkeley.bsky.social & Isabel Rewick @environmentyale.bsky.social * Shobha Rao's new book
Reposted by Ethan Elkind
“SB 827 was a BC/AD event for housing policy in America,” @hanlon.bsky.social says. “We’re not going to solve this through marginal tax credit, low-income housing projects. No. You just need to legalize fucking apartment buildings.”
Scott Wiener defeated California’s NIMBYs. Can he fix America’s housing crisis?
By running for Nancy Pelosi's House seat, he's putting the abundance theory to the test.
www.motherjones.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
“SB 827 was a BC/AD event for housing policy in America,” @hanlon.bsky.social says. “We’re not going to solve this through marginal tax credit, low-income housing projects. No. You just need to legalize fucking apartment buildings.”
As Trump and congressional Republicans roll back federal environmental policy, how can California fill that void?
I discussed on AirTalk @laist.com today (scroll down on this link):
laist.com/news/the-shu...
I discussed on AirTalk @laist.com today (scroll down on this link):
laist.com/news/the-shu...
The shutdown’s end may be in sight, so why are flights still getting cancelled?
Today on AirTalk: Flight cancellations; student AI use; parenting across generations; California climate leadership; beef industry; and falling out of love with your spouse.
laist.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
As Trump and congressional Republicans roll back federal environmental policy, how can California fill that void?
I discussed on AirTalk @laist.com today (scroll down on this link):
laist.com/news/the-shu...
I discussed on AirTalk @laist.com today (scroll down on this link):
laist.com/news/the-shu...
China is exporting low-cost climate tech to emerging economies at a record pace. It's good news for reducing global emissions, but a huge lost opportunity for the US to remain competitive globally in this field.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/c...
A Flood of Green Tech From China Is Upending Global Climate Politics
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
China is exporting low-cost climate tech to emerging economies at a record pace. It's good news for reducing global emissions, but a huge lost opportunity for the US to remain competitive globally in this field.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/c...
Another argument for high speed rail: a hedge against government shutdowns impacting air traffic.
Thousands of flights across the U.S. are set to be canceled. Here's a list of 40 affected airports and what you need to know. 🔗 on.wsj.com/3LsYeYz
November 6, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Another argument for high speed rail: a hedge against government shutdowns impacting air traffic.
While it’s bad news for the US economy that Chinese EVs are dominating the global market, emerging economies are benefiting from low priced, high quality electric transport:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/c...
A Chinese E.V. Delivers the Host, and a Message, at the Global Climate Summit
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:07 PM
While it’s bad news for the US economy that Chinese EVs are dominating the global market, emerging economies are benefiting from low priced, high quality electric transport:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/c...
King tides and storm surge give us a glimpse of the future with sea level rise.
Natalia Poltoratzky shot this video of the Bolinas Lagoon washing up on Rt. 1 this morning with the stiff south winds and high tide.
November 6, 2025 at 7:31 PM
King tides and storm surge give us a glimpse of the future with sea level rise.
Under the guise of exempting environmentally beneficial projects from CEQA this year, the CA legislature instead created a broad exemption for all kinds of industrial activity, like pistachio processing and metal forging, among others.
Details on @legal-planet.org:
legal-planet.org/2025/11/05/o...
Details on @legal-planet.org:
legal-planet.org/2025/11/05/o...
Of Pistachios and Water Features - Legal Planet
One of the most controversial provisions of SB 131, which created a range of new CEQA exemptions, was an exemption for “a facility for advanced manufacturing, as defined in Section 26003, if the proje...
legal-planet.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Under the guise of exempting environmentally beneficial projects from CEQA this year, the CA legislature instead created a broad exemption for all kinds of industrial activity, like pistachio processing and metal forging, among others.
Details on @legal-planet.org:
legal-planet.org/2025/11/05/o...
Details on @legal-planet.org:
legal-planet.org/2025/11/05/o...
Reposted by Ethan Elkind
I have a @nytimes.com op-ed today on managing power demand growth. Central point: load growth is an opportunity to *offset* upward rate pressure (and avoid gas overbuild), if we plan the system to make fuller use of infrastructure we’ve already paid for. 🔌💡 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/o...
November 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I have a @nytimes.com op-ed today on managing power demand growth. Central point: load growth is an opportunity to *offset* upward rate pressure (and avoid gas overbuild), if we plan the system to make fuller use of infrastructure we’ve already paid for. 🔌💡 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/o...
It's mayor's night on @stateofthebay.bsky.social! First, we chat w/San Jose mayor @mattmahansj.bsky.social
Then: media roundtable on SF Mayor Lurie w/@esksf.bsky.social & JD Morris @sfchronicle.com
Finally: Del Sol Quartet
Stream live 6pm PT @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/state-b...
Then: media roundtable on SF Mayor Lurie w/@esksf.bsky.social & JD Morris @sfchronicle.com
Finally: Del Sol Quartet
Stream live 6pm PT @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/state-b...
Spotlight on Bay Area Mayors / The Del Sol Quartet
Bay Area Mayors: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan; A media roundtable on San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie; the Del Sol Quartet
www.kalw.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:33 AM
It's mayor's night on @stateofthebay.bsky.social! First, we chat w/San Jose mayor @mattmahansj.bsky.social
Then: media roundtable on SF Mayor Lurie w/@esksf.bsky.social & JD Morris @sfchronicle.com
Finally: Del Sol Quartet
Stream live 6pm PT @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/state-b...
Then: media roundtable on SF Mayor Lurie w/@esksf.bsky.social & JD Morris @sfchronicle.com
Finally: Del Sol Quartet
Stream live 6pm PT @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/state-b...
Wonderful to have you on!
Thank you @ethanelkind.bsky.social and @kalwradio.bsky.social for having me on today to talk about reporting on the rights of nature movement.
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
How the Rights of Nature movement redefines human–nature relations
The Rights of Nature movement works to advance the understanding that ecosystems, wildlife, and the Earth are living beings with inherent rights to exist.
www.kalw.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Wonderful to have you on!