Pure, Unadulterated, Hogwash
To quote my favorite climate blogger James Hansen passing a rare unscientific opinion on leaders at the United Nations COP meetings who leave the impression that progress is being made that we can still limit global warming to as little as 1.5°C.
Amongst many the advantages and challenges faced by the energy transition is the possibility of low carbon energy security and an eye watering export opportunity ranging from renewables to nuclear energy. Those that recognize the imperative and inevitability of this transition will reap a significant economic reward, a story repeatedly played in our country's history and a fact worth keeping in mind as we watch the forthcoming fight over the IRA. Regardless of what is said and reported there are very few Members of Congress who will not use the investment offered by the IRA.
To date, the political contribution to reducing GHG emissions can be characterized by a prolonged period of inaction followed by a giant single package of incentives that ducks the hard work of actually steering our country through this transition with an incremental and thoughtful strategy. Ultimately we have ended up borrowing vast sums of money from future tax revenues to stimulate a shift in our industrial policy. The potential repeal of all or some of the IRA was baked into its creation as it lacked bipartisan support but the terrible irony is that many of those that can best leverage the investment could not vote for it nor can they be seen to use the funds to help their constituents.
Renewable energy projects are attracted to states with cheap land and un-unionized workforces which is why nearly ¾ of the investment to date has been in the rural GOP heartland. As lawmakers return, we are faced with the spectacle of both fighting the last war over the IRA while preparing for the next challenge on permitting and transmission reform at the same time. As if climate change were not complex enough, we seem determined to make it as difficult as possible by pulling our politicians in two directions at once.
As the show begins next week and punditry abounds you can expect a lot of noise and deliberate confusion as many of our politicians dance on the head of pin attempting to use the IRA money, claiming credit for whatever investment it brings to their district, and at the same time distancing themselves from the source of that investment. This was totally avoidable and we could and should now be arguing about the next challenge like permit reform and having a serious discussion about transmission but that's the nature of representative government, its expense and slow and occasionally prone to bouts of utter hogwash.
On the Slate
It's summer recess so no activity inside the beltway. What I can tell you is that of those I keep track of on our slate most have been working on fact finding trips, constituent work, committee work, intelligence briefings, science visits and some well earned sleep. The members we support work hard, contrary to the prevailing narrative about politicians.
Positive Notes
Working on climate change requires self generated optimism but it also helps to look for small things that will have a major impact. That the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation received over a thousand applications to test green agriculture production methods demonstrates that individual farmers both understand what is happening and how to play a role in addressing it. The seismic change here is not more money from the Federal coffers going to farmers but the trust and recognition that they may actually know best what works and want to test it out and prove it. This change in approach has been long in the making, decades, and if it works has the potential to fundamentally change the relationship between those who produce our food and our politicians, for the better.
As always, I encourage you to forward this email to anyone who may be interested in supporting our work or our members, and of course, feel free to reach out to me anytime.
