Paulina Jaramillo
@paulijllo.bsky.social
Professor of Engineering & Public Policy @CarnegieMellon. Energy system transtions and climate. #energysky #climatesky. IPCC AR6 WGIII. Now a @AAAS S&T Policy Fellow in the House of Reps. 🇨🇴by birth, 🇺🇸 by naturalization. 🐘lover. Views are my own.
Congress has introduced several critical minerals bills, but nearly all focus on mining and international supply. What's missing? Recycling infrastructure, producer responsibility, and design standards. Read more in my recent essay. #energy #climate #ciruclareconomy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Mining Isn't Enough: The Other Half of Critical Materials Strategy
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Congress has introduced several critical minerals bills, but nearly all focus on mining and international supply. What's missing? Recycling infrastructure, producer responsibility, and design standards. Read more in my recent essay. #energy #climate #ciruclareconomy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The ‘Affordable HOMES Act’ eliminates standards that would save low-income families $177-$475/year in energy costs. Who benefits from making housing less efficient? Not the people who need help most. #EnergyEfficiency #HousingPolicy #EnergyPoverty#ClimateEquity
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Energy Efficiency for Whom?
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:34 PM
The ‘Affordable HOMES Act’ eliminates standards that would save low-income families $177-$475/year in energy costs. Who benefits from making housing less efficient? Not the people who need help most. #EnergyEfficiency #HousingPolicy #EnergyPoverty#ClimateEquity
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The House will hold a vote on the SPEED Act this week. Read my review of the bill and why it is not a good-faith approach to permitting reform.
#EnergyPolicy #PermittingReform #NEPA
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#EnergyPolicy #PermittingReform #NEPA
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The SPEED Act Gets Faster: What Changed in the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The House will hold a vote on the SPEED Act this week. Read my review of the bill and why it is not a good-faith approach to permitting reform.
#EnergyPolicy #PermittingReform #NEPA
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#EnergyPolicy #PermittingReform #NEPA
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
There’s a myth that fossil fuels run 24/7/365. Reality: They’re vulnerable to extreme weather, while battery and renewable systems become cheaper and more reliable. Policies that prop up fossil fuels based on this myth hurt consumers.
#EnergySky #EnergyPolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#EnergySky #EnergyPolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The Myth of 24/7/365 Fossil Fuel Reliability
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:41 PM
There’s a myth that fossil fuels run 24/7/365. Reality: They’re vulnerable to extreme weather, while battery and renewable systems become cheaper and more reliable. Policies that prop up fossil fuels based on this myth hurt consumers.
#EnergySky #EnergyPolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#EnergySky #EnergyPolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
We forgot the smog and burning rivers because our laws worked. But they weren’t written for climate change. Time to modernize for the crisis ahead.
#environmentalpolicy #climatepolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#environmentalpolicy #climatepolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Environmental Amnesia Mustn’t Stop Progress: Modernizing Our Laws for Climate Action
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:22 PM
We forgot the smog and burning rivers because our laws worked. But they weren’t written for climate change. Time to modernize for the crisis ahead.
#environmentalpolicy #climatepolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#environmentalpolicy #climatepolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Rep. Westerman released changes to the SPEED Act. The new version would still establish a framework designed to expedite projects regardless of environmental consequences. There are better ways to reform the permitting process.
#energypermitting #energypolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#energypermitting #energypolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The SPEED Act Gets Faster: What Changed in the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Rep. Westerman released changes to the SPEED Act. The new version would still establish a framework designed to expedite projects regardless of environmental consequences. There are better ways to reform the permitting process.
#energypermitting #energypolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#energypermitting #energypolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
We need more effective planning processes to ensure grid reliability. @fernandez.house.gov introduced the Integrated Resource Planning Modernization Act, which I helped draft during my AAAS Fellowship.
#electricity #reliability #IRP #gridplanning
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#electricity #reliability #IRP #gridplanning
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Congress Takes Aim at Outdated Grid Planning: The IRP Modernization Act
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
We need more effective planning processes to ensure grid reliability. @fernandez.house.gov introduced the Integrated Resource Planning Modernization Act, which I helped draft during my AAAS Fellowship.
#electricity #reliability #IRP #gridplanning
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#electricity #reliability #IRP #gridplanning
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The 1.5°C target is dead. That makes carbon removal MORE urgent, not less. Climate advocates have rallied for clean energy but stayed silent as Trump canceled CDR projects. Democrats must embrace all climate solutions the climate crisis demands. #Climate #COP30 open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The 1.5°C Dream Is Over. The Case for Carbon Removal Grows Stronger.
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The 1.5°C target is dead. That makes carbon removal MORE urgent, not less. Climate advocates have rallied for clean energy but stayed silent as Trump canceled CDR projects. Democrats must embrace all climate solutions the climate crisis demands. #Climate #COP30 open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
I thought we’d moved past corn ethanol. Science has evolved more than I realized. New post on the messy climate debate around biofuels, and why our focus still needs to be EVs. #ClimatePolicy #Biofuels #Agriculture #ClimateChange #Sustainability #EnergyPolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The Ethanol Question I Wasn’t Expecting
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I thought we’d moved past corn ethanol. Science has evolved more than I realized. New post on the messy climate debate around biofuels, and why our focus still needs to be EVs. #ClimatePolicy #Biofuels #Agriculture #ClimateChange #Sustainability #EnergyPolicy open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
University “overhead” isn't the problem with research funding. Read my latest Amped Up post to learn why.
#EnergyResearch #ResearchFunding #HigherEducation #EnergyPolicy #SciencePolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#EnergyResearch #ResearchFunding #HigherEducation #EnergyPolicy #SciencePolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
No, University Overhead Rates Aren’t Killing Energy Research (But Funding Cuts Are)
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:35 AM
University “overhead” isn't the problem with research funding. Read my latest Amped Up post to learn why.
#EnergyResearch #ResearchFunding #HigherEducation #EnergyPolicy #SciencePolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#EnergyResearch #ResearchFunding #HigherEducation #EnergyPolicy #SciencePolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Reposted by Paulina Jaramillo
Your electricity bill is up, and data centers are a big reason why. However, the question of who should pay for the AI boom’s massive power appetite exposes deep cracks in America’s fragmented electricity governance. #EnergySky #ElectricityPolicy #DataCenters open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Data Centers Are Driving Up Your Bill. The Real Problem Runs Deeper.
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Your electricity bill is up, and data centers are a big reason why. However, the question of who should pay for the AI boom’s massive power appetite exposes deep cracks in America’s fragmented electricity governance. #EnergySky #ElectricityPolicy #DataCenters open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Your electricity bill is up, and data centers are a big reason why. However, the question of who should pay for the AI boom’s massive power appetite exposes deep cracks in America’s fragmented electricity governance. #EnergySky #ElectricityPolicy #DataCenters open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Data Centers Are Driving Up Your Bill. The Real Problem Runs Deeper.
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Your electricity bill is up, and data centers are a big reason why. However, the question of who should pay for the AI boom’s massive power appetite exposes deep cracks in America’s fragmented electricity governance. #EnergySky #ElectricityPolicy #DataCenters open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Data centers could consume 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028. Paradox: they could also stabilize the grid they’re straining. Will they? Probably not in time. #EnergySky
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Can Data Centers Help the Grid They’re Straining?
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
October 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Data centers could consume 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028. Paradox: they could also stabilize the grid they’re straining. Will they? Probably not in time. #EnergySky
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The federal retreat on hydrogen is frustrating, but it must not be the end of the story. States acting decisively now could position themselves as leaders in the hydrogen economy climate science tells us we desperately need.
#hydrogen #climate #energypolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#hydrogen #climate #energypolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The Hydrogen Crisis: How Political Winds Are Stalling Our Energy Future
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The federal retreat on hydrogen is frustrating, but it must not be the end of the story. States acting decisively now could position themselves as leaders in the hydrogen economy climate science tells us we desperately need.
#hydrogen #climate #energypolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#hydrogen #climate #energypolicy
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
We just submitted comments to EPA on their proposed rescission of the greenhouse gas endangerment finding. The science is clear: GHGs are air pollutants that harm public health through multiple pathways. Policy should follow evidence, not ideology. #Climate #CleanAirAct #EPA
Today we submitted our public comment on critical flaws in EPA's rationale for rescinding its authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
This proposed move is a big deal with profound implications for our future. Today's the last day to comment. www.cmu.edu/cit/veg/publ...
This proposed move is a big deal with profound implications for our future. Today's the last day to comment. www.cmu.edu/cit/veg/publ...
September 22, 2025 at 8:49 PM
We just submitted comments to EPA on their proposed rescission of the greenhouse gas endangerment finding. The science is clear: GHGs are air pollutants that harm public health through multiple pathways. Policy should follow evidence, not ideology. #Climate #CleanAirAct #EPA
I have concluded that Democrats should not shut down the government. Why get in the way of letting the system collapse under the GOP's hands? Voting has consequences. Let the country feel them. I am sad that so many will suffer, but I don’t see another way to escape this chaos.
September 22, 2025 at 2:46 AM
I have concluded that Democrats should not shut down the government. Why get in the way of letting the system collapse under the GOP's hands? Voting has consequences. Let the country feel them. I am sad that so many will suffer, but I don’t see another way to escape this chaos.
Reposted by Paulina Jaramillo
Use of the word "evil" in official congressional e-newsletters, over time, by party
September 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Use of the word "evil" in official congressional e-newsletters, over time, by party
Data centers could increase US electricity costs by 8% and emissions by 30% by 2030. These trends create fundamental challenges for grid planning. Solutions exist, but policymakers must act now. Read more at Amped Up!
#Energy #DataCenters #Climate
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#Energy #DataCenters #Climate
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The Digital Infrastructure Boom is Driving Up Everyone’s Electric Bill
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Data centers could increase US electricity costs by 8% and emissions by 30% by 2030. These trends create fundamental challenges for grid planning. Solutions exist, but policymakers must act now. Read more at Amped Up!
#Energy #DataCenters #Climate
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
#Energy #DataCenters #Climate
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The Environmental Protection Agency is attacking science and threatening to reverse a foundational climate protection. Join scientists and experts in speaking out in defense of science, public health, and climate science. act.ucsusa.org/4okjCyf
Scientists & Experts: Stop the EPA's Attack on Climate Science & Public Health
The Environmental Protection Agency is attacking science and threatening to reverse a foundational climate protection. Join scientists and experts in speaking out in defense of science, public health,...
act.ucsusa.org
September 11, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The Environmental Protection Agency is attacking science and threatening to reverse a foundational climate protection. Join scientists and experts in speaking out in defense of science, public health, and climate science. act.ucsusa.org/4okjCyf
New Post. Republicans can’t have their cake and eat it too.
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
The Great Republican Energy Contradiction
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 8:37 PM
New Post. Republicans can’t have their cake and eat it too.
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Americans could learn some things from the French.
September 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Americans could learn some things from the French.
Republicans are against considering race in college admission reviews, but get excited about considering race in immigration enforcement.
September 9, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Republicans are against considering race in college admission reviews, but get excited about considering race in immigration enforcement.
House witnesses this week will claim energy efficiency standards hurt consumers. But research shows the opposite: these policies help families achieve lower bills, healthier homes, and energy security while boosting US clean energy leadership.
Read more in Amped Up! open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Read more in Amped Up! open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Beyond the Industry Talking Points: The Real Case for Efficiency Standards
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 4:01 AM
House witnesses this week will claim energy efficiency standards hurt consumers. But research shows the opposite: these policies help families achieve lower bills, healthier homes, and energy security while boosting US clean energy leadership.
Read more in Amped Up! open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Read more in Amped Up! open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Two actually good permitting bills heading to House committee: ePermit Act (digital tools + coordination) and NEPA Data Act (empirical analysis of review timelines).
Bipartisan, evidence-based, working within existing frameworks.
New post:
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Bipartisan, evidence-based, working within existing frameworks.
New post:
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Two Promising Bills Signal Some Progress on Permitting Reform
Paulina Jaramillo, Ph.D.
open.substack.com
September 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Two actually good permitting bills heading to House committee: ePermit Act (digital tools + coordination) and NEPA Data Act (empirical analysis of review timelines).
Bipartisan, evidence-based, working within existing frameworks.
New post:
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...
Bipartisan, evidence-based, working within existing frameworks.
New post:
open.substack.com/pub/paulinaj...