Cat Clifford
@catclifford.bsky.social
Senior Science and Economics Correspondent, Cipher News. Fellow Climatebase. Alumna Columbia Energy Journalism Initiative. Also, lots of yoga. Cat@CipherNews.com. https://www.linkedin.com/in/catclifford/
https://www.ciphernews.com/team/cat-clifford/
https://www.ciphernews.com/team/cat-clifford/
Tune in tomorrow for my conversation with David Keith of University of Chicago on carbon removal as part of the SOSV climate tech conference!
sosvclimatetech.com/agenda/
sosvclimatetech.com/agenda/
November 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Tune in tomorrow for my conversation with David Keith of University of Chicago on carbon removal as part of the SOSV climate tech conference!
sosvclimatetech.com/agenda/
sosvclimatetech.com/agenda/
While lawmakers spar ad infinitum over the fate of clean energy tax credits in the megabill, one thing is certain: Energy demand is going up in this country and it is going to keep going up.
Real talk: How can we get more power fast?
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Real talk: How can we get more power fast?
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
July 2, 2025 at 5:20 PM
While lawmakers spar ad infinitum over the fate of clean energy tax credits in the megabill, one thing is certain: Energy demand is going up in this country and it is going to keep going up.
Real talk: How can we get more power fast?
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Real talk: How can we get more power fast?
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
The news: @cipherclimate.bsky.social is closing.
The pix? My favorite day on the job.
My thoughts and reflections here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
The pix? My favorite day on the job.
My thoughts and reflections here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
June 26, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The news: @cipherclimate.bsky.social is closing.
The pix? My favorite day on the job.
My thoughts and reflections here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
The pix? My favorite day on the job.
My thoughts and reflections here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
One of the EOs Trump signed aimed at promoting nuclear said federal loans, loan guarantees would prioritize nuclear and specifically restarting closed nuclear power plants.
What's that mean? What does it look like?
My reporting for @cipherclimate.bsky.social here:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
What's that mean? What does it look like?
My reporting for @cipherclimate.bsky.social here:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
May 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
One of the EOs Trump signed aimed at promoting nuclear said federal loans, loan guarantees would prioritize nuclear and specifically restarting closed nuclear power plants.
What's that mean? What does it look like?
My reporting for @cipherclimate.bsky.social here:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
What's that mean? What does it look like?
My reporting for @cipherclimate.bsky.social here:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
MEETING AI ENERGY DEMAND IS GOING TO FORCE A BREAK IN ENERGY POLITICS IN THE US.
So said Neil Chatterjee, former top energy regulator during the 1st Trump administration.
Read my story for @cipherclimate.bsky.social about my conversation with the former FERC chair: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
So said Neil Chatterjee, former top energy regulator during the 1st Trump administration.
Read my story for @cipherclimate.bsky.social about my conversation with the former FERC chair: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
May 12, 2025 at 7:52 PM
MEETING AI ENERGY DEMAND IS GOING TO FORCE A BREAK IN ENERGY POLITICS IN THE US.
So said Neil Chatterjee, former top energy regulator during the 1st Trump administration.
Read my story for @cipherclimate.bsky.social about my conversation with the former FERC chair: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
So said Neil Chatterjee, former top energy regulator during the 1st Trump administration.
Read my story for @cipherclimate.bsky.social about my conversation with the former FERC chair: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
There is a bit of relief over the 90-day pause in the highest tariffs between China & the US. But looming uncertainty remains.
One thing that *IS* clear is that tariffs hit renewables a whole lot harder than fossil fuels in the US.
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
One thing that *IS* clear is that tariffs hit renewables a whole lot harder than fossil fuels in the US.
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
May 12, 2025 at 7:27 PM
There is a bit of relief over the 90-day pause in the highest tariffs between China & the US. But looming uncertainty remains.
One thing that *IS* clear is that tariffs hit renewables a whole lot harder than fossil fuels in the US.
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
One thing that *IS* clear is that tariffs hit renewables a whole lot harder than fossil fuels in the US.
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Former head of the U.S. DOE Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Jigar Shah at #BNEFSummit on the importance of a "MUSCULAR" DOE and LPO for nuclear and geothermal to really build momentum right now:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Here for @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Here for @cipherclimate.bsky.social
April 30, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Former head of the U.S. DOE Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Jigar Shah at #BNEFSummit on the importance of a "MUSCULAR" DOE and LPO for nuclear and geothermal to really build momentum right now:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Here for @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Here for @cipherclimate.bsky.social
One investor on the dichotomy of short-run in the US versus the global macro environment #BNEFSummit from Charles Cherington, Managing Partner, Ara Partners:
Short term in US: Pretty bad
Longer term: Decarbonization continues globally
@cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Short term in US: Pretty bad
Longer term: Decarbonization continues globally
@cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
April 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
One investor on the dichotomy of short-run in the US versus the global macro environment #BNEFSummit from Charles Cherington, Managing Partner, Ara Partners:
Short term in US: Pretty bad
Longer term: Decarbonization continues globally
@cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Short term in US: Pretty bad
Longer term: Decarbonization continues globally
@cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Ambassador André Corrêa Do Lago, President of COP30 at the #BNEFSummit:
“I think it is very clear it is the US government that is getting out of the Paris Accord. It is not the US."
Attending on behalf of @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
“I think it is very clear it is the US government that is getting out of the Paris Accord. It is not the US."
Attending on behalf of @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
April 30, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Ambassador André Corrêa Do Lago, President of COP30 at the #BNEFSummit:
“I think it is very clear it is the US government that is getting out of the Paris Accord. It is not the US."
Attending on behalf of @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
“I think it is very clear it is the US government that is getting out of the Paris Accord. It is not the US."
Attending on behalf of @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
THE US HAS THE LARGEST NUCLEAR FLEET IN THE WORLD AND IMPORTS 99% OF ITS URANIUM CONCENTRATE.
There are, however, some very early signs of domestic production starting to pick back up.
My recent reporting on this for @cipherclimate.bsky.social:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
There are, however, some very early signs of domestic production starting to pick back up.
My recent reporting on this for @cipherclimate.bsky.social:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
April 25, 2025 at 3:44 PM
THE US HAS THE LARGEST NUCLEAR FLEET IN THE WORLD AND IMPORTS 99% OF ITS URANIUM CONCENTRATE.
There are, however, some very early signs of domestic production starting to pick back up.
My recent reporting on this for @cipherclimate.bsky.social:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
There are, however, some very early signs of domestic production starting to pick back up.
My recent reporting on this for @cipherclimate.bsky.social:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
The U.S. DOE on Tuesday distributed the 3rd tranche of a loan to Holtec to reopen the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan.
There are signs of support for nuclear energy from the Trump admin, like this loan, but a lot more is needed.
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
There are signs of support for nuclear energy from the Trump admin, like this loan, but a lot more is needed.
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
April 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The U.S. DOE on Tuesday distributed the 3rd tranche of a loan to Holtec to reopen the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan.
There are signs of support for nuclear energy from the Trump admin, like this loan, but a lot more is needed.
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
There are signs of support for nuclear energy from the Trump admin, like this loan, but a lot more is needed.
For @cipherclimate.bsky.social: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
The move to claw back Empire Wind, a fully permitted project, is the latest sign of Trump's antagonism toward wind and solar and most specifically offshore wind.
In contrast, the DOE has shown signs of support for geothermal & nuclear. @cipherclimate.bsky.social.
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
In contrast, the DOE has shown signs of support for geothermal & nuclear. @cipherclimate.bsky.social.
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
April 17, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The move to claw back Empire Wind, a fully permitted project, is the latest sign of Trump's antagonism toward wind and solar and most specifically offshore wind.
In contrast, the DOE has shown signs of support for geothermal & nuclear. @cipherclimate.bsky.social.
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
In contrast, the DOE has shown signs of support for geothermal & nuclear. @cipherclimate.bsky.social.
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Jake Sullivan, former National Security Advisor under President Biden: Climate change is a 'FORCE MULTIPLIER OF EVERY SECURITY CHALLENGE WE HAVE.'
More from the #GlobalEnergySummit at Columbia University today, where I am representing @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
More from the #GlobalEnergySummit at Columbia University today, where I am representing @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
April 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Jake Sullivan, former National Security Advisor under President Biden: Climate change is a 'FORCE MULTIPLIER OF EVERY SECURITY CHALLENGE WE HAVE.'
More from the #GlobalEnergySummit at Columbia University today, where I am representing @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
More from the #GlobalEnergySummit at Columbia University today, where I am representing @cipherclimate.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
I am the #GlobalEnergySummit at Columbia Univ on behalf of @cipherclimate.bsky.social!
Fabulous discussion on the perennially hot topic in climate and energy these days about how to meet the surging demand for power coming down the pike from data centers for AI.
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Fabulous discussion on the perennially hot topic in climate and energy these days about how to meet the surging demand for power coming down the pike from data centers for AI.
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
April 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I am the #GlobalEnergySummit at Columbia Univ on behalf of @cipherclimate.bsky.social!
Fabulous discussion on the perennially hot topic in climate and energy these days about how to meet the surging demand for power coming down the pike from data centers for AI.
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
Fabulous discussion on the perennially hot topic in climate and energy these days about how to meet the surging demand for power coming down the pike from data centers for AI.
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
AN ENERGY UNICORN.
Generated by tapping into the extreme heat at the center of the Earth, geothermal power is an energy unicorn: It’s renewable, produces virtually no greenhouse gas emissions and is always on.
More on my story for Cipher News and podcast appearance: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Generated by tapping into the extreme heat at the center of the Earth, geothermal power is an energy unicorn: It’s renewable, produces virtually no greenhouse gas emissions and is always on.
More on my story for Cipher News and podcast appearance: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
April 4, 2025 at 5:59 PM
AN ENERGY UNICORN.
Generated by tapping into the extreme heat at the center of the Earth, geothermal power is an energy unicorn: It’s renewable, produces virtually no greenhouse gas emissions and is always on.
More on my story for Cipher News and podcast appearance: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Generated by tapping into the extreme heat at the center of the Earth, geothermal power is an energy unicorn: It’s renewable, produces virtually no greenhouse gas emissions and is always on.
More on my story for Cipher News and podcast appearance: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
"We see real danger in this moment... We are sending this SOS to sound a clear warning: the nation’s scientific enterprise is being decimated."
From an open letter from almost 2,000 leading US scientists.
More on the letter and my related reporting for Cipher News: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
From an open letter from almost 2,000 leading US scientists.
More on the letter and my related reporting for Cipher News: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
April 1, 2025 at 7:46 PM
"We see real danger in this moment... We are sending this SOS to sound a clear warning: the nation’s scientific enterprise is being decimated."
From an open letter from almost 2,000 leading US scientists.
More on the letter and my related reporting for Cipher News: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
From an open letter from almost 2,000 leading US scientists.
More on the letter and my related reporting for Cipher News: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
I have been reporting on nuclear energy closely for as long as I have been covering climate closely. It's a fascinating, still unfolding story.
I was completely thrilled to be a guest on Season 2 of "Solving for Climate" to talk all things nuclear.
More here: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
I was completely thrilled to be a guest on Season 2 of "Solving for Climate" to talk all things nuclear.
More here: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
March 27, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I have been reporting on nuclear energy closely for as long as I have been covering climate closely. It's a fascinating, still unfolding story.
I was completely thrilled to be a guest on Season 2 of "Solving for Climate" to talk all things nuclear.
More here: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
I was completely thrilled to be a guest on Season 2 of "Solving for Climate" to talk all things nuclear.
More here: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
CNBC's Katie Tarasov has a nice combination video & written story about the race between China & US to commercialize fusion, the "holy grail" of clean energy. She gives airtime to a bunch of my reporting, which I appreciate.
More on my recent fusion coverage here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
More on my recent fusion coverage here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
March 17, 2025 at 2:43 PM
CNBC's Katie Tarasov has a nice combination video & written story about the race between China & US to commercialize fusion, the "holy grail" of clean energy. She gives airtime to a bunch of my reporting, which I appreciate.
More on my recent fusion coverage here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
More on my recent fusion coverage here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
On this past rainy Wednesday eve, I was part of the 2nd Annual Green Growth Investor Series at the Consulate General of India here in NYC. On behalf of Cipher News, I moderated a fascinating conversation about investing in climate smart agriculture.
My takeaways: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
My takeaways: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
March 7, 2025 at 9:35 PM
On this past rainy Wednesday eve, I was part of the 2nd Annual Green Growth Investor Series at the Consulate General of India here in NYC. On behalf of Cipher News, I moderated a fascinating conversation about investing in climate smart agriculture.
My takeaways: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
My takeaways: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
THE US IS ON THE VERGE OF CEDING ITS LEADERSHIP IN NUCLEAR POWER.
Why? Take a look at who is building nuclear power right now. As with virtually every other clean energy technology, the answer is China.
More:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
For Cipher News: www.ciphernews.com/articles/chi...
Why? Take a look at who is building nuclear power right now. As with virtually every other clean energy technology, the answer is China.
More:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
For Cipher News: www.ciphernews.com/articles/chi...
February 21, 2025 at 5:31 PM
THE US IS ON THE VERGE OF CEDING ITS LEADERSHIP IN NUCLEAR POWER.
Why? Take a look at who is building nuclear power right now. As with virtually every other clean energy technology, the answer is China.
More:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
For Cipher News: www.ciphernews.com/articles/chi...
Why? Take a look at who is building nuclear power right now. As with virtually every other clean energy technology, the answer is China.
More:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
For Cipher News: www.ciphernews.com/articles/chi...
AI AND (THE OTHER) NUCLEAR:
TLDR: AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION.
I traveled to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to see this interplay up close and personal. More:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
TLDR: AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION.
I traveled to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to see this interplay up close and personal. More:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
January 30, 2025 at 6:22 PM
AI AND (THE OTHER) NUCLEAR:
TLDR: AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION.
I traveled to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to see this interplay up close and personal. More:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
TLDR: AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION NEEDS AI NEEDS FUSION.
I traveled to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to see this interplay up close and personal. More:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
AI + ENERGY DEMAND + UNCERTAINTY + THE BIG PICTURE
Electricity demand from AI is a trendy topic right now, but it's against a backdrop where electricity demand is going to continue to increase for *SO MANY OTHER REASONS.*
My coverage & thoughts on this idea here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Electricity demand from AI is a trendy topic right now, but it's against a backdrop where electricity demand is going to continue to increase for *SO MANY OTHER REASONS.*
My coverage & thoughts on this idea here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
January 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
AI + ENERGY DEMAND + UNCERTAINTY + THE BIG PICTURE
Electricity demand from AI is a trendy topic right now, but it's against a backdrop where electricity demand is going to continue to increase for *SO MANY OTHER REASONS.*
My coverage & thoughts on this idea here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Electricity demand from AI is a trendy topic right now, but it's against a backdrop where electricity demand is going to continue to increase for *SO MANY OTHER REASONS.*
My coverage & thoughts on this idea here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
I have a small series (two editions so far!) at Cipher News shining a spotlight on undercover climate superstars.
My second edition of the series just recently published and focuses on Richard Town, a fusion leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
More:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
My second edition of the series just recently published and focuses on Richard Town, a fusion leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
More:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
January 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I have a small series (two editions so far!) at Cipher News shining a spotlight on undercover climate superstars.
My second edition of the series just recently published and focuses on Richard Town, a fusion leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
More:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
My second edition of the series just recently published and focuses on Richard Town, a fusion leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
More:
www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
I reflected on moments this fall when I felt pride in America in my Reporter's Notebook for Cipher News, published at the end of last week.
Finding a Forest Service grill in the middle of the Boundary Waters & meeting scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Lab:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Finding a Forest Service grill in the middle of the Boundary Waters & meeting scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Lab:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
January 21, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I reflected on moments this fall when I felt pride in America in my Reporter's Notebook for Cipher News, published at the end of last week.
Finding a Forest Service grill in the middle of the Boundary Waters & meeting scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Lab:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Finding a Forest Service grill in the middle of the Boundary Waters & meeting scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Lab:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
One my favorite pieces I wrote for Cipher News over the last year was my story about MIT prof Yet-Ming Chiang, which was also the first installment of my series profiling undercover climate tech superstars.
See WHY I like this story here — and my mantra for 2025:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
See WHY I like this story here — and my mantra for 2025:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
January 2, 2025 at 7:01 PM
One my favorite pieces I wrote for Cipher News over the last year was my story about MIT prof Yet-Ming Chiang, which was also the first installment of my series profiling undercover climate tech superstars.
See WHY I like this story here — and my mantra for 2025:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
See WHY I like this story here — and my mantra for 2025:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...