John Smillie
@johnsmillie42.bsky.social
Husband, father, dog owner, hiker, climate action advocate, amateur energy nerd, heat pump evangelist, audiobook enthusiast.
Reposted by John Smillie
“The Daily Nebraskan found in the leaked spreadsheet that every program eliminated appeared to be profitable…every program that the chancellor proposed eliminating generated more money from tuition dollars than the department costs to run”
December 7, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“The Daily Nebraskan found in the leaked spreadsheet that every program eliminated appeared to be profitable…every program that the chancellor proposed eliminating generated more money from tuition dollars than the department costs to run”
www.indystar.com/story/opinio...
The second offensively bad Indy Star OpEd I've seen this weekend
Duffy touts that by making cars less safe and less efficient, they can lower the price by 1k. Omitting that tariffs have added 6k (www.kbb.com/tariffs/) and worse stds raise TCO and DEATHS.
The second offensively bad Indy Star OpEd I've seen this weekend
Duffy touts that by making cars less safe and less efficient, they can lower the price by 1k. Omitting that tariffs have added 6k (www.kbb.com/tariffs/) and worse stds raise TCO and DEATHS.
We're ending Biden's EV madness and restoring freedom | Opinion
The average new car costs $49,000. Biden squeezed the middle class out of the market. We're fixing that.
www.indystar.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:14 PM
www.indystar.com/story/opinio...
The second offensively bad Indy Star OpEd I've seen this weekend
Duffy touts that by making cars less safe and less efficient, they can lower the price by 1k. Omitting that tariffs have added 6k (www.kbb.com/tariffs/) and worse stds raise TCO and DEATHS.
The second offensively bad Indy Star OpEd I've seen this weekend
Duffy touts that by making cars less safe and less efficient, they can lower the price by 1k. Omitting that tariffs have added 6k (www.kbb.com/tariffs/) and worse stds raise TCO and DEATHS.
Reposted by John Smillie
More people now work, around the world, in producing + distributing power—making electricity from wind, solar + other sources—than in extracting + supplying fuels like oil, gas or coal, the @iea.org says.
It's a sign of what IEA calls the "age of electricity." Solar in particular is rising quickly.
It's a sign of what IEA calls the "age of electricity." Solar in particular is rising quickly.
World Energy Employment 2025 – Analysis - IEA
World Energy Employment 2025 - Analysis and key findings. A report by the International Energy Agency.
www.iea.org
December 7, 2025 at 1:35 PM
More people now work, around the world, in producing + distributing power—making electricity from wind, solar + other sources—than in extracting + supplying fuels like oil, gas or coal, the @iea.org says.
It's a sign of what IEA calls the "age of electricity." Solar in particular is rising quickly.
It's a sign of what IEA calls the "age of electricity." Solar in particular is rising quickly.
Health insurance wasn't even his original stated excuse. It was life insurance. He wanted to leave behind 700k.
He even just wanted to skip the treatments and die until Jr. yelled at him.
He even just wanted to skip the treatments and die until Jr. yelled at him.
Breaking bad was about a guy who had many opportunities for his healthcare to be paid for (his former business partners, jrs accidental money laundering go fund me), but he preferred selling meth because ruining other people's lives feels more manly than accepting gifts.
December 7, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Health insurance wasn't even his original stated excuse. It was life insurance. He wanted to leave behind 700k.
He even just wanted to skip the treatments and die until Jr. yelled at him.
He even just wanted to skip the treatments and die until Jr. yelled at him.
Reposted by John Smillie
Buddy, I have bad news for you about how many 90yos should be driving
December 6, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Buddy, I have bad news for you about how many 90yos should be driving
deepfission.com/department-o...
Dissatisfied with the performance of your geothermal borehole? Have you tried adding a 15MWe nuclear reactor?
Deep Fission to build underground nuclear reactor in Kansas, aiming for completion in a blazing 7 months.
Definitely one of the most Out There concepts
Dissatisfied with the performance of your geothermal borehole? Have you tried adding a 15MWe nuclear reactor?
Deep Fission to build underground nuclear reactor in Kansas, aiming for completion in a blazing 7 months.
Definitely one of the most Out There concepts
Nuclear Company Deep Fission Announces Site for Department of Energy Pilot at Great Plains Industrial Park in Kansas - Deep Fission, Inc
Deep Fission, Inc. announced the Great Plains Industrial Park in Parsons, Kansas, as the site of its advanced reactor pilot project.
deepfission.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:58 PM
deepfission.com/department-o...
Dissatisfied with the performance of your geothermal borehole? Have you tried adding a 15MWe nuclear reactor?
Deep Fission to build underground nuclear reactor in Kansas, aiming for completion in a blazing 7 months.
Definitely one of the most Out There concepts
Dissatisfied with the performance of your geothermal borehole? Have you tried adding a 15MWe nuclear reactor?
Deep Fission to build underground nuclear reactor in Kansas, aiming for completion in a blazing 7 months.
Definitely one of the most Out There concepts
Yes, this. It's agribusiness and corrupt wastewater management, and they put a data center giant in the headline for clicks.
i have been doing a deep dive into the Rolling Stone / Eastern Oregon datacenter water story, and... as far as i can tell, no named source other than the corrupt republican county commissioner who was turned out of office because he was _responsible_ for the nitrate spraying mentioned Amazon at all.
December 6, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Yes, this. It's agribusiness and corrupt wastewater management, and they put a data center giant in the headline for clicks.
Reposted by John Smillie
i have been doing a deep dive into the Rolling Stone / Eastern Oregon datacenter water story, and... as far as i can tell, no named source other than the corrupt republican county commissioner who was turned out of office because he was _responsible_ for the nitrate spraying mentioned Amazon at all.
December 6, 2025 at 3:46 AM
i have been doing a deep dive into the Rolling Stone / Eastern Oregon datacenter water story, and... as far as i can tell, no named source other than the corrupt republican county commissioner who was turned out of office because he was _responsible_ for the nitrate spraying mentioned Amazon at all.
I have 2 all-time favorites at The Onion, one for commentary and one for sheer hilarity
theonion.com/study-38-per...
and
theonion.com/man-dies-aft...
The historical " Holy +×#*#& Man Walks on $*%*#^ Moon!" is also a gem
theonion.com/study-38-per...
and
theonion.com/man-dies-aft...
The historical " Holy +×#*#& Man Walks on $*%*#^ Moon!" is also a gem
December 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I have 2 all-time favorites at The Onion, one for commentary and one for sheer hilarity
theonion.com/study-38-per...
and
theonion.com/man-dies-aft...
The historical " Holy +×#*#& Man Walks on $*%*#^ Moon!" is also a gem
theonion.com/study-38-per...
and
theonion.com/man-dies-aft...
The historical " Holy +×#*#& Man Walks on $*%*#^ Moon!" is also a gem
Induction range arrived. 3 minutes to boiling, baby. Now we're cooking with magnets.
December 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Induction range arrived. 3 minutes to boiling, baby. Now we're cooking with magnets.
Trump talking about kei cars positively was not on my bingo card.
Is it his love of golf carts? Longshot bribe by an interested manufacturer? Both?
Is it his love of golf carts? Longshot bribe by an interested manufacturer? Both?
December 5, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Trump talking about kei cars positively was not on my bingo card.
Is it his love of golf carts? Longshot bribe by an interested manufacturer? Both?
Is it his love of golf carts? Longshot bribe by an interested manufacturer? Both?
Better late than never
Utilities give up hope on using hydrogen in their gas grids – report
“The assessment that gas networks will no longer play a central role in the future is becoming increasingly widespread”
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/utiliti...
“The assessment that gas networks will no longer play a central role in the future is becoming increasingly widespread”
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/utiliti...
December 5, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Better late than never
eavor.com/press-releas...
The world now has commercial power production from closed-loop advanced geothermal.
The world now has commercial power production from closed-loop advanced geothermal.
Eavor Technologies Achieves First Electricity Production at Geretsried Site - Eavor
Calgary, Alberta, Canada — Revolutionary Project Signals a New Era for Geothermal Energy
eavor.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:42 PM
eavor.com/press-releas...
The world now has commercial power production from closed-loop advanced geothermal.
The world now has commercial power production from closed-loop advanced geothermal.
gmauthority.com/blog/2025/12...
I am somewhere between the Donald Glover "Good" and the Ron Burgundy "I don't believe you" here
I am somewhere between the Donald Glover "Good" and the Ron Burgundy "I don't believe you" here
December 5, 2025 at 12:36 PM
gmauthority.com/blog/2025/12...
I am somewhere between the Donald Glover "Good" and the Ron Burgundy "I don't believe you" here
I am somewhere between the Donald Glover "Good" and the Ron Burgundy "I don't believe you" here
I updated the model for the Oct-Nov bill and am happy to report that the effect of the dehumidifier that I found it necessary to start running this summer has dropped off entirely after adding 326kWh/month the prior 3 months.
Yay, cold weather
Yay, cold weather
December 5, 2025 at 3:19 AM
I updated the model for the Oct-Nov bill and am happy to report that the effect of the dehumidifier that I found it necessary to start running this summer has dropped off entirely after adding 326kWh/month the prior 3 months.
Yay, cold weather
Yay, cold weather
EFONGS - enhanced finding of normal geothermal systems
This is pretty cool: this co. has identified a "blind" geothermal site, meaning "the site possesses no geothermal manifestations at the surface, and no history of geothermal exploration or other prior well data."
It was some clever prospecting and, yes, AI (or, fine, machine learning).
It was some clever prospecting and, yes, AI (or, fine, machine learning).
Zanskar Reveals ‘Big Blind’ - The Discovery of the First Blind Geothermal System in the U.S. by Industry in Over 30 Years
Located in the western Nevada desert, ‘Big Blind’ is Zanskar’s third geothermal discovery in the past year alone, demonstrating the speed and repeatability...
www.globenewswire.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:58 PM
EFONGS - enhanced finding of normal geothermal systems
Reposted by John Smillie
HUGE: In a letter to Congress, more than 140 solar companies detail how the Trump permitting freeze on renewables is worse than imagined and hitting copious projects on private lands
They’re asking Congress to intervene and say “bipartisan permitting reform” won’t help without forcing Trump’s hand
They’re asking Congress to intervene and say “bipartisan permitting reform” won’t help without forcing Trump’s hand
Solar Industry Group Describes Trump’s ‘Complete Moratorium on Permitting’
A letter from the Solar Energy Industries Association asks for Congress’ help to reverse the administration’s effective permitting ban.
heatmap.news
December 4, 2025 at 10:52 PM
HUGE: In a letter to Congress, more than 140 solar companies detail how the Trump permitting freeze on renewables is worse than imagined and hitting copious projects on private lands
They’re asking Congress to intervene and say “bipartisan permitting reform” won’t help without forcing Trump’s hand
They’re asking Congress to intervene and say “bipartisan permitting reform” won’t help without forcing Trump’s hand
Reposted by John Smillie
This fetid landmark, this historical stain on humanity is primarily due to the stunningly reckless obliteration of America's foreign assistance agency earlier this year.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
For First Time in Decades, Child Deaths Will Rise This Year
Almost a quarter of a million more children around the world are projected to die in 2025 than in 2024.
www.wsj.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This fetid landmark, this historical stain on humanity is primarily due to the stunningly reckless obliteration of America's foreign assistance agency earlier this year.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Every article on China flexing its rare earth muscles makes me wonder why Niron Magnetics doesn't have even more money and scientists thrown at them (They have received at least 52M in tax credits and have a partnership with Ames NL).
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Every article on China flexing its rare earth muscles makes me wonder why Niron Magnetics doesn't have even more money and scientists thrown at them (They have received at least 52M in tax credits and have a partnership with Ames NL).
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Exclusive: China issues first batch of streamlined rare earth export licences, source says
China has issued the first batch of new rare earth export licences that should accelerate shipments to certain customers, a source said on Tuesday, fulfilling a key outcome of the summit between Presi...
www.reuters.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:51 PM
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Every article on China flexing its rare earth muscles makes me wonder why Niron Magnetics doesn't have even more money and scientists thrown at them (They have received at least 52M in tax credits and have a partnership with Ames NL).
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Every article on China flexing its rare earth muscles makes me wonder why Niron Magnetics doesn't have even more money and scientists thrown at them (They have received at least 52M in tax credits and have a partnership with Ames NL).
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
www.eenews.net/articles/wri...
35GW of backup diesel generators would add a whopping 4.6% to the all time US peak at the cost of a boatload of noise, air pollution violations, and some of the most expensive power possible ($4/gallon at 33% eff = 318/MWh)
Or we could add batteries.
35GW of backup diesel generators would add a whopping 4.6% to the all time US peak at the cost of a boatload of noise, air pollution violations, and some of the most expensive power possible ($4/gallon at 33% eff = 318/MWh)
Or we could add batteries.
Wright floats backup generators as grid fix
The Energy secretary wants to deploy diesel and gas generators as Americans face rising electricity bills.
www.eenews.net
December 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
www.eenews.net/articles/wri...
35GW of backup diesel generators would add a whopping 4.6% to the all time US peak at the cost of a boatload of noise, air pollution violations, and some of the most expensive power possible ($4/gallon at 33% eff = 318/MWh)
Or we could add batteries.
35GW of backup diesel generators would add a whopping 4.6% to the all time US peak at the cost of a boatload of noise, air pollution violations, and some of the most expensive power possible ($4/gallon at 33% eff = 318/MWh)
Or we could add batteries.
Reposted by John Smillie
The latest in our series on drivers of the affordability crisis: climate change.
Too often we neglect how weather patterns affect crop yields, how hurricanes and floods raise the cost of everything from food to water, how colony collapse makes things more expensive. @gurleygg.bsky.social reports.
Too often we neglect how weather patterns affect crop yields, how hurricanes and floods raise the cost of everything from food to water, how colony collapse makes things more expensive. @gurleygg.bsky.social reports.
The Cost of Climate - The American Prospect
Extreme weather and changes in seasonal patterns are fundamentally altering the landscape, in cities and in farming communities. You’re going to pay for it.
prospect.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The latest in our series on drivers of the affordability crisis: climate change.
Too often we neglect how weather patterns affect crop yields, how hurricanes and floods raise the cost of everything from food to water, how colony collapse makes things more expensive. @gurleygg.bsky.social reports.
Too often we neglect how weather patterns affect crop yields, how hurricanes and floods raise the cost of everything from food to water, how colony collapse makes things more expensive. @gurleygg.bsky.social reports.
Does anyone else read these baffled at how much electricity people use? In September?
I have an EV, a home from 1915, and everything electric except when it dips below 20ºF outside, and I don't understand how they spent 3x my bill in September of all months on 10% higher rates.
I have an EV, a home from 1915, and everything electric except when it dips below 20ºF outside, and I don't understand how they spent 3x my bill in September of all months on 10% higher rates.
December 4, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Does anyone else read these baffled at how much electricity people use? In September?
I have an EV, a home from 1915, and everything electric except when it dips below 20ºF outside, and I don't understand how they spent 3x my bill in September of all months on 10% higher rates.
I have an EV, a home from 1915, and everything electric except when it dips below 20ºF outside, and I don't understand how they spent 3x my bill in September of all months on 10% higher rates.
That's good! But still being at 26 months seems kinda long?
The Biden-Harris Admin. reduced the median EIS completion time by 8 months, or 23% faster than during the previous admin., following an investment of more than $1 billion from the IRA and an update to CEQ’s NEPA regs to simplify & modernize the federal environmental review process.
Biden & Harris were already speeding up permitting -- not by slashing regulations or imposing arbitrary timelines, but by fully funding & staffing the offices involved.
December 4, 2025 at 12:09 AM
That's good! But still being at 26 months seems kinda long?
Bragging about record LNG exports as we head into heating season is certainly a choice with affordability being the watch word of the day.
h/t @athada.bsky.social
h/t @athada.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Bragging about record LNG exports as we head into heating season is certainly a choice with affordability being the watch word of the day.
h/t @athada.bsky.social
h/t @athada.bsky.social