Brandon Smithwood
@bsmithwood.bsky.social
Here to nerd out on energy policy. Occasional commentary on parenting and politics.
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
Let's say it again:
1) Harvard said "No," and Trump has backed off.
2) Chicago (and Illinois) said "No," and Trump has backed off.
It's day by day. But those who said "OK, sure," have gained nothing at all. Except shame.
1) Harvard said "No," and Trump has backed off.
2) Chicago (and Illinois) said "No," and Trump has backed off.
It's day by day. But those who said "OK, sure," have gained nothing at all. Except shame.
(CNN) - President Donald Trump shelved his plans to target Chicago as the next city for his domestic crime push after advisers warned him that sending in troops .. could create legal headaches they want to avoid, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
@cnn.com
www.cnn.com/2025/09/12/p...
@cnn.com
www.cnn.com/2025/09/12/p...
September 14, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Let's say it again:
1) Harvard said "No," and Trump has backed off.
2) Chicago (and Illinois) said "No," and Trump has backed off.
It's day by day. But those who said "OK, sure," have gained nothing at all. Except shame.
1) Harvard said "No," and Trump has backed off.
2) Chicago (and Illinois) said "No," and Trump has backed off.
It's day by day. But those who said "OK, sure," have gained nothing at all. Except shame.
Well that was pathetic
🚨🚨🚨
Josh Kraft ends mayoral campaign days after losing by nearly 50 points to Mayor Wu, WCVB reports
🚨🚨🚨
www.wcvb.com/article/josh...
Josh Kraft ends mayoral campaign days after losing by nearly 50 points to Mayor Wu, WCVB reports
🚨🚨🚨
www.wcvb.com/article/josh...
Josh Kraft ends campaign for Boston mayor
Philanthropist Josh Kraft, son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, is ending his campaign for mayor after a blistering defeat in Boston's preliminary election.
www.wcvb.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Well that was pathetic
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
JUST IN: Brazil’s top court sentences former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and 3 months in prison over his attempted coup
September 11, 2025 at 10:16 PM
JUST IN: Brazil’s top court sentences former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and 3 months in prison over his attempted coup
I’m not Tesla fanboy but this is absurd. There is an easy to access mechanical release right on the door
Tesla’s dangerous doors - a huge feature and must read by Bloomberg’s Dana Hull, Emily Chang and Kara Carlson— www.bloomberg.com/features/202... “When Teslas lose power, crashes can turn into deadly races against time”
Trapped Inside: Tesla’s Dangerous Doors
When Teslas lose power, crashes can turn into deadly races against time.
www.bloomberg.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I’m not Tesla fanboy but this is absurd. There is an easy to access mechanical release right on the door
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
I had serious doubts about CDC Director Monarez’s willingness to stand up against RFK Jr.’s personal mission to destroy public health in America—I’m glad that I was wrong.
If there are any adults left in the White House: we cannot let RFK Jr. burn what's left of CDC. FIRE HIM.
If there are any adults left in the White House: we cannot let RFK Jr. burn what's left of CDC. FIRE HIM.
New C.D.C. Director Resists Ouster as Other Officials Resign
www.nytimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I had serious doubts about CDC Director Monarez’s willingness to stand up against RFK Jr.’s personal mission to destroy public health in America—I’m glad that I was wrong.
If there are any adults left in the White House: we cannot let RFK Jr. burn what's left of CDC. FIRE HIM.
If there are any adults left in the White House: we cannot let RFK Jr. burn what's left of CDC. FIRE HIM.
Lol
"She may not turn the party around, but in the current crisis, she can play a strong, visible and independent role in preserving and promoting the traditional GOP." www.bangordailynews.com/2025/08/27/o...
Opinion: History calls on Susan Collins to rebuild the traditional Republican Party
"She may not turn the party around, but in the current crisis, she can play a strong, visible and independent role in preserving and promoting the traditional GOP."
www.bangordailynews.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Lol
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
The fact that many firms are quietly persevering with decarbonisation points to a comforting conclusion: that they realise that taking action is beneficial to their bottom lines, no matter what politicians say or do
The remarkable rise of “greenhushing”
Businesses once trumpeted their climate goals. Now they are quietly plugging away
econ.st
August 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The fact that many firms are quietly persevering with decarbonisation points to a comforting conclusion: that they realise that taking action is beneficial to their bottom lines, no matter what politicians say or do
Worth it
“Eating one hot dog and bun results in the loss of 27-36 minutes of healthy life.” www.cnn.com/2021/08/27/h...
July 28, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Worth it
I’m in a VPP in New England. I would take a Time of Use Rate over it any day of the week.
Home solar-and-battery virtual power plants are stopping blackouts in Puerto Rico, saving millions in power costs in New England and denting grid peaks in California. Can more states embrace this ground-up solution to a GOP-caused energy crisis?
www.canarymedia.com/articles/vir...
#energysky
www.canarymedia.com/articles/vir...
#energysky
As rooftop solar gets hammered, virtual power plants offer a way…
VPPs built out of home solar and battery systems could bolster the overtaxed power grid, lower energy costs for consumers, and help invigorate a…
www.canarymedia.com
July 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I’m in a VPP in New England. I would take a Time of Use Rate over it any day of the week.
Good! Uniform Business Code for DERs was a smart idea from NY DPS
NEW: A rooftop solar company with a vexed history could soon be out of business in New York.
Regulators accused ATTYX, formerly known as SUNco, of “misleading or deceptive” marketing that led homeowners to sign up thinking they would get their roofs replaced for free.
Regulators accused ATTYX, formerly known as SUNco, of “misleading or deceptive” marketing that led homeowners to sign up thinking they would get their roofs replaced for free.
Regulators Crack Down on a Troubled New York Solar Company
Attyx, formerly known as SUNCo, is set to lose its license to operate in the state over what regulators called “false and misleading” sales pitches.
nysfocus.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Good! Uniform Business Code for DERs was a smart idea from NY DPS
Mountain out of a molehill. These are pretty marginal examples in a space where a lot of new models are coming out
Carmakers announce EV plans loudly, cancel them quietly:
Automakers Are Canceling Plans for New EVs. Here’s a List of What’s Been Killed So Far
Shifts in economic policy and manufacturing have led major automakers to cancel upcoming electric vehicle launches in the US.
www.wired.com
July 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Mountain out of a molehill. These are pretty marginal examples in a space where a lot of new models are coming out
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
Been working on this analysis of the US OBBBA this week. Core BNEF assumption is that the IRS follows the executive order to make the implementation of "FOEC" rules limiting Chinese content / subcomponents / intellectual property in new wind and solar projects almost impossible to meet.
Petrostate attacks on solar, wind and batteries will slow but not stop US clean energy.
Solar, wind & battery capacity
2021: 41GW
2022: 37GW
2023: 52GW
2024: 69GW
2025: 72GW
2026: 85GW
2027: 81GW
2028: 48GW
2029: 52GW
2030: 57GW
2034: 86GW
2035: 94GW
www.bloomberg.com/news/article... #energysky
Solar, wind & battery capacity
2021: 41GW
2022: 37GW
2023: 52GW
2024: 69GW
2025: 72GW
2026: 85GW
2027: 81GW
2028: 48GW
2029: 52GW
2030: 57GW
2034: 86GW
2035: 94GW
www.bloomberg.com/news/article... #energysky
July 19, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Been working on this analysis of the US OBBBA this week. Core BNEF assumption is that the IRS follows the executive order to make the implementation of "FOEC" rules limiting Chinese content / subcomponents / intellectual property in new wind and solar projects almost impossible to meet.
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
Climate change is a by-product of progress in the same way as obesity is a by-product of nutrition. For goodness sakes, it's the 21st century! We have the technology to enjoy progress without trashing the planet.
“Yes, atmospheric CO2 has increased over time—but so has life expectancy,” writes Chris Wright. In a guest essay America’s energy secretary invites the world to rethink renewable energy
econ.st/4kCU2kY
Illustration: Dan Williams
econ.st/4kCU2kY
Illustration: Dan Williams
July 16, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Climate change is a by-product of progress in the same way as obesity is a by-product of nutrition. For goodness sakes, it's the 21st century! We have the technology to enjoy progress without trashing the planet.
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
What a dumb time to be alive
Lauren Boebert says Matt Gaetz would be good as special counsel investigating the Jeffrey Epstein coverup 🙃
July 16, 2025 at 12:30 AM
What a dumb time to be alive
My line with folks: a large DG project will take ~$250K to permit. So to win the politics of one county for one project, basically any developer will spend the a quarter million. But good luck finding developers that will put that into state campaigns and fundraisers.
We were unprepared for this fight and we knew it was coming.
We spend less $$$ on influence and education per Watt today than we did ten years ago. By contrast, our opponents spend 40X more than we do. Building true political power requires a broader strategy, not just defensive lobbying.
We spend less $$$ on influence and education per Watt today than we did ten years ago. By contrast, our opponents spend 40X more than we do. Building true political power requires a broader strategy, not just defensive lobbying.
July 16, 2025 at 12:58 AM
My line with folks: a large DG project will take ~$250K to permit. So to win the politics of one county for one project, basically any developer will spend the a quarter million. But good luck finding developers that will put that into state campaigns and fundraisers.
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
A landmark moment for Polish clean energy!
For the first time, renewables generated more electricity than coal in June.
While coal still provided ~60% of Poland's power in 2024, this is a huge step in their energy transition. The trend is clear: the future is clean.
For the first time, renewables generated more electricity than coal in June.
While coal still provided ~60% of Poland's power in 2024, this is a huge step in their energy transition. The trend is clear: the future is clean.
July 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
A landmark moment for Polish clean energy!
For the first time, renewables generated more electricity than coal in June.
While coal still provided ~60% of Poland's power in 2024, this is a huge step in their energy transition. The trend is clear: the future is clean.
For the first time, renewables generated more electricity than coal in June.
While coal still provided ~60% of Poland's power in 2024, this is a huge step in their energy transition. The trend is clear: the future is clean.
Oof
Democratic Presidential Polling:
Harris: 38%
Buttigieg: 11%
Newsom: 10%
AOC: 7%
Shapiro: 7%
Walz: 7%
Whitmer: 5%
Booker: 4%
Moore: 2%
Smith: 2%
Full polling breakdown and more polls here -> usapolling.substack.com/p/podcasters...
Harris: 38%
Buttigieg: 11%
Newsom: 10%
AOC: 7%
Shapiro: 7%
Walz: 7%
Whitmer: 5%
Booker: 4%
Moore: 2%
Smith: 2%
Full polling breakdown and more polls here -> usapolling.substack.com/p/podcasters...
July 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Oof
Missing this guy right now
June 28, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Missing this guy right now
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
The solar panels on your roof are pulling their weight during this heat wave! ☀️
At 3pm Monday afternoon, behind-the-meter solar generated 4.7 GW of power in New England. That was about 18% of total demand www.wbur.org/news/2025/06... @wbur.org
At 3pm Monday afternoon, behind-the-meter solar generated 4.7 GW of power in New England. That was about 18% of total demand www.wbur.org/news/2025/06... @wbur.org
How rooftop solar is helping New England stay cool during the heat wave
At peak hours during this week's heat wave, solar panels on homes, businesses, parking lots and alongside roads are helping relieve stress on the electric grid.
www.wbur.org
June 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The solar panels on your roof are pulling their weight during this heat wave! ☀️
At 3pm Monday afternoon, behind-the-meter solar generated 4.7 GW of power in New England. That was about 18% of total demand www.wbur.org/news/2025/06... @wbur.org
At 3pm Monday afternoon, behind-the-meter solar generated 4.7 GW of power in New England. That was about 18% of total demand www.wbur.org/news/2025/06... @wbur.org
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
Tonight could be DC's first low of 80-plus this year. Used to be rare ... 31 from 1872 to 2009. Since 2010? 42!
Oppressive overnight readings make heat waves considerably more dangerous. Seek AC, check on vulnerable.
Forecast updates at cwg.live.
Oppressive overnight readings make heat waves considerably more dangerous. Seek AC, check on vulnerable.
Forecast updates at cwg.live.
June 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Tonight could be DC's first low of 80-plus this year. Used to be rare ... 31 from 1872 to 2009. Since 2010? 42!
Oppressive overnight readings make heat waves considerably more dangerous. Seek AC, check on vulnerable.
Forecast updates at cwg.live.
Oppressive overnight readings make heat waves considerably more dangerous. Seek AC, check on vulnerable.
Forecast updates at cwg.live.
Reposted by Brandon Smithwood
Will they put butcher paper down on his table with crayons so he can draw?
June 20, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Will they put butcher paper down on his table with crayons so he can draw?
@rohanspatel.bsky.social what say you?
🟡 NEW: Rep. Ro Khanna is working to pull Elon Musk toward Democrats and talked with one of Musk’s “senior confidants” on Thursday about whether he might want to help the Democratic Party in the midterms.
Khanna steps up his work to pull Musk toward Democrats
The California Democratic congressman has known the former Donald Trump ally for more than a decade.
www.semafor.com
June 7, 2025 at 1:07 AM
@rohanspatel.bsky.social what say you?