Chirag Lala
@cthelala.bsky.social
Indian-American. VP of Research & Chief Economist at Center for Public Enterprise. PhD Candidate at UMass Economics. Macro + Finance + Industrial Policy + Decarbonization + Grids + Investment
https://publicenterprise.org/author/chirag/
https://publicenterprise.org/author/chirag/
Pinned
Chirag Lala
@cthelala.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Made what I believe to be the first "Macroeconomics and Finance" starter pack! Do send me recommendations or requests to join.
It's a broad umbrella - so not just for economists! Practitioners, industry, and adjacent policy folks are all welcome.
go.bsky.app/PF8LBMv
It's a broad umbrella - so not just for economists! Practitioners, industry, and adjacent policy folks are all welcome.
go.bsky.app/PF8LBMv
Reposted by Chirag Lala
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
Reposted by Chirag Lala
Still processing the inanity of this cave, like, "We're going to make Republicans go on record that they want to destroy the ACA." You mean the motherfuckers who radicalized in opposition to it & voted to repeal it, like, 22 times? You're finally getting them on record? Really impressed over here
“If Schumer really wanted to use his considerable influence and leverage to stop this, he could have done that,” a senior Democratic Senate aide tells Zeteo. “He didn’t.”
Furious Liberals Call for Schumer to Step Aside, Senate Dems Mostly Quiet
After their shutdown surrender, liberal lawmakers are begging their base to unite behind them anyway – as Trumpland celebrates that their opposition is a bunch of 'p*ssies.'
zeteo.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Still processing the inanity of this cave, like, "We're going to make Republicans go on record that they want to destroy the ACA." You mean the motherfuckers who radicalized in opposition to it & voted to repeal it, like, 22 times? You're finally getting them on record? Really impressed over here
Reposted by Chirag Lala
The logic has always been there where self gen was possible, eg with industrial cogen. Now farms, factories, buildings can do it with with solar, and batteries complete the argument for “micro markets” with their own marginal supply cost & demand, & Q of when and if to buy from or sell to the grid.
November 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The logic has always been there where self gen was possible, eg with industrial cogen. Now farms, factories, buildings can do it with with solar, and batteries complete the argument for “micro markets” with their own marginal supply cost & demand, & Q of when and if to buy from or sell to the grid.
Reposted by Chirag Lala
Reflecting, we built the historic system as a monolithic grid with large generators sending power down brachiating AC lines because that made sense at the time. What if that's not sensible anymore? What if it could be better done hybridized with DC & AC semi-islands, batteries & connectors? 🤷
November 11, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Reflecting, we built the historic system as a monolithic grid with large generators sending power down brachiating AC lines because that made sense at the time. What if that's not sensible anymore? What if it could be better done hybridized with DC & AC semi-islands, batteries & connectors? 🤷
Every transmission story the same. Every transmission story is the same. Every transmission story is the sa...
"India 's energy grid isn’t keeping up with a surge in clean power.
The country wants to reach 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, but “we won’t be able to exceed it because there’s not enough transmission,”
www.ft.com/content/9950...
The country wants to reach 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, but “we won’t be able to exceed it because there’s not enough transmission,”
www.ft.com/content/9950...
India’s grid deadlock threatens green power rollout
Expansion of the country’s power network has not kept pace with a surge in renewable projects
www.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Every transmission story the same. Every transmission story is the same. Every transmission story is the sa...
Reposted by Chirag Lala
"India 's energy grid isn’t keeping up with a surge in clean power.
The country wants to reach 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, but “we won’t be able to exceed it because there’s not enough transmission,”
www.ft.com/content/9950...
The country wants to reach 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, but “we won’t be able to exceed it because there’s not enough transmission,”
www.ft.com/content/9950...
India’s grid deadlock threatens green power rollout
Expansion of the country’s power network has not kept pace with a surge in renewable projects
www.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:27 PM
"India 's energy grid isn’t keeping up with a surge in clean power.
The country wants to reach 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, but “we won’t be able to exceed it because there’s not enough transmission,”
www.ft.com/content/9950...
The country wants to reach 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, but “we won’t be able to exceed it because there’s not enough transmission,”
www.ft.com/content/9950...
Even the socialist won’t do something that’s completely within his power to delay the passage of a bill he ostensibly opposes. That same socialist also told the media the filibuster is important to the chamber.
The Senate behaves like a private club.
The Senate behaves like a private club.
I guess Bernie's speech last night about how this was a very bad day for democracy was total bullshit.
November 10, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Even the socialist won’t do something that’s completely within his power to delay the passage of a bill he ostensibly opposes. That same socialist also told the media the filibuster is important to the chamber.
The Senate behaves like a private club.
The Senate behaves like a private club.
To the extent PR + stronger parties can force some of these internal dynamics into the open, I bet it would be good for democracy and journalism.
One of the hardest things for me on Bluesky (& before that, on Twitter, & before that, on DKos) is that I have several years, from several different perspectives, occasionally as a participant in what was happening, of seeing how caucuses work. And the press covers them horribly.
November 10, 2025 at 11:12 PM
To the extent PR + stronger parties can force some of these internal dynamics into the open, I bet it would be good for democracy and journalism.
I think I underestimated Australia’s size. Driving from Melbourne to Sydney is the equivalent of driving NYC to Detroit.
November 10, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I think I underestimated Australia’s size. Driving from Melbourne to Sydney is the equivalent of driving NYC to Detroit.
Don't glorify profits. You'll miss developments (like grid-scale batteries) which overturn previous profitability calculations or render new ones possible. But you'll also overlook the state's role in cultivating accumulation pathways through...dare I say it...a mixture of carrots and sticks.
Yes, this is correct. And the reason is because our capitalist classes have decided that it is not sufficiently profitable, so they're not going to do it.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Don't glorify profits. You'll miss developments (like grid-scale batteries) which overturn previous profitability calculations or render new ones possible. But you'll also overlook the state's role in cultivating accumulation pathways through...dare I say it...a mixture of carrots and sticks.
Shout it from the rooftops!
The (partial) impact on growth would also be positive. But again, that's not really the point either for "capitalists."
The (partial) impact on growth would also be positive. But again, that's not really the point either for "capitalists."
I should write the argument up properly somewhere, but I think this is fundamentally wrong. A decisive fraction of the capitalist class does oppose addressing the climate crisis, but *not* because it would be bad for profits. If anything, a green New Deal type program would raise aggregate profits.
Yes, this is correct. And the reason is because our capitalist classes have decided that it is not sufficiently profitable, so they're not going to do it.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Shout it from the rooftops!
The (partial) impact on growth would also be positive. But again, that's not really the point either for "capitalists."
The (partial) impact on growth would also be positive. But again, that's not really the point either for "capitalists."
Reposted by Chirag Lala
I should write the argument up properly somewhere, but I think this is fundamentally wrong. A decisive fraction of the capitalist class does oppose addressing the climate crisis, but *not* because it would be bad for profits. If anything, a green New Deal type program would raise aggregate profits.
Yes, this is correct. And the reason is because our capitalist classes have decided that it is not sufficiently profitable, so they're not going to do it.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I should write the argument up properly somewhere, but I think this is fundamentally wrong. A decisive fraction of the capitalist class does oppose addressing the climate crisis, but *not* because it would be bad for profits. If anything, a green New Deal type program would raise aggregate profits.
Reposted by Chirag Lala
Still upset about no power of the purse language. You truly do hate to see it. The Trump admin undertook the most expansive set of illegal budgetary actions of any president in history, and broadcast as loudly as possible they’d keep doing it, and nothing. Budgetary lawlessness.
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Still upset about no power of the purse language. You truly do hate to see it. The Trump admin undertook the most expansive set of illegal budgetary actions of any president in history, and broadcast as loudly as possible they’d keep doing it, and nothing. Budgetary lawlessness.
Reposted by Chirag Lala
Everyone is saying it. Literally everyone
November 10, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Everyone is saying it. Literally everyone
Reposted by Chirag Lala
The agreement to hold a vote on ACA subsidies is not a concession. It's worth literally nothing. It should be ignored when evaluating the merits of the deal
Sanders: That is a totally meaningless gesture. You can get 100 votes here and it won't mean anything because the House is not going to take it up.
November 10, 2025 at 1:31 AM
The agreement to hold a vote on ACA subsidies is not a concession. It's worth literally nothing. It should be ignored when evaluating the merits of the deal
Reposted by Chirag Lala
Sanders: Let’s be clear… If this vote succeeds, over 20 million Americans are going to see at least a doubling in their premiums… if resolution is passed tonight, we are on a path way to throw 15 million Americans off of medicaid and the affordable care act, 15 million.
November 10, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Sanders: Let’s be clear… If this vote succeeds, over 20 million Americans are going to see at least a doubling in their premiums… if resolution is passed tonight, we are on a path way to throw 15 million Americans off of medicaid and the affordable care act, 15 million.
Reposted by Chirag Lala
For my entire career, approps has worked backwards from toplines. A bad practice that artificially constrains spending and deprioritizes actual need. These three bills were done the very very very old-fashioned way. Would love to see more of that.
But again, if Trump can then just ignore the deal….
But again, if Trump can then just ignore the deal….
November 10, 2025 at 12:13 AM
For my entire career, approps has worked backwards from toplines. A bad practice that artificially constrains spending and deprioritizes actual need. These three bills were done the very very very old-fashioned way. Would love to see more of that.
But again, if Trump can then just ignore the deal….
But again, if Trump can then just ignore the deal….
Reposted by Chirag Lala
Should be clear in case I wasn’t clear enough: the bads are REALLY bad.
November 10, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Should be clear in case I wasn’t clear enough: the bads are REALLY bad.
Reposted by Chirag Lala
Either way, so many Dems... the bulk of the Senate caucus, House leadership, governors, etc.,... all quickly throwing down the gauntlet with such open unrestrained attacks on any Dems who cave is new. It wasn't like that in March, not nearly as loud and widespread and immediate, much more base-only.
November 10, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Either way, so many Dems... the bulk of the Senate caucus, House leadership, governors, etc.,... all quickly throwing down the gauntlet with such open unrestrained attacks on any Dems who cave is new. It wasn't like that in March, not nearly as loud and widespread and immediate, much more base-only.
Reposted by Chirag Lala
The RIFs language is actually great. Not only does it rehire the people RIFed during the shutdown, it makes it an unequivocal Antideficiency Act violation to do ANY MORE RIFs through the duration of the CR (Jan 30)
Completely stops Trump/Vought Phase 2 for now
Would love to see this standardized
Completely stops Trump/Vought Phase 2 for now
Would love to see this standardized
November 10, 2025 at 12:27 AM
The RIFs language is actually great. Not only does it rehire the people RIFed during the shutdown, it makes it an unequivocal Antideficiency Act violation to do ANY MORE RIFs through the duration of the CR (Jan 30)
Completely stops Trump/Vought Phase 2 for now
Would love to see this standardized
Completely stops Trump/Vought Phase 2 for now
Would love to see this standardized
Reposted by Chirag Lala
3 GOOD: some real approps working right for the first time in EONS, built based on need & politics, not from toplines. SHALL language on backpay 4 feds. Good anti-RIF language we’d want to see continued
2 BAD: Nothing forces Trump to actually FOLLOW the approps. A vote we could have forced already
2 BAD: Nothing forces Trump to actually FOLLOW the approps. A vote we could have forced already
Text of the CR here. Negative implications galore.
www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
www.appropriations.senate.gov
November 10, 2025 at 12:10 AM
3 GOOD: some real approps working right for the first time in EONS, built based on need & politics, not from toplines. SHALL language on backpay 4 feds. Good anti-RIF language we’d want to see continued
2 BAD: Nothing forces Trump to actually FOLLOW the approps. A vote we could have forced already
2 BAD: Nothing forces Trump to actually FOLLOW the approps. A vote we could have forced already
Reposted by Chirag Lala
I don't read enough Congressional legislation to speak with any real authority here but this RIF language stood out to me
November 9, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I don't read enough Congressional legislation to speak with any real authority here but this RIF language stood out to me
Reposted by Chirag Lala
If that's the deal, and the minibus stops RIFs, and we can just do this all over again in February if they renege... I think that's a viable outcome.
The bottom line is that if the GOP wants to break the ACA, they're going to be able to do it, and we should chain it to their necks in the midterms.
The bottom line is that if the GOP wants to break the ACA, they're going to be able to do it, and we should chain it to their necks in the midterms.
"More than enough" Senate Democratic Caucus members to pass shutdown deal led by Shaheen, King and Hassan, source familiar with deal says
- CR through Jan. 30
- ACA bill vote on bill of Dems' choosing in December
- Minibus has RIF reversals and "protections" against them in future
- CR through Jan. 30
- ACA bill vote on bill of Dems' choosing in December
- Minibus has RIF reversals and "protections" against them in future
November 9, 2025 at 11:49 PM
If that's the deal, and the minibus stops RIFs, and we can just do this all over again in February if they renege... I think that's a viable outcome.
The bottom line is that if the GOP wants to break the ACA, they're going to be able to do it, and we should chain it to their necks in the midterms.
The bottom line is that if the GOP wants to break the ACA, they're going to be able to do it, and we should chain it to their necks in the midterms.
Reposted by Chirag Lala
Okay yeah the House caucus is pissed.
I don't know what the Senate is going to do. But if they do in fact fold in exchange for nothing, they will be living up to past performance. To expect the Senate to carry out the will of the American people is to misunderstand why it was created in the first place.
November 9, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Okay yeah the House caucus is pissed.
Reposted by Chirag Lala
Really quite amazing (laudatory) for a Dem house member to be talking about the senate like this.
I don't know what the Senate is going to do. But if they do in fact fold in exchange for nothing, they will be living up to past performance. To expect the Senate to carry out the will of the American people is to misunderstand why it was created in the first place.
November 9, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Really quite amazing (laudatory) for a Dem house member to be talking about the senate like this.