Saad Asad
@realsaadasad.bsky.social
Comms @cayimby.bsky.social. Advocacy at YIMBY Dems of SD. Previously Product Marketing @ U.S. Digital Response. Tweets on housing, climate change, and San Diego/California politics
Campaigns spend nearly a dollar on fundraising for every dollar they raise - not to persuade voters, but to signal "viability" to donors and the press.
The real winners are political consultants who pocket the fees, while talented candidates without rich friends can't compete.
The real winners are political consultants who pocket the fees, while talented candidates without rich friends can't compete.
How the money chase governs our elections - Niskanen Center
Danielle Thomsen finds that candidates are raising money earlier and in larger amounts than ever.
buff.ly
November 30, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Campaigns spend nearly a dollar on fundraising for every dollar they raise - not to persuade voters, but to signal "viability" to donors and the press.
The real winners are political consultants who pocket the fees, while talented candidates without rich friends can't compete.
The real winners are political consultants who pocket the fees, while talented candidates without rich friends can't compete.
The SPEED Act wouldn't have saved 16 years on a Wyoming power line - the real delay was a property dispute, not environmental review.
Faster permits help, but transmission needs federal siting authority to skip state-by-state fights that block interstate projects.
Faster permits help, but transmission needs federal siting authority to skip state-by-state fights that block interstate projects.
Can the SPEED Act break transmission gridlock? We put it to the test. - Niskanen Center
The SPEED Act aims to accelerate U.S. energy permitting, but the 16-year TransWest Express timeline shows why real reform requires fixing coordination and litigation barriers.
buff.ly
November 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The SPEED Act wouldn't have saved 16 years on a Wyoming power line - the real delay was a property dispute, not environmental review.
Faster permits help, but transmission needs federal siting authority to skip state-by-state fights that block interstate projects.
Faster permits help, but transmission needs federal siting authority to skip state-by-state fights that block interstate projects.
Without federal climate funds, states can still cut emissions by lending to clean energy projects and collecting returns - like Connecticut's green bank financing rooftop solar.
BUT if projects fail, taxpayers eat losses that states often can't afford.
BUT if projects fail, taxpayers eat losses that states often can't afford.
Holding Down the Fort: What States Can Do To Advance Decarbonization
CPE’s Director of Energy Yakov Feygin and Senior Associate for Capital Markets Advait Arun prepared a research memo for the SEEC Institute outlining how states can advance decarbonization and green…
buff.ly
November 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Without federal climate funds, states can still cut emissions by lending to clean energy projects and collecting returns - like Connecticut's green bank financing rooftop solar.
BUT if projects fail, taxpayers eat losses that states often can't afford.
BUT if projects fail, taxpayers eat losses that states often can't afford.
America needs more power lines to move renewable energy where it's needed, but states can veto projects that cross borders.
Federal approval authority for interstate transmission would unlock clean energy.
Federal approval authority for interstate transmission would unlock clean energy.
Permitting reform is back, and here’s how Congress can get it done this time - Niskanen Center
Today’s permitting processes are not streamlined, and reform has long eluded lawmakers seeking to cut red tape for new critical infrastructure builds.
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November 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
America needs more power lines to move renewable energy where it's needed, but states can veto projects that cross borders.
Federal approval authority for interstate transmission would unlock clean energy.
Federal approval authority for interstate transmission would unlock clean energy.
Freezing NYC rents without cutting building costs means mass foreclosures - the city would inherit 100K+ units it can't afford to fix.
Better: lower property taxes and insurance that drive costs up, then upzone subways so new supply eases pressure.
Better: lower property taxes and insurance that drive costs up, then upzone subways so new supply eases pressure.
Vital City | A Housing Roadmap for New York’s Next Mayor
How Mayor-elect Mamdani can rise to the central challenge facing the city
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Freezing NYC rents without cutting building costs means mass foreclosures - the city would inherit 100K+ units it can't afford to fix.
Better: lower property taxes and insurance that drive costs up, then upzone subways so new supply eases pressure.
Better: lower property taxes and insurance that drive costs up, then upzone subways so new supply eases pressure.
San Diego considering up to $5,000/year tax per bedroom on vacation rentals and empty second homes.
Airbnb threatening $15M political spending and polling about killing the city's trash fee in retaliation.
Airbnb threatening $15M political spending and polling about killing the city's trash fee in retaliation.
Why It Matters: San Diego considers steep tax on vacation rentals and second homes
A San Diego tax proposal targeting short term rentals has garnered pushback from some property owners and Airbnb.
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November 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM
San Diego considering up to $5,000/year tax per bedroom on vacation rentals and empty second homes.
Airbnb threatening $15M political spending and polling about killing the city's trash fee in retaliation.
Airbnb threatening $15M political spending and polling about killing the city's trash fee in retaliation.
GOP lawmakers used solar tax credits to save thousands on their own homes, then voted to kill those credits while expanding century-old oil subsidies.
If solar doesn't need help anymore, why does oil still get tax breaks from 1913?
If solar doesn't need help anymore, why does oil still get tax breaks from 1913?
Meet the Republicans who killed solar subsidies — after using them
POLITICO’s E&E News examined satellite imagery of more than 100 homes owned by Republican lawmakers to see if they have solar panels. Seven had rooftop
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
GOP lawmakers used solar tax credits to save thousands on their own homes, then voted to kill those credits while expanding century-old oil subsidies.
If solar doesn't need help anymore, why does oil still get tax breaks from 1913?
If solar doesn't need help anymore, why does oil still get tax breaks from 1913?
San Diego County treasurer race: two insiders want steady caretaking; congressional staffer candidate seeks "activist" approach—ESG screening for billions in county investments and pension funds.
Low-profile office manages huge sums; vision matters, not just competence.
Low-profile office manages huge sums; vision matters, not just competence.
‘I’m not going to be a caretaker’: Finalists for county treasurer share competing visions, political ambitions
The field for San Diego County’s next treasurer-tax collector has been narrowed to four — two longtime county financial officials, a North County city treasurer and a congressional staffer.
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November 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
San Diego County treasurer race: two insiders want steady caretaking; congressional staffer candidate seeks "activist" approach—ESG screening for billions in county investments and pension funds.
Low-profile office manages huge sums; vision matters, not just competence.
Low-profile office manages huge sums; vision matters, not just competence.
Morongo Tribe became first Native American transmission co-owners. Socal Edison initially offered only cash for land use.
Partnership avoided $500M+ reroute costs and 7-year delay. Sovereignty mattered more than money to tribal negotiators.
buff.ly/AeA7Azd
Partnership avoided $500M+ reroute costs and 7-year delay. Sovereignty mattered more than money to tribal negotiators.
buff.ly/AeA7Azd
November 26, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Morongo Tribe became first Native American transmission co-owners. Socal Edison initially offered only cash for land use.
Partnership avoided $500M+ reroute costs and 7-year delay. Sovereignty mattered more than money to tribal negotiators.
buff.ly/AeA7Azd
Partnership avoided $500M+ reroute costs and 7-year delay. Sovereignty mattered more than money to tribal negotiators.
buff.ly/AeA7Azd
Air pollution kills 8 million yearly and costs 6% of global GDP.
Building movements for cleaner air
Our projects We’re partnering with Breathe Cities to strengthen the collective power of organisations working towards clean air across 14 major cities worldwide. We are building the knowledge-sharing…
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Air pollution kills 8 million yearly and costs 6% of global GDP.
ACC pushes bipartisan permitting reform to cut 4-year NEPA delays blocking clean energy & transmission.
Good framework—but don't gut environmental review to rush fossil fuel projects. Speed up approvals for renewables, housing, transit while keeping pollution checks.
Good framework—but don't gut environmental review to rush fossil fuel projects. Speed up approvals for renewables, housing, transit while keeping pollution checks.
ACC Action Policy Series: A Permitting Deal in Congress - ACC Action
Reaching a bipartisan permitting reform deal is far more complicated than simply acknowledging the need for change.
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November 25, 2025 at 11:50 PM
ACC pushes bipartisan permitting reform to cut 4-year NEPA delays blocking clean energy & transmission.
Good framework—but don't gut environmental review to rush fossil fuel projects. Speed up approvals for renewables, housing, transit while keeping pollution checks.
Good framework—but don't gut environmental review to rush fossil fuel projects. Speed up approvals for renewables, housing, transit while keeping pollution checks.
13 governors want permitting reform to speed energy projects—faster reviews, limits on endless lawsuits, expedited transmission lines. Same changes housing needs.
If environmental review blocks building what we need, streamline it for both energy and homes.
If environmental review blocks building what we need, streamline it for both energy and homes.
Permitting Reform to Unleash American Energy: The Art of the Possible
We are trapped in a mire of our own making.
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November 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
13 governors want permitting reform to speed energy projects—faster reviews, limits on endless lawsuits, expedited transmission lines. Same changes housing needs.
If environmental review blocks building what we need, streamline it for both energy and homes.
If environmental review blocks building what we need, streamline it for both energy and homes.
San Diego's homeless count dropped for first time since 2020, but state cut the $26M homelessness program that helped.
Mayor Gloria wants funding restored while Newsom demands cities ban encampments.
Can't solve homelessness by defunding the programs that work
Mayor Gloria wants funding restored while Newsom demands cities ban encampments.
Can't solve homelessness by defunding the programs that work
Sacramento Report: What Mayor Todd Gloria Is Looking for From Newsom’s Last Year
More funding for homelessness services is a top priority.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 12:41 AM
San Diego's homeless count dropped for first time since 2020, but state cut the $26M homelessness program that helped.
Mayor Gloria wants funding restored while Newsom demands cities ban encampments.
Can't solve homelessness by defunding the programs that work
Mayor Gloria wants funding restored while Newsom demands cities ban encampments.
Can't solve homelessness by defunding the programs that work
Trump signed deals with Australia, Japan, Malaysia & Thailand to break China's grip on rare earth minerals—key for phones, EVs, weapons.
Good start, but workers need guarantees these supply chains won't just shift exploitation from China to new partners.
Good start, but workers need guarantees these supply chains won't just shift exploitation from China to new partners.
Trump Administration Advancing International Partnerships to Support Secure U.S. Critical Mineral Supply Chains
This month, President Trump signed agreements with four governments—Australia, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand—to secure critical mineral supply chains for American manufacturers. These agreements are…
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Trump signed deals with Australia, Japan, Malaysia & Thailand to break China's grip on rare earth minerals—key for phones, EVs, weapons.
Good start, but workers need guarantees these supply chains won't just shift exploitation from China to new partners.
Good start, but workers need guarantees these supply chains won't just shift exploitation from China to new partners.
UCSD now requires all undergrads to take a climate change class to graduate. Students can pick from 50+ courses across 23 disciplines.
Every career will be affected by climate impacts, from coffee prices to wildfire smoke treatment.
buff.ly/cDEULer
Every career will be affected by climate impacts, from coffee prices to wildfire smoke treatment.
buff.ly/cDEULer
November 23, 2025 at 6:51 PM
UCSD now requires all undergrads to take a climate change class to graduate. Students can pick from 50+ courses across 23 disciplines.
Every career will be affected by climate impacts, from coffee prices to wildfire smoke treatment.
buff.ly/cDEULer
Every career will be affected by climate impacts, from coffee prices to wildfire smoke treatment.
buff.ly/cDEULer
Climate group says focus on nuclear and geothermal—technologies Trump actually supports—instead of fighting over wind and solar. These "clean firm" sources provide steady power that batteries can't match yet.
Take the wins you can get?
Take the wins you can get?
Despite Headwinds, One Climate Group Sees Opportunity Ahead for Clean Power - Inside Climate News
In a new report, Giving Green describes how advances in so-called “clean firm power” technologies and action on permitting reform can keep the U.S. on a forward path.
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Climate group says focus on nuclear and geothermal—technologies Trump actually supports—instead of fighting over wind and solar. These "clean firm" sources provide steady power that batteries can't match yet.
Take the wins you can get?
Take the wins you can get?
Early community engagement cut opposition on six major transmission lines through co-ownership and infrastructure coordination.
How to build transmission with communities, not around them
The U.S. needs to build more electric transmission lines at an unprecedented pace to connect and deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Early community engagement cut opposition on six major transmission lines through co-ownership and infrastructure coordination.
Prop 36 added 500+ people to San Diego jails—12% of total population. Most are drug arrests. District Attorney says 97% choose treatment over jail, but it's unclear if they're actually getting it.
Meanwhile, jails weren't built for addiction treatment and deaths are spiking.
buff.ly/bkW3nU0
Meanwhile, jails weren't built for addiction treatment and deaths are spiking.
buff.ly/bkW3nU0
November 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Prop 36 added 500+ people to San Diego jails—12% of total population. Most are drug arrests. District Attorney says 97% choose treatment over jail, but it's unclear if they're actually getting it.
Meanwhile, jails weren't built for addiction treatment and deaths are spiking.
buff.ly/bkW3nU0
Meanwhile, jails weren't built for addiction treatment and deaths are spiking.
buff.ly/bkW3nU0
Virtual comment begins 12:35pm sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
Clairemont Community Plan Update is now up for comment. Virtual comment will begin in about 35 minutes.
The plan would allow up to 14,000 more homes.
ZOOM:
sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
The plan would allow up to 14,000 more homes.
ZOOM:
sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
November 21, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Virtual comment begins 12:35pm sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
Clairemont Community Plan Update is now up for comment. Virtual comment will begin in about 35 minutes.
The plan would allow up to 14,000 more homes.
ZOOM:
sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
The plan would allow up to 14,000 more homes.
ZOOM:
sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
November 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Clairemont Community Plan Update is now up for comment. Virtual comment will begin in about 35 minutes.
The plan would allow up to 14,000 more homes.
ZOOM:
sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
The plan would allow up to 14,000 more homes.
ZOOM:
sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
Methane from cows and gas leaks heats the planet 80 times faster than CO2. Now thawing Arctic permafrost is releasing even more.
Scientists are testing whether we can scrub methane from the air—a backup plan if natural emissions spiral beyond what cutting pollution can fix.
Scientists are testing whether we can scrub methane from the air—a backup plan if natural emissions spiral beyond what cutting pollution can fix.
Megan Melamed: Why I Joined Spark Climate Solutions—Accelerating the Science of Methane Removal — Spark Climate Solutions
Megan Melamed, PhD on why she is joining Spark to lead our Methane Removal program....
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Methane from cows and gas leaks heats the planet 80 times faster than CO2. Now thawing Arctic permafrost is releasing even more.
Scientists are testing whether we can scrub methane from the air—a backup plan if natural emissions spiral beyond what cutting pollution can fix.
Scientists are testing whether we can scrub methane from the air—a backup plan if natural emissions spiral beyond what cutting pollution can fix.
VIRTUAL COMMENT STARTS NOW!
JOIN IN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES.
JOIN IN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES.
🎤 MAXIMIZE IMPACT: Show up Friday 9 AM!
💻 ZOOM: sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
🏛️ IN-PERSON: 202 C St, 12th floor
Questions? [email protected]
Plus: Clairemont Mesa vote details coming soon! 7/7
💻 ZOOM: sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
🏛️ IN-PERSON: 202 C St, 12th floor
Questions? [email protected]
Plus: Clairemont Mesa vote details coming soon! 7/7
November 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
VIRTUAL COMMENT STARTS NOW!
JOIN IN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES.
JOIN IN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES.
Virtual comment will start likely around 10:40am.
An estimate, may be 5-10 minutes sooner or longer.
An estimate, may be 5-10 minutes sooner or longer.
🎤 MAXIMIZE IMPACT: Show up Friday 9 AM!
💻 ZOOM: sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
🏛️ IN-PERSON: 202 C St, 12th floor
Questions? [email protected]
Plus: Clairemont Mesa vote details coming soon! 7/7
💻 ZOOM: sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606830623
🏛️ IN-PERSON: 202 C St, 12th floor
Questions? [email protected]
Plus: Clairemont Mesa vote details coming soon! 7/7
November 21, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Virtual comment will start likely around 10:40am.
An estimate, may be 5-10 minutes sooner or longer.
An estimate, may be 5-10 minutes sooner or longer.
Portland built 50 miles of connected walking trails after residents pushed for safer routes between neighborhoods. Started with one guy and his dog noticing the lack of sidewalks.
Good reminder: infrastructure improvements happen when people actually show up and demand them.
Good reminder: infrastructure improvements happen when people actually show up and demand them.
Where Portland walks: How the city and community and built a safer trail network together - Smart Growth America
About us
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Portland built 50 miles of connected walking trails after residents pushed for safer routes between neighborhoods. Started with one guy and his dog noticing the lack of sidewalks.
Good reminder: infrastructure improvements happen when people actually show up and demand them.
Good reminder: infrastructure improvements happen when people actually show up and demand them.
Six transmission lines succeeded using early engagement and creative benefits: co-ownership with Tribes, coordinated construction, land conservation.
But reactive deals after conflict cost more time and money than proactive partnerships would have.
But reactive deals after conflict cost more time and money than proactive partnerships would have.
Beyond the wires: Community benefits from transmission projects
EDF & CATF report urges a new U.S. grid strategy: expand with community partnership to avoid delays, reduce opposition, and boost equity.
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Six transmission lines succeeded using early engagement and creative benefits: co-ownership with Tribes, coordinated construction, land conservation.
But reactive deals after conflict cost more time and money than proactive partnerships would have.
But reactive deals after conflict cost more time and money than proactive partnerships would have.