Eric Williams
@williamsforoppd.bsky.social
Working to equitably distribute the benefits of the clean energy transition.
Omaha Public Power District, Board of Directors - Subdivision 6.
Thoughts are my own.
🌞🌬️🔋⚡️🔌✊
Omaha Public Power District, Board of Directors - Subdivision 6.
Thoughts are my own.
🌞🌬️🔋⚡️🔌✊
Solar light show over my solar panels
#NorthernLights not still so northern, all the way down here in Omaha.
#NorthernLights not still so northern, all the way down here in Omaha.
November 12, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Solar light show over my solar panels
#NorthernLights not still so northern, all the way down here in Omaha.
#NorthernLights not still so northern, all the way down here in Omaha.
During a policy breakdown at the federal level, our community is dedicated to supporting one another. The fresh food drive this afternoon distributed over 400 boxes of healthy fruits and vegetables. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen.
#TogetherWeCan #OmahaLeads #OmahaFeeds
#TogetherWeCan #OmahaLeads #OmahaFeeds
November 6, 2025 at 12:57 AM
During a policy breakdown at the federal level, our community is dedicated to supporting one another. The fresh food drive this afternoon distributed over 400 boxes of healthy fruits and vegetables. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen.
#TogetherWeCan #OmahaLeads #OmahaFeeds
#TogetherWeCan #OmahaLeads #OmahaFeeds
Happy Opinions About Solar Day, to all who celebrate.
☀️🔋🔌⚡️
Thanks as always to @solarchase.bsky.social for providing thoughtful and understandable analysis of the current situation, and views looking forward.
☀️🔋🔌⚡️
Thanks as always to @solarchase.bsky.social for providing thoughtful and understandable analysis of the current situation, and views looking forward.
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon
www.worldscientific.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Happy Opinions About Solar Day, to all who celebrate.
☀️🔋🔌⚡️
Thanks as always to @solarchase.bsky.social for providing thoughtful and understandable analysis of the current situation, and views looking forward.
☀️🔋🔌⚡️
Thanks as always to @solarchase.bsky.social for providing thoughtful and understandable analysis of the current situation, and views looking forward.
October 10, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Talking about 300x more miles per acre on Solar + EV than ethanol + ICE… is my love language.
Calculations vary slightly, but the conclusion is the same: solar is better on all measurable metrics than corn ethanol. No matter how “prime” the farmland is.
Calculations vary slightly, but the conclusion is the same: solar is better on all measurable metrics than corn ethanol. No matter how “prime” the farmland is.
Over 40% of corn grown in Indiana is used to make ethanol that cars burn. One acre of corn yields about 16,500 vehicle-miles per year of ethanol, which sounds high until you realize that one acre of solar yields about 2,700,000 vehicle-miles per year: 16,000% more driving for a given plot of land.
October 9, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Talking about 300x more miles per acre on Solar + EV than ethanol + ICE… is my love language.
Calculations vary slightly, but the conclusion is the same: solar is better on all measurable metrics than corn ethanol. No matter how “prime” the farmland is.
Calculations vary slightly, but the conclusion is the same: solar is better on all measurable metrics than corn ethanol. No matter how “prime” the farmland is.
Reposted by Eric Williams
"We are, quite suddenly, living in a world-changing moment"
380 GW of solar deployed in the first half of the year. No other technology can deliver speed to market or anchor the load growth coming the next few years.
The US can add 100GW of rooftop solar+ storage in record time.
380 GW of solar deployed in the first half of the year. No other technology can deliver speed to market or anchor the load growth coming the next few years.
The US can add 100GW of rooftop solar+ storage in record time.
Global solar installations surge 64% in first half of 2025 | Ember
ember-energy.org
September 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
"We are, quite suddenly, living in a world-changing moment"
380 GW of solar deployed in the first half of the year. No other technology can deliver speed to market or anchor the load growth coming the next few years.
The US can add 100GW of rooftop solar+ storage in record time.
380 GW of solar deployed in the first half of the year. No other technology can deliver speed to market or anchor the load growth coming the next few years.
The US can add 100GW of rooftop solar+ storage in record time.
An exciting time at OPPD as AMI meter deployment is about to begin. Great to have something as helpful and critical to the clean energy transition on the on cover of our local paper.
August 27, 2025 at 12:34 PM
An exciting time at OPPD as AMI meter deployment is about to begin. Great to have something as helpful and critical to the clean energy transition on the on cover of our local paper.
Reposted by Eric Williams
The Trump Administration just issued a new order trying to kill solar and wind because they allegedly use too much land. But somehow this new fervor for "capacity density" won't apply to ethanol, which uses 100X as much land as solar per unit of energy.
www.eenews.net/articles/ano...
www.eenews.net/articles/ano...
Another Burgum order coldcocks solar and wind
The Friday order by the Interior secretary on the “capacity density” of solar and wind projects is the latest in a series of restrictive moves by the Trump
www.eenews.net
August 6, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The Trump Administration just issued a new order trying to kill solar and wind because they allegedly use too much land. But somehow this new fervor for "capacity density" won't apply to ethanol, which uses 100X as much land as solar per unit of energy.
www.eenews.net/articles/ano...
www.eenews.net/articles/ano...
Reposted by Eric Williams
NEW: i spoke to nine (!) scientists across several disciplines whose work was cited in the new Department of Energy report that downplays the severity of climate change. all of them say their work was misrepresented, cherry picked, and/or lacked context —
Scientists Say New Government Climate Report Twists Their Work
A new Department of Energy report “fundamentally misrepresents” climate research and leaves out key context, multiple scientists cited in the report tell WIRED.
www.wired.com
July 30, 2025 at 8:38 PM
NEW: i spoke to nine (!) scientists across several disciplines whose work was cited in the new Department of Energy report that downplays the severity of climate change. all of them say their work was misrepresented, cherry picked, and/or lacked context —
Additional reminder that for a given land area needed to drive
1 mile in an ICE vehicle fueled by ethanol
you can drive
*_300_* miles in an EV powered by solar
For more, check any of the great recent podcasts where @mikegrunwald.bsky.social has discussed his book "We Are Eating the Earth."
1 mile in an ICE vehicle fueled by ethanol
you can drive
*_300_* miles in an EV powered by solar
For more, check any of the great recent podcasts where @mikegrunwald.bsky.social has discussed his book "We Are Eating the Earth."
Roughly 30–40% of U.S. corn production — about 30 million acres — is dedicated to ethanol. That same land area could support around 5,000 gigawatts of solar capacity, which is 3–4 times the total nameplate capacity of the entire U.S. electric grid. We don't have a land problem.
a rainbow and a star with the words " i know you know "
ALT: a rainbow and a star with the words " i know you know "
media.tenor.com
July 29, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Additional reminder that for a given land area needed to drive
1 mile in an ICE vehicle fueled by ethanol
you can drive
*_300_* miles in an EV powered by solar
For more, check any of the great recent podcasts where @mikegrunwald.bsky.social has discussed his book "We Are Eating the Earth."
1 mile in an ICE vehicle fueled by ethanol
you can drive
*_300_* miles in an EV powered by solar
For more, check any of the great recent podcasts where @mikegrunwald.bsky.social has discussed his book "We Are Eating the Earth."
Heading for my return trip. The L2 charger where I was staying had a problem so I am fast charging before hitting the interstate.
ChargePoint: out of service 😒😡
Tesla: parked every other, in a way I couldn’t access a charger, eventually was able to nose in.
Some process improvements are needed.
ChargePoint: out of service 😒😡
Tesla: parked every other, in a way I couldn’t access a charger, eventually was able to nose in.
Some process improvements are needed.
July 21, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Heading for my return trip. The L2 charger where I was staying had a problem so I am fast charging before hitting the interstate.
ChargePoint: out of service 😒😡
Tesla: parked every other, in a way I couldn’t access a charger, eventually was able to nose in.
Some process improvements are needed.
ChargePoint: out of service 😒😡
Tesla: parked every other, in a way I couldn’t access a charger, eventually was able to nose in.
Some process improvements are needed.
Back on the road to continue my electric adventure. Having driven an EV every day for ~10 years, I don’t have any range anxiety even on this trip. I know where I’m headed, I know there is a charger available, and I’ll make it there very easily. Driving range estimates in my Mach E are very accurate.
July 18, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Back on the road to continue my electric adventure. Having driven an EV every day for ~10 years, I don’t have any range anxiety even on this trip. I know where I’m headed, I know there is a charger available, and I’ll make it there very easily. Driving range estimates in my Mach E are very accurate.
I am on my first EV roadtrip in my MachE. Started from home with a full charge (extended range battery, 91 kWh).
Let’s see how this goes…
Let’s see how this goes…
July 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I am on my first EV roadtrip in my MachE. Started from home with a full charge (extended range battery, 91 kWh).
Let’s see how this goes…
Let’s see how this goes…
Reminder that there will be *NO* credibility for anyone who pretends they didn't know the severe damages from #OBBBA when it was written, voted, and signed.
Literally everyone knew it meant:
- higher energy prices for families
- to fund tax cuts for the wealthy
www.npr.org/2025/07/15/n...
Literally everyone knew it meant:
- higher energy prices for families
- to fund tax cuts for the wealthy
www.npr.org/2025/07/15/n...
July 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reminder that there will be *NO* credibility for anyone who pretends they didn't know the severe damages from #OBBBA when it was written, voted, and signed.
Literally everyone knew it meant:
- higher energy prices for families
- to fund tax cuts for the wealthy
www.npr.org/2025/07/15/n...
Literally everyone knew it meant:
- higher energy prices for families
- to fund tax cuts for the wealthy
www.npr.org/2025/07/15/n...
Meanwhile in the US:
July 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Meanwhile in the US:
This is essentially a playbook for how to make our energy system more expensive and less reliable as customer demand for increasing demand / consumption strain utilities and our entire grid.
The news last week out of Congress is substantial for renewable energy, but so is what's happening on the local level. According to @heatmap.news, 1 in 5 US counties now have restrictive wind and/or solar ordinances, a worrisome trend that keeps growing. #EnergySky 💡🔌 heatmap.news/politics/law...
The Permitting Crisis for Renewables
A fifth of U.S. counties now restrict renewables development, according to exclusive data gathered by Heatmap Pro.
heatmap.news
July 7, 2025 at 3:20 PM
This is essentially a playbook for how to make our energy system more expensive and less reliable as customer demand for increasing demand / consumption strain utilities and our entire grid.
I very strongly disagree with the priorities of this administration as shown in the reconciliation bill. The consequences of the spending cuts are devastating, all to give tax cuts to the rich.
Now is the time to contact your Representative in the House.
ericwilliams.substack.com/p/higher-ele...
Now is the time to contact your Representative in the House.
ericwilliams.substack.com/p/higher-ele...
Higher Electricity Prices to Give Enormous Tax Cuts to the Ultra Wealthy
The consequences of the Republican bill are well known even before the pain starts to hit communities and working families across the country
ericwilliams.substack.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I very strongly disagree with the priorities of this administration as shown in the reconciliation bill. The consequences of the spending cuts are devastating, all to give tax cuts to the rich.
Now is the time to contact your Representative in the House.
ericwilliams.substack.com/p/higher-ele...
Now is the time to contact your Representative in the House.
ericwilliams.substack.com/p/higher-ele...
Out to dinner and a movie to stay cool during a massive #HeatDome which will be increasingly common due to climate change from fossil fuel emissions.
#ShowYourStripes
#ShowYourStripes
June 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Out to dinner and a movie to stay cool during a massive #HeatDome which will be increasingly common due to climate change from fossil fuel emissions.
#ShowYourStripes
#ShowYourStripes
Very weird and disappointing to watch the US fall farther and farther behind through intentional policy choices.
June 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Very weird and disappointing to watch the US fall farther and farther behind through intentional policy choices.
Reposted by Eric Williams
I'm glad so many people showed up to protest on June 14th. I wanted to suggest one thing motivated people can do that will help with the long term structural changes we need: If you have fossil fueled equipment that is approaching the end of its life, replace it with an electric version.
June 18, 2025 at 10:57 PM
I'm glad so many people showed up to protest on June 14th. I wanted to suggest one thing motivated people can do that will help with the long term structural changes we need: If you have fossil fueled equipment that is approaching the end of its life, replace it with an electric version.
These are the graphs we need. Hopefully more people will understand the relative scale and benefits from #EV adoption, and stop pretending that #hydrogen passengers vehicles will ever be a significant portion of the overall market.
Today's #HydrogenSoufflé is an update of a classic. I'm very much looking forward to the launch of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen in 2028, and seeing whether it can manage a single pixel on the RH chart before being taken off the market.
May 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Make Our Energy Clean
Make It American
Make It American
May 21, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Make Our Energy Clean
Make It American
Make It American
It’s #BikeToWorkDay so I rode to a meeting to approve funding for more trails. On my way home, I stopped by the #OmahaBeltlineTrail construction site I’m currently managing for my day job. By next year, there will be even more places in our community to ride.
#ActiveTransportation is #ClimateAction
#ActiveTransportation is #ClimateAction
May 16, 2025 at 8:51 PM
It’s #BikeToWorkDay so I rode to a meeting to approve funding for more trails. On my way home, I stopped by the #OmahaBeltlineTrail construction site I’m currently managing for my day job. By next year, there will be even more places in our community to ride.
#ActiveTransportation is #ClimateAction
#ActiveTransportation is #ClimateAction
Reposted by Eric Williams
Here is a rundown of exactly how the GOP proposal would change every clean energy tax credit. While it looks like a bunch of nips and tucks, it's probably more akin to a full repeal. More analysis from us to come.
heatmap.news/politics/way...
heatmap.news/politics/way...
The House GOP Tax Proposal Would Effectively Kill The IRA
The Ways and Means Committee released its proposed budget language, and it’s not pretty for clean energy.
heatmap.news
May 12, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Here is a rundown of exactly how the GOP proposal would change every clean energy tax credit. While it looks like a bunch of nips and tucks, it's probably more akin to a full repeal. More analysis from us to come.
heatmap.news/politics/way...
heatmap.news/politics/way...
Combustion is ~33% efficient for energy into travel distance. So one step farther to a "field to wheels" number,
acres of corn ethanol into an ICE vehicle for 1 mile
vs.
the same acres with solar into an EV for *300 miles*
Two orders of magnitude improvement.
"When the sun shines, charge EVs."
acres of corn ethanol into an ICE vehicle for 1 mile
vs.
the same acres with solar into an EV for *300 miles*
Two orders of magnitude improvement.
"When the sun shines, charge EVs."
~45% of US corn production is now used to make ethanol, mostly for mixing into gasoline.
That's ~13% of all US crop land already used for energy production.
Using some of the same land for solar panels would capture 50-100 times more energy per acre.
That's ~13% of all US crop land already used for energy production.
Using some of the same land for solar panels would capture 50-100 times more energy per acre.
May 9, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Combustion is ~33% efficient for energy into travel distance. So one step farther to a "field to wheels" number,
acres of corn ethanol into an ICE vehicle for 1 mile
vs.
the same acres with solar into an EV for *300 miles*
Two orders of magnitude improvement.
"When the sun shines, charge EVs."
acres of corn ethanol into an ICE vehicle for 1 mile
vs.
the same acres with solar into an EV for *300 miles*
Two orders of magnitude improvement.
"When the sun shines, charge EVs."