John Kostyack
@kostyack.bsky.social
Consulting on climate change & the energy transition for NGOs & foundations at Kostyack Strategies. Senior Contributor at Forbes.com & Senior Fellow at ceea.us. All opinions expressed here are solely my own.
Pinned
Reposted by John Kostyack
So for months they have tried to blame the entire fentanyl crisis on Venezuela and the indictment only mentions cocaine, which they pardoned a different guy for weeks ago
January 3, 2026 at 2:03 PM
So for months they have tried to blame the entire fentanyl crisis on Venezuela and the indictment only mentions cocaine, which they pardoned a different guy for weeks ago
NYT went looking for any federal legislation that helped the rich and hurt the poor as much as last summer's Big Ugly Bill. Nope, it's truly the worst ever.
11 Data Points and Discoveries That Stuck With Us in 2025
See some of our favorite charts, documents, queries and calculations from the past year.
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:43 PM
NYT went looking for any federal legislation that helped the rich and hurt the poor as much as last summer's Big Ugly Bill. Nope, it's truly the worst ever.
NEW: People are using Elon Musk's chatbot, Grok, to alter images to depict real women being sexually abused, humiliated, hurt, and even killed.
futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com/future-socie...
Grok Is Being Used to Depict Horrific Violence Against Real Women
People are asking Elon Musk's Grok chatbot to alter images to depict women being sexually abused, humiliated, and even killed.
futurism.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by John Kostyack
“Why are Americans mistrustful of AI?” asks the morning briefing thing I’m skimming while I “no” through literally a dozen questions being asked to me by a robot who stands between me and the person I need to talk to to schedule the x-ray that I really, really need
January 2, 2026 at 2:07 PM
“Why are Americans mistrustful of AI?” asks the morning briefing thing I’m skimming while I “no” through literally a dozen questions being asked to me by a robot who stands between me and the person I need to talk to to schedule the x-ray that I really, really need
Most Americans are concerned about AI, and even those who are enthused are expressing an equal measure of alarm. Perhaps the push back against the gargantuan data centers is about more than the energy and water and affordability problems.
Why Do Americans Hate A.I.?
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Most Americans are concerned about AI, and even those who are enthused are expressing an equal measure of alarm. Perhaps the push back against the gargantuan data centers is about more than the energy and water and affordability problems.
Reposted by John Kostyack
There is a lot of optimism from solar and storage gains and it’s warranted but sitting in NYISO and NEISO you are very worried about the coming of winter peaking.
January 2, 2026 at 1:19 PM
There is a lot of optimism from solar and storage gains and it’s warranted but sitting in NYISO and NEISO you are very worried about the coming of winter peaking.
Reposted by John Kostyack
Watch both the swearing in ceremony inside a NY City subway station and the inauguration ceremony of Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social , including this powerful speech by the city's new Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, embracing contradiction and possibility.
www.nytimes.com/video/nyregi...
www.nytimes.com/video/nyregi...
Video: ‘Little Black Boy, You Were Worth it,’ Jumaane Williams Tells His Past Self
After being sworn in as New York City’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, the son of immigrants, spoke on the challenges faced by immigrant New Yorkers and the systems of power that cause inequality.
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Watch both the swearing in ceremony inside a NY City subway station and the inauguration ceremony of Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social , including this powerful speech by the city's new Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, embracing contradiction and possibility.
www.nytimes.com/video/nyregi...
www.nytimes.com/video/nyregi...
Everyone is now paying attention to NYC, where big climate victories will be married with big wins for affordability and overall quality of life.
Congestion pricing "has been a striking success. Traffic speeds have increased. Pollution is down. The fee is generating a large amount of revenue for the city’s transit system. And predictions that it would be bad for business have proved completely wrong." Via @pkrugman.bsky.social
Notes on New York
The Big Apple had a pretty good 2025, but …
paulkrugman.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Everyone is now paying attention to NYC, where big climate victories will be married with big wins for affordability and overall quality of life.
On Tuesday, the Trump regime managed to squeeze in one last action to pollute our communities and pick our pockets before 2025 closed out. DOE ordered an aging coal-fired power plant in Colorado to stay open a day before it was set to be retired - the 6th such order of the year.
www.cnn.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:17 PM
On Tuesday, the Trump regime managed to squeeze in one last action to pollute our communities and pick our pockets before 2025 closed out. DOE ordered an aging coal-fired power plant in Colorado to stay open a day before it was set to be retired - the 6th such order of the year.
Agree with the Ed that it is impossible to understand the data center boom without grappling with private credit and venture capital. He makes a strong case that both are seriously overextended and there are no profits in sight to fix their problems. Can they really keep the game going in 2026?
My final newsletter of 2025: We're in The Enshittifinancial Crisis, the fourth stage of enshittification, where companies turn on their shareholders. Unprofitable, unsustainable AI threatens future of venture capital, private equity and the markets themselves.
www.wheresyoured.at/the-enshitti...
www.wheresyoured.at/the-enshitti...
The Enshittifinancial Crisis
Soundtrack: Lynyrd Skynyrd — Free Bird
This piece is over 19,000 words, and took me a great deal of writing and research. If you liked it, please subscribe to my premium newsletter. It’s $70 a year, ...
www.wheresyoured.at
December 31, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Agree with the Ed that it is impossible to understand the data center boom without grappling with private credit and venture capital. He makes a strong case that both are seriously overextended and there are no profits in sight to fix their problems. Can they really keep the game going in 2026?
Reposted by John Kostyack
2/2
While I'm at it, how about profiles of 700,000+ people in DC—more than total pop of VT or WY—who have been long-term gerrymandered out of any Congressional voice at all. While on average paying more *federal* tax, per capita, than people in any "real" state.
Do it in barber shop, vs diner.
While I'm at it, how about profiles of 700,000+ people in DC—more than total pop of VT or WY—who have been long-term gerrymandered out of any Congressional voice at all. While on average paying more *federal* tax, per capita, than people in any "real" state.
Do it in barber shop, vs diner.
December 30, 2025 at 10:02 PM
2/2
While I'm at it, how about profiles of 700,000+ people in DC—more than total pop of VT or WY—who have been long-term gerrymandered out of any Congressional voice at all. While on average paying more *federal* tax, per capita, than people in any "real" state.
Do it in barber shop, vs diner.
While I'm at it, how about profiles of 700,000+ people in DC—more than total pop of VT or WY—who have been long-term gerrymandered out of any Congressional voice at all. While on average paying more *federal* tax, per capita, than people in any "real" state.
Do it in barber shop, vs diner.
Reposted by John Kostyack
QED.!
As we laid out very plainly in @transitionshow.bsky.social
Ep. 209 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
Ep. 219 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
and Ep. 237 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
As we laid out very plainly in @transitionshow.bsky.social
Ep. 209 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
Ep. 219 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
and Ep. 237 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
December 30, 2025 at 9:05 PM
QED.!
As we laid out very plainly in @transitionshow.bsky.social
Ep. 209 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
Ep. 219 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
and Ep. 237 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
As we laid out very plainly in @transitionshow.bsky.social
Ep. 209 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
Ep. 219 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
and Ep. 237 xenetwork.org/ets/episodes...
Caterpillar is undertaking its biggest factory spend in 15 years to capitalize on data centers' demand for on-site fossil gas generation. Not mentioned here: Single cycle turbines like these generate 15-30% more GHG emissions that combined cycle turbines. [gift link]
Caterpillar’s Surging Stock Is Fueled by AI, Not Yellow Excavators
Sales of generators are powering the manufacturing giant’s fastest-growing segment.
www.wsj.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Caterpillar is undertaking its biggest factory spend in 15 years to capitalize on data centers' demand for on-site fossil gas generation. Not mentioned here: Single cycle turbines like these generate 15-30% more GHG emissions that combined cycle turbines. [gift link]
Not long ago, advocating for transmission lines was about getting renewables onto the grid. Today, new transmission is often aimed at bringing fossil power to data centers. 226 projects are moving forward in VA, with another 70 projects in planning stages. Key power source: fracked gas from WV & PA.
Build, Build, Build
As data centers multiply, so must transmission lines. Protesting residents are scoring a few victories.
thenewenergycrisis.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Not long ago, advocating for transmission lines was about getting renewables onto the grid. Today, new transmission is often aimed at bringing fossil power to data centers. 226 projects are moving forward in VA, with another 70 projects in planning stages. Key power source: fracked gas from WV & PA.
Investors are becoming cool to SMRs for a host of reasons, but a key reason is that data center electricity demand is so unhighly uncertain. The conclusion of this article seems apt for data centers, SMRs and large nukes: "capital-intensive industries can get sidelined by fast-moving technologies."
Mini nuclear reactors are already losing their glow ft.trib.al/V1KUH2e | opinion
Mini nuclear reactors are already losing their glow
Several studies suggest SMRs will produce higher levels of nuclear waste than traditional plants
ft.trib.al
December 30, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Investors are becoming cool to SMRs for a host of reasons, but a key reason is that data center electricity demand is so unhighly uncertain. The conclusion of this article seems apt for data centers, SMRs and large nukes: "capital-intensive industries can get sidelined by fast-moving technologies."
Reposted by John Kostyack
It’s not just "the weather"—it’s our grocery bills and our children’s inhalers. New data shows 65% of us now see how the climate crisis is driving up the cost of living. Protecting our planet IS protecting our family budget. #ClimateHealth #ActOnClimate
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US voters linking climate crisis to rising bills despite Trump’s ‘green scam’ claims
New polling shows 65% of registered US voters believe global heating is affecting cost of living
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
It’s not just "the weather"—it’s our grocery bills and our children’s inhalers. New data shows 65% of us now see how the climate crisis is driving up the cost of living. Protecting our planet IS protecting our family budget. #ClimateHealth #ActOnClimate
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Which party will speak for the Americans who want AI restricted? Will widespread public hostility even matter given all the money behind it? "We’ll soon start to find out not just how much A.I. is going to remake our democracy, but also to what degree we still have one."
December 30, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Which party will speak for the Americans who want AI restricted? Will widespread public hostility even matter given all the money behind it? "We’ll soon start to find out not just how much A.I. is going to remake our democracy, but also to what degree we still have one."
Let's raise a glass for those East Bay dam removers and those feisty salmon - first spawning on this stream in 75 years.
💚
Some good news related to the recent rains in California (and also dam removals!)
December 30, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Let's raise a glass for those East Bay dam removers and those feisty salmon - first spawning on this stream in 75 years.
Here's Edison Electric's CEO stating “data centers aren’t driving the cost [increases].” In fact, Berkeley Lab found that this is indeed happening in PJM, the region with 1/3 of US electricity customers and the place with the greatest data center buildout to date. www.wsj.com/business/ene...
Be Prepared to Keep Paying More for Electricity
Data centers are getting much of the blame lately for rising power costs, but they aren’t the only catalyst.
www.wsj.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Here's Edison Electric's CEO stating “data centers aren’t driving the cost [increases].” In fact, Berkeley Lab found that this is indeed happening in PJM, the region with 1/3 of US electricity customers and the place with the greatest data center buildout to date. www.wsj.com/business/ene...
In January OpenAi CEO Sam Altman told us that its AI agents would "materially change the output of companies" this year. No material change happened. Yet we're seeing projected IPO valuations approaching a trillion dollars. So, making products that are useful to customers is not the point?
Why A.I. Didn’t Transform Our Lives in 2025
This was supposed to be the year when autonomous agents took over everyday tasks. The tech industry overpromised and underdelivered.
www.newyorker.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:10 AM
In January OpenAi CEO Sam Altman told us that its AI agents would "materially change the output of companies" this year. No material change happened. Yet we're seeing projected IPO valuations approaching a trillion dollars. So, making products that are useful to customers is not the point?
Fossil fuel exec & Trump advisor Harold Hamm has over a decade of absurd statements about shale gas's potential to power the US economy, despite the geological realities. Any discussion of Trump's action plan for AI data centers should flag its reliance on this fantasy.
Good morning. How about 2000 words about the state of the US oil industry?
"Hamm admitted the Bakken is 'tapped out.' The reason he is buying shale assets in other countries is because the reality is that the U.S. oil industry is tapped out."
"Hamm admitted the Bakken is 'tapped out.' The reason he is buying shale assets in other countries is because the reality is that the U.S. oil industry is tapped out."
Lessons from the Bakken
The New York Times recently profiled Harold Hamm, Continental CEO Resources chairman emeritus and noted how Hamm is advising Trump to go all in on fossil fuels. This should surprise no one as Harold H...
powering-the-planet.ghost.io
December 30, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Fossil fuel exec & Trump advisor Harold Hamm has over a decade of absurd statements about shale gas's potential to power the US economy, despite the geological realities. Any discussion of Trump's action plan for AI data centers should flag its reliance on this fantasy.
Exelon CEO Calvin Butler sounds more than a little worried about the grid's lack of preparedness for data centers. Implies that blackouts are inevitable, "people are going to suffer." fortune.com/2025/12/24/e...
Utility CEO on the data center crunch: America's 'check engine light' is on and 'no one's going to pay attention until it breaks down' | Fortune
"We are telling policy makers the warning lights are on," Exelon CEO Calvin Butler told Diane Brady at Fortune Brainstorm AI in San Francisco.
fortune.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Exelon CEO Calvin Butler sounds more than a little worried about the grid's lack of preparedness for data centers. Implies that blackouts are inevitable, "people are going to suffer." fortune.com/2025/12/24/e...
Michael Burry, of "Big Short" fame, is betting against Nvidia, questioning its circular financing and accusing Nvidia & its customers of inflating earnings with deceptive accounting around the life expectancy of chips. [gift link]
December 29, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Michael Burry, of "Big Short" fame, is betting against Nvidia, questioning its circular financing and accusing Nvidia & its customers of inflating earnings with deceptive accounting around the life expectancy of chips. [gift link]
The recent LA fires offer a case study of how the costs of the climate crisis are allocated. NYTimes finds insurers are sending people back into smoke-damaged homes w/o covering the costs of toxic cleanup, relying on shoddy industry-funded research. And CA regulators are acquiescing.
Insurers Said They Could Return Home. Our Tests Found Neurotoxins in Their Bodies.
A Times investigation has found that insurers are driving families into homes contaminated by smoke. Lab results show how one family was exposed to neurotoxins and carcinogens.
www.nytimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The recent LA fires offer a case study of how the costs of the climate crisis are allocated. NYTimes finds insurers are sending people back into smoke-damaged homes w/o covering the costs of toxic cleanup, relying on shoddy industry-funded research. And CA regulators are acquiescing.
Using fossil fuels to power data centers is bad for your lungs & wallets, especially if the fossil fuels are burned behind-the-meter with aeroderivative turbines (jet engines) & diesel generators. But developers can't wait for grid connections & modern turbines, so brace yourselves.
Data centres turn to aircraft engines to avoid grid connection delays
Supply chain shortages drive developers to use smaller and less efficient power sources to fuel AI power demand
www.ft.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Using fossil fuels to power data centers is bad for your lungs & wallets, especially if the fossil fuels are burned behind-the-meter with aeroderivative turbines (jet engines) & diesel generators. But developers can't wait for grid connections & modern turbines, so brace yourselves.