Alex Barron
@alexrbarron.bsky.social
Climate policy wonk. Rogue biogeochemist. Assoc. Prof. Fmr. Congressional staff (AAAS_STPF). Obama EPA & Biden OMB alum.
"EPA estimated that the [rule] would prevent 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays by 2032" Just your reminder that the Clean Air Act requires standards to be protective of public health with an adequate margin of safety - that is based on what protects the public.
The EPA is abandoning a rule that would strengthen limits on fine-particle pollution, a move scientists and experts say could lead to dirtier air and more deaths.
Trump EPA to abandon air pollution rule that would prevent thousands of U.S. deaths
The Environmental Protection Agency will no longer defend Biden-era limits on fine-particle pollution, which causes heart and lung disease.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
"EPA estimated that the [rule] would prevent 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays by 2032" Just your reminder that the Clean Air Act requires standards to be protective of public health with an adequate margin of safety - that is based on what protects the public.
Wild paper: "insights into how one of the key actors of the 2007–2008 financial crisis is beginning to lay the epistemic groundwork for future economic crises and inequalities in and between cities, this time as they relate to climate change impacts...."
@savannahcox.bsky.social wrote a nice paper on this a few years ago that I in my head refer to as the "convince your Moody's analyst you're for real as climate adaptation strategy" paper, go give it a read if you haven't.
PS welcome to bsky! 12/
PS welcome to bsky! 12/
Inscriptions of resilience: Bond ratings and the government of climate risk in Greater Miami, Florid...
In recent years, credit rating agencies have begun to incorporate a municipality's resilience and vulnerability to climate change into their US municipal bond r...
journals.sagepub.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Wild paper: "insights into how one of the key actors of the 2007–2008 financial crisis is beginning to lay the epistemic groundwork for future economic crises and inequalities in and between cities, this time as they relate to climate change impacts...."
Anyone know if U.S. car thefts are lower (proportionally) for EVs? 🔌💡
From Benjamin Errett at the Toronto Star (11/21/25)
From Benjamin Errett at the Toronto Star (11/21/25)
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Anyone know if U.S. car thefts are lower (proportionally) for EVs? 🔌💡
From Benjamin Errett at the Toronto Star (11/21/25)
From Benjamin Errett at the Toronto Star (11/21/25)
Reposted by Alex Barron
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) can be hundreds to thousands of times more damaging to the #climate than carbon dioxide.
EPA recently proposed rolling back or delaying restrictions on certain HFC uses, but the proposal contains legal flaws. We explain in new comments.
policyintegrity.org/projects/upd...
EPA recently proposed rolling back or delaying restrictions on certain HFC uses, but the proposal contains legal flaws. We explain in new comments.
policyintegrity.org/projects/upd...
Comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons
In October, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed changes to a 2023 regulation that limited the use of hydroflurocarbons in certain sectors. Hydrofluorocarbons are potent greenhouse gases used ...
policyintegrity.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) can be hundreds to thousands of times more damaging to the #climate than carbon dioxide.
EPA recently proposed rolling back or delaying restrictions on certain HFC uses, but the proposal contains legal flaws. We explain in new comments.
policyintegrity.org/projects/upd...
EPA recently proposed rolling back or delaying restrictions on certain HFC uses, but the proposal contains legal flaws. We explain in new comments.
policyintegrity.org/projects/upd...
Reposted by Alex Barron
A tremendous own goal for the US to be breaking up offices in the Department of Energy that had bipartisan support and that stood to help the US compete in industries of the future.
@bradplumer.bsky.social has the RIP for MESC, OCED, and LPO.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/c...
@bradplumer.bsky.social has the RIP for MESC, OCED, and LPO.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/c...
A Trump Overhaul of the Energy Dept. Breaks Up Clean Energy Offices
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
A tremendous own goal for the US to be breaking up offices in the Department of Energy that had bipartisan support and that stood to help the US compete in industries of the future.
@bradplumer.bsky.social has the RIP for MESC, OCED, and LPO.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/c...
@bradplumer.bsky.social has the RIP for MESC, OCED, and LPO.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/c...
Reposted by Alex Barron
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
November 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
If you care about politics that works for non-billionaires, I highly encourage you to read this story about the 140-fold (>$1B in a year) increase in political donations from the wealthiest Americans.
wapo.st/4ipXaBd (gift link)
wapo.st/4ipXaBd (gift link)
November 22, 2025 at 4:20 PM
If you care about politics that works for non-billionaires, I highly encourage you to read this story about the 140-fold (>$1B in a year) increase in political donations from the wealthiest Americans.
wapo.st/4ipXaBd (gift link)
wapo.st/4ipXaBd (gift link)
Where's someone making fun socks decorated with a building and heat pump at the calf/ankle and a geothermal well going down to the toes? Asking for a friend...
November 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Where's someone making fun socks decorated with a building and heat pump at the calf/ankle and a geothermal well going down to the toes? Asking for a friend...
Thanks to Jordan Wolman and @cwbeacon.bsky.social for being one of the few venues reporting in this level of detail on Massachusetts climate policy.
COURTS: Massachusetts agencies never followed a 2017 rule to cut emissions from state vehicles, court documents show
Massachusetts agencies never followed a 2017 rule to cut emissions from state vehicles, court documents show - CommonWealth Beacon
The rule was issued under Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and followed a landmark court ruling that found the state needed to issue more specific and stringent regulations in order to meet the 2050 climate...
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Thanks to Jordan Wolman and @cwbeacon.bsky.social for being one of the few venues reporting in this level of detail on Massachusetts climate policy.
Reposted by Alex Barron
NEW: Sean Duffy frequently calls safety his “top priority” as transportation secretary. But I spent months wading through regulatory notices and found something far different: that USDOT has been delaying, weakening and killing dozens of safety rules, many opposed by the transportation industry.🧵
November 20, 2025 at 12:36 PM
NEW: Sean Duffy frequently calls safety his “top priority” as transportation secretary. But I spent months wading through regulatory notices and found something far different: that USDOT has been delaying, weakening and killing dozens of safety rules, many opposed by the transportation industry.🧵
Reposted by Alex Barron
Who does this benefit other than the major airline CEOs?
November 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Who does this benefit other than the major airline CEOs?
It turns out calling your reps about bad policy can work
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
(note: just a delay into next year not "we heard that voters don't want this")
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
(note: just a delay into next year not "we heard that voters don't want this")
November 18, 2025 at 6:58 PM
It turns out calling your reps about bad policy can work
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
(note: just a delay into next year not "we heard that voters don't want this")
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
(note: just a delay into next year not "we heard that voters don't want this")
Reposted by Alex Barron
1. Public utility commissions rubber stamping rate increases
2. Households being taxed to pay for infrastructure used by industry
3. Electric grid not designed for climate change, extreme weather driving rebuilding costs up
Solutions:
1. VPPs & efficiency
2. Build clean energy
3. Accountable PUCs
2. Households being taxed to pay for infrastructure used by industry
3. Electric grid not designed for climate change, extreme weather driving rebuilding costs up
Solutions:
1. VPPs & efficiency
2. Build clean energy
3. Accountable PUCs
You are a random Dem running in 2026 -- say, for some House seat in some swing state. You're on local media. You're asked: "what are three reasons that energy prices are rising & what are three things you'd like to do to bring them down?" What's your answer?
November 18, 2025 at 12:58 AM
1. Public utility commissions rubber stamping rate increases
2. Households being taxed to pay for infrastructure used by industry
3. Electric grid not designed for climate change, extreme weather driving rebuilding costs up
Solutions:
1. VPPs & efficiency
2. Build clean energy
3. Accountable PUCs
2. Households being taxed to pay for infrastructure used by industry
3. Electric grid not designed for climate change, extreme weather driving rebuilding costs up
Solutions:
1. VPPs & efficiency
2. Build clean energy
3. Accountable PUCs
Reposted by Alex Barron
Massachusetts lawmakers advanced an energy affordability bill that opponents say won’t actually save consumers much money — but will eviscerate climate progress.
Massachusetts bill would undo climate goals and cut efficiency…
The Democratic lawmaker behind the proposal says it will make energy more affordable, but opponents say it would harm the environment and consumers.
www.canarymedia.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Massachusetts lawmakers advanced an energy affordability bill that opponents say won’t actually save consumers much money — but will eviscerate climate progress.
Reposted by Alex Barron
🚨Techno-optimistic scientists take fewer climate actions
In a new preprint, @colognaviktoria.bsky.social, @maiensachis.bsky.social, @jmbh.bsky.social & I examine techno-optimism among 9,199 scientists and how it relates to their civic engagement and lifestyle choices🧵
🔗 Link: tinyurl.com/hh94huzv
In a new preprint, @colognaviktoria.bsky.social, @maiensachis.bsky.social, @jmbh.bsky.social & I examine techno-optimism among 9,199 scientists and how it relates to their civic engagement and lifestyle choices🧵
🔗 Link: tinyurl.com/hh94huzv
November 14, 2025 at 9:20 AM
🚨Techno-optimistic scientists take fewer climate actions
In a new preprint, @colognaviktoria.bsky.social, @maiensachis.bsky.social, @jmbh.bsky.social & I examine techno-optimism among 9,199 scientists and how it relates to their civic engagement and lifestyle choices🧵
🔗 Link: tinyurl.com/hh94huzv
In a new preprint, @colognaviktoria.bsky.social, @maiensachis.bsky.social, @jmbh.bsky.social & I examine techno-optimism among 9,199 scientists and how it relates to their civic engagement and lifestyle choices🧵
🔗 Link: tinyurl.com/hh94huzv
Reposted by Alex Barron
This line in the NYT:
“.. the near-complete breakdown of the Justice Department’s traditional independence to prosecute cases based on facts and the law, as opposed to presidential fiat.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
“.. the near-complete breakdown of the Justice Department’s traditional independence to prosecute cases based on facts and the law, as opposed to presidential fiat.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
Justice Department to Investigate Epstein Ties, but Not to Trump
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:18 PM
This line in the NYT:
“.. the near-complete breakdown of the Justice Department’s traditional independence to prosecute cases based on facts and the law, as opposed to presidential fiat.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
“.. the near-complete breakdown of the Justice Department’s traditional independence to prosecute cases based on facts and the law, as opposed to presidential fiat.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
"11 lobbyists, consultants, and attorneys either representing or working directly for energy companies, including National Grid, Unitil, and Liberty Utilities — in addition to oil giant Exxon...contributed a total of $2,400 to Cusack’s campaign..." #mapoli
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/energ...
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/energ...
Energy industry pads key lawmaker’s campaign coffers as major bill advances - CommonWealth Beacon
Cusack's legislation would lower the amount of renewable energy the utilities would be required to purchase and cut the state’s energy efficiency initiative, which is funded through the utilities’ rat...
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
"11 lobbyists, consultants, and attorneys either representing or working directly for energy companies, including National Grid, Unitil, and Liberty Utilities — in addition to oil giant Exxon...contributed a total of $2,400 to Cusack’s campaign..." #mapoli
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/energ...
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/energ...
@edmarkey.bsky.social @senatormikebarrett.bsky.social Can you explain what's going on here?
MA and New England climate folks - Has anyone seen the text of this House bill? Cutting the 2030 climate goal, reducing Mass Save efficiency spending, sounds bad. 🔌💡
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
House moves forward with bill to weaken 2030 climate goals - CommonWealth Beacon
The plan reverberating around Beacon Hill, as first reported by CommonWealth Beacon last week, is sure to put lawmakers in a politically difficult position and test their willingness to defend the cli...
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
@edmarkey.bsky.social @senatormikebarrett.bsky.social Can you explain what's going on here?
This is a tried and true industry tactic. Push to roll back policy that is good for voters but bad for your bottom line by vaguely gesturing at a real issue [jobs, recession, inflation, trade, phase of moon, etc.].
New one from @canarymedia.com: A Dem.-sponsored bill is advancing to undo Massachusetts' climate goals and cut funding to its successful energy efficiency program.
The reason? You guessed it: affordability. Critics call the legislation shortsighted. More below.
www.canarymedia.com/articles/pol...
The reason? You guessed it: affordability. Critics call the legislation shortsighted. More below.
www.canarymedia.com/articles/pol...
Massachusetts bill would undo climate goals and cut efficiency…
The Democratic lawmaker behind the proposal says it will make energy more affordable, but opponents say it would harm the environment and consumers.
www.canarymedia.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:39 PM
This is a tried and true industry tactic. Push to roll back policy that is good for voters but bad for your bottom line by vaguely gesturing at a real issue [jobs, recession, inflation, trade, phase of moon, etc.].
Seriously folks there's a dissertation in understanding how this guy managed to set the agenda for the major U.S. bike association (who ran the training I went to) and a generation of transportation engineers.
This video brought back memories of a vehicular cycling course that I took while participating in a bike tour as a kid. Many, many times we were asked to repeat "Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles". Even at 10yo, this seemed...not right.
WATCH: If you REALLY want to understand a BIG reason why cycling [aka riding a bike] is so dangerous in North America, and one of the biggest villains in the origin story of our unsafe status quo, invest some time watching this one, by NOT JUST BIKES (aka @theurbanistagenda.com here). Then share it.
November 13, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Seriously folks there's a dissertation in understanding how this guy managed to set the agenda for the major U.S. bike association (who ran the training I went to) and a generation of transportation engineers.
Reposted by Alex Barron
This video is the first in a series about professional chefs & restaurants who have shifted to induction cooking. Really great watch!
Kitchen Currents: Seattle’s Marjorie Restaurant
Moodie’s story is part of a new video series by the Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC), Kitchen Currents, which features restaurant owners who made a conscious decision to go electric.
buildingdecarb.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:59 PM
This video is the first in a series about professional chefs & restaurants who have shifted to induction cooking. Really great watch!
Reposted by Alex Barron
Less air pollution, warmer homes, better cities, and healthier people.
My latest for @theguardian.com looks at the #economic, #airpollution and #health gains from a low-carbon future in the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
My latest for @theguardian.com looks at the #economic, #airpollution and #health gains from a low-carbon future in the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Warmer homes and healthier people: what’s not to like about a low-carbon future?
Challenges of hitting net zero emissions are often discussed, but little focus is given to the gains of living in a low-carbon world
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Less air pollution, warmer homes, better cities, and healthier people.
My latest for @theguardian.com looks at the #economic, #airpollution and #health gains from a low-carbon future in the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
My latest for @theguardian.com looks at the #economic, #airpollution and #health gains from a low-carbon future in the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Hey @volts.wtf - remember your "one weird trick" essay about Democratic trifectas for strong renewable energy policy? House Democrats in the MA Legislature are apparently trying to prove you wrong.
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/sweep...
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/sweep...
Sweeping energy bill to weaken 2030 climate goals clears key House committee - CommonWealth Beacon
The measure is ushering in an unexpected — and messy — debate over the state’s overall policy push to meet its 2030 climate commitments as Gov. Maura Healey’s energy affordability package filed earlie...
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Hey @volts.wtf - remember your "one weird trick" essay about Democratic trifectas for strong renewable energy policy? House Democrats in the MA Legislature are apparently trying to prove you wrong.
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/sweep...
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/sweep...
MA and New England climate folks - Has anyone seen the text of this House bill? Cutting the 2030 climate goal, reducing Mass Save efficiency spending, sounds bad. 🔌💡
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
House moves forward with bill to weaken 2030 climate goals - CommonWealth Beacon
The plan reverberating around Beacon Hill, as first reported by CommonWealth Beacon last week, is sure to put lawmakers in a politically difficult position and test their willingness to defend the cli...
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
MA and New England climate folks - Has anyone seen the text of this House bill? Cutting the 2030 climate goal, reducing Mass Save efficiency spending, sounds bad. 🔌💡
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/house...
"at least seven Republican lawmakers had rooftop panels. Three of them acknowledged using the federal tax credit to help pay for the arrays....Another had leased a solar system that was indirectly subsidized via a separate tax credit for installers...."
www.eenews.net/articles/mee...
www.eenews.net/articles/mee...
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
www.eenews.net
November 12, 2025 at 4:34 PM
"at least seven Republican lawmakers had rooftop panels. Three of them acknowledged using the federal tax credit to help pay for the arrays....Another had leased a solar system that was indirectly subsidized via a separate tax credit for installers...."
www.eenews.net/articles/mee...
www.eenews.net/articles/mee...