Josh Lappen
@jlappen1.bsky.social
energy historian | postdoc at Notre Dame, PhD at Oxford | infrastructure, decarbonization, and landscapes | Angeleno | always on the lookout for a good fun fact
views my own, at best
views my own, at best
Pinned
Fossil energy minimum viable scale
Unseen infrastructural threats to safety and decarbonization may arise as fossil energy systems are phased out
www.science.org
New from @gruberte.bsky.social and I in @science.org: The energy transition is at risk, and energy models are missing the threat. Fossil energy networks from oil to coal to gas have minimum viable scales of operation, and those thresholds are closer than we think:
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
💡🔌
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
💡🔌
Reposted by Josh Lappen
I really need these headlines to stop being like IT’S ILLEGAL TO REGULATE GHGS NOW instead of what’s actually going on, which is that we’re no longer required to consider them in scope of a 56 year old law that didn’t contemplate climate change as an issue
February 14, 2026 at 2:38 AM
I really need these headlines to stop being like IT’S ILLEGAL TO REGULATE GHGS NOW instead of what’s actually going on, which is that we’re no longer required to consider them in scope of a 56 year old law that didn’t contemplate climate change as an issue
Reposted by Josh Lappen
“I don't see any plan, any strategy, any end game,” says Pat Parenteau, a professor of environmental law at the University of Vermont. “I don't see anything from this administration, just fuck everything up as much as you can. You can print that.”
The Trump administration has revoked the key rule allowing the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases. What's next? A big, stupid mess, reports @mollytaft.com:
The Fight Over US Climate Rules Is Just Beginning
As the EPA moves to roll back the endangerment finding, which allows it to regulate greenhouse gases, experts predict uncertainty for business and a protracted legal fight.
www.wired.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:29 PM
“I don't see any plan, any strategy, any end game,” says Pat Parenteau, a professor of environmental law at the University of Vermont. “I don't see anything from this administration, just fuck everything up as much as you can. You can print that.”
Reposted by Josh Lappen
The end of privately run gas stations? New Science paper by @jlappen1.bsky.social & Emily Grubert lays out a future in which “electric transportation is becoming the market leader, but gasoline still has a share, albeit a declining one”: @dangearino.bsky.social insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
Looking Ahead to When Gas Stations Vanish - Inside Climate News
Leaders should plan for declining demand that will undermine the viability of fossil fuel businesses. New research says it could happen sooner than we think.
insideclimatenews.org
February 11, 2026 at 5:11 PM
The end of privately run gas stations? New Science paper by @jlappen1.bsky.social & Emily Grubert lays out a future in which “electric transportation is becoming the market leader, but gasoline still has a share, albeit a declining one”: @dangearino.bsky.social insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
Reposted by Josh Lappen
The first and only thing he should be known for and remembered for. It should be the only thing he's ever asked about.
This is on Musk and he should be held accountable.
HORRIFYING -
Dismantling USAID & cancelling >80% of aid caused ~750,000 deaths by mid-2025
🧸Most were children
⌛️ Many died within the first year
😰 Preventable deaths were mainly from:
- HIV, TB, malaria
- Maternal & fetal deaths
- Malnutrition
news.westernu.ca/2026/01/u-s-...
Dismantling USAID & cancelling >80% of aid caused ~750,000 deaths by mid-2025
🧸Most were children
⌛️ Many died within the first year
😰 Preventable deaths were mainly from:
- HIV, TB, malaria
- Maternal & fetal deaths
- Malnutrition
news.westernu.ca/2026/01/u-s-...
February 10, 2026 at 2:35 AM
The first and only thing he should be known for and remembered for. It should be the only thing he's ever asked about.
The rare skill of Remembering That the Enemy of Your Enemy Does Not in Fact Necessarily Have To Be Your Friend - a skill almost unheard of on this website! - gets more important every day
"worst person you know" guy is so busy these days
Exxon is dropping law firm Paul Weiss, whose chair just resigned after his ties to Epstein were exposed, from representing the company in at least four climate lawsuits.
The firm also cut a deal with the Trump administration last year: www.exxonknews.org/p/exxons-law...
The firm also cut a deal with the Trump administration last year: www.exxonknews.org/p/exxons-law...
February 10, 2026 at 12:56 AM
The rare skill of Remembering That the Enemy of Your Enemy Does Not in Fact Necessarily Have To Be Your Friend - a skill almost unheard of on this website! - gets more important every day
Reposted by Josh Lappen
We need to stop referring to these people as centrist Democrats. They are advancing a right-wing agenda and should be referred to as such.
NEW: The “centrist” Abundance think tank pushing Democrats toward deregulation is run by a registered corporate lobbyist for OpenAI, Larry Ellison’s Oracle, and a crypto think tank.
February 9, 2026 at 6:32 PM
We need to stop referring to these people as centrist Democrats. They are advancing a right-wing agenda and should be referred to as such.
One agenda item for my dream comprehensive government-run legal code repository (we could call it a Government Printing Office, or something like that?):
Use goddamn tabs in the goddamn codes so people don't go insane trying to track how provisions nest!
Use goddamn tabs in the goddamn codes so people don't go insane trying to track how provisions nest!
February 9, 2026 at 11:08 PM
One agenda item for my dream comprehensive government-run legal code repository (we could call it a Government Printing Office, or something like that?):
Use goddamn tabs in the goddamn codes so people don't go insane trying to track how provisions nest!
Use goddamn tabs in the goddamn codes so people don't go insane trying to track how provisions nest!
Reposted by Josh Lappen
I'm proud to announce that I have defended my finance dissertation and that this summer I will become an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Texas at Austin! Most of all, I would like to thank Roberta Romano, whose JD-PhD program in finance changed my career.
February 9, 2026 at 8:46 PM
I'm proud to announce that I have defended my finance dissertation and that this summer I will become an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Texas at Austin! Most of all, I would like to thank Roberta Romano, whose JD-PhD program in finance changed my career.
CA's climate+air regulators present their support of Tesla as the only way to decarbonize freight - but they're ignoring the state's freight rail system, which could take a huge bite out of the problem at a fraction the cost, while supporting passenger rail infrastructure!
h/t @niedermeyer.online
h/t @niedermeyer.online
"Nevertheless, the reservation of vouchers effectively limited access to funding for other manufacturers with production-ready electric trucks, as HVIP operates on a first-come, first-served basis and funding rounds are typically oversubscribed within days."
Always frustrating.
Always frustrating.
$165m at stake: California backs Tesla Semi before series production - electrive.com
California’s clean-truck incentive programme has reserved around $165 million for the Tesla Semi, even though the electric truck has yet to enter series
www.electrive.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:24 PM
CA's climate+air regulators present their support of Tesla as the only way to decarbonize freight - but they're ignoring the state's freight rail system, which could take a huge bite out of the problem at a fraction the cost, while supporting passenger rail infrastructure!
h/t @niedermeyer.online
h/t @niedermeyer.online
Reposted by Josh Lappen
“In 2020, 3% of all TB in the U.S. occurred among incarcerated people—about four times the rate you would expect based on population demographics—and 327 people were diagnosed with TB in ICE custody.”
Public health scholar Katharine S. Walter on the role prisons play in fueling the spread of TB:
Public health scholar Katharine S. Walter on the role prisons play in fueling the spread of TB:
February 9, 2026 at 6:11 PM
“In 2020, 3% of all TB in the U.S. occurred among incarcerated people—about four times the rate you would expect based on population demographics—and 327 people were diagnosed with TB in ICE custody.”
Public health scholar Katharine S. Walter on the role prisons play in fueling the spread of TB:
Public health scholar Katharine S. Walter on the role prisons play in fueling the spread of TB:
Reposted by Josh Lappen
Uh oh, you scrolled too far, too greedily, too deep: you have encountered a balrog.
November 12, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Uh oh, you scrolled too far, too greedily, too deep: you have encountered a balrog.
I think many "rate affordability" objections are actually tacit arguments against public services. So I loved hearing the new GM of MWD point out that the biggest thing MWD can do on affordability is remind citizens that tap water is safer, more reliable, and much cheaper than bottled!
February 7, 2026 at 12:56 AM
I think many "rate affordability" objections are actually tacit arguments against public services. So I loved hearing the new GM of MWD point out that the biggest thing MWD can do on affordability is remind citizens that tap water is safer, more reliable, and much cheaper than bottled!
Reposted by Josh Lappen
When I read about the paper, I was primarily thinking about the gas pipeline network death spiral for heating.
But gas stations is interesting. The conversation could quickly go from "Cool EV, but where do you charge it? (everywhere)" to "Where are you going to get fuel for that clunker?"
But gas stations is interesting. The conversation could quickly go from "Cool EV, but where do you charge it? (everywhere)" to "Where are you going to get fuel for that clunker?"
Reactions to this week's newsletter have ranged from, "This is an absurd premise," to, "This is happening already in my city." So, pretty much what I've come to expect from writing about the energy economy.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
Looking Ahead to When Gas Stations Vanish - Inside Climate News
Leaders should plan for declining demand that will undermine the viability of fossil fuel businesses. New research says it could happen sooner than we think.
insideclimatenews.org
February 6, 2026 at 6:58 PM
When I read about the paper, I was primarily thinking about the gas pipeline network death spiral for heating.
But gas stations is interesting. The conversation could quickly go from "Cool EV, but where do you charge it? (everywhere)" to "Where are you going to get fuel for that clunker?"
But gas stations is interesting. The conversation could quickly go from "Cool EV, but where do you charge it? (everywhere)" to "Where are you going to get fuel for that clunker?"
Reposted by Josh Lappen
Time to get ready.
When, you ask?
No time like the present.
When, you ask?
No time like the present.
February 6, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Time to get ready.
When, you ask?
No time like the present.
When, you ask?
No time like the present.
Reposted by Josh Lappen
as i keep saying, the things to do to secure elections are to volunteer to work the polls or to serve as an observer, & to pressure your *state representatives* to take steps to further secure voting locations and ballots. you should also learn about how election administration works in your area.
February 5, 2026 at 1:35 PM
as i keep saying, the things to do to secure elections are to volunteer to work the polls or to serve as an observer, & to pressure your *state representatives* to take steps to further secure voting locations and ballots. you should also learn about how election administration works in your area.
This is PRECISELY why @gruberte.bsky.social and I say it's so important to be loud abt the consequences of fossil decline. These risks sound outlandish to many right up until they become reality. Who gets blamed then will depend a lot on whether govt has already warned and tried to take action.
Reactions to this week's newsletter have ranged from, "This is an absurd premise," to, "This is happening already in my city." So, pretty much what I've come to expect from writing about the energy economy.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
Looking Ahead to When Gas Stations Vanish - Inside Climate News
Leaders should plan for declining demand that will undermine the viability of fossil fuel businesses. New research says it could happen sooner than we think.
insideclimatenews.org
February 6, 2026 at 6:47 PM
This is PRECISELY why @gruberte.bsky.social and I say it's so important to be loud abt the consequences of fossil decline. These risks sound outlandish to many right up until they become reality. Who gets blamed then will depend a lot on whether govt has already warned and tried to take action.
Reposted by Josh Lappen
Good article on @jlappen1.bsky.social and @gruberte.bsky.social latest work which strongly suggests we start thinking of what declining oil demand will do to our economies.
"few businesses can be profitable selling a product whose demand is no longer growing."
"few businesses can be profitable selling a product whose demand is no longer growing."
Looking Ahead to When Gas Stations Vanish - Inside Climate News
Leaders should plan for declining demand that will undermine the viability of fossil fuel businesses. New research says it could happen sooner than we think.
insideclimatenews.org
February 6, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Good article on @jlappen1.bsky.social and @gruberte.bsky.social latest work which strongly suggests we start thinking of what declining oil demand will do to our economies.
"few businesses can be profitable selling a product whose demand is no longer growing."
"few businesses can be profitable selling a product whose demand is no longer growing."
Reposted by Josh Lappen
"AI acts as a kind of universal solvent, breaking down the bonds that hold together previously healthy structures: schools, hospitals, newspapers. And families, too."
New from me: where AI doesn't belong.
buttondown.com/creativegood...
New from me: where AI doesn't belong.
buttondown.com/creativegood...
Where AI doesn't belong
“Current AI systems are a death sentence for civic institutions.” That cheery pronouncement comes from two Boston University Law School professors, Woodrow...
buttondown.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:50 PM
"AI acts as a kind of universal solvent, breaking down the bonds that hold together previously healthy structures: schools, hospitals, newspapers. And families, too."
New from me: where AI doesn't belong.
buttondown.com/creativegood...
New from me: where AI doesn't belong.
buttondown.com/creativegood...
Reposted by Josh Lappen
Every American needs to watch this:
February 5, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Every American needs to watch this:
Reposted by Josh Lappen
Civil rights activist Medgar Evers was shot in the back by a Klansman in 1963.
The National Park Service has removed visitor brochures from Evers' museum and reportedly plans to remove references that call his murderer a “racist"
The National Park Service has removed visitor brochures from Evers' museum and reportedly plans to remove references that call his murderer a “racist"
Medgar Evers’ killer was a Klansman, but Trump administration says stop calling him a racist - Mississippi Today
Among anticipated changes to a new visitor brochure for the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is no longer using "racist" to describe the killer of the civil rights leader.
mississippitoday.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Civil rights activist Medgar Evers was shot in the back by a Klansman in 1963.
The National Park Service has removed visitor brochures from Evers' museum and reportedly plans to remove references that call his murderer a “racist"
The National Park Service has removed visitor brochures from Evers' museum and reportedly plans to remove references that call his murderer a “racist"
Reposted by Josh Lappen
Do you think DC needs journalists covering local DC news? Subscribe to @51st.news!
🧵 1/ We’re devastated about the layoffs at The Washington Post, which are gutting D.C. reporting. These journalists are an incalculable loss for our city. The 51st’s mission has always felt urgent, but now we know it needs to kick into high gear.
February 4, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Do you think DC needs journalists covering local DC news? Subscribe to @51st.news!
Reposted by Josh Lappen
When will the last gas station close in your city? Sooner than you may think.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
Looking Ahead to When Gas Stations Vanish - Inside Climate News
Leaders should plan for declining demand that will undermine the viability of fossil fuel businesses. New research says it could happen sooner than we think.
insideclimatenews.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:25 PM
When will the last gas station close in your city? Sooner than you may think.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
Reposted by Josh Lappen
One of the most important papers I've read in a long time: Fossil energy minimum viable scale: what happens to this giant "network of networks" of fossil-fuel infrastructure as demand begins to decline? Amazing work by @gruberte.bsky.social and @jlappen1.bsky.social
emilygrubert.org/wp-content/u...
emilygrubert.org/wp-content/u...
emilygrubert.org
February 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM
One of the most important papers I've read in a long time: Fossil energy minimum viable scale: what happens to this giant "network of networks" of fossil-fuel infrastructure as demand begins to decline? Amazing work by @gruberte.bsky.social and @jlappen1.bsky.social
emilygrubert.org/wp-content/u...
emilygrubert.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Josh Lappen
When New START expires at midnight, nothing can legally stop the Trump regime from dramatically increasing the number of operationally deployed nuclear weapons, especially on ICBMs and SLBMs. Within months, it could easily surge the number of such warheads by uploading MIRVs from the reserve force.
February 4, 2026 at 11:34 PM
When New START expires at midnight, nothing can legally stop the Trump regime from dramatically increasing the number of operationally deployed nuclear weapons, especially on ICBMs and SLBMs. Within months, it could easily surge the number of such warheads by uploading MIRVs from the reserve force.
Reposted by Josh Lappen
There's an adage in community organizing that one needs to "move at the speed of trust". But for trust, one needs health, safety, stability. As I read it, this paper ⬇️ is about getting out ahead of that in energy planning, to address weak points, so the energy transition can move faster. Yes!
New from @gruberte.bsky.social and I in @science.org: The energy transition is at risk, and energy models are missing the threat. Fossil energy networks from oil to coal to gas have minimum viable scales of operation, and those thresholds are closer than we think:
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
💡🔌
www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
💡🔌
Fossil energy minimum viable scale
Unseen infrastructural threats to safety and decarbonization may arise as fossil energy systems are phased out
www.science.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:40 PM
There's an adage in community organizing that one needs to "move at the speed of trust". But for trust, one needs health, safety, stability. As I read it, this paper ⬇️ is about getting out ahead of that in energy planning, to address weak points, so the energy transition can move faster. Yes!