@davidspence
Professor, Energy Law & Policy, University of Texas. Author, Climate of Contempt: Rescuing the US Energy Transition from Voter Partisanship (Columbia Univ. Press 2024). I now only post on my blog or LinkedIn. https://www.ClimateOfContempt.com
I had been a bit disappointed at the academic uptake of my book among people teaching classes in climate/energy policy. So this news was really nice to get. #climate #energy
For students and others who may be interested, I have assembled links to academic researchers and other resources that address the forces that are distorting energy and climate policymaking in the U.S., via this blog post. Please share.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/media-b...
Some thoughts on the merits of calling the GOP βfascist.β
climateofcontempt.com/blog/media-b...
The blog often focuses on why that is. Subscribe at the bottom of this page.
climateofcontempt.com/climate-of-c...
2/2
I am shifting all my posting in energy politics and law to my blog and LinkedIn.
Fear of retribution at the ballot box from bitterly partisan and ideologically extreme voters of their own party is THE most important driver of House and Senate votes, by a long shot. 1/2
3/3 LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/david-spe...
Blog - climateofcontempt.com/climate-of-c...
Substack - substack.com/@davidspence...
2/3 β¦ my belief that a rapid energy transition is advisable + an understanding of how US politics that is very different from most who share that policy goal.
And these short form platforms are arenβt built for productive discussion & learning, regardless of usersβ intentions.
1/3 I will exit this & other space-constrained platforms (X, threads) on June 1, and confine my online presence to LinkedIn, Substack, and my blog (links below).
My particular understanding of energy policy and (particularly politics) doesnβt really resonate here: β¦
Re: IRA repeal, congressional GOP fear MAGA voters more than other voters. The most vulnerable GOP House members are those in less safe seats who are getting IRA jobs & $. Click on the chart in this blog post to see who they are: climateofcontempt.com/blog/reading...
#energysky #energyandclimate
Itβs going to be all about electoral incentives for each member.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/reading...
Some quick & dirty numbers on the congressional politics of repealing (all or part of) the Inflation Reduction Act. TLDR: We can understand what's happening better if we focus on electoral risk, and how that risk differs for different members of Congress.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
I was motivated to write my book in part by the way so many online experts disregard what political science has to say about climate/energy politics. To update those thoughts, here are reviews of 5 recent books that illuminate climate politics:
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
I think that strategy wasnβt chosen because they had faith that truth would win out eventually. Stated differently, they didnβt appreciate the staying power of false belief when there is 24/7 technology for reinforcing that belief.
The legal side of the current assault on the rule of law and other institutions is complex and mentally exhausting. Understanding the political side is simpler, but emotionally exhausting:
davidspence533965.substack.com/p/governance...
#climate #climatepolitics #energytransition #authoritarianism
Some thoughts on climate policy communication at the link below. Plus a sample:
climateofcontempt.com/blog/facts-m...
I enjoyed talking with Jason at Energy Central about my book on climate politicsοΏΌ last month. That podcast is now available here - energycentral.com/o/energy-cen...
Flyer with a pic of David Spence and details for 3/18 event
We're excited to host @davidspence.bsky.social for a book talk on 'Climate of Contempt' with our Ann Carlson and William Boyd. We'll cover the effects of polarization & propaganda on energy policy as well as the path forward.
If you're in LA 3/18, come through!
law.ucla.edu/events/clima...
That is internet bubble hatred between the factions. Nothing more. Holding a coalition together based on anything other than hatred of an enemy is very difficult in the internet age.
My take on the Administrationβs unilateral attempts to remake the law and the executive branch. #energysky #energyandclimate
climateofcontempt.com/blog/hiding-...
If you canβt see any logic behind some of the things this administration does, consider that it might be about nothing more than demonstrating contempt for you & what you care about. And if you want to understand the logic behind that, watch right wing media for a few weeks. It will make sense.
Ok that was funny
Some thoughts on how marginal cost dispatch doesnβt necessarily minimize total costs, and how that might disadvantage clean firm resources like geothermal power.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/is-it-t...
Some thoughts about our political dysfunction, wildfires and risk.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/pooling...
Times up. Answer John Roberts, 20 years ago before his appointment to the Supreme Court.
Energy trivia - Who said it?
Some thoughts on the temptations of motivated reasoning in energy policy debates.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/speakin...
In recent decades, wildland fires have been enabled by many factors, including the legacy of fire suppression, human settlement and distribution patterns, other management actions, and even natural climate variability. 1/
