Brendon Slotterback
@bslotterback.bsky.social
Decarbonization. Likes charts. Helping philanthropy and government advance clean energy. PGH🌲 🚲
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
At the most fundamental level, the Trump admin is still treating peaceful protesters as the aggressors and the heavily armed government militias as the victims, even though Homan, Miller, Noem, Trump have spent months torquing them into a frenzy of hate and telling them they can act with impunity.
Homan: "I begged for the last two months on TV for the rhetoric to stop. I said in March -- if the rhetoric doesn't stop, there is gonna be bloodshed. And there has been. I wish I wasn't right. I don't want to see anybody die."
January 29, 2026 at 2:52 PM
At the most fundamental level, the Trump admin is still treating peaceful protesters as the aggressors and the heavily armed government militias as the victims, even though Homan, Miller, Noem, Trump have spent months torquing them into a frenzy of hate and telling them they can act with impunity.
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
“in theater” is a crazy way to describe minneapolis
Q: Can you be specific about how many ICE and CBP agents are currently operating in the state?
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
January 29, 2026 at 2:20 PM
“in theater” is a crazy way to describe minneapolis
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
What’s the difference between Maine and Minnesota? Maine has an endangered Republican senator. Minnesota is a Democratic state.
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
Sen. Collins says ICE has ended large-scale operations in Maine after talks with Noem
“There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here,” Sen. Susan Collins said in a statement. “I have been urging Secretary Noem and others in the Administration to get ICE to r...
www.pbs.org
January 29, 2026 at 2:45 PM
What’s the difference between Maine and Minnesota? Maine has an endangered Republican senator. Minnesota is a Democratic state.
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
Protected speech made my agents murder these people, says federal official
Homan: "I begged for the last two months on TV for the rhetoric to stop. I said in March -- if the rhetoric doesn't stop, there is gonna be bloodshed. And there has been. I wish I wasn't right. I don't want to see anybody die."
January 29, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Protected speech made my agents murder these people, says federal official
During Winter Storm Fern, the grid with the most "non-dispatchable" resources, SPP (20-30% for most of the weekend), had prices that were competitive or below other grids. Marginal prices were near or below zero all of Monday afternoon.
January 29, 2026 at 1:56 AM
During Winter Storm Fern, the grid with the most "non-dispatchable" resources, SPP (20-30% for most of the weekend), had prices that were competitive or below other grids. Marginal prices were near or below zero all of Monday afternoon.
In Pittsburgh, chair has force of law. It’s a very strange, and shockingly powerful social compact
January 29, 2026 at 12:25 AM
In Pittsburgh, chair has force of law. It’s a very strange, and shockingly powerful social compact
Here's an easy and fast fix for energy affordability: rein in the excesses of deregulated electricity. In PA, providers are allowed to hook people with teaser rates. Since 2015, customers have paid $2.2b more than if they'd stayed with a default provider www.post-gazette.com/business/pow...
Shopping for energy has cost Pa. residents billions, consumer advocates say
As energy costs surge in Pennsylvania, consumer advocates are highlighting the harm of a practice that was meant to save residents money: shopping around...
www.post-gazette.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Here's an easy and fast fix for energy affordability: rein in the excesses of deregulated electricity. In PA, providers are allowed to hook people with teaser rates. Since 2015, customers have paid $2.2b more than if they'd stayed with a default provider www.post-gazette.com/business/pow...
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
Shout this from the rooftops. The single most common objection to building electrification I hear from residents is that they want gas in case of power outages. But gas appliances - and gas supplies - rely on electricity to operate!
When a winter storm takes out a power line that feeds someone's home, the only way their heat stays on is if they have a battery. This is true whether they heat with gas or an electric heat pump. Gas furnaces and boilers need power for their controls, fans and pumps. No battery, no heat.
January 28, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Shout this from the rooftops. The single most common objection to building electrification I hear from residents is that they want gas in case of power outages. But gas appliances - and gas supplies - rely on electricity to operate!
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
The government “yanked the NEVI Formula Program’s cord out of the outlet,” said U.S. District Judge Tana Lin. “It is simply not how things are lawfully done.” 🔌💡
www.utilitydive.com/news/trump-a...
www.utilitydive.com/news/trump-a...
Trump administration must release EV charger funds, court rules
The Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration “yanked the NEVI Formula Program’s cord out of the outlet,” said U.S. District Judge Tana Lin. “It is simply not how things are lawf...
www.utilitydive.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:50 PM
The government “yanked the NEVI Formula Program’s cord out of the outlet,” said U.S. District Judge Tana Lin. “It is simply not how things are lawfully done.” 🔌💡
www.utilitydive.com/news/trump-a...
www.utilitydive.com/news/trump-a...
If peak demand in @pjminterconnection.bsky.social exceeds 130 GW for 7 straight days, it will be "a winter streak that PJM has never experienced".
According to DOE, there are already 14 GW of data centers operating in @pjminterconnection.bsky.social (10% of peak) and another 7.8 GW in construction
According to DOE, there are already 14 GW of data centers operating in @pjminterconnection.bsky.social (10% of peak) and another 7.8 GW in construction
January 28, 2026 at 5:44 PM
If peak demand in @pjminterconnection.bsky.social exceeds 130 GW for 7 straight days, it will be "a winter streak that PJM has never experienced".
According to DOE, there are already 14 GW of data centers operating in @pjminterconnection.bsky.social (10% of peak) and another 7.8 GW in construction
According to DOE, there are already 14 GW of data centers operating in @pjminterconnection.bsky.social (10% of peak) and another 7.8 GW in construction
How many of these facilities flexed their demand during the storm?
The winter storm tested power grids straining to accommodate AI data centers
The winter storm tested power grids straining to accommodate AI data centers
Electricity costs spiked.
buff.ly
January 28, 2026 at 5:12 PM
How many of these facilities flexed their demand during the storm?
Where can I find existing, not projected, data center demand by grid region? This seems surprisingly hard to pin down
January 28, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Where can I find existing, not projected, data center demand by grid region? This seems surprisingly hard to pin down
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
None of us, white guys with guns or international citizens or immigrants, are safe under this administration. But if we stand together, we can win. Bovino is out. Noem is next.
English translation of statement from Ecuadorian Consulate regarding ICE’s attempt to enter their building in Minneapolis today:
January 28, 2026 at 12:10 AM
None of us, white guys with guns or international citizens or immigrants, are safe under this administration. But if we stand together, we can win. Bovino is out. Noem is next.
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
BREAKING:
Construction on Vineyard Wind can proceed, according to a federal judge. That marks four losses in a row for the Trump administration against offshore wind.
Read more from @emilypont.bsky.social:
heatmap.news/sparks/viney...
Construction on Vineyard Wind can proceed, according to a federal judge. That marks four losses in a row for the Trump administration against offshore wind.
Read more from @emilypont.bsky.social:
heatmap.news/sparks/viney...
Trump Loses Another Case Against Offshore Wind
A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled that construction on Vineyard Wind could proceed.
heatmap.news
January 28, 2026 at 12:03 AM
BREAKING:
Construction on Vineyard Wind can proceed, according to a federal judge. That marks four losses in a row for the Trump administration against offshore wind.
Read more from @emilypont.bsky.social:
heatmap.news/sparks/viney...
Construction on Vineyard Wind can proceed, according to a federal judge. That marks four losses in a row for the Trump administration against offshore wind.
Read more from @emilypont.bsky.social:
heatmap.news/sparks/viney...
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
BREAKING: Two Republican senators, Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski, call for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.
Two Republican senators call for Kristi Noem to resign as DHS secretary
Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis are the first GOP members of Congress to call for Noem to step down as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
Probably the most successful piece of legislation in US history, measured by social benefit generated per dollar spent. Also wildly popular, across demographics.
Without any public discussion or consultation of Congress, the Trump administration has effectively killed it.
Without any public discussion or consultation of Congress, the Trump administration has effectively killed it.
The Trump administration has “virtually stopped enforcing the Clean Air Act,” lodging just one consent decree in a relatively small case since Trump’s inauguration, compared with 26 in the first year of Trump's first term, & 22 in Biden’s first year. peer.org/under-epas-z... 1/
Under EPA’s Zeldin, Pollution Enforcement Dying a Quick Death
Department of Justice Civil Pollution Settlements Plummet to Record Lows
peer.org
January 27, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Probably the most successful piece of legislation in US history, measured by social benefit generated per dollar spent. Also wildly popular, across demographics.
Without any public discussion or consultation of Congress, the Trump administration has effectively killed it.
Without any public discussion or consultation of Congress, the Trump administration has effectively killed it.
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
you know that part in "shawshank redemption" where andy dufresne finally gets a check for the prison library after years of sending a letter a week and the screw asks if he'll stop now and he says no, now I'll send two letters a week? that's where we are now. double down.
January 27, 2026 at 12:48 PM
you know that part in "shawshank redemption" where andy dufresne finally gets a check for the prison library after years of sending a letter a week and the screw asks if he'll stop now and he says no, now I'll send two letters a week? that's where we are now. double down.
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
New paper argues that we should not harm economic growth with climate policies because this growth helps with both adaptation and mitigation.
osf.io/preprints/so...
It leaves me agreeing and exasperated at the same time because...
the best climate policies ALSO HELP economic growth. Let me explain
osf.io/preprints/so...
It leaves me agreeing and exasperated at the same time because...
the best climate policies ALSO HELP economic growth. Let me explain
January 27, 2026 at 1:24 PM
New paper argues that we should not harm economic growth with climate policies because this growth helps with both adaptation and mitigation.
osf.io/preprints/so...
It leaves me agreeing and exasperated at the same time because...
the best climate policies ALSO HELP economic growth. Let me explain
osf.io/preprints/so...
It leaves me agreeing and exasperated at the same time because...
the best climate policies ALSO HELP economic growth. Let me explain
There is an effort to do this with highways (which are owned by the public, not notoriously difficult railroad companies) nextgenhighways.org
My slightly informed crank tank is that every single class 1 railroad line should have a 5GW+ buried HVDC line in its RoW
January 27, 2026 at 5:11 PM
There is an effort to do this with highways (which are owned by the public, not notoriously difficult railroad companies) nextgenhighways.org
Looks like renewables performed as expected in PJM, while a bunch of fossil resources failed
Coal + gas fail once again during a winter storm.
20GW of generation went offline in America's largest grid during Winter Storm Fern.
DOE's policies to keep old coal plants running + expand gas dependency make our grid LESS RELIABLE + risk MORE BLACKOUTS
thepowerline.substack.com/p/fossil-fue...
20GW of generation went offline in America's largest grid during Winter Storm Fern.
DOE's policies to keep old coal plants running + expand gas dependency make our grid LESS RELIABLE + risk MORE BLACKOUTS
thepowerline.substack.com/p/fossil-fue...
Fossil Fuels Failed During Winter Storm Fern
Power plant outages in America's largest grid show we can't depend upon fossil fuels
thepowerline.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Looks like renewables performed as expected in PJM, while a bunch of fossil resources failed
The fiscal note for this bill says that it might increase the workload of the DNR, but they aren't sure how much 🤷♂️ Do states have adequate staffing and technology resources to permit, monitor and enforce the storage of carbon waste for 1,000+ years?
Indiana to pursue permitting primacy over carbon dioxide storage wells
Indiana to pursue permitting primacy over carbon dioxide storage wells • Indiana Capital Chronicle
The EPA currently makes those decisions in Indiana and elsewhere, but an increasing number of states are seeking primacy.
indianacapitalchronicle.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:22 PM
The fiscal note for this bill says that it might increase the workload of the DNR, but they aren't sure how much 🤷♂️ Do states have adequate staffing and technology resources to permit, monitor and enforce the storage of carbon waste for 1,000+ years?
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
what a tidal shift
Sen. John Fetterman urges President Trump to dismiss Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, highlighting a key disagreement in leadership decisions.
Fetterman calls on Trump to fire Noem for 'trashing your border security legacy'
Sen. John Fetterman urges President Trump to dismiss Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, highlighting a key disagreement in leadership decisions.
www.rawstory.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:57 PM
what a tidal shift
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
Obviously we still have a lot of ICE here and it’s an open question whether life changes for our families in hiding, but these Border Patrol guys were the tip of the spear and now they’re being withdrawn under pressure
January 26, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Obviously we still have a lot of ICE here and it’s an open question whether life changes for our families in hiding, but these Border Patrol guys were the tip of the spear and now they’re being withdrawn under pressure
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
January 27, 2026 at 12:22 AM
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
Reposted by Brendon Slotterback
Also not everyone in the streets or doing mutual aid is a Democrat
Interesting distinction "mobilizing" v. "organizing." But the Democratic Party isn't propelling people into the streets. It's the work of brave and unrelenting organizers, and the conviction and tenacity of everyday Americans that has people in streets.
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
January 27, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Also not everyone in the streets or doing mutual aid is a Democrat