Michael Thomas
@michael-thomas.bsky.social
I write stories and make videos about climate change.
Subscribe to the Distilled newsletter and YouTube channel here: http://linktr.ee/distilled.earth
Subscribe to the Distilled newsletter and YouTube channel here: http://linktr.ee/distilled.earth
Reposted by Michael Thomas
Here's a really great, clear explanation from @michael-thomas.bsky.social of what we know about why US electricity prices are rising. (No, it's not data centers, except in some very specific local areas.)
Why Are Electricity Prices Rising?
Probably not for the reasons that you think
www.distilled.earth
October 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Here's a really great, clear explanation from @michael-thomas.bsky.social of what we know about why US electricity prices are rising. (No, it's not data centers, except in some very specific local areas.)
Reposted by Michael Thomas
We could save more than $1 trillion nationally and cut utility bills for the average household by $1,600 per year by streamlining permitting of rooftop solar. No federal policy needed -- this can all be done by cutting red tape at state and local level. @michael-thomas.bsky.social 1/
Rooftop Solar Could Save Americans $1 Trillion Dollars
But we have to make it easier to permit and install
www.distilled.earth
October 27, 2025 at 4:37 PM
We could save more than $1 trillion nationally and cut utility bills for the average household by $1,600 per year by streamlining permitting of rooftop solar. No federal policy needed -- this can all be done by cutting red tape at state and local level. @michael-thomas.bsky.social 1/
This was surprising to me:
In states with the highest electricity demand growth—from sources like data centers—electricity prices actually fell over the last 5 years.
Totally opposite of the prevailing narrative that data centers raise electricity prices.
🧵
In states with the highest electricity demand growth—from sources like data centers—electricity prices actually fell over the last 5 years.
Totally opposite of the prevailing narrative that data centers raise electricity prices.
🧵
October 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
This was surprising to me:
In states with the highest electricity demand growth—from sources like data centers—electricity prices actually fell over the last 5 years.
Totally opposite of the prevailing narrative that data centers raise electricity prices.
🧵
In states with the highest electricity demand growth—from sources like data centers—electricity prices actually fell over the last 5 years.
Totally opposite of the prevailing narrative that data centers raise electricity prices.
🧵
For the last few months I've been going through public documents, permits, and satellite images to track the largest data centers in the US.
Today I published the first story about what I've learned.
🧵
www.distilled.earth/p/these-data...
Today I published the first story about what I've learned.
🧵
www.distilled.earth/p/these-data...
These Data Centers Are Getting Really, Really Big
Gigawatt-sized data centers are becoming the new normal
www.distilled.earth
October 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM
For the last few months I've been going through public documents, permits, and satellite images to track the largest data centers in the US.
Today I published the first story about what I've learned.
🧵
www.distilled.earth/p/these-data...
Today I published the first story about what I've learned.
🧵
www.distilled.earth/p/these-data...
Reposted by Michael Thomas
Wanted to help amplify this post from @michael-thomas.bsky.social to my small group of followers. The fate of life on Earth is quite literally at stake. open.substack.com/pub/heated/p...
The Senate is about to destroy clean energy to give tax cuts to billionaires
The bill could pass within the next 24 hours.
open.substack.com
June 29, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Wanted to help amplify this post from @michael-thomas.bsky.social to my small group of followers. The fate of life on Earth is quite literally at stake. open.substack.com/pub/heated/p...
I just published a story with @emorwee.bsky.social about the latest Senate bill.
The bill is much worse than climate advocates thought possible.
The window to stop it is rapidly closing. But to do that climate advocates need to speak up.
www.distilled.earth/p/urgent-the...
The bill is much worse than climate advocates thought possible.
The window to stop it is rapidly closing. But to do that climate advocates need to speak up.
www.distilled.earth/p/urgent-the...
URGENT: The Latest Senate Bill Is Worse Than Climate Advocates Thought Possible
The bill could pass the Senate in the next 24 hours
www.distilled.earth
June 29, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I just published a story with @emorwee.bsky.social about the latest Senate bill.
The bill is much worse than climate advocates thought possible.
The window to stop it is rapidly closing. But to do that climate advocates need to speak up.
www.distilled.earth/p/urgent-the...
The bill is much worse than climate advocates thought possible.
The window to stop it is rapidly closing. But to do that climate advocates need to speak up.
www.distilled.earth/p/urgent-the...
Reposted by Michael Thomas
It’s so important to understand WHY the new Senate bill has such drastic provisions to kill renewable energy
Fossil fuel industry lobbyists and Big Oil-funded activists have been ALL OVER the GOP in recent weeks, telling them that clean energy jobs are “fentanyl jobs” and “a cancer”
Fossil fuel industry lobbyists and Big Oil-funded activists have been ALL OVER the GOP in recent weeks, telling them that clean energy jobs are “fentanyl jobs” and “a cancer”
The Senate is about to destroy clean energy to give tax cuts to billionaires
The bill could pass within the next 24 hours.
heated.world
June 29, 2025 at 7:58 PM
It’s so important to understand WHY the new Senate bill has such drastic provisions to kill renewable energy
Fossil fuel industry lobbyists and Big Oil-funded activists have been ALL OVER the GOP in recent weeks, telling them that clean energy jobs are “fentanyl jobs” and “a cancer”
Fossil fuel industry lobbyists and Big Oil-funded activists have been ALL OVER the GOP in recent weeks, telling them that clean energy jobs are “fentanyl jobs” and “a cancer”
In the coming weeks, the Senate will decide the fate of clean energy in America.
So I decided to crunch some numbers and see how much solar, wind, and storage capacity has been built in each Senators' state.
So I decided to crunch some numbers and see how much solar, wind, and storage capacity has been built in each Senators' state.
May 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
In the coming weeks, the Senate will decide the fate of clean energy in America.
So I decided to crunch some numbers and see how much solar, wind, and storage capacity has been built in each Senators' state.
So I decided to crunch some numbers and see how much solar, wind, and storage capacity has been built in each Senators' state.
This week, Republicans released their budget bill that aims to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act.
I analyzed every clean energy project that has been built since the IRA passed—3,570 in all.
The proposed budget bill would hurt Republican districts the most.
www.distilled.earth/p/the-republ...
I analyzed every clean energy project that has been built since the IRA passed—3,570 in all.
The proposed budget bill would hurt Republican districts the most.
www.distilled.earth/p/the-republ...
May 14, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This week, Republicans released their budget bill that aims to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act.
I analyzed every clean energy project that has been built since the IRA passed—3,570 in all.
The proposed budget bill would hurt Republican districts the most.
www.distilled.earth/p/the-republ...
I analyzed every clean energy project that has been built since the IRA passed—3,570 in all.
The proposed budget bill would hurt Republican districts the most.
www.distilled.earth/p/the-republ...
How are tariffs going to impact the solar market in the US?
At Cleanview we just published a new dataset and dashboard to help folks understand the potential impact of the latest tariffs.
Here are a few takeaways from the data:
cleanview.co/content/sola...
At Cleanview we just published a new dataset and dashboard to help folks understand the potential impact of the latest tariffs.
Here are a few takeaways from the data:
cleanview.co/content/sola...
April 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
How are tariffs going to impact the solar market in the US?
At Cleanview we just published a new dataset and dashboard to help folks understand the potential impact of the latest tariffs.
Here are a few takeaways from the data:
cleanview.co/content/sola...
At Cleanview we just published a new dataset and dashboard to help folks understand the potential impact of the latest tariffs.
Here are a few takeaways from the data:
cleanview.co/content/sola...
🌎 Climate tech job alert 🌎
I'm hiring a Data Engineer at @CleanviewEnergy
to build data pipelines that will power our clean energy intelligence platform.
If you know anyone who loves working with clean energy data, please send them my way.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
I'm hiring a Data Engineer at @CleanviewEnergy
to build data pipelines that will power our clean energy intelligence platform.
If you know anyone who loves working with clean energy data, please send them my way.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Cleanview Data Engineer (Contract) Job Description
About Cleanview Cleanview is a market intelligence platform that makes it easy for investors, business development teams, and clean energy professionals to track renewable energy projects and trends. ...
docs.google.com
April 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
🌎 Climate tech job alert 🌎
I'm hiring a Data Engineer at @CleanviewEnergy
to build data pipelines that will power our clean energy intelligence platform.
If you know anyone who loves working with clean energy data, please send them my way.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
I'm hiring a Data Engineer at @CleanviewEnergy
to build data pipelines that will power our clean energy intelligence platform.
If you know anyone who loves working with clean energy data, please send them my way.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Texas will add more battery storage capacity in 2025 than any other state.
Developers plan to build 7 GW of new capacity—as much as the entire US built in 2023.
Developers plan to build 7 GW of new capacity—as much as the entire US built in 2023.
March 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Texas will add more battery storage capacity in 2025 than any other state.
Developers plan to build 7 GW of new capacity—as much as the entire US built in 2023.
Developers plan to build 7 GW of new capacity—as much as the entire US built in 2023.
One of the most overlooked energy stories of 2024:
Battery storage grew 65% last year, with the U.S. adding 10.9 GW of new capacity. And growth is accelerating—we're on track for 18.1 GW in 2025, a 68% increase.
Just 5 years ago, this technology was considered experimental.
Battery storage grew 65% last year, with the U.S. adding 10.9 GW of new capacity. And growth is accelerating—we're on track for 18.1 GW in 2025, a 68% increase.
Just 5 years ago, this technology was considered experimental.
March 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM
One of the most overlooked energy stories of 2024:
Battery storage grew 65% last year, with the U.S. adding 10.9 GW of new capacity. And growth is accelerating—we're on track for 18.1 GW in 2025, a 68% increase.
Just 5 years ago, this technology was considered experimental.
Battery storage grew 65% last year, with the U.S. adding 10.9 GW of new capacity. And growth is accelerating—we're on track for 18.1 GW in 2025, a 68% increase.
Just 5 years ago, this technology was considered experimental.
One of the most promising clean energy trends over the last year has been the growth of solar in Republican states in the South.
- AR added 943 MW of capacity (99% vs. 2023).
- MS added 794 MW of capacity (647% vs. 2023).
- LA added 726 MW of capacity (230% vs. 2023).
cleanview.co/annual-repor...
- AR added 943 MW of capacity (99% vs. 2023).
- MS added 794 MW of capacity (647% vs. 2023).
- LA added 726 MW of capacity (230% vs. 2023).
cleanview.co/annual-repor...
February 19, 2025 at 4:26 PM
One of the most promising clean energy trends over the last year has been the growth of solar in Republican states in the South.
- AR added 943 MW of capacity (99% vs. 2023).
- MS added 794 MW of capacity (647% vs. 2023).
- LA added 726 MW of capacity (230% vs. 2023).
cleanview.co/annual-repor...
- AR added 943 MW of capacity (99% vs. 2023).
- MS added 794 MW of capacity (647% vs. 2023).
- LA added 726 MW of capacity (230% vs. 2023).
cleanview.co/annual-repor...
Texas is going to build a massive amount of solar this year.
It's worth noting that 80% of the capacity (~9 GW) in the chart below is already under construction and therefore protected against Trump's recent orders.
It's worth noting that 80% of the capacity (~9 GW) in the chart below is already under construction and therefore protected against Trump's recent orders.
February 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Texas is going to build a massive amount of solar this year.
It's worth noting that 80% of the capacity (~9 GW) in the chart below is already under construction and therefore protected against Trump's recent orders.
It's worth noting that 80% of the capacity (~9 GW) in the chart below is already under construction and therefore protected against Trump's recent orders.
Over the last few months, I've been analyzing data on clean energy trends in America.
Today I published a report with ~50 trends that I found in my research.
One major takeaway: The U.S. added 47% more clean energy in 2024 than the year before.
cleanview.co/annual-repor...
Today I published a report with ~50 trends that I found in my research.
One major takeaway: The U.S. added 47% more clean energy in 2024 than the year before.
cleanview.co/annual-repor...
February 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Over the last few months, I've been analyzing data on clean energy trends in America.
Today I published a report with ~50 trends that I found in my research.
One major takeaway: The U.S. added 47% more clean energy in 2024 than the year before.
cleanview.co/annual-repor...
Today I published a report with ~50 trends that I found in my research.
One major takeaway: The U.S. added 47% more clean energy in 2024 than the year before.
cleanview.co/annual-repor...
Moss Landing, the largest battery in the US caught fire yesterday.
A journalist just asked me, "Are batteries safe?"
I told him the fossil fuel plants batteries replace kill 1,000s of people in the US / year.
Batteries aren't perfect. But they're way better than coal/gas.
A journalist just asked me, "Are batteries safe?"
I told him the fossil fuel plants batteries replace kill 1,000s of people in the US / year.
Batteries aren't perfect. But they're way better than coal/gas.
January 17, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Moss Landing, the largest battery in the US caught fire yesterday.
A journalist just asked me, "Are batteries safe?"
I told him the fossil fuel plants batteries replace kill 1,000s of people in the US / year.
Batteries aren't perfect. But they're way better than coal/gas.
A journalist just asked me, "Are batteries safe?"
I told him the fossil fuel plants batteries replace kill 1,000s of people in the US / year.
Batteries aren't perfect. But they're way better than coal/gas.
Reposted by Michael Thomas
Great article from @mchediak.bsky.social on the issues with shutting off transmission lines like the one that MAY have caused the #EatonFire. I want to emphasize a few points here in a thread. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Edison Move to Keep LA Power Lines Operating Draws Scrutiny
Edison International’s decision to leave some Los Angeles power lines operating during a historic windstorm last week is under scrutiny as an investigation into the city’s devastating wildfires gather...
www.bloomberg.com
January 15, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Great article from @mchediak.bsky.social on the issues with shutting off transmission lines like the one that MAY have caused the #EatonFire. I want to emphasize a few points here in a thread. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Mark Zuckerberg: "Companies need more masculine energy."
Meanwhile, there are more Fortune 500 CEOs named John than there are Fortune 500 CEOs who are women.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Meanwhile, there are more Fortune 500 CEOs named John than there are Fortune 500 CEOs who are women.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
January 14, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Mark Zuckerberg: "Companies need more masculine energy."
Meanwhile, there are more Fortune 500 CEOs named John than there are Fortune 500 CEOs who are women.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Meanwhile, there are more Fortune 500 CEOs named John than there are Fortune 500 CEOs who are women.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
I think one of the funniest forms of audience capture is the people who gained big followings on Twitter by talking about Tesla when Elon wasn't nearly as crazy and now have to stick by him.
One day you're posting car specs. The next you're supporting fascism. Oops!
One day you're posting car specs. The next you're supporting fascism. Oops!
January 14, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I think one of the funniest forms of audience capture is the people who gained big followings on Twitter by talking about Tesla when Elon wasn't nearly as crazy and now have to stick by him.
One day you're posting car specs. The next you're supporting fascism. Oops!
One day you're posting car specs. The next you're supporting fascism. Oops!
The shift from fossil fuel to electric appliances isn't going to happen if the sustainable option costs 2-3x more.
We need to get these installation prices down fast.
We need to get these installation prices down fast.
My 18-yr-old tankless heater just failed. I spent several weeks pursuing rebates for heat pump water heater and it was HARD. Many would have given up sooner. And I got just $1,100 rebate. So heat pump still $3,500 more than the tankless. So I'm going tankless again.
The coming wave of residential electrification is a big deal, and it could add to the California's housing crisis.
I wrote about an effort to move a building off gas while intentionally preventing displacement in SF's Mission District.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1401202...
I wrote about an effort to move a building off gas while intentionally preventing displacement in SF's Mission District.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1401202...
January 14, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The shift from fossil fuel to electric appliances isn't going to happen if the sustainable option costs 2-3x more.
We need to get these installation prices down fast.
We need to get these installation prices down fast.
Another takeaway from my upcoming 2024 clean energy trends report:
The US added a huge amount of battery capacity to the grid in 2024.
But the vast majority of it was built in just 4 states: California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
The US added a huge amount of battery capacity to the grid in 2024.
But the vast majority of it was built in just 4 states: California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
January 14, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Another takeaway from my upcoming 2024 clean energy trends report:
The US added a huge amount of battery capacity to the grid in 2024.
But the vast majority of it was built in just 4 states: California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
The US added a huge amount of battery capacity to the grid in 2024.
But the vast majority of it was built in just 4 states: California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
New data from a report I'm working on:
The U.S. added a record amount of solar capacity in 2024.
The country added 34 GW of utility-scale solar, which is 74% more than last year's record year.
The U.S. added a record amount of solar capacity in 2024.
The country added 34 GW of utility-scale solar, which is 74% more than last year's record year.
January 13, 2025 at 9:19 PM
New data from a report I'm working on:
The U.S. added a record amount of solar capacity in 2024.
The country added 34 GW of utility-scale solar, which is 74% more than last year's record year.
The U.S. added a record amount of solar capacity in 2024.
The country added 34 GW of utility-scale solar, which is 74% more than last year's record year.
There's a famous study (Fritz 1961) that found after natural disasters people in affected communities often show altruistic behavior and temporarily suspend social divisions.
In the digital world, it increasingly feels like the opposite is true.
In the digital world, it increasingly feels like the opposite is true.
January 10, 2025 at 6:58 PM
There's a famous study (Fritz 1961) that found after natural disasters people in affected communities often show altruistic behavior and temporarily suspend social divisions.
In the digital world, it increasingly feels like the opposite is true.
In the digital world, it increasingly feels like the opposite is true.
2024 was another record-breaking year for clean energy in the U.S.
Here are some stats from an upcoming report I'm working on for Cleanview:
- 96% of new power capacity was carbon-free
- 74% more solar added vs. 2023
- 99% more battery capacity added vs. 2023
Here are some stats from an upcoming report I'm working on for Cleanview:
- 96% of new power capacity was carbon-free
- 74% more solar added vs. 2023
- 99% more battery capacity added vs. 2023
January 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
2024 was another record-breaking year for clean energy in the U.S.
Here are some stats from an upcoming report I'm working on for Cleanview:
- 96% of new power capacity was carbon-free
- 74% more solar added vs. 2023
- 99% more battery capacity added vs. 2023
Here are some stats from an upcoming report I'm working on for Cleanview:
- 96% of new power capacity was carbon-free
- 74% more solar added vs. 2023
- 99% more battery capacity added vs. 2023