Melissa Birchard
@melissabirchard.bsky.social
Energy regulatory lawyer by trade. Loves PUCs and pond skating. Grew up and living in MD. I lead climate mitigation at the Georgetown Climate Center but views are my own. #cleanenergy #democracy
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
Rhodium Group on the House budget bill: Will raise energy costs as much as 7% in 2035, stifle energy technology innovation, increase pollution, and put half a trillion dollars of new manufacturing, industrial, and clean electricity investments across the country at risk. rhg.com/research/way...
May 13, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Rhodium Group on the House budget bill: Will raise energy costs as much as 7% in 2035, stifle energy technology innovation, increase pollution, and put half a trillion dollars of new manufacturing, industrial, and clean electricity investments across the country at risk. rhg.com/research/way...
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
The GOP might argue their bill merely phases the tax credits for clean electricity out a little early. What's the big deal?
Here, @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social explains why 3 key changes would essentially make these credits worthless. heatmap.news/politics/hou...
Here, @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social explains why 3 key changes would essentially make these credits worthless. heatmap.news/politics/hou...
How a House GOP Proposal Would Essentially Gut the IRA’s Biggest Tax Credits
It’s not early phase-out. These 3 changes could overhaul the law’s clean electricity supports.
heatmap.news
May 13, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The GOP might argue their bill merely phases the tax credits for clean electricity out a little early. What's the big deal?
Here, @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social explains why 3 key changes would essentially make these credits worthless. heatmap.news/politics/hou...
Here, @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social explains why 3 key changes would essentially make these credits worthless. heatmap.news/politics/hou...
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
The Suspension Clause:
1) Doesn't allow the President to unilaterally suspend habeas, especially when Congress is in session;
2) Applies only to cases of invasion or rebellion (this is quite clearly neither); and
3) *Even then,* applies only "when the public safety may require it." (It doesn't.)
1) Doesn't allow the President to unilaterally suspend habeas, especially when Congress is in session;
2) Applies only to cases of invasion or rebellion (this is quite clearly neither); and
3) *Even then,* applies only "when the public safety may require it." (It doesn't.)
Stephen Miller says they are “actively looking at” suspending the writ of habeas corpus, which is only allowed when the US has been invaded or during an insurrection, which would not allow people to challenge their incarceration in court if they are arrested and detained.
May 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The Suspension Clause:
1) Doesn't allow the President to unilaterally suspend habeas, especially when Congress is in session;
2) Applies only to cases of invasion or rebellion (this is quite clearly neither); and
3) *Even then,* applies only "when the public safety may require it." (It doesn't.)
1) Doesn't allow the President to unilaterally suspend habeas, especially when Congress is in session;
2) Applies only to cases of invasion or rebellion (this is quite clearly neither); and
3) *Even then,* applies only "when the public safety may require it." (It doesn't.)
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
Stephen Miller says they are “actively looking at” suspending the writ of habeas corpus, which is only allowed when the US has been invaded or during an insurrection, which would not allow people to challenge their incarceration in court if they are arrested and detained.
May 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Stephen Miller says they are “actively looking at” suspending the writ of habeas corpus, which is only allowed when the US has been invaded or during an insurrection, which would not allow people to challenge their incarceration in court if they are arrested and detained.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. 1 in 5 American adults have some kind of mental health challenge. It's okay to need help and people should be able to get the support they need. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by text, call, or chat: www.988lifeline.org.
May 9, 2025 at 8:43 PM
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. 1 in 5 American adults have some kind of mental health challenge. It's okay to need help and people should be able to get the support they need. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by text, call, or chat: www.988lifeline.org.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
Take a minute from your day and read this chilling story about how quickly we've gotten to where we are.
1. Clay Jackson, a Texas lawyer, provided basic legal advice to an immigrant family fearing deportation
Then, two officers visited him at his home, accusing him of "obstructing an ongoing immigration investigation"
Then, after speaking publicly, he was fired from his job at a Fortune 500 company
Then, two officers visited him at his home, accusing him of "obstructing an ongoing immigration investigation"
Then, after speaking publicly, he was fired from his job at a Fortune 500 company
Fortune 500 company abruptly fires lawyer who helped immigrant family
On March 4, Clay Jackson, an attorney in the Dallas area, was at a gas station near his home when the attendant asked if he would help a local immigrant family.
popular.info
April 29, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Take a minute from your day and read this chilling story about how quickly we've gotten to where we are.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
MI Department of Ed. would like to inform you of a multistate lawsuit filed today by Michigan AG Nessel and AG’s in 18 other states challenging the U.S. Department of Ed’s threat to withhold federal funding from state & local agencies refusing to abandon diversity, equity, inclusion in pre-K-12.
April 25, 2025 at 10:25 PM
MI Department of Ed. would like to inform you of a multistate lawsuit filed today by Michigan AG Nessel and AG’s in 18 other states challenging the U.S. Department of Ed’s threat to withhold federal funding from state & local agencies refusing to abandon diversity, equity, inclusion in pre-K-12.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
They had lawyers, trials, most were given pretrial release, allowed to testify in their own defense, got discovery, could call witnesses, could cross-examine witnesses, could present mitigation at sentencing, and had a right to appeal.
April 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
They had lawyers, trials, most were given pretrial release, allowed to testify in their own defense, got discovery, could call witnesses, could cross-examine witnesses, could present mitigation at sentencing, and had a right to appeal.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
Pope Francis showed the world how to lead with empathy and humility.
Extending a hand to help anyone in need, "the People's Pope" inspired millions who drew strength and compassion from him to embrace peace.
May his memory be a blessing.
Extending a hand to help anyone in need, "the People's Pope" inspired millions who drew strength and compassion from him to embrace peace.
May his memory be a blessing.
April 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Pope Francis showed the world how to lead with empathy and humility.
Extending a hand to help anyone in need, "the People's Pope" inspired millions who drew strength and compassion from him to embrace peace.
May his memory be a blessing.
Extending a hand to help anyone in need, "the People's Pope" inspired millions who drew strength and compassion from him to embrace peace.
May his memory be a blessing.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
🚨Report your NSF grant terminations! 🚨
We are starting to collect information on NSF grant terminations to create a shared resource as we have for NIH. The more information we collect, the more we can organize, advocate, and fight back! Please share widely!
airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
We are starting to collect information on NSF grant terminations to create a shared resource as we have for NIH. The more information we collect, the more we can organize, advocate, and fight back! Please share widely!
airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
April 19, 2025 at 12:11 AM
🚨Report your NSF grant terminations! 🚨
We are starting to collect information on NSF grant terminations to create a shared resource as we have for NIH. The more information we collect, the more we can organize, advocate, and fight back! Please share widely!
airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
We are starting to collect information on NSF grant terminations to create a shared resource as we have for NIH. The more information we collect, the more we can organize, advocate, and fight back! Please share widely!
airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
BREAKING: Federal judge in Vermont denies the government's motion to dismiss Rumeysa Ozturk's habeas petition in Vermont — and orders that she be transferred to Vermont from Louisiana for further proceedings.
Judge William Sessions stayed the effect of his ruling for four days to allow any appeal.
Judge William Sessions stayed the effect of his ruling for four days to allow any appeal.
April 18, 2025 at 10:06 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge in Vermont denies the government's motion to dismiss Rumeysa Ozturk's habeas petition in Vermont — and orders that she be transferred to Vermont from Louisiana for further proceedings.
Judge William Sessions stayed the effect of his ruling for four days to allow any appeal.
Judge William Sessions stayed the effect of his ruling for four days to allow any appeal.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
JUST IN: Lawyers for Venezuelan nationals say they’re being loaded onto buses this hour in anticipation of a new wave of Alien Enemies Act deportations, w less than 24 hours notice. They’re asking Judge Boasberg for an immediate restraining order requiring 30 days notice.
April 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
JUST IN: Lawyers for Venezuelan nationals say they’re being loaded onto buses this hour in anticipation of a new wave of Alien Enemies Act deportations, w less than 24 hours notice. They’re asking Judge Boasberg for an immediate restraining order requiring 30 days notice.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
The cryptocurrency sector has responded enthusiastically to our study. The constructive engagement is appreciated, and at the same time, it's important to clarify a few key points made in this latest media coverage. 🧵 🔌💡
Uhhhh....no, not what it said.
"Experts involved with the power-hungry cryptocurrency sector are trumpeting a Duke University study that suggested energy-gobbling crypto mining can actually help bring balance to a challenged grid."
tech.yahoo.com/articles/res...
"Experts involved with the power-hungry cryptocurrency sector are trumpeting a Duke University study that suggested energy-gobbling crypto mining can actually help bring balance to a challenged grid."
tech.yahoo.com/articles/res...
Researchers uncover unlikely factor easing pressure on national power grid: 'A lot of [people] were skeptical'
"Now, a Duke University report confirms all this."
tech.yahoo.com
April 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The cryptocurrency sector has responded enthusiastically to our study. The constructive engagement is appreciated, and at the same time, it's important to clarify a few key points made in this latest media coverage. 🧵 🔌💡
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
"The Homeland Security Department letter said hosting international students was a privilege not a guarantee and because Harvard had 'created a hostile learning environment for Jewish students' the administration was requesting information about visa holders by April 30."
Trump Threatens Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students
The administration targets hosting of international students after Harvard resisted sweeping demands earlier this week
www.wsj.com
April 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"The Homeland Security Department letter said hosting international students was a privilege not a guarantee and because Harvard had 'created a hostile learning environment for Jewish students' the administration was requesting information about visa holders by April 30."
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
If the IRS deprives Harvard of its tax-exempt status, that's very bad for Harvard but it's also a catastrophe for the IRS. Instead of a neutral agency that enforces tax law, it will become a tool of partisan warfare. It may never recover.
April 17, 2025 at 10:32 AM
If the IRS deprives Harvard of its tax-exempt status, that's very bad for Harvard but it's also a catastrophe for the IRS. Instead of a neutral agency that enforces tax law, it will become a tool of partisan warfare. It may never recover.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
boston globe editorial board: harvard is making the right decision, and universities should band together to fight.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/16/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/16/o...
April 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
boston globe editorial board: harvard is making the right decision, and universities should band together to fight.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/16/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/16/o...
That's not rhetoric. That's outright lying and propaganda. She shouldn't hold that position and she doesn't deserve to wear that cross.
Bondi is escalating the rhetoric against Abrego Garcia, who she calls "one of the top MS-13 members" and "a terrorist"
April 17, 2025 at 1:26 AM
That's not rhetoric. That's outright lying and propaganda. She shouldn't hold that position and she doesn't deserve to wear that cross.
Reposted by Melissa Birchard
Chief Judge Boasberg's probable cause ruling is *not* an appealable order.
DOJ can ask the D.C. Circuit for an extraordinary writ of mandamus, but that requires showing that the district court ruling both (1) was clearly wrong; and (2) is not otherwise capable of being remedied on a future appeal.
DOJ can ask the D.C. Circuit for an extraordinary writ of mandamus, but that requires showing that the district court ruling both (1) was clearly wrong; and (2) is not otherwise capable of being remedied on a future appeal.
DOJ files notice that intends to appeal Judge Boasberg’s order finding probable cause for contempt
April 16, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Chief Judge Boasberg's probable cause ruling is *not* an appealable order.
DOJ can ask the D.C. Circuit for an extraordinary writ of mandamus, but that requires showing that the district court ruling both (1) was clearly wrong; and (2) is not otherwise capable of being remedied on a future appeal.
DOJ can ask the D.C. Circuit for an extraordinary writ of mandamus, but that requires showing that the district court ruling both (1) was clearly wrong; and (2) is not otherwise capable of being remedied on a future appeal.
