Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
@mateosfo.bsky.social
I make things, including bike rides, state housing laws, bread, and trouble. Quality varies with rainfall, political winds, and tire pressure. Run comms at @cayimby for the love of cities.
Pinned
Today on Volts: you may have noticed that some climate/energy types (like me) have become obsessed with housing & urban land use lately. Why? Why are they climate issues? What's the connection? The great @mateosfo.bsky.social and I attempt to answer those questions.
Why housing is a pass/fail question for climate
Housing is a climate issue we can't afford to ignore — Matthew Lewis explains why.
www.volts.wtf
This was a lot of fun, both because we covered a lot of topics and because David and I have known each other so long and so the conversation flowed.
But the whole tl;dr of the thing is:
Housing policy is (still) climate policy. And the climate movement should do more to acknowledge this, IMO.
But the whole tl;dr of the thing is:
Housing policy is (still) climate policy. And the climate movement should do more to acknowledge this, IMO.
A republic, but not if you keep the Senate
I know this seems like it should be impossible, but both of these statements are true: Trump's judicial nominees all refuse to denounce the January 6 insurrection or say that he lost the 2020 election, and ALSO, some Senate Dems keep voting to confirm those nominees to life-tenured judgeships
Why Are Senate Democrats Still Voting to Confirm Trump’s Judicial Nominees?
Democrats on the Judiciary Committee keep decrying Trump nominees as unqualified extremists. They also keep voting to confirm them.
ballsandstrikes.org
February 12, 2026 at 7:54 PM
A republic, but not if you keep the Senate
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
I know this seems like it should be impossible, but both of these statements are true: Trump's judicial nominees all refuse to denounce the January 6 insurrection or say that he lost the 2020 election, and ALSO, some Senate Dems keep voting to confirm those nominees to life-tenured judgeships
Why Are Senate Democrats Still Voting to Confirm Trump’s Judicial Nominees?
Democrats on the Judiciary Committee keep decrying Trump nominees as unqualified extremists. They also keep voting to confirm them.
ballsandstrikes.org
February 12, 2026 at 6:51 PM
I know this seems like it should be impossible, but both of these statements are true: Trump's judicial nominees all refuse to denounce the January 6 insurrection or say that he lost the 2020 election, and ALSO, some Senate Dems keep voting to confirm those nominees to life-tenured judgeships
Times have changed. Still a long way to go but folks, you really can just do things.
"There’s a sentiment that approving this project is not democratic, I have to push back against that,” said Councilmember O’Keefe. “The people of Berkeley want more housing.”
www.berkeleyside.org/2026/02/12/b...
"There’s a sentiment that approving this project is not democratic, I have to push back against that,” said Councilmember O’Keefe. “The people of Berkeley want more housing.”
www.berkeleyside.org/2026/02/12/b...
City Council approves 8-story North Shattuck housing proposal
Some nearby residents wanted to block the 110-unit apartment complex in North Berkeley, calling it a "behemoth" and “monstrosity.”
www.berkeleyside.org
February 12, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Times have changed. Still a long way to go but folks, you really can just do things.
"There’s a sentiment that approving this project is not democratic, I have to push back against that,” said Councilmember O’Keefe. “The people of Berkeley want more housing.”
www.berkeleyside.org/2026/02/12/b...
"There’s a sentiment that approving this project is not democratic, I have to push back against that,” said Councilmember O’Keefe. “The people of Berkeley want more housing.”
www.berkeleyside.org/2026/02/12/b...
In the incredible movie "Lives of Others," artists/performers are continuously confronted by their passive complicity with the authoritarian socialist regime.
One advantage we have in the remaining "United" States is, the Confederacy has no talent.
Everyone has to pick a side now.
One advantage we have in the remaining "United" States is, the Confederacy has no talent.
Everyone has to pick a side now.
This is exactly what you'd do if you wanted to make sure that wrestling fans chanted "Fuck ICE" throughout the hours of live wrestling you air in prime time every week.
Hmmm. Louder then.
February 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM
In the incredible movie "Lives of Others," artists/performers are continuously confronted by their passive complicity with the authoritarian socialist regime.
One advantage we have in the remaining "United" States is, the Confederacy has no talent.
Everyone has to pick a side now.
One advantage we have in the remaining "United" States is, the Confederacy has no talent.
Everyone has to pick a side now.
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
This is incredible. Like the previous few years, near all of the electricity capacity added to the grid was clean energy. The Inflation Reduction Act helped this - it made solar & wind cheaper but it also for the first time had a standalone incentive for grid storage. Look at the growth in storage!
Final EIA-860 is out, and 2025 really did it: 54 GW of new U.S. electric capacity, 96% clean. Solar again carries the offense, and we built more storage in 2025 than the cumulative total through 2023. More and more and more additions... but also record low retirements.
February 12, 2026 at 4:38 AM
This is incredible. Like the previous few years, near all of the electricity capacity added to the grid was clean energy. The Inflation Reduction Act helped this - it made solar & wind cheaper but it also for the first time had a standalone incentive for grid storage. Look at the growth in storage!
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
The whole world except the United States knows about how to put crucial government services where everyone can get to them.
The crucial service marooned on an inaccessible hilltop culdesac, reachable only by car, is a uniquely USA idea.
(Chattanooga, TN, USA)
The crucial service marooned on an inaccessible hilltop culdesac, reachable only by car, is a uniquely USA idea.
(Chattanooga, TN, USA)
February 12, 2026 at 11:52 AM
The whole world except the United States knows about how to put crucial government services where everyone can get to them.
The crucial service marooned on an inaccessible hilltop culdesac, reachable only by car, is a uniquely USA idea.
(Chattanooga, TN, USA)
The crucial service marooned on an inaccessible hilltop culdesac, reachable only by car, is a uniquely USA idea.
(Chattanooga, TN, USA)
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
Going car-free is the best thing most people can do for climate. To reduce car dependency, cities should promote car-free living, supporting compact cities through policy, and investing in public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and shared mobility options.
These key strategies could help Americans get rid of their cars » Yale Climate Connections
Research points the way to a more climate-friendly, diverse, and desirable transportation system.
yaleclimateconnections.org
February 12, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Going car-free is the best thing most people can do for climate. To reduce car dependency, cities should promote car-free living, supporting compact cities through policy, and investing in public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and shared mobility options.
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
Wow. Awesome to see a an expert—whose business depends on responding to trends in the housing market—make the point that less parking is a good thing.
February 11, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Wow. Awesome to see a an expert—whose business depends on responding to trends in the housing market—make the point that less parking is a good thing.
The FBI spying on Democratic Members of Congress on behalf of a Republican White House?
Unprecedented!!!!
Unprecedented!!!!
A Reuters photographer captured this image of a page from Pam Bondi's "burn book," which she used to counter any questions from Democratic lawmakers during an unhinged hearing today.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
February 12, 2026 at 12:29 AM
The FBI spying on Democratic Members of Congress on behalf of a Republican White House?
Unprecedented!!!!
Unprecedented!!!!
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
more like this
NEGUSE: AG Bondi, that man works for you now, right? The man in that video from J6 yelling 'kill them!' at cops. His name is Jared Wise.
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
February 11, 2026 at 9:13 PM
more like this
The displacement to fire risk areas caused by NIMBYism in the flat, safe areas of the Bay are well-studied. Here's a good primer: cayimby.org/blog/how-urb...
February 11, 2026 at 4:15 PM
The displacement to fire risk areas caused by NIMBYism in the flat, safe areas of the Bay are well-studied. Here's a good primer: cayimby.org/blog/how-urb...
Huh. Republicans ending elections when they lose.
nobody could have predicted
nobody could have predicted
Alabama moves to end Public Service Commission elections after Democrats win in Georgia www.al.com/politics/202...
www.al.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Huh. Republicans ending elections when they lose.
nobody could have predicted
nobody could have predicted
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
AB 1070 will direct state agencies to study how using the residential building code for small, multi-family home projects could accelerate the construction of “missing middle” housing.
cayimby.org/legislation/...
cayimby.org/legislation/...
AB 1070: Building Codes for "Missing Middle" Housing
AB 1070 will direct state agencies to study how using the residential building code for small, multi-family home projects could accelerate the construction of “missing middle” housing.
cayimby.org
February 11, 2026 at 2:59 PM
AB 1070 will direct state agencies to study how using the residential building code for small, multi-family home projects could accelerate the construction of “missing middle” housing.
cayimby.org/legislation/...
cayimby.org/legislation/...
First thing I notice about these fire risk maps of the Bay Area is, the safest areas are the wealthiest neighborhoods near the bay that have banned most new, infill housing development.
Second thing I notice is, most new housing development is in the least safe areas. carbonplan.org/research/cli...
Second thing I notice is, most new housing development is in the least safe areas. carbonplan.org/research/cli...
February 11, 2026 at 5:10 AM
First thing I notice about these fire risk maps of the Bay Area is, the safest areas are the wealthiest neighborhoods near the bay that have banned most new, infill housing development.
Second thing I notice is, most new housing development is in the least safe areas. carbonplan.org/research/cli...
Second thing I notice is, most new housing development is in the least safe areas. carbonplan.org/research/cli...
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
US Olympic Curling Team member speaks out against ICE:
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
February 10, 2026 at 8:58 PM
US Olympic Curling Team member speaks out against ICE:
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
"The most important lesson about local speed mitigation tactics is that they save lives; researchers don’t doubt effectiveness. Even better, many residents are eager to see them implemented. The missing link: policymakers courageous enough to do the right thing." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The Best Tactics for Tackling Speeders
Drivers who exceed speed limits are the cause of about one-third of all crash deaths in the US. To slow them down and save lives, cities have several effective tools.
www.bloomberg.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:20 PM
"The most important lesson about local speed mitigation tactics is that they save lives; researchers don’t doubt effectiveness. Even better, many residents are eager to see them implemented. The missing link: policymakers courageous enough to do the right thing." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
The California state fire marshal was legally obliged to release the single-stair report on January 1. A month later, it's nowhere in sight, and I'm hearing the draft recommends doing the bare minumum. State legislators should just pass the code update themselves.
calmatters.org/housing/2026...
calmatters.org/housing/2026...
Housing advocates still waiting for state-ordered stair report
California’s fire safety regulators are more than a month late with a study on mid-rise apartments and staircases.
calmatters.org
February 10, 2026 at 8:14 PM
The California state fire marshal was legally obliged to release the single-stair report on January 1. A month later, it's nowhere in sight, and I'm hearing the draft recommends doing the bare minumum. State legislators should just pass the code update themselves.
calmatters.org/housing/2026...
calmatters.org/housing/2026...
In totally predictable form, the Trump administration is putting the final nail in the coffin of US climate policy, leaving the fate of climate in the hands of the remaining U.S. states.
At the same time, China is suing the U.S. to force us to act on climate. www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/...
At the same time, China is suing the U.S. to force us to act on climate. www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/...
www.globaltimes.cn
February 10, 2026 at 5:50 PM
In totally predictable form, the Trump administration is putting the final nail in the coffin of US climate policy, leaving the fate of climate in the hands of the remaining U.S. states.
At the same time, China is suing the U.S. to force us to act on climate. www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/...
At the same time, China is suing the U.S. to force us to act on climate. www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/...
“Yes, I’m a YIMBY,” Raman said, referring to the pro-housing “Yes in My Backyard” acronym. “I’m a DSA-endorsed — multiple times — candidate." www.latimes.com/california/s...
L.A. mayoral candidate Nithya Raman's record may surprise you
Raman's stances on issues including homelessness, transportation, and protecting immigrants from the Trump administration are similar to those of opponent and former ally Karen Bass.
www.latimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:22 PM
“Yes, I’m a YIMBY,” Raman said, referring to the pro-housing “Yes in My Backyard” acronym. “I’m a DSA-endorsed — multiple times — candidate." www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
This is true not just on the general point that he's an idiot but also specifically Starship is never going to work as advertised. The tyranny of the rocket equation doesn't let it pencil out, a launcher heavy enough to be 100% reusable is then too heavy to carry a useful payload.
February 10, 2026 at 1:08 AM
This is true not just on the general point that he's an idiot but also specifically Starship is never going to work as advertised. The tyranny of the rocket equation doesn't let it pencil out, a launcher heavy enough to be 100% reusable is then too heavy to carry a useful payload.
Not me betting on a narrative-dominant asset theory that's entirely dependent on the price volatility caused by the insane ramblings of a drug-addicted Nazi pedophile.
Okay, I’ve heard all the criticisms. I agree now that my plan to create a Jonestown on Mars was foolish and dangerous. I will instead be building a much more achievable Jonestown on the Moon
February 10, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Not me betting on a narrative-dominant asset theory that's entirely dependent on the price volatility caused by the insane ramblings of a drug-addicted Nazi pedophile.
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
Okay, I’ve heard all the criticisms. I agree now that my plan to create a Jonestown on Mars was foolish and dangerous. I will instead be building a much more achievable Jonestown on the Moon
February 10, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Okay, I’ve heard all the criticisms. I agree now that my plan to create a Jonestown on Mars was foolish and dangerous. I will instead be building a much more achievable Jonestown on the Moon
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
Councilmember Yaroslavsky says it's time for the city to stop delaying and make Westwood Boulevard safe la.streetsblog.org/2026/02/09/c...
Councilmember Yaroslavsky Calls for Urgent City Response to Westwood Driver Killing Three People - Streetsblog Los Angeles
Councilmember Park also responds to killing of Playa del Rey cyclist, calls to "to re-assess the area for... improvements."
la.streetsblog.org
February 9, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Councilmember Yaroslavsky says it's time for the city to stop delaying and make Westwood Boulevard safe la.streetsblog.org/2026/02/09/c...
Reposted by Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences
Secretary Howard Lutnick lied to the country about his ties to Epstein.
Now we learned that they were in business together.
He has no business being our Commerce Secretary.
He should resign.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Now we learned that they were in business together.
He has no business being our Commerce Secretary.
He should resign.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Howard Lutnick faces bipartisan calls to resign over latest Epstein revelations
Recently disclosed records suggest a closer relationship than the Commerce secretary previously indicated.
www.politico.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Secretary Howard Lutnick lied to the country about his ties to Epstein.
Now we learned that they were in business together.
He has no business being our Commerce Secretary.
He should resign.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Now we learned that they were in business together.
He has no business being our Commerce Secretary.
He should resign.
www.politico.com/live-updates...