Mike Munsell
LightNews LightNews
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Mike Munsell
@mikemunsell.bsky.social
1.2K followers 380 following 130 posts
VP of Partnerships @heatmap.news
Previously: Canary Media, Greentech Media
Occasionally writing
Living north of Boston
Posts Replies Media Videos
mikemunsell.bsky.social
With all this talk about electricity price increases, I wonder if utilities will bring back Reddy Kilowatt to make the rate increases an easier pill to swallow (that's one way he was used in the first half of the 20th century)

Via @heatmap.news
heatmap.news/culture/redd...
(published last year)
October 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Thank you to @hankgreen.bsky.social for being Shift Key’s biggest fan.

And if you don’t yet listen, it’s never too late to start.
@robinsonmeyer.bsky.social @jessedjenkins.com @heatmap.news
June 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Big Tech Cares About Clean Energy Tax Credits — But Maybe Not Enough heatmap.news/politics/mic...
June 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Sad day for Rewiring America
heatmap.news/sparks/rewir...
The Trump administration’s funding freeze has hit the leading electrification nonprofit Rewiring America, which announced Thursday that it will be cutting its workforce by 28%, or 36 employees. In a letter to the team, the organization’s cofounder and CEO Ari Matusiak placed the blame squarely on the Trump administration’s attempts to claw back billions in funding allocated through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
May 8, 2025 at 11:17 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Cool to see Jennifer Granholm’s byline in @heatmap.news

heatmap.news/ideas/energy...
https://heatmap.news/ideas/energy-dominance-ira-granholm For Real Energy Dominance, We Need the IRA Biden’s Secretary of Energy argues that if Trump wants to achieve his goals, preserving his predecessor’s manufacturing incentives is the only way. JENNIFER GRANHOLM
May 1, 2025 at 8:34 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
This afternoon, join Heatmap Labs, Clean Energy Associates and Hecate Grid for a discussion on the state of the battery supply chain and its impact on the U.S. energy storage market:

us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Via @heatmap.news
March 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Want to know what's going on with the battery supply chain today? You're in luck.

Join Heatmap Labs for a virtual event on the topic next week: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Via @heatmap.news
March 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Some thoughts on my grandma (who went viral on Reddit last year)
A few days ago, we lost my paternal grandmother, Noella Norlene (LaBelle) Munsell. She was 87 years old, and as sharp as ever. She has been on hospice for quite a few months now, which has afforded so many of us the ability spend quality time with her. As part of that, I was able to interview her a bit about her life. When we started the conversation, she was quick to point out that though her name was Noella, growing up as a kid in Hampden Massachusetts, most knew her by a nickname she hated, ‘Weezy.’ “From what I heard, my mother heard it on a radio show or [saw it on] a cereal box or something, and she thought it was cute. And I was next in line. But I hated it. I hated growing up with that name. I got teased all the time.” When she moved to the Cape in the 70’s, she left the nickname behind and was offered a fresh start. I jokingly asked if that was the reason she left Hampden. “If I write something [about you] at some point, can I mention the name Weezy,” I asked her in earnest. “You just have to qualify and say I never liked being called that.” Deal. Having the good fortune to know all four of my grandparents well into my 30’s, one of my favorite questions I’ve asked most of them is about what characteristics they think they acquired from each of their parents. It often results in a nice mix of introspection and family history. “Well, from my mother -- I knew my mother loved me, but she never said, I love you. I never remember her saying that, but I never doubted it. And I'm like that.” “It's hard for me to say I love you with my kids. I could say it more easily now, and so in that sense, I'm a very practical person.” “My dad only had an eighth grade education. He had to get out and go to work because his mother was a widow during very poor times. My dad was very curious and he read a lot, studying the almanac and had an interest in facts. I'm like that. I like to read history. I get that from my dad. And David's (my dad) like that.” “They were good parents, but they raised nine kids during very difficult times. We were all born during the depression except [my younger sisters] Julie and Sherry. They were born during the war. And those were tough years to be raising a family. My mother did a lot of canning and preserved food. And yeah, she worked hard. My mom worked hard. Noella was raised in a household with a total of 9 girls, and zero boys. There is an amazing photo taken for a local newspaper in the early 1940’s showing their whole family – all 9 girls lined up in a row, from oldest to youngest with her parents on the end. I posted the photo to Reddit last year – it went pretty viral, having been seen by more than 4 million people. There were hundreds upon hundreds of comments about the photo, and Grandma was very curious to hear what they had to say. “Nine guesses what dad does in his free time,” I read a popular comment out loud. She chuckles. “Well, we were a good Catholic family. We don't believe in birth control and all that. My mother would say, you take what you get,” she said matter-of-factly. Another comment read, “dad is thinking, how the hell am I going to pay for nine weddings?” She laughed. “Well he did. Of course the weddings are nothing like what they do nowadays.” “Imagine being in that house when they all sync up and have their period,” read another comment from Reddit. “That’s true,” said Grandma. My dad, who was there for the interview chimed in to clarify that there was also only one bathroom in the house of nine girls. I asked grandma, when she looks at the photo now, what she thinks about. After all, she was just a small girl in the photo---about the age of my daughter--and one of grandma's many great grandchildren-- Delia who was also with me during the interview. “It just shows how time passes. Off to the next generation. When I'm gone, you guys, not you, but David – you’re gonna be the old ones.” Grandma came from a big family and leaves an even bigger one behind. She has 18 grand kids, and at least 27 great grand kids (I wish she could fact check me on that). She could name every last one, in order of age. Noella absolutely adored her big family. Photo: 9 daughters stand in line from youngest to oldest, with parents standing beside them. Taken in the early 1940's
March 16, 2025 at 3:06 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Join Heatmap Labs for a conversation near and dear to my heart -- we're talking climate tech communications alongside Fischtank PR, Rewiring America, Valo Ventures, and Lunar Energy.

Register here for the free event via @heatmap.news: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Strategic Communications for Climate Tech: Adapting to Policy and Market Challenges Thursday, March 20th at 1pm EST
March 5, 2025 at 2:35 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Proud to have contributed a singular paragraph to this ~20! article series

But really it's so good, and the nomination is a testament to the incredible journalist team at @heatmap.news
1 If you need a car, get an ev 2 Go zero-carbon power at home 3. Give your home an energy efficient renovation 4. Electrify your appliances Which induction stove is right for you? 5. Drive less, bike (or walk or scoot) more 6. Know the two big climate food rules
February 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Via: heatmap.news/podcast/shif...
Jesse Jenkins: What can Democrats or others in opposition do to shorten that timeline, so that there is a political cost that’s felt more expediently and they do pull back from this kind of effort? Brian Schatz: Look, I think there is strength in numbers, and so I think everyone has to — like, we can’t do this in secret, because everybody’s too afraid of being targeted. And you know, I’ve just experienced this over the last two weeks. Everyone is … you know, doesn’t want to poke their head up because the nail that stands up is pounded down. And that’s how autocrats work, right? Is that if you stand up for the rule of law, if you stand up and say, hey, I don’t think this is a good decision, then you are putting your own personal, professional safety at risk. And so there is strength in numbers. And I’ll just also … I really strongly encourage anybody who listens to this podcast who is in the business of being a clean energy developer, do not plead with the monarch for mercy on your own project. That is what they want. They want you to come in and treat the federal government like it’s the Ford Foundation, or the Pew Charitable Trust, or whomever. And you’re basically saying, I know you don’t want to do DEI, but let me explain to you why this isn’t DEI. I know this says climate, but in fact, really, it’s severe weather adaptation. Listen, listen, what’s happening is unlawful. What’s happening is impermissible. And the more we get people individually pleading for mercy, the more screwed we all are. We all have to hang together. It’s the American Clean Power Association. It’s the energy company that does both clean and fossil energy. It’s the transmission and distribution companies. It’s the manufacturers. It’s labor. It’s Wall Street. It’s K Street. Like, everyone has to hang together and say, not only is this good for business, but there’s something that is foundationally worse for business than any individual policy decision. And that is the idea that a president can come in and ignore the law. Because once you believe that it depends on an election whether or not a law is going to stick, the United States ceases to be as investable as it once was. And one of the things that makes us the most powerful economy in the world is, whatever else is going on, if you’re an international investor, you have a number of factors — you know, how are you going to get your money out. But you’re always looking for political and policy stability. And the United States is always able to say, on rule of law, on political and policy stability, we rank number one, two, three, or four. And right now, it is fair to question whether or not we’re an investable place if we believe that a president can come in and just ignore a duly enacted statute.
February 12, 2025 at 4:17 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Today is a good day to subscribe to @heatmap.news and stay informed on all thinks energy and climate.
heatmap.news
Screenshot of Heatmap.news homepage showing wall to wall coverage of trump administration + climate stories.
January 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Props again to @heatmap.news's Jacob Lambert for his incredible artwork on @jael.bsky.social's scoop this week
Image of article w/ Headline Scoop: The Draft Order that Offshore Wind Opponents Sent to Trump Image shows a large whale in black and white. There is a yellow box that shows the right quadrant of Trumps face, with his eye in perfect alignment where the whale's eye would be. Below the eye is another box with wind turbines in it.
January 17, 2025 at 2:48 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
A salient point in a conversation on the toxic ash from the LA fires heatmap.news/climate/los-...

Via @jeva.bsky.social @heatmap.news
The third thing I would emphasize is that after a disaster, when people struggle with housing, job, and food insecurity, their health becomes a lower priority. This is understandable, but unfortunately, neglecting your health at this time can worsen the long-term effects. It’s really important that we emphasize to individuals that even if you don’t have a house or a job right now, you need to take care of your health. An example of this is in the aftermath of 9/11; years later, more lives have been lost due to exposure to environmental hazards than the disaster itself. If we don’t intervene early on, things can get really bad. That’s what we are trying to do: prevent those long-term effects from happening.
January 16, 2025 at 6:53 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
You’ll never guess what e energy source she’s talking about here.

“It’ll impact the air we breathe.
It could ruin our water wells”

Hint: it’s not fracking / combusting gas
January 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
My latest column in our print-only (for now) local newspaper.
Columnist: Mike Munsell The Tests of Time Article about beech leaf disease and losing a childhood best friend to aplastic anemia Second page of article about beech leaf disease and losing a friend, Steve, to disease Third page of article about beech leaf disease and losing a childhood friend to aplastic anemia
December 29, 2024 at 10:35 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Gift idea for that special clean energy nerd in your life via @heatmap.news

heatmap.news
Last chance to gift Heatmap News and save 30%. Use code GIFT30 at checkout.
December 19, 2024 at 4:48 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
On this week's Shift Key podcast, @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social sits down with U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to discuss 2025 and beyond for U.S. energy policy.

Via @heatmap.news
Image of Jennifer Granholm. Text: Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on What Comes After Biden's Climate Agenda
December 18, 2024 at 2:32 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Experienced some rare good news on the local journalism front this weekend. A new print (!) newspaper was launched in my town and its sister town. The nonprofit paper is being delivered every Saturday to each home and business at no cost to all 5,000 recipients. Pulled this out of my mailbox.
Photo of a newspaper: HW News. Two articles are on the cover and a photo of a high school soccer player. Image of the newspaper with the Letter from the Editor section and an advertisement for a local business.
December 15, 2024 at 4:37 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Next week, join @heatmap.news and Klean Energy Kulture for a free virtual event, Climate Pioneers: Black Americans at the Forefront of Environmental Action & Clean Energy.

Details & registration here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Virtual Event: Climate Pioneers Thurs. Dec 12th at 2pm EST
December 6, 2024 at 3:53 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
And I completely forgot to include the best part...the daily kicker!

h/t and major props to @heatmap.news AM newsletter author @jesshullinger.bsky.social
THE KICKER A new study suggests that extreme changes in rainfall cause an uptick in “divorce” rates between bonded pairs of some monogamous bird species.
December 6, 2024 at 3:19 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
I'm biased, but the @heatmap.news AM newsletter is such a great way to stay informed of the biggest climate news stories of the past 24 hours. And it's totally free.

If you're not subscribed yet, you can do so here:
heatmap.news/st/newsletter
1. Revolt in Nevada threatens BLM’s Western solar plan A solar energy revolt is underway in Nevada, Jael Holzman reported in a Heatmap scoop. Rural county governments are hopping mad over the Biden administration’s crowning solar permitting achievement: the Bureau of Land Management’s Western solar plan, which would open more than 31 million acres for utility-scale solar applications. About a third of that land would be in Nevada. But the state’s rural county governments have no authority over federal lands, and most of the state’s territory overall is under control of BLM. This means their ordinances are relatively toothless, county officials say, not to mention they get less revenue from solar farms. Nevada’s Republican Governor Joe Lombardo has therefore asked BLM to cancel the plan. “Opposition from Nevada means that if there’s a way to unravel the programmatic solar plan when Donald Trump takes office in January, there’ll be a will,” Holzman wrote. Read more here. 2. Decrease in cloud cover linked to rising global temperatures For the last two years or so, climate scientists have been puzzled by the exceptional warmth seen across the planet, because it exceeds their models. But new research points to a possible explanation: fewer clouds. The study, published in the journal Science, found that 2023 saw “a reduced low-cloud cover in the northern mid-latitudes and tropics,” and especially over the Atlantic. Since clouds help the Earth reflect solar radiation back into space, fewer clouds means more radiation and – you guessed it – more heat. Why might the clouds be disappearing? The scientists say several factors could be at play, including the El Niño weather pattern, and a rapid decline in sulfate aerosol emissions from the shipping industry. But another explanation is that rising global temperatures are changing how clouds behave, creating an ominous feedback loop. But nobody is sure just yet, and lots of questions remain. “I consider our study just another piece of the puzzle,” said Helge Goeslling, a climate physicist at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany, and the study’s lead author. 3. Musk repeats call to end EV tax credit A quick dispatch from Capitol Hill: Politico reported that Tesla CEO and newly-minted co-leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk has reiterated his call to end the $7,500 EV tax credit. “I think we should get rid of all credits,” Musk told reporters Thursday after a meeting with incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune. In a Tesla earnings call earlier this year, Musk said such a move would “be devastating for our competitors and for Tesla slightly,” but would benefit Tesla in the long run because the company already has market dominance. As Heatmap’s Robinson Meyer explained, “repeal is part of Musk’s hypothesized plan to turn Tesla into a de facto monopoly, controlling the entire American EV industry.” 4. Denmark offshore wind tender receives zero bids The clock ran out yesterday on Denmark’s largest ever offshore wind tender, and there were precisely zero bids. “This is a very disappointing result,” energy and climate minister Lars Aagard said. Denmark was hoping the tender would help it more than triple its offshore wind capacity by 2030. Now the search for an explanation begins. The energy agency will talk with companies about their hesitations, as many had previously expressed interest in bidding. “The circumstances for offshore wind in Europe have changed significantly in a relatively short time, including large price and interest rate increases,” Aagard said. Orsted told Reuters it held off because it wasn’t sure the rewards were worth the ongoing risks from high inflation, supply chain problems, and rising interest rates. Earlier this week Shell announced it would halt investments in new offshore wind projects. 5. DOE’s LNG impact study expected by ‘mid-December’ For anyone waiting with bated breath for the Department of Energy’s report on the impacts of natural gas exports, it will apparently now be released by “mid-December.” Brad Crabtree, head of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, told lawmakers this week that the report is “both robust and comprehensive,” and will include a 60-day comment period. The study is expected to paint a damning picture of how U.S. LNG shipments affect the climate and the economy.
December 6, 2024 at 2:29 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
I found an archived article from 1951 about my grandfather as a 15 year old boy l. He doused cornstalks with 2 gallons (!) of gasoline, was burned, but lived to tell the tale.

I read it to my grandmother yesterday. “Yep, that sounds like your grandfather,” was her reply.
Headline: Boy is Blazed by Burning Cornstalk 10/31/1951
November 30, 2024 at 2:34 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
After 11+ years of me working at clean energy/climate newsrooms, home to no fewer than 8 podcasts, my older brother finally listened to one. It just took the recommendation of a coworker, not his own brother, to get him to subscribe.

He’s now a @heatmap.news Shift Key fan!
November 25, 2024 at 6:02 PM
mikemunsell.bsky.social
Hm, I wonder what prompted Threads to update their algorithm…
November 21, 2024 at 4:53 PM