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kostyak.bsky.social
@kostyak.bsky.social
Consulting on climate change and the energy transition for NGOs, foundations and other mission-focused organizations at Kostyack Strategies
Reposted
I'm very excited to be on this panel! Sandeep is so smart, and his book is a timely take on why public power is worth fighting for. If you're in DC, swing by--and let's talk about the New Deal, the IRA, and the future of the American energy system!
Extremely cool event in DC next month! Join @cplusc.bsky.social for a conversation ft @jbozuwa.bsky.social @advaitarun.bsky.social & Kate Aronoff with Sandeep Vaheesan on his new book, Democracy in Power on the history and future of public power. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/looking-to...
November 14, 2024 at 3:41 PM
NYC's pension fund has joined the alliance of asset owners committed to net zero emissions in their portfolios. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2024 at 7:54 PM
Here's a starter pack of climate leaders working on accountability for the financial institutions supporting fossil fuel expansion & the lawmakers and regulators overseeing those institutions. I feel privileged to be part of this growing community. go.bsky.app/BfgnR44
November 14, 2024 at 7:53 PM
What is the political formula for keeping the IRA off the chopping block? Seems to me there are 2 ways to strengthen bipartisan support. 1) Focus on the jobs/ econ development benefits of renewable energy, 2) Focus on the CCS/CDR provisions that have little to say about renewable v fossil energy.
November 14, 2024 at 7:52 PM
Many good folks are promoting CDR and it's easy to anticipate a gravitational pull toward, e.g., promoting IRA's funding for DAC projects in red states. I'm wondering if that can be done w/o shortchanging the needed campaign for ITC and other renewables incentives in the IRA.
November 14, 2024 at 7:49 PM
Here's a thought-provoking piece on the challenges of pursuing nature-based CDR within the constraints of climate science and community engagement. theconversation.com/scientific-m...
theconversation.com
November 14, 2024 at 6:54 PM
As climate change threatens another global financial crisis, let's remember that the Fed serves as lender of last resort- essential to minimizing damage. The integration of crypto into traditional finance will make this job far more difficult. clsbluesky.law.columbia.edu/2024/11/13/t...
The Impending Financial Crisis   | CLS Blue Sky Blog
I teach a course on “Financial Crises/Regulatory Responses” with the economist Patrick Bolton. This course addresses the struggle to establish and maintain financial stability, an apex goal of the fin...
clsbluesky.law.columbia.edu
November 14, 2024 at 6:54 PM
Wall Street firms have cynically joined w the tech bros in bringing crypto into traditional finance. Our best hope is Senator Warren, who will serve as ranking member on the Banking Committee despite their efforts to block her. h/t @madisoncondon.bsky.social prospect.org/politics/202...
prospect.org
November 14, 2024 at 6:54 PM
One part of the crypto craze that doesn't get enough attention is how much this industry preys upon the economic anxieties of young folks, e.g., unleashing AI bots selling meme coins. Fraud is rampant but crypto has bought itself a gov't that promises no regulation. www.forbes.com/sites/ninaba...
www.forbes.com
November 14, 2024 at 6:53 PM
Reposted
The leasing demand for data centers has increased 11x in the last decade.

The largest single leases are 14x bigger than they were just 3 years ago.

Incredible.

#energysky
November 13, 2024 at 12:17 AM
1st German city to announce its gas grid decommissioning. No surprise it is in Baden-Wurttemberg- the state leading on heat decarbonisation in Germany.
District heating network is to be 100% renewably powered by 2030.
All EU cities over 45,000 citizens will need a similar plan.
#EnergySky
When gas is over:

First city announces complete decommissioning of the gas distribution grid by 2035.

Mannheim has a population of more than 300,000 people and will switch to district heating and heat pumps entirely.

www.tagesschau.de/inland/regio...
Baden-Württemberg: Mannheimer Versorger MVV: Gasnetz wird bis 2035 stillgelegt
Kein Gas mehr in Mannheim ab dem Jahr 2035: Das hat der Mannheimer Energieversorger MVV am Freitag angekündigt. Die MVV begründet das mit dem Klimaschutz.
www.tagesschau.de
November 14, 2024 at 6:53 PM
The House is working to fast-track a bill that would give Treasury the power to deny tax exemptions to c3 nonprofits without any explanation other than "you’re a terrorist supporting organization." www.aclu.org/documents/ci...
www.aclu.org
November 14, 2024 at 6:53 PM
Exxon CEO urges Trump not to withdraw from Paris agreement. Energy analyst Paul Sankey says this is because "the major oil companies are not supportive of the ‘drill, baby, drill,’ strategy, nor are their shareholders." Does anyone really believe this? [gift link] www.wsj.com/business/ene...
www.wsj.com
November 14, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Better explanation is hidden in this WSJ article: Exxon is advising gov't officials on "global carbon accounting measures." Not a coincidence that UN negotiators agreed today to advance Article 6 credit trading. Oil companies love these carbon accounting gimmicks allowing business-as-usual.
November 14, 2024 at 6:52 PM
November 14, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Urgewald's latest oil & gas exit list is out, showing that the oil & gas industry continued its expansion in 2023, openly defying Paris climate targets. Gas-fired power is on the march, with LNG import terminal capacity set to increase by 57%. gogel.org/sites/defaul...
gogel.org
November 14, 2024 at 6:51 PM
Despite net-zero pledges by some, it's clear that the oil & gas sector has no intention to transition. The finance industry holds the key. 39 large financial institutions have shown what's possible with policies that exclude investing in a significant portion of the sector.
November 14, 2024 at 6:51 PM
This is an area where state pension trustees can be leading. Imagine a new generation of public officials well-versed in the language of system-level investing - protecting beneficiaries from colossal climate damage to their portfolios & identifying clean tech innovators worthy of support.
November 14, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Net Zero Industrial Policy Lab: IRA repeal would harm US manufacturing & trade & create up to $80B in investment opportunities for other countries, including China. Harm includes lost factories, lost jobs, lost tax revenue & ~$50B in lost exports. static1.squarespace.com/static/64ca7...
static1.squarespace.com
November 14, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Thinking a lot about those state officials suddenly being asked to pick up the pace on climate in light of the feds (temporarily) reversing course. How can we help them succeed? I'd start by showing them frameworks that are already working outside their states that they can replicate.
November 14, 2024 at 6:49 PM
All state spending deserves a fresh look. How about getting states to adopt the Buy Clean policies to help decarbonize the industrial sector? The IRA and Biden Admin got this moving as did a handful of states featured here by Blue Green Alliance: www.bluegreenalliance.org/site/buy-cle...
BlueGreen Alliance | Buy Clean
www.bluegreenalliance.org
November 14, 2024 at 6:49 PM
Procurement decisions on all products & services should give preference to those with ecolabels - & ecolabels can continue to be strengthened. Here's a piece I wrote on the groundbreaking product preference rule put in place by the Biden admin that can be replicated. www.forbes.com/sites/johnko...
www.forbes.com
November 14, 2024 at 6:49 PM
Reposted
A very funny thing about Threads is that it started when Bluesky had been closed off for way too much of its launch.

Good internet people really wanted Threads to work. They raised key concerns and gave good advice to Adam Mosseri and his team.

At every turn the Facebook execs did the opposite.
November 11, 2024 at 8:29 PM
In addition to the climate and water benefits, this would be great for local economic development. This massive solar buildout would make the Central Valley a must-see tourist destination for climate hawks.
If California covered all its canals and aqueducts with solar, it could generate 13 GW of solar power and save 63 billion gallons of water, enough water for 2 million people & 50,000 irrigated acres. 🔌💡💧
www.tid.org/current-proj...
November 14, 2024 at 6:48 PM
@leahstokes.bsky.social & Adrian Deveny on making climate progress after last week's setbacks. Agree strongly on the need to enact ambitious state policies & bring Trump voters into the fold. I'd add: train/recruit more climate champs to run for office. www.canarymedia.com/articles/pol...
www.canarymedia.com
November 14, 2024 at 6:48 PM