POPULARITY
Categories
Three years ago, Congress passed President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in U.S. history. The IRA set in motion a sweeping set of investments in nearly every aspect of energy and climate, mostly in the form of subsidies and tax credits, to boost domestic production of electric vehicles, batteries and carbon-free energy. Those investments have flowed to every state, but the majority have landed in Republican-held districts. In spite of that, Congressional Republicans nearly unanimously passed President Trump's “Big, Beautiful Bill” which the president signed on July 4. The megabill guts nearly all the program funds allocated under the IRA and slashes incentives and credits for solar, wind, energy efficiency and electric vehicles — precisely at a time when we need to dramatically scale up those sectors to address climate change. Why did Republicans let this bill move ahead? And how much will it exacerbate the climate crisis in the coming decades? Guests: Katherine Hamilton, Chair, 38 North Solutions Clayton Aldern, Senior Data Reporter, Grist Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy John Szoka, CEO, Conservative Energy Network On July 31, Climate One is hosting Premal Shah and Kinari Webb for a live episode recording! With years of experience navigating the global climate movement, the two are sure to offer unparalleled insights during their conversation with Co-Host Greg Dalton. Tickets for the show, which will be held at The Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, are available now through our website. Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today. For show notes and related links, visit our website. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Title: Rare Earths to Truffles: Diversified Investments You've Never Heard Of with Louis O'Connor Summary: In this episode of Raise the Bar Radio, Seth Bradley welcomes back Lou, an international investor, to discuss diversification, rare earth metals, and a unique agricultural investment opportunity. Lou, who splits his time between Europe and Latin America, emphasizes the importance of global diversification for peace of mind and flexibility. He highlights the geopolitical dynamics affecting rare earth metals, where China dominates the refining process, and discusses the increasing demand due to restricted exports. Transitioning from metals to agriculture, Lou introduces his truffle farm investment. Leveraging agri-science and Ireland's favorable climate, the project offers investors ownership of inoculated truffle trees with professional farm management. Returns are projected to begin in year 4-5 and continue for up to 40 years, offering IRRs between 14% to 69% based on historical truffle prices. Risks include mismanagement and natural elements, though strong biosecurity and proven success mitigate concerns. Lou finishes with a valuable mindset tip: improve by 1% daily to compound results over time. Bullet Point Highlights: Diversification across countries and industries provides flexibility and peace of mind China's control of rare earth refining and export restrictions create scarcity and opportunity Truffle farm investment offers strong IRR potential, with returns starting in years 4-5 and lasting 30-40 years Minimum $30K investment includes 400 saplings and full farm management with a 70/30 profit split Primary risks are mismanagement and nature, mitigated through biosecurity and replacement guarantees Lou's golden nugget: Focus on improving 1% daily to unlock exponential long-term growth Transcript: (Seth Bradley) (00:02.062) What's up, builders? This is Raise the Bar Radio, where we talk about building wealth, raising capital, and all in all, raising the bar in your business and your life. This is the No BS podcast for capital raisers, investors, and entrepreneurs who are serious about scaling their business and living life on their own terms. I'm Seth Bradley, securities attorney, real estate investor, and entrepreneur, bringing you world-class strategies from the best in the game. If you're ready to raise more capital, close bigger deals, build a better you and create true financial freedom, you're in the right place. Let's go. Lou, what's going on, brother? Welcome back to the show. Thank you very much Seth. Thank you. I'm very happy to be here. Good to see you again. Yeah, absolutely man. Great to catch up with you. Are you tuning in from where? Well, in Europe still, you know, I'm back and forth between Ireland, Germany, mostly, a little bit of time in Panama as well, because my wife's from there, but I'm in temporary in Ireland, horse breeding country and agricultural heartland actually of Europe. And at the moment anyway, yeah, so in Europe. (Seth Bradley) (01:16.664) awesome, awesome. That's the beauty of being on a video conference call that you can talk to anyone from anywhere in the world now. That's the one good thing that came out of COVID is it made it normal to do it. Yeah, it's funny, unbelievable. Just yesterday I was contacted actually by CNBC in the US, I'm in Europe, about the metals. We're not talking about metals today, but I've spoken with you before about the rare earth metals. And I guess the US chamber, secretary chamber of commerce is in China this week because China is restricting the export of certain technology metals and that's their area. And within a day, there's like an hour after I speak with you, I'm doing an interview with CNBC on, I think it's Power Launch or something they call it. So it's fascinating really how quickly you can sort of ping around the globe and find somebody and do this. Yeah, yeah, very cool, very cool, man. Well, thanks for taking the time to tune in with us today. And we've got a brand new thing to talk about and we'll jump into that. But before we do, just for listeners who didn't listen to your previous episode, give us a little bit about your background and your story. Just a general synopsis, Sure, thank you. Yeah, so I'm obviously, you can tell from the accent, I'm Irish or Scottish or Australian, but it's Irish. And I suppose you could say I'm bit of a world traveler who has come back home specifically for this project we're going to talk about. Ireland is known as sort of the breadbasket of Europe. But yeah, I lived in Germany for 10 years, lived in Central America and traveled extensively in South America during that time. (Louis O'Connor) (03:05.422) But my niche, if you will, you know one other business we're involved in. And my niche, what I'm looking for is always what I call, I don't know what you might call it in the US, but we sort of call it a path of progress play here, which is if you sort of look at an industry or a product, what's happened in the last 10 years, or even a country or even a business for that matter, if you look at what's happened in the last 10, you can sort of have a look at likely what's going to happen in the next 10. So I'm always looking for somewhere where demand is increasing and supply is either going to be limited or subject to disruption and somehow, and that's what we will be talking to an agricultural product and we'll talk more about it. But I like to be diversified in every way. So I have business in Germany, this agricultural product is in Ireland. I do my banking in Belize and Panama and different parts of Europe. So just trying to be as diversified as possible. Right, right. And that's part of your kind of plan as well, right? Like to be kind of this international man of mystery, right? Like you have different ties to a couple of different countries, which gives you flexibility in case something goes wrong in one of them, right? Like, you know, I think a lot of people were worried here for a while and I think it's still in the back of people's minds in the United States about, you know, the strength of the dollar and You know, people were talking about getting a second citizenship and things like that. Can you speak to that a little bit about kind of, you know, how you've done that and what your kind of thoughts and feelings are around that? (Louis O'Connor) (04:46.552) Sure, sure. Well, you my feeling always has this peace of mind, you know, I just want peace of mind. I want to be at peace with myself and the world around me. that's, I mean, I'm probably talking about more philosophically and spiritually as well, but also, you know, in business or residencies or banking. I suppose it's because I left Ireland quite young and I did live. I didn't just go on a vacation somewhere. lived in Germany for 10 years. I learned the language. Ireland is an island, even though we're part of Europe, continental Europe is completely different. And then I went to Latin America, which is a completely different kettle of fish altogether. And I suppose it was those experiences that the perspective that gave me was that, that sounds very simple, really, root of entry, but there's... there's good and bad, know, you we do certain things in Ireland very well, and maybe other things not so well in Germany, they do, you know, they've made better cars and better roads. And we do and you know, Latin America, I think they dance better and drink better maybe than you know, but so yeah, what I learned is, you know, you know, you can pick is a bit like life can be a bit like a buffet, and you can pick what you like, and you know what you don't like leave behind, you know, so and the idea, I suppose the point I should make is that What I've learned is it's not expensive or difficult to be diversified. Like have your banking in different jurisdictions really doesn't cost anything. Having a second or third residency if you do the right homework on I'll go into more detail if you want. have residency still in Panama and I three passports. I'm working on the fourth and it has been a little bit of effort but not expensive or costly. And will I ever use it? I worried that the world's going to end? No. But it's just that peace of mind you have when you've got these other options that, God forbid if something did happen here in Ireland or Europe, I have a residency in Panama, I banking there. So it's just that, suppose it's like having a parachute or a safety net that's always there. (Seth Bradley) (07:00.13) Yeah, yeah, I agree. mean, that's, you know, especially the way that things are today and people kind of just worry about things generally, right? If you have that peace of mind and you have that, you know, second or third option, it's just something that can kind of let you sleep at night a little bit better. It's like having a nest egg or, you know, having a second, third, fourth, fifth stream of income. things like that that can let you sleep at night and while other people are panicking and worrying and making, you know, maybe even bad decisions based on that, you know, based on those worries, you can sleep soundly and make decisions that are best for you. Yeah, yeah, and you're not limited, know, if you're just, you know, like, I mean, it's funny though, as well, I think it's timely. I think the time has come. I you see people, you know, we were chatting earlier, you know, being involved in multiple different industries and, you know, with technology, we're allowed to do that. We can reside in one country, we can do our bank in another, we can do our tax responsibility somewhere else, we can do our business. So it's probably just in the last 20, 30 years that we can move so freely. with all this stuff, know, you know, only maybe 25, 30 years ago, I wanted to, I couldn't really do business in Germany, but live in Ireland, it'd have to be one or the other. There was no internet, you know, everything. So, so yeah, I think, I think we're heading in that direction anyway. And it's just, yeah, there's great freedom in it and great peace of mind, even though, you know, I mean, I'll be in Ireland for, you know, my two kids are, there's another six or eight years. before they finish school. So I plan to be here, but I just have other options as well, you know. (Seth Bradley) (08:41.42) Yeah, yeah, that's fantastic. And speaking of diversification, mean, your investments are very diverse, right? I mean, in the previous episode, we jumped into rare earth metals. And then in this episode, we're going to jump into something new. Before we jump into the new thing, though, give us a little update on what has changed in your business with the rare earth metals or if anything has changed or how those things are going. Yeah, well, thanks. Thanks for asking, Seth. Since we spoke, actually, the big news is just in the last 60 days, I think I mentioned to you that China pretty much sort of dominates the rare earth industry. it's, I think really, it's possible and we understand now that China sort of saw before the EU and maybe before the US or they understood at least that rare earths would become the backbone of manufacturing in the 21st century and they've been, you know, they've taken action on that. So we're in a situation now and it's not really an economic strategy. It's more of a geopolitical strategy that China has big plans for electric cars, big plans for solar, big plans for wind. you know, they, they've hundreds of million people, they're, taken out of the poverty, into the middle class all the time. So sort of thinking strategically and long term, they rightfully secured their supply of rare earths. And what happened just in the last 60 days is the US sort of initiated a sort of a block. Now it was also supported by Holland and Japan and they're blocking sort of the latest sort of semiconductor technology from going to China. And in retaliation for that, China You know, they have, you know, an ace up their sleeve, which is where it hurts. So the West has the technology and China has the raw materials. And just in the last 60 days, China has said they're going to, well, effective August 1, which is a month ago, they're restricting the export now of gallium and germanium, which is two of these technology metals, and that China, you know, is responsible for 95 % of the global production. so we're seeing the prices go up and this is sort of. (Louis O'Connor) (10:57.826) what I talked to you about that these metals are in demand on a good day, you know, you will make a nice return. But if something like this happens where China sort of weaponizes these metals economically, then you'll see prices increasing quite dramatically, which they are. Yeah, that's that's what's happening there. It's basically a market where there's surging demand and you have sort of political landscapes affecting as well. So It makes for interesting investment. Yeah, yeah. Are these rare earth metals, are they not something that we can mine or is it something we're not willing to mine, like let's say in the West? (Louis O'Connor) (11:44.142) Yeah, good question actually. that actually gets right to the heart of it, Seth, because despite the name rare earths, they're not all that rare. Some of them are as sort of common as copper and stuff, but there's about eight or ten of them that are rare and they are available in the US. But this is what's changed dramatically in the last 30 years is the rare earths don't occur naturally. So they always occur as a byproduct of another raw material. They're sort of, they're very chemically similar. they're, sort of all stuck together. So they have to be extracted and separated and then refined and processed into, you know, high purity levels for jet engines or smartphones or whatever the case might be. what's happened where China dominates is, is China is responsible for 95 % of the refining. Now there's about 200 or sorry, $390 billion available in subsidies in the U S. from the Inflation Reduction Act, which despite the name is all about energy transition. And that's all very well, except the human capital and the engineering expertise to refine rare earths is depleted in, it doesn't exist in Europe, and it's very much depleted in the US. Just to give you some context, there's 39 universities in China, where they graduate degrees in critical minerals. So the Chinese are graduating about 200 metallurgists a week, every week for the last 30 years. I think the US has a handful of universities. I'd say there's probably 300,000 metallurgists in China and there might be 400 in the US and probably none in Europe at all. So it's not just a question of if they're there, it's how do we get them into 99.99 % purity? Without the engineering expertise, we can't, not anytime soon anyway. Wow, yeah, yeah. mean, that just alone sounds like a recipe for a pretty good play for an investment. you know, there's these bottlenecks, right? Whether that's people that can refine it or the actual element itself or willingness to mine it, you know, all these different things come into play to make it a good investment. All right, let's switch over a little bit here. Let's talk about the new investment vehicle. (Seth Bradley) (14:06.99) that you talked to me about. It's an agricultural play, correct? we're talking about truffles, talking about mushrooms, right? Tell me a little bit about it just to get started here. Okay, well, you probably I mean, you know, truffles are in the culinary world, they're known as the black diamond of the kitchen, you know, they're, they're a delicacy going back to, you know, thousands and thousands of years. Traditionally, the black perigord, which is the Mediterranean truffle would have originated in France, but for the last sort of, you know, the last 100 years or so, they've been growing abundantly in sort of South, Southwestern France, Northern Spain and Italy. So traditionally, you know, that's where they grow and they sort of, know, because the truffle, as you said, it's a mushroom that has a symbiotic relationship with a a native tree, an oak tree or hazel tree or sometimes beech. So it's a very delicate balance, you know. And although I have invested in agriculture before, we started, we, I mean, a collective does not just me involved here, and I don't want to sound like I take credit for any of this really. I was just a part of a team where we had some agri-science people, and we had sort of four generational farmers involved. But we were looking at, it is no question that climate, there's a climate change, right? It doesn't matter to me whether people, whatever the causes of that are, the reality is if you talk to an olive grower or a truffle grower in Italy or France, they'll tell you the climate has changed because their harvests have been decreasing for about the last 30 to 40 years actually, but really more so in the last 10. So we were sort of, I'll tell you basically the AgriScience partner involved in this. (Louis O'Connor) (16:10.958) As a test back in 2005, they started to plant and the trees inoculated, the baby trees inoculated with the truffle sort of in the root system as a test all over different countries, not just Ireland, England, UK, also the US. So this has been in sort of research and development since about 2005. And we got seriously involved in about 2015 when history was made and this Mediterranean truffle was grown here in the British Isles for the first time. we then with our agriscience partner in 2015 planted a thousand trees in five different locations in Ireland where I am. and one of them is about 20 minutes away from me here. They're all secret locations. I won't even tell you where they are because they really are. They're highly valued or highly prized. And so it takes about four or five years to see if you're a business. So yeah, we now are growing the Mediterranean truffle, not just in Ireland, but in other parts of the UK. But the real interesting thing, Seth, it's just now ready for scale. And all of the farmers, who were involved in the original research. None of them are going to take it to scale. The one that's local to me is a lovely gentleman. in his 60s and he planted a thousand trees really just as a retirement. His daughter works in banking in Switzerland and so there's nobody really to take over the farm. So we're the first to do it with scale. So we're inviting in... a portion of some investors in as well. (Seth Bradley) (18:05.87) Gotcha. Are there specific, I assume there are, are specific growing conditions where these things can prosper? Like I can't, I'm in San Diego, I can't just plant them in my backyard and wait five years and be a millionaire. Well, if you you if I hear you're growing truffles death, you know, we should assign an NDA we should assign. You could try but no, they wouldn't grow in San Diego because I mean, there's a very delicate balance and you're what you're you're what you're using here is agri science and nature. You're working with nature. And because the reason they've grown so well in demand is No way. (Louis O'Connor) (18:48.738) just because of that balance up they get a sort of a dry season or sort of they got to get a lot of rain and then they get the dry season and what's happened is they're getting more drought and less rain and it's just upset the balance. So it's a very, very delicate balance. But what people wouldn't know, I think, is that truffles have always grown wild in Ireland. There was a time five or 600 years ago when Ireland was 85 % forest and our native tree is the oak and the hazel tree, is the tree that's also where the fungus grows. And what happened was when the Brits were before, you know, when shipbuilding was the thing and the British Navy were, you know, the Spanish were, so the Brits sort of chopped down a lot of the forest for the wood for shipbuilding. you know, our forests were depleted. But to this day, Truffles do still grow wild here, but we're doing it differently. know, we're only planting on land where you have like certain protein and pH levels and limestone. And then we're planting baby saplings that are already two years old that were inoculated with the truffle fungus like at birth, like in the root system. And we only plant them after we see that the root system and the fungi are already thriving. So if you get into the right soil and it's already thriving, then two, three, four years later, you'll get truffles. (Seth Bradley) (20:17.216) the interruption, but we don't do ads. Instead, know that if you're raising capital for real estate, my law firm, RaiseLaw, is here to give you the expert legal guidance you need to raise capital compliantly and structure and close your deal. And if you're looking for a done-for-you fund-to-fund solution, Tribest is the industry's only all-in-one setup and fund administration solution. Visit Raise.Law and Tribest.com to learn more. That's awesome. just, I think about like wine and like, you know, you can grow it, you know, vines in different places. Some places they grow, some places they don't, some places they grow and the result isn't good and some places they grow and the result is awesome. It's probably a very delicate balance between, you know, environment plus how they're raised, how they're taken care of and all those sorts of things. It is 100%. I mean, first and foremost, mean, because of angry science and technology today, you know, I mean, we can plant baby saplings that are already and not, I mean, we're playing God a little bit with nature, but you know, I mean, it's just amazing, you know, like you could do it. And then, you know, the biggest threat is actually mismanagement. You know, if you don't then manage it correctly. If you have a root system inoculated with the fungus and you have the right soil conditions, after that and it's management and it's sort of bio security meaning they have a very pungent smell. mean, squirrels and pigs and they love them. They love to eat. So you have to, mean, you're literally it's like protecting a bank, know, you have a bio security fence. You've you know, you limit visitations to the farm, you've, know, special footwear and cleaning and stuff. so yeah, it's serious stuff, you know. Yeah. Yeah. Wow. That's awesome. Well, let's dive in a little bit to the kind of the investment itself. Like what does that look like for an investor? Like what are your projected returns? You know, what, how does it all kind of, how does it all shape out? Like you've grown these wildly valuable truffles and now I guess the first step would be what's the business plan? Who are we selling these truffles to? What makes them so valuable? And then get into kind of the investor (Seth Bradley) (22:33.794) portion like how would someone get involved in whether projector returns. Okay, so we sell, first of all, the estate that the farm is, it's called Chan Valley Estate. People can Google it, it's beautiful. It's 200 acres of north-temporary farmland. The estate itself, it's a bit like a smaller version of Downton Abbey. It's a Georgian. a three story Georgian home, it's over 200 years old. It's also a museum and we have events there and it's also a working farm. And it's a herbal farm. So we grow plants and herbs there that we then we have our own, we work the value chain where we also sell those herbs for medicinal purpose and we convert them into medicinal oils and things like that. So the location is already up and running. And what we're doing with the truffles is for every acre, we can plant 800 trees. And so what we're doing is we're offering investors, well, a client, the minimum investment is $30,000 and the investor for that price gets 400 baby saplings already inoculated with the truffle fungus. And then they get the farm management included up to the first four to five years. takes about, there'll be truffles after, bearing in mind that the sapling, the baby tree is two years old. So after three years in the ground, it's already five years old and there'll be truffles then and the returns don't begin until then. But what's included in the price is all the farm management, know, all the, you know, the, (Louis O'Connor) (24:23.508) implementation of the farm, the irrigation, the electricity, the hardware that's needed. So all the management right up until there is production and then when they're producing, the investor gets 70 % of the growth and the farm management company, we get 30%. So it's a 70-30 split. Now the great thing about the oak and the hazel is they'll produce for 30 to 40 years. it's a long term, it's a legacy investment, you might call it, because you won't see returns until the fourth or fifth year. But once you do, you'll see returns then for another 30 to 35 years. And they're very, very good. mean, we have three numbers in the brochure. We looked at what's... price half the truffles never dropped below. So we have the very low estimate, which is they've never gone below this price. That brings in an IRR, which would be from day one of about 14%. And then the highest that they've sold for, you're looking at about 69%, but the average is about 38%. So the returns will be very, very good once production kicks in and then they'll maintain. We've included an inflation for 30 to 40 years. I hope, I think I answered everything there. Yeah, definitely. sorry. I gave you about six questions there to answer in a row. But yeah, I think you covered everything. And having an IRR, which is time-based on something that has this long of a horizon and even takes four or five years to even start producing, those are really, really strong numbers. (Louis O'Connor) (26:23.63) Yeah, well, again, even the, you know, one of the reasons obviously we like truffles because they're very, very expensive. mean, they're a luxury product. You know, we're about an hour from Shannon Airport here, which is the transatlantic hub between Europe and the U.S. So we can have truffles in U.S. or anywhere in Europe or even the Middle East or the Far East, for that matter, in less than 24 hours. that's important as well. But they're a luxury item. There's huge demand for them. mean, You know how the world is. mean, there are, unfortunately, you know, there's always sort of, people are getting richer and some people maybe are getting poorer. But the luxury, you know, high end market and the culinary, international culinary explosion means that, you know, there's huge demand for truffles. And also you have to factor in the fact that the harvests in the Mediterranean are less and less every year. And I mean, very, very sadly, I mean, it's an opportunity for us, but very sadly that they've done very specific scientific studies and it's going to over the next 50 years, the truffle harvests in the Med will go will decline between 73 and 100%. So literally, they will not be growing truffles there in 50 plus years from now. So that's an opportunity for us. you know, again, We've been working on this really since 2015. And it was only, you know, it was only 2019, 2020 when we began to get to truffles we knew because there was no guarantee, you know. But yeah, now that we're growing them, we just need to scale up. Gotcha. Gotcha. what's kind of the I see that you know, for that minimum investment, you get X number of baby saplings. How many was that again? 400. That's what I Okay, 400. What's kind of the survival rate, I guess, of those saplings? Do you have kind of a percentage on that? Is it like? (Louis O'Connor) (28:17.102) 400 (Louis O'Connor) (28:27.086) Yeah, well, we expect you got what's happening so far is within in about year three, which is actually year five, because the sapling, you should get three of the five trees producing. But once you have production, once that fungi is thriving, it will just continue to grow. So in year four, you should have four of them. In year five, you should have all of them producing. Now we also put a guarantee in the farm management contract that if any tree, you know, if it dies or if it's not, you know, producing truffles, we'll replace it free of charge at any time. in the event, you know, for some reason, I mean, we put a tree in that's inoculated and it doesn't take, then we just replace it. So either way, over the first four to five years, we get them all. And the great thing is if you protect that soil from pests and diseases and other sort of unwelcome sort of mycorrhizal or fungi, then it will thrive. It will thrive. It'll keep, you know, it'll spread, you know, it's a symbiotic relationship underground between the tree and the fungi. Got it. Yeah, that's awesome to know. like survival is not one of the things that we should consider because if for some reason it wouldn't survive or is not producing, then it just gets replaced. So you actually are getting those full 400 saplings turning into trees that will be producing. almost they mature and produce and you know as I said barring you know any pests or diseases or you know interference then they just continue you just protect them you just allow nature then to do its work. (Seth Bradley) (30:18.848) Yeah, yeah. So what are some of the risks then? What are the downsides that you can foresee if something were to go wrong? What would it be? Well, the greatest threat is mismanagement, literally. I obviously we're doing this with scale, so it's a professional endeavor, you know, people from time to time, know, I mean, some of the test sites here, mean, I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time, and they're not that hard to manage, but people just lose interest, or the younger kids don't want to farm. But the greatest threat is mismanagement. So as long as you put in these biosecurity measures, and manage, you know, there's got to be some clearing done, there's got to be some pruning done, there's got to be tree guards. So there is a process involved in bringing them to nurturing them along and then keeping everything, you know, neutral, if you will. that's first, weather is always, you know, factor in agriculture. We don't feel it's as much of a threat here, because although we're for the first time, growing the Mediterranean truffle. Truffles have grown, they grow here wild anyway. So the climate is right and has been right for thousands of years in Ireland. So, you know, and again, we'll have irrigation as well. You know, we get a lot of rain here. It's not likely we'll need any more rain, but yeah, we, you know, the agri-science will kick in there as well. And then, you know, as I said, like, you know, biosecurity we call it, which is, you know, very, very serious fencing, limited visits to the farm, know, special footwear if people are going up to the area and sort of rinse. We have a pool area where they have to disinfect before they go into, you know, it's a very, very, very protected area from pests and from diseases or anything, you know, that could be brought in from the outside on whether that's machinery or humans. (Louis O'Connor) (32:22.892) So yeah, it's almost like a laboratory. mean, you keep it very, very delicate balance and keep it very limited on who visits and, you know, people are a visit, but they have to be properly, you know, the feet have to be cleaned and footwear has to be worn and stuff like that. So, but, know, at the end of the day, Seth, it's, you know, well, any investment really, but agriculture, you know, the final say is in nature's hands, you know, not ours. mean, we... We like to think, suppose, we're in the results business, but the reality is we're not. in the planning business and all we can do is plan everything as well as we can. It's just like, you if you planted a rose, you know, bush out in your backyard there today, you wouldn't stand outside and will it to grow, right? You know, grow quicker. You know, we have to allow nature and the cosmos to do its work. so yeah, nature has the final say, you know. Yeah, yeah, no, totally, totally understand. And any investment has its risks, whether you're investing in truffles or real estate or any of the above. Quick question on this. Don't want to paint you like in a bad way at all, but we have had and it's not you, of course, of course, but we've had an influx of bad sponsors and people that are anything from mismanaging investor capital on one end, which can happen pretty easily. And there's not a whole lot of Not a lot of bad blood there. Things happen. And then on the other side of the spectrum, we've seen everything from fraud to Ponzi schemes and all kinds of stuff lately. One thing that I tell investors is to make sure you know who you're investing with and make sure your investing dollars are actually getting invested where they're supposed to. Could an investor invest with you and actually go to the farm? and see their saplings or see the farm and see this business. (Louis O'Connor) (34:24.654) 100 % in fact, we would rather people do I mean, I it's not always possible. Right. But Shan Valley Estate, I mean, I'll give you the website and stuff after Shan Valley Estate. It's a 200 acre farm. It's already a museum. have events there. It's a herb dispensary as I said, as I said, it's our our manage our farm management partner is the Duggan family, their fourth generation farmers and they're being in temporary, you know, longer than that even. absolutely, you you know, of course, there's legal contracts. mean, people get a legal contract for the purchase of the trees and then we have a legal contract for the farm management that we're responsible for implementing the project, we're responsible for bringing the hard, the trees to truffles to harvest. But we do, we just beginning, we just had our first tour, but it was sort of Europe from Germany. Last, sorry, the 18th, 19th of August. But we will be having tours every quarter. And if anybody wants to come at any time, we'd be delighted to have them because it's like I said, it's like a smaller version of Downton Abbey. And we've accommodated, we converted the stables into accommodation, you know, because we have weddings and events and stuff there as well. It's not just a field that we bought. Yeah. And so it's a big deal. I'll give you the website. The location is spectacular and clients can, you know, stay the night, you know, and there's a three story Georgian estate house and the bottom floor is a museum. So it's like walking into a pharmacy from 1840, all the bottles and the counter is 200 years old, you know, and then the middle level, we've an organic vegetarian restaurant, all the (Louis O'Connor) (36:17.24) food is grown on the farm. There's an old walled garden that they used to wall the gardens years ago to keep out the pests. And all the food that's served is grown on the farm. And then the top floor is accommodation as well and the stables have been converted. look, it's all about trust, Seth. And, you know, I would say to anybody, you've I mean myself, if I have any doubt about anything, don't do it. And it might not be that somebody's a scam or a fraud, it's just if you're not 100 % sure about it, don't touch it. But what I would recommend is people do their due diligence because we've done ours. We've eight years invested in it, put a lot of time and effort into it. And at the very least, we'd like people to check it out and see it all the way through. for what it is. yeah, we'll be, we're hoping to, we have a partner in Europe and we're to connect with somebody in North America. I don't want name anybody here because it might not come off, but there's a few sort of marketers and there's plenty obviously that we might sort of do a sort of an agreement with where they'll, you know, I mean, we could even have sort of investment real estate conferences on the farm. you know, and do farm tours as well. so definitely 100 % we'd love for people to visit and, and they get to drink some Guinness and they're really brave, they can swim in the Irish sea. Yeah, and I'm looking at the website right now. We'll drop that in the show notes, but it is absolutely gorgeous. I mean, it's making me want to get on a plane right now and check it out. It's incredible. (Louis O'Connor) (38:00.046) Yeah, that's the estate, shambali.ie. I mean, what I love about it's 100 % organic or members of the Irish Organic Association, track ref, fourth generation. You know, this is not me, I'm a part of this, but the farm management team are, you know, they're already like growing herbs and plants and converting them to medicinal, you know, oils and things. And this is just another, it's more of a farming enterprise, I suppose, than a farm. And then the other partner is the Agri Science Partner, which is this team of scientists who basically made history by growing for the very first time eight years ago, the black, the Mediterranean truffle in Ireland, you know, so there's a lot of professionalism and thought and effort being put into a chap. Love that. Love that man. Is there anything else about this type of investment that I didn't ask about that I should have? I think you know Seth, you should be on CNN or something because I you did. I'm pretty sure you did, you definitely covered it. I mean I may have left something out but I think it's a good foundation for somebody if they're interested, I'll give them my email and you know it's not that expensive to get to Europe and it's a great way to mix a holiday and you know come to the farm and stuff you know. Absolutely, absolutely. Well, since you're repeat guest of the guest of the show, we won't go into the freedom for but you have one last golden nugget for our listeners. (Louis O'Connor) (39:34.446) You know, I knew you were going to ask me that, Seth, you caught me off guard. So I have one ready and I stole this from someone else. So I'm not going to take it. But I was listening to a guy last week and he, sort of a big operation in Europe. And he was talking about a phrase they have in the office and it's 1%. And they always look at each other and when you pass them, they go 1%. And I love what it's about. It's about the idea that in a way it sort of comes back to what we talked about earlier, which is forget about. Yeah. (Louis O'Connor) (40:04.664) the fact don't think you're in the results business. You're in the planning business. And the 1 % is every day, try and improve every little action. I'm not just talking about work. I'm talking about family, your spiritual practice, if you have one, increase it by 1 % every day. And you know, it's like compound interest, isn't it? That in a way, then you don't have to worry about the big picture. And the results will just look after themselves then, you know. Yeah, yeah, I love that man. Always improve. mean, you you've got to take small steps to get to those big goals. And a lot of times you just need to ask yourself, did I improve 1 % today? If the answer is yes, then it was a successful day. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And it's great because, you know, if I was to try and think now, or you were to try and think now, everything you have to do in the next three weeks, right, you just be overwhelmed, right. And sometimes my head is like that, you know, I mean, I've got meditation practice and stuff, but I watch my thoughts and you know, I mean, it's it's a fact. I mean, it's a human condition. I don't know, some disestimates of how many thoughts do we have a day? How many are repetitive and how many are useless? A lot of them are repetitive, a lot of them are useless. So it's good just to narrow it right down to what's the next thing I can do right now and can I do it 1 % better than I did yesterday, you know? Absolutely. Love that man. All right, Lou, we're gonna let us find out more about you. (Louis O'Connor) (41:34.954) Okay, so they can email me. It's Truffle Farm Invest. Sorry, it's a new website www.trufflefarminvest.com or they can if somebody from your your audience wants to email me directly, it's louis at trufflefarminvest.com Alright, perfect man. We'll drop all that in the show notes. Thanks again for coming on the show. Always a pleasure, brother. Thank you very much, Seth. A pleasure. (Seth Bradley) (42:08.088) Thanks for tuning in to Raise the Bar Radio. If you enjoyed today's episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Keep pushing, keep building, and keep raising the bar. Until next time, enjoy the journey. Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley's Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en Louis O'Connor's Links: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054362234822 https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-o-connor-a583341b8/ https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/08/30/strategic-metals-founder-louis-oaconnor-breaks-down-china-u-s-rare-metal-wars.html
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) complicates things. Together with a related executive order, it dismantled key parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, while also injecting uncertainty into tax credit eligibility. The uncertainty in particular throws a wrench into project planning and leaves big questions about the impact across climate tech. So what do we know about the complexities of the new policy landscape? And what questions still need answers? In this episode, Shayle talks to his colleague Andy Lubershane, partner at Energy Impact Partners and the firm's head of research. They cover five topics: The foreign entity of concern provision and why Andy calls it the biggest unresolved issue Safe harbor and under construction guidance Tax credit disparities in coming years — tax credits for nuclear, geothermal, and CCS, not solar and wind — and how that might alter the generation landscape Hydrogen's extended tax credit timeline, and how much will get built EV tax credits and their impact on both personal and commercial vehicles Resources: Latitude Media: The GOP megabill will reshape the tax credit transferability market Latitude Media: Congress just reshaped the solar industry. Here's what comes next Latitude Media: How OBBB will impact the power grid Latitude Media: With help from Chris Wright, geothermal is spared in the budget bill The New York Times: Ford Says Battery Plant's Tax Break Survived Republican Attacks Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Daniel Woldorff. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor. Catalyst is brought to you by Anza, a solar and energy storage development and procurement platform helping clients make optimal decisions, saving significant time, money, and reducing risk. Subscribers instantly access pricing, product, and supplier data. Learn more at go.anzarenewables.com/latitude. Catalyst is supported by EnergyHub. EnergyHub helps utilities build next-generation virtual power plants that unlock reliable flexibility at every level of the grid. See how EnergyHub helps unlock the power of flexibility at scale, and deliver more value through cross-DER dispatch with their leading Edge DERMS platform by visiting energyhub.com. Catalyst is brought to you by Antenna Group, the public relations and strategic marketing agency of choice for climate and energy leaders. If you're a startup, investor, or global corporation that's looking to tell your climate story, demonstrate your impact, or accelerate your growth, Antenna Group's team of industry insiders is ready to help. Learn more at antennagroup.com.
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Pat Brown, an international tax partner and Co-Leader of PwC's Washington National Tax Services practice and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the US Treasury. In part three of Doug's three-part OBBBA discussion with Pat, they discuss the newly enacted OB3 reconciliation law, focusing on its permanent corporate and individual tax provisions, the recalibration of bonus depreciation, Section 174 expensing and Section 163(j); the Senate's redesign of GILTI, FDII and BEAT; Inflation Reduction Act rollbacks; Treasury's last-minute removal of Section 899; and the G7's surprise accord intended to exempt US-parented groups from Pillar Two's IIR and UTPR while elevating QDMTTs and compliance simplification. They map the procedural and legislative steps still needed, potential timing gaps, and why multinational groups must keep Pillar Two compliance front-of-mind.
The podcast show we are releasing today features Professor Jonathan Gould of University of California (Berkeley) Law School who discusses his recent article co-written with Professor Rory Van Loo of Boston University School of Law which was recently published in the University of Chicago Law Review titled “Legislating for the Future”. The introduction of the article describes “legislating for the future” as follows: Public policy must address threats that will manifest in the future. Legislation enacted today affects the severity of tomorrow's harms arising from biotechnology, climate change, and artificial intelligence. This Essay focuses on Congress's capacity to confront future threats. It uses a detailed case study of financial crises to show the limits and possibilities of legislation to prevent future catastrophes. By paying insufficient attention to Congress, the existing literature does not recognize the full nature and extent of the institutional challenges in regulating systemic risk. Fully recognizing those challenges reveals important design insights for future-risk legislation. During the podcast, we discuss the dynamics around enacting legislation through Congress that aims to increase the stability of the financial system and prevent financial crises. We discuss with Professor Gould about why passing this sort of legislation is so difficult and what Congress might be able to do about that. We consider the following questions: 1. What are the basic dynamics that make it so hard to pass financial stability legislation? 2. How does the structure of Congress affect the difficulty of passing financial stability legislation? 3. We have seen some big bills lately, like Biden's Inflation Reduction Act and the big taxing and spending bill from Trump this year. Why is financial regulation harder to enact than these other types of legislation? 4. Has it gotten easier or harder over time to enact financial regulation? 5. What happens after financial stability legislation is enacted? 6. What can Congress do to enhance its capacity in this area? 7. What types of legislative drafting techniques are likely to be especially promising? 8. What role is there for federal agencies to play in augmenting congressional capacity? 9. What role is there for states or private plaintiffs to play in augmenting congressional capacity? 10. What relevance does this all have beyond financial regulation? 11. In light of the fact that the article was published before the 2024 election and change in administration are any of Professor Gould's conclusions altered by more recent events? This podcast was hosted by Alan Kaplinsky, the founder and former chair for 25 years and now Senior Counsel of the Consumer Financial Services Group.
Join the Federalist Society for a webinar on the ongoing legal challenges to the Biden-era Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, a component of the Inflation Reduction Act. Ashley Parrish, Partner at King & Spalding, will provide an analysis of the multi-faceted litigation. He will explore how pharmaceutical companies are arguing that the program prevents accountability by granting the government "unlimited, unreviewable, unchecked rulemaking authority" over drug prices, and that it compels speech by forcing participation in agreements that imply voluntary negotiation. Mr. Parrish will also examine recent appellate court rulings and forecast the program's future, including its implications for the broader healthcare landscape. Featuring: Ashley C. Parrish, Partner, King & Spalding, LLP
In this episode, Duane Schulthess is joined by Sam Rasty, Chief Business Officer at Sensorium Therapeutics, Steve Potts, Chair of the Drug Development Council at the International Cancer Advocacy Network, and Joe Hammang, neuroscientist and US Business Director at Vital Transformation, to discuss how U.S. health policy is reshaping neuroscience innovation, investment priorities, and patient access. Key Topics:- Investment and R&D Strategy Shifts: Explore how the Inflation Reduction Act’s pricing controls and Medicare negotiations change venture capital allocation and steer neuroscience pipelines.- Patient Advocacy and Access Barriers: Guests discuss how formulary rules, generic-first requirements, and uneven advocacy across diseases affect drug adoption and innovation incentives.- Neuroscience Development Hurdles: The discussion highlights how social stigma around psychiatric conditions, fragmented orphan-disease incentives, and small-molecule exclusivity gaps slow CNS drug progress.- Legislative Fix Imperatives: Contributors outline proposed solutions such as the EPIC Act and expanded orphan-designation policies aimed at restoring balanced incentives for novel therapies.- Ecosystem Collaboration: The conversation covers the essential partnership between NIH funding, biotech startups, and pharmaceutical companies in advancing drugs from discovery to patients. This episode examines the policy, economic, and social factors influencing neuroscience drug discovery and the importance of communicating biotech’s value. It also highlights the need to improve the biotech narrative so that policymakers and the public understand its contributions. It is essential listening for industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and patient advocates seeking insight into innovation challenges and solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week Angela continues the discussion on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This episode focuses on student loans, charitable gifting, new tax legislation for individuals, and new tax legislation for businesses and farmers. The aim is to provide a broad overview to prompt listeners to inquire about potential impacts on their financial situations. Key Takeaways
With the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, also known as the Big Beautiful Bill, significant changes are coming to both solar panel and electric vehicle tax credits. I break down what these changes mean, how they can affect your savings, and what steps you might want to take before these credits disappear. From figuring out if solar panels make sense for your home to understanding how electric vehicle credits work (and when they're expiring), this episode is packed with actionable insights and tips, especially for those planning for retirement or looking to cut down on monthly expenses. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [01:31] Residential solar panels are popular for reducing electric bills, offering significant savings, especially for retirees. [05:23] Solar tax credits are expiring soon. [09:07] Solar investments offset electric costs and protect against future rate hikes, beneficial long term. [11:28] Costs and break-even of electric cars. [13:08] Act now if you want to take advantage of solar tax credits. The Solar Panel Tax Credit is a Fading Opportunity One of the biggest draws for homeowners considering solar panels has been the significant federal tax credit, currently set at 30% of the total installation cost. This credit has made solar an appealing investment for many, offering a direct dollar-for-dollar reduction in the taxes owed. In high-cost electricity states like Connecticut, this can mean hundreds of dollars in monthly savings on your utility bill. However, the Big Beautiful Bill brings an unfortunate change: the solar tax credit is set to disappear at the end of this year. That means if you've been thinking about going solar, now is the time to act. If you don't install solar panels before the deadline could add years to your payback period, undermining the investment's attractiveness and putting it out of reach for many. Energy Savings of Battery Storage and EVs While solar panels are great for energy savings, adding a battery storage system further enhances their benefits. A battery can store excess solar power for use during peak times or outages, which is particularly helpful for retirees planning to stay in their homes for decades and looking to insulate themselves from rising electricity rates. Electric vehicles (EVs) also offer savings for households with high transportation costs. The federal EV tax credit, worth up to $7,500 on new cars and up to $4,000 for used EVs, has also been a strong motivator for those considering a switch from gas-powered vehicles. The Big Beautiful Bill also changes the EV tax credit, which will disappear even sooner than the solar incentive. Although there are several important limitations: only vehicles assembled in North America qualify, and there's a cap on purchase price ($55,000 for sedans, $80,000 for SUVs). Income limitations apply as well; single filers must earn less than $150,000 ($300,000 for married couples) to claim the new vehicle credit. The used EV credit comes with lower income caps ($75,000 for singles, $150,000 for couples) and is worth up to $4,000. Should You Act Now? Before making any big investment, think about the following: Timing: Both solar and EV credits will soon vanish. If you want the tax break, don't wait. Financial Health: The best return comes from paying cash, not financing or tapping retirement accounts. Long-term Plans: Solar and EV investments make the most sense if you plan to stay in your home and keep your vehicle for years to come. Manufacturers may eventually lower prices as credits disappear, but there are no guarantees. With energy incentives set to change dramatically, the window to maximize savings is closing fast. For homeowners and future retirees, the time to act is now, whether that means installing solar, purchasing an EV, or both. Consult with a financial advisor to consider how these decisions fit into your overall retirement and financial readiness strategy. The Treasury Department's official list of eligible vehicles shows that the cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs listed below qualify for a full $7,500 tax credit if placed in service between January 1 and September 30 of 2025. In some cases, only certain trim levels or model years qualify. More vehicles may be added to or removed from this list as manufacturers continue to submit information on whether their vehicles are eligible. Acura ZDX EV (2024-2025 model years; MSRP $80,000 or below) Cadillac Lyriq (2024-2025 model years; MSRP $80,000 or below) Cadillac Optiq (2025 model year; MSRP $80,000 or below) Cadillac Vistiq (2026 model year; MSRP $80,000 or below) Chevrolet Blazer EV (2024-2026 model years; MSRP $80,000 or below) Chevrolet Equinox EV (2024-2026 model years; MSRP $80,000 or below) Chevrolet Silverado EV (2025-2026 model years; MSRP $80,000 or below) Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid PHEV (2024-2025 model years; MSRP $80,000 or below) Ford F-150 Lightning (2024-2025 model years for Flash trim, 2023-2025 model years for Lariat and XLT trims; MSRP $80,000 or below) Genesis Electrified GV70 (2026 model year; MSRP $80,000 or below) Honda Prologue (2024-2025 model years; MSRP $80,000 or below) Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2025 model year; MSRP $80,000 or below) Hyundai Ioniq 9 (2026 model year; MSRP $80,000 or below) Jeep Wagoneer S (2025 model year; MSRP $80,000 or below) Kia EV6 (2026 model year; MSRP $80,000 or below) Kia EV9 (2026 model year; MSRP $80,000 or below) Tesla Cybertruck (2025 model year for Dual Motor, Long Range, and Single Motor trims; MSRP $80,000 or below) Tesla Model 3 (2025 model year for Long Range AWD, Long Range RWD, and Performance trims; MSRP $55,000 or below) Tesla Model X (2025 model year for AWD trim; MSRP $80,000 or below) Tesla Model Y (2025-2026 model years for Long Range AWD and Long Range RWD trims; 2025 model year for Performance trims; MSRP $80,000 or below) Resources Mentioned Retirement Readiness Review Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel Download my entire book for FREE Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact Subscribe to Retire With Ryan
This week, we explore how the legislation’s attack on renewable energy may push up electricity bills and damage US competitiveness in AI. The tax credits in President Joe Biden’s sprawling Inflation Reduction Act were introduced to help the US keep up with rising electricity demand by making clean power sources cheaper. But now the big bill has changed all that, and an executive order issued days after its passage suggests his war on renewables isn’t over yet. Joining host Stephanie Flanders to discuss this dramatic turn of events are guests Ethan Zindler, head of country and policy research at BloombergNEF and previously climate counselor to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Bloomberg lobbying and influence reporter Emily Birnbaum. For more episodes of Trumponomics, subscribe on Apple or Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.volts.wtfIn this "What the F is Happening" episode, I'm joined by Jane Flegal and Jesse Jenkins to perform a wake for the Inflation Reduction Act after the passage of the GOP's "Big Beautiful Bill." We sift through the wreckage to see what was saved versus what was buried, analyze the political forces that determined the outcome, and debate the core theory of change behind the IRA — and what lessons advocates should and shouldn't learn as they chart a path forward.
President Trump's so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" which was passed last week will have major implications for most Americans. How much will this cost you? Well, there's the effect this will have on climate change – and the rising costs of electricity Some estimates suggest electricity bills in states like Texas could be $777 more a year by 2035. The Senate version of the legislation repeals the clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act for all solar and wind projects that don't start construction within a year after the bill's passage or that aren't completely operational by 2028. But these projects can often take longer than that. And they're a fast-growing segment of the country's energy grid. We discuss what the future of clean energy looks like in the U.S.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
This week, David Roberts is back on the show to discuss what has happened to the Inflation Reduction Act and what it means to clean energy and the climate movement to have such a major setback. We step back to think through the landscape of climate policy now and also reflect on pivotal moments in the recent history of legislative efforts that have shaped the current state of clean energy in the U.S. From his early days at Grist to his influential work at Vox, David offers a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of advocating for climate action. We also discuss the shifting political theories and strategies that have influenced policy decisions over the years and examine the complex interplay between politics and climate policy. David explores the role of public perception in shaping policy outcomes and why waking up to the new media enviornment is critical for the climate movement. He argues that changing the narrative around climate solutions can engage broader audiences and drive meaningful action. We also discuss the U.S. and China dynamic in the global energy transition and what he has made of covering Elon Musk over the years. David Roberts is a renowned journalist and the author of the "Volts" newsletter and podcast. With a career spanning over two decades, David has been a leading voice in climate and clean energy journalism, specifically offering some of the most in-depth analysis and commentary on energy policy. We are always incredibly lucky to have him on the show. You can become a subscriber to Volts here. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, The Climate Weekly, to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
Chris's SummaryI am joined by Jake and Paul to discuss OBBBA tax changes and retiree impacts from the Inflation Reduction Act. We cover changes to brackets, deductions, personal exemptions, and estate limits. Paul explains how new SALT caps, Social Security deductions, and ACA credit rollbacks affect planning opportunities for retirees, especially those near income phaseouts […] The post OBBBA Tax Changes Explained: EDU #2528 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
The solar industry faces its biggest challenge yet - will it survive the gutting of the Inflation Reduction Act?Tim Montague sits down with Marc Palmer, founder and CEO of Conductor Solar, to discuss the current state of solar financing and how the industry is changing in light of threats facing our industry.In this episode, you'll discover how the "Big Beautiful Bill" could shrink the solar market by 46% between now and 2030, and why industry leaders are shifting to survival mode. Marc shares exclusive insights from his conversations with top developers, IPPs, and financing providers at the Expo, revealing how they're adapting their strategies in these uncertain times.Key Topics Covered:The potential $2.4-5 trillion impact of budget reconciliation on national debtHow solar companies are focusing on quality over quantity to weather the stormMidwest Solar Expo takeaways and industry sentimentState incentives becoming critical as federal support wanesThe AI-driven energy demand boom creating a "Clash of Titans"Dean Solon's revolutionary Create solar technology with 3,000-volt modulesITC transfers and M&A opportunities in the middle marketWhy energy independence arguments may save solar despite political headwindsMarc provides a rare insider's perspective on how financing providers are adding conservatism to their pricing, why developers are rushing to safe harbor projects, and what the consolidation wave means for smaller players in the market.Whether you're a solar developer, installer, investor, or policy maker, this episode delivers the real-world intelligence you need to navigate these turbulent times. Don't miss Marc Palmer's predictions on why solar can emerge stronger after a likely contraction that is starting now.
The President of the United States signed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” into law on July 4th. The new legislation brings big changes to the future of U.S. clean energy development. It reduces many (though not all) of the Biden-era subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). This week on the podcast, our guest is Mike Carr, Executive Director at SEMA Coalition—an organization supporting the U.S.-based solar supply chain. Mike has extensive experience in U.S. federal energy policy, including past positions at the Department of Energy and the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy. Jackie and Peter asked Mike: How would you characterize the Bill's impact on U.S. clean energy, and what damage has it caused? At a high level, does this major policy shift lessen the appetite for investment, even in areas where subsidies remain, due to concerns about political uncertainty? For clean technology manufacturing, such as solar panels, do the newly introduced restrictions on Foreign Entities of Concern (like China) regarding content, intellectual property, and investment make it more challenging to qualify for the production tax credit (45X)? Renewable energy projects that commence construction within a year of the Bill's passage can still be eligible for subsidies for the following four years; does this create a construction boom, and what happens afterward? Given China's dominant position in manufacturing many types of clean energy technology, how should the U.S. compete? Is it better to leapfrog China with innovation, rather than simply following and producing the same technology?Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify
In her new book Apocalyptic Authoritarianism: Climate Crisis, Media, and Power, University of Toronto media scholar Hanna E. Morris argues that whether they realize it or not, some climate journalists, obsessed with preserving a self-determined “moderate center,” are deploying some of the same tropes and reinforcing some of the same narratives as the extreme right. Even as they see themselves defending democracy and confronting the climate crisis, these media elites might be contributing to a prize sought by both the MAGA right and the fossil fuel industry: Preventing the emergence of a hopeful, democratic, and class-defying movement against climate change. Earlier this month, Morris spoke with Drilled about the who gets to choose which climate solutions are “right” and which ones are “wrong,” what the media's divergent treatment of the Green New Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act reveals about its entrenched biases, and why a sense of fatalism and inevitability seems to pervade so much mainstream climate coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's Political Breakfast, Republicans are mostly a united front and in support of President Donald Trump's so-called 'big, beautiful' massive tax and spending bill. Georgia Democrats say there's nothing beautiful about it, claming the bill will strip away people's healthcare and increase poverty while creating tax breaks for the rich. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to the latest as lawmakers debate the bill in the U.S. House. Trump says he wants to sign the bill by the July 4th holiday. It's sweeping tax cuts are estimated to add trillions more to the national debt. It also boosts spending on border security and defense, makes massive cuts to programs like Medicaid and shifts more responsibility for food assistance to the states. It would also slash clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act, that helped propel solar and electric vehicle manufacturing in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of the Energy News Beat Daily Standup, Stuart Turley covers the fallout from Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, which exposes how the Inflation Reduction Act funneled money overseas, boosting European green energy stocks. He also highlights Iraq's energy crisis as Iran slashes gas exports, Syria's quiet oil restart amid global power plays, insights from the Dallas Fed Energy Survey showing steady oil price expectations, and the tariff war's surprising outcome—U.S. revenue surges, inflation cools, and China faces economic strain.Highlights of the Podcast 00:00 - Intro01:24 - Europe's Green Energy Stocks Spike on Weakened U.S. Big Beautiful Bill04:56 - Iraq Power Grid Suffers as Iran Cuts Gas by Half – U.S. company bidding on LNG import facility08:31 - What Is Going On with Syria's Oil Restart, and Who Is in the Background?10:44 - Dallas Fed Energy Survey14:39 - The Tariff War: U.S. Revenue Surges, Inflation Cools, and Consumers Dodge Predicted Pain16:56 - OutroPlease see the links below or articles that we discuss in the podcast.Europe's Green Energy Stocks Spike on Weakened U.S. Big Beautiful BillIraq Power Grid Suffers as Iran Cuts Gas by Half – U.S. company bidding on LNG import faciltyWhat Is Going On with Syria's Oil Restart, and Who Is in the Background?Dallas Fed Energy SurveyThe Tariff War: U.S. Revenue Surges, Inflation Cools, and Consumers Dodge Predicted PainFollow Stuart On LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Michael On LinkedIn and TwitterENB Top NewsEnergy DashboardENB PodcastENB SubstackENB Trading DeskOil & Gas InvestingNeed Power For Your Data Center, Hospital, or Business?– Get in Contact With The Show –
Kevin reviews and summarizes some of the recent economic news, trade deals coming together and how this will affect the trucking industry. More and more evidence is mounting regarding tariffs and inflation. The "Big Beautiful Bill" has passed; Kevin talks about some of the details, especially involving the so-called clean energy credits from Biden's Inflation Reduction Act and how effective they have been. The U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau released the construction spending, Wards Intelligence released May Class 8 retail sales, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the May Job Openings and Labor Turnover: Kevin has the details and offers his insights. Kevin talks about the economic, political, geopolitical, supply and demand events affecting oil and gas prices.
Kevin reviews and summarizes some of the recent economic news, trade deals coming together and how this will affect the trucking industry. More and more evidence is mounting regarding tariffs and inflation. The "Big Beautiful Bill" has passed; Kevin talks about some of the details, especially involving the so-called clean energy credits from Biden's Inflation Reduction Act and how effective they have been. The U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau released the construction spending, Wards Intelligence released May Class 8 retail sales, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the May Job Openings and Labor Turnover: Kevin has the details and offers his insights. Kevin talks about the economic, political, geopolitical, supply and demand events affecting oil and gas prices.
Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com
A massive solar panel recycling facility called Solarcycle is coming soon to Cedartown, a small community in Northwest Georgia near the Alabama border. Solarcycle got a $64 million tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act to build a second facility that will make solar panel glass, but according to the company, the groundbreaking is on hold as Congress considers gutting the clean energy tax credits in the new federal budget. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali look at what this could mean for Cedartown and Georgia’s flourishing industries making electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels. Plus, how the conflict between Israel and Iran is exposing divisions among Georgia Republicans and a look at the fall of the in-person campaign launch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A massive solar panel recycling facility called Solarcycle is coming soon to Cedartown, a small community in Northwest Georgia near the Alabama border. Solarcycle got a $64 million tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act to build a second facility that will make solar panel glass, but according to the company, the groundbreaking is on hold as Congress considers gutting the clean energy tax credits in the new federal budget. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali look at what this could mean for Cedartown and Georgia’s flourishing industries making electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels. Plus, how the conflict between Israel and Iran is exposing divisions among Georgia Republicans and a look at the fall of the in-person campaign launch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 - Congressman Scott Perry joins us. What did he think of the fireworks at the Pentagon press conference today? As former military, what does Scott think of the refuting reports that the Iranian nuclear capabilities weren't wiped out? How impressive that the US was able to fake out the rest of the world with the bombing of Iran? Is the “Inflation Reduction Act” a giant scam? How close are we to grid failure? 215 - Dom's Money Melody! 220 - One note from Dom on a local retirement and a story this retiree broke to the Philadelphia area. 225 - More reminiscing about Jeff Cole. 235 - Why is Mikie Sherrill seconding Zohran Mamdani's goals? 250 - The Lightning Round!
12 - Dom just had quite the Newsmax hit! Pete Hegseth calls out the media for their coverage of the Iran bombings and the downplaying of the good things our military has accomplished. 1210 - Side - all time curtain call/final performance 1220 - There's a new rap beef. 50 Cent vs… Zohran Mamdani? Why does the presumed next Mayor of New York take issue with Curtis? 1230 - Friend of the program and widow to a slain Philadelphia Police Officer Danny Faulkner, Maureen Faulkner, joins the program today. Has Maureen sat down with Marissa and the Fitzgeralds? How does Maureen feel about the twisting and turning of Mumia? Did Maureen have a meeting with Larry Krasner? Did he meet her in good faith? How long has it been since Danny's death? 1240 - The Bucks County Courier Times are really up on things… 1250 - This Mayoral candidate in NYC cannot be serious about defunding the police! Your calls. 1 - Attorney George Bocchetto joins us today. Why is the death penalty no longer available as a result in this trial? George takes us through the ins and outs of this case. Why is Larry Krasner ineffective as a District attorney, aside from his ideology? George expresses his wish that he could've taken Larry head to head in a District Attorney's race and thanks the listenership for heeding the warning about Krasner. 120 - Are liberals sick of transgender men playing in women's sports? Your calls. 130 - What is the new quirk with the SAT's? 135 - Congressman Jeff Van Drew joins the program today. How big was this victory in NYC for Zohrad Mamdani and what does it mean for New Jersey? Why do people flee hardships like communism, only to come here and try and implement those practices stateside? Why do Democrats call out Republicans for wanting to rehash mistakes of the past? What has Jeff been concerned about regarding Congress lately? 155 - Your calls. 2 - Congressman Scott Perry joins us. What did he think of the fireworks at the Pentagon press conference today? As former military, what does Scott think of the refuting reports that the Iranian nuclear capabilities weren't wiped out? How impressive that the US was able to fake out the rest of the world with the bombing of Iran? Is the “Inflation Reduction Act” a giant scam? How close are we to grid failure? 215 - Dom's Money Melody! 220 - One note from Dom on a local retirement and a story this retiree broke to the Philadelphia area. 225 - More reminiscing about Jeff Cole. 235 - Why is Mikie Sherrill seconding Zohran Mamdani's goals? 250 - The Lightning Round!
In “Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges”, Joe Lynch and Michael Needham, a Principal at Efficio, discuss how to build resilient supply chains using data-driven strategies and a hands-on consulting approach to achieve both cost savings and operational resilience in the complex pharma and healthcare sectors. About Michael Needham Michael Needham is a Principal Consultant at Efficio, the leading global consultancy, dedicated to helping clients achieve their supply chain and procurement goals. Michaël has 20+ years of experience working across the pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical device development, healthcare services and CPG sectors. His expertise lies in rapid value creation and turnaround for organizations in financial difficulty. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics, Masters in Purchasing & Supply Chain Management and a PhD based on the implementation of lean six sigma process improvement programs across geographic locations. About Efficio For over two decades, Efficio has been a leading independent consultancy, dedicated to helping clients achieve their supply chain and procurement goals. They combine the deep expertise of their consultants with a vast amount of data and insights gained from years of specialized work. Efficio stands out by not just advising, but by embedding with clients to truly understand their unique challenges and deliver tangible, sustained results. Their approach is powered by the Connected Platform and eFlow digital procurement platforms, which leverage global knowledge for smarter, data-driven decisions. Whether it's cost reduction, working capital management, or addressing supply chain complexities, Efficio's singular focus on procurement and supply chain, data-driven technology, and hands-on delivery set them apart. They offer flexible support models, from rapid assessments to long-term partnerships, ensuring measurable and lasting value Key Takeaways: Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges In “Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges”, Joe Lynch and Michael Needham, a Principal Consultant at Efficio, the leading global consultancy, dedicated to helping clients achieve their supply chain and procurement goals, the following topics were discussed: Optimizing Private Equity Portfolios: Efficio assists private equity clients by optimizing the supply chains of multiple acquired companies within a sector, helping them achieve greater efficiency and economies of scale through consolidation. Collaborative, On-the-Ground Support Works: Efficio's model of “embedding” with clients shows that deep, hands-on collaboration leads to more effective and lasting solutions. Specialization Delivers Results: Efficio's focus on procurement and supply chain proves that specialized expertise is critical for solving complex challenges in sectors like pharma and healthcare. Efficio's Role in Strategic Supply Chain Management: The interview underscored Efficio's expertise in navigating complex supply chain challenges, from geopolitical influences and market consolidation to sustainability initiatives, offering strategic guidance to their diverse client base. Supply Chain Resilience in Pharma & Healthcare: The Efficio consultant highlighted the varying supply chain dynamics for patented versus generic drugs. Generic medications, predominantly manufactured in China and India, face potential repositioning due to US tariffs, while patented drugs, made in Ireland, Switzerland, and the USA, have different supply chain considerations. Sustainability as a Key Driver: Sustainability remains a significant concern, particularly for large companies with extensive supply chains, suggesting an ongoing focus on environmentally conscious practices within the industry. Learn More About Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges Michael Needham | LinkedIn Efficio | LinkedIn Efficio Transforming global procurement: Innovating digital solutions and partnership Two transformations, one competitive edge: Procurement in Physician Practice Management Re-designing procurement: A global healthcare manufacturer's post-acquisition journey 170+ million vaccines administered: The UK Vaccine Taskforce's digital supply planning transformation Pharma and Healthcare: Avoid panic buying by approaching safety stocks wisely - | Efficio US How the Inflation Reduction Act is shaping pharma procurement strategies - | Efficio US The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube
This Day in Legal History: United States v. VirginiaOn this day in legal history, June 26, 1996, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in United States v. Virginia, striking down the Virginia Military Institute's (VMI) male-only admissions policy. The 7–1 ruling held that the exclusion of women violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Writing for the majority, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg emphasized that gender-based government action must demonstrate an “exceedingly persuasive justification” to be constitutional.VMI had long argued that its adversative, military-style education would be compromised by the inclusion of women. In response to the lawsuit, Virginia created a separate program for women at Mary Baldwin College, which the Court found to be inherently unequal. The Court concluded that Virginia failed to show that its gender-based admissions policy was substantially related to an important governmental objective.Justice Ginsburg's opinion stressed that generalizations about gender roles cannot justify the denial of opportunity. The ruling did not require VMI to change its core program but made clear that women must be given equal access to it. This decision marked a significant moment in the legal evolution of gender equality and helped to dismantle one of the most visible public institutions that had resisted coeducation.Justice Scalia dissented, arguing that the decision imposed a rigid standard of gender equality that went beyond the Constitution's text and history. Nevertheless, the ruling reflected the Court's growing skepticism of laws that enforce traditional gender roles. United States v. Virginia remains one of the most cited gender discrimination cases and is considered a hallmark of Ginsburg's judicial legacy.A federal judge has extended a block on the Trump administration's attempt to dismantle Job Corps, a longstanding job training program for low-income youth. U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter ruled that the Department of Labor's plan to abruptly end the program without congressional approval likely violates federal law. The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by the National Job Corps Association and several of its contractors.Job Corps, established in 1964, provides educational and vocational training for disadvantaged individuals aged 16 to 24. It currently serves about 25,000 participants at 120 centers nationwide, with an annual budget of $1.7 billion. The administration argued the program was inefficient, citing low graduation rates, poor job placement, and issues with violence and security at centers.However, plaintiffs maintain that only Congress can terminate a federally funded program and that the Labor Department failed to follow statutory procedures for closing individual centers. Judge Carter agreed, stating that once Congress mandates and funds a program, the executive branch cannot unilaterally terminate it.US judge extends block on Trump's bid to eliminate Job Corps program | ReutersA federal judge in San Francisco ruled in favor of Meta Platforms, dismissing a copyright lawsuit brought by authors who accused the company of using their books without permission to train its AI system, Llama. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria found the authors failed to show sufficient evidence that Meta's AI training harmed the market for their work—an essential element in proving copyright infringement under U.S. law.While Chhabria emphasized that unauthorized use of copyrighted works for AI training could be illegal in many scenarios, he clarified that his ruling was limited to the plaintiffs' failure to present the right arguments or evidence. This position diverges from another recent ruling in which Judge William Alsup found that Anthropic's AI use of copyrighted content qualified as fair use.The authors' legal team criticized the decision, calling Meta's actions a form of “historically unprecedented pirating,” while Meta praised the outcome and defended fair use as essential for developing transformative AI technologies.This case is part of a broader legal wave in which creators are challenging companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic over AI systems trained on copyrighted materials. At the heart of the dispute is whether using such content without payment or permission to create AI-generated works constitutes fair use or undermines creative incentives.Meta fends off authors' US copyright lawsuit over AI | ReutersAnd in a piece I wrote for Forbes yesterday, I note the IRS managed an objectively successful 2025 filing season—processing nearly 138 million returns, most of them electronically—but also that success masks deeper structural weaknesses. While headline numbers are strong, the IRS suspended over 13 million returns, largely due to fraud checks or errors, delaying refunds and spotlighting operational vulnerabilities. One of the most glaring issues is the average 20-month wait time for identity theft victims to resolve their cases, many of whom are low-income taxpayers urgently awaiting those refunds.Staffing levels are at crisis lows: the IRS workforce shrank by 26% in the first half of 2025, casting doubt on its ability to maintain performance as the temporary funding from the Inflation Reduction Act winds down. Looking ahead, the 2026 expiration of key provisions from the 2017 tax law will require major administrative overhauls—updates to forms, guidance, and withholding tables—that the current IRS may be too under-resourced to handle.The agency has promising plans, including digitization of paper returns and case system integration, but even the best-designed systems require trained staff to implement and maintain them. Moreover, modernization must be inclusive: 17% of Americans still lack internet access, and an effective IRS must serve them too. Ultimately, tax administration is not just a technical task—it's a distributive justice issue, and how we fund and staff it determines who bears the burden when the system falters.What The IRS' 2025 Filing Season Tells Us About The Future Of Taxes This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
In this episode, host Duane Schulthess sits down with Ipsita Smolinski, Founder and Managing Director of Capitol Street and faculty at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. They unpack the Inflation Reduction Act’s drug-pricing mechanisms, assess economic projections against emerging industry data, and discuss how changing R&D incentives, trade policy complexities, and regulatory uncertainty are reshaping the biopharmaceutical landscape. Key Topics: Data-Driven Strategy: A look at how economic modeling and real-world data underpin policy recommendations for biopharma legislation and health policy. IRA Drug-Pricing Mechanisms: Exploration of CPI-U–based inflationary rebates, the Part D overhaul with a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap, and the phased rollout of Medicare negotiations in 2026. Forecasts Versus Impact: Examination of the CBO’s initial estimate of two drugs every ten years compared to later indications of a far greater effect on individual companies. R&D Incentive Shifts: Analysis of the nine-year exclusivity for small molecules versus thirteen years for biologics and its influence on venture capital flows. Trade, Tariffs, and Regulation: Discussion of EPIC Act prospects, most favored nation pricing proposals, tariff implementation challenges, China’s expanding trial footprint, and the call for clearer FDA and NIH guidance. This episode illuminates how the IRA, economic forecasts, and global policy dynamics are influencing drug pricing, innovation incentives, and supply chains. It’s essential listening for policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and anyone invested in the future of healthcare economics and biopharma strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com
In Citizens Climate Radio's newest installment of our policy series, hosts Elissa Tennant and Dana Nuccitelli dive deep into the latest updates from Capitol Hill. With the Senate Finance Committee's budget proposal now public, they unpack what it means for the clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act. How do the House and Senate versions compare? What would repealing these tax credits cost American households and jobs? What role does energy security—and even AI—play in the clean energy conversation? Elissa and Dana bring clarity to a complex policy moment and offer listeners tangible next steps for action. You'll also hear about upcoming CCL leadership changes, summer conference plans, and two thoughtful listener voicemails—including one from someone who really wants to bring back Energy Star.
In Citizens Climate Radio's latest installment of our policy series, hosts Elissa Tennant and Dana Nuccitelli dive deep into the latest updates from Capitol Hill. With the Senate Finance Committee's budget proposal now public, they unpack what it means for the clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act. How do the House and Senate versions compare? What would repealing these tax credits cost American households and jobs? What role does energy security—and even AI—play in the clean energy conversation? Elissa and Dana bring clarity to a complex policy moment and offer listeners tangible next steps for action. You'll also hear about upcoming CCL leadership changes, summer conference plans, and two thoughtful listener voicemails—including one from someone who really wants to bring back Energy Star.
BloombergNEF’s Derrick Flakoll discusses the outlook for U.S. clean energy development under the House version of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” --- On May 22, the House of Representatives passed its version of what President Trump has dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping budget package addressing taxation, federal spending, and the debt ceiling. Now headed to the Senate, a revised version is expected to emerge by early July. The House bill proposes deep funding cuts to programs like Medicaid and extends the Trump-era tax cuts from 2017. For the clean energy sector, however, the most consequential provisions are those targeting the Inflation Reduction Act. As written, the legislation would significantly curtail tax credits for renewable energy projects and the domestic manufacturing base that supports them. Incentives for electric vehicles and EV charging infrastructure, as well as battery storage, hydrogen, and nuclear power would also be sharply reduced or eliminated altogether. Derrick Flakoll, U.S. Policy Expert at BloombergNEF, examines what this could mean for the future of clean energy in the United States. BloombergNEF recently released an analysis projecting the impacts of the House bill on clean energy growth and investment. Flakoll outlines the report’s findings, including the resilience of clean energy markets without IRA tax credits, which sectors face the greatest risks, and how the proposed “Foreign Entity of Concern” provisions could further complicate project development. He also considers how the Senate might alter the legislation and whether any of the IRA’s clean energy incentives are likely to remain intact. Derrick Flakoll is Policy Expert for the United States and Canada at BloombergNEF Related Content: Has Europe’s Emissions Trading Scheme Taken Away a Country’s Ability to Reduce Emissions? https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/has-europes-emissions-trading-scheme-taken-away-a-countrys-ability-to-reduce-emissions/ Can California’s Emissions Market Survive Past 2030 (Podcast) https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/commentary/podcast/can-californias-emissions-market-survive-past-2030/ Energy Policy Now is produced by The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. For all things energy policy, visit kleinmanenergy.upenn.eduSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This month, Dana Nuccitelli, CCL's Research Manager, breaks down why protecting the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy tax credits is a huge opportunity for America. Losing these tax credits would have a serious impact on America's climate progress. Keeping these credits in place means lower energy bills, more clean power, greater energy security, and hundreds of thousands of good jobs across the country. We're telling Congress: Keep these tax credits intact!
On June 4, at a Canary Media event in Washington, DC, I sat down with Senator Martin Heinrich to dissect the GOP's so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — a sledgehammer aimed at the Inflation Reduction Act, public-lands protections, and US science. We talk about the handful of Republican votes that could still save key tax credits, why bipartisan permitting reform isn't dead yet, and how the bill's self-inflicted grid squeeze would jack up energy prices right when AI is poised to spike demand. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe
Today on Inevitable, we're joined by three guests to focus on the clean energy tax provisions currently at risk in the Congressional budget reconciliation process—what's being called the One Big Beautiful Bill. This is our second episode on this topic this week. Our guests are Jeremy Harrell, CEO at the right-of-center clean energy policy firm ClearPath; Spencer Nelson, Director of Federal Affairs at Form Energy; and Vikrum Aiyer, Head of Global Public Policy and External Affairs at Heirloom.The goal of this conversation is to get to the root of the proposed changes in the legislation passed by the House and now under consideration in the Senate. We also explore which amendments are on the table and how those of us working in climate and energy innovation can help influence the outcome.In this episode, we cover: [01:06] Why this bill matters for climate tech[03:19] Jeremy's background in conservative energy policy[04:08] Spencer on Form's long-duration batteries[05:40] Vikrum explains Heirloom's DAC technology[08:44] What the reconciliation process actually means[13:42] Why the FEOC rule could block progress[17:41] Why startups need credit transferability[25:01] 60-day window threatens new projects[27:36] What's at stake for solar and storage[31:32] Energy cost risks if credits vanish[35:42] How founders and VCs can take action[41:56] Tips for contacting your senator directlyEpisode recorded on June 6, 2025 (Published on June 12, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant
Share your Field Stories!Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick! On today's episode, we talk with Chris Moyer, founder and president of Echo Communications Advisors about Climate Policy, Entrepreneurship, and Triathlons. Read his full bio below.Help us continue to create great content! If you'd like to sponsor a future episode hit the support podcast button or visit www.environmentalprofessionalsradio.com/sponsor-form Showtimes: 1:52 - Can getting fired be a good thing?11:07 - Interview with Chris Moyer begins 16:36 - Communications in the Climate Space29:10- Working with Clients 38:09 - Field Notes with Chris!Please be sure to ✔️subscribe, ⭐rate and ✍review. This podcast is produced by the National Association of Environmental Professions (NAEP). Check out all the NAEP has to offer at NAEP.org.Connect with Chris Moyer at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismoyerecho/Guest Bio:Chris has spent nearly two decades advising high-profile leaders and shaping federal and state policies through strategic communications.With deep experience across the electoral, legislative, and regulatory landscape, Chris has advised top-tier presidential, U.S. Senate, and gubernatorial campaigns advancing forward-thinking climate policies. He has worked with state attorneys general fighting harmful federal climate rollbacks and supported advocacy organizations accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels.Chris served as a communications advisor to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, helping to communicate about the implementation of more than $90 billion in renewable energy programs. He has also guided clients seeking inclusion of their priority policies in major federal climate legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act, and led strategic communications efforts that helped secure a highly competitive $5 billion EPA grant.Chris has worked for three U.S. Senators, most recently leading communications for Senator Cory Booker's presidential campaign in New Hampshire before launching Echo Communications Advisors, formerly Moyer Strategies, in 2020. Chris was named one of Washingtonian's 500 Most Influential People of 2025 for shaping climate and environment policy. His insights on climate and energy policy developments have been featured in Politico, Axios, Bloomberg, E&E News, Heatmap News, Reuters, Inside Climate News, and elsewhere.Music CreditsIntro: Givin Me Eyes by Grace MesaOutro: Never Ending Soul Groove by Mattijs MullerSupport the showThanks for listening! A new episode drops every Friday. Like, share, subscribe, and/or sponsor to help support the continuation of the show. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and all your favorite podcast players.
Congress is rushing to enact what could be the most significant energy policy reversal in decades. The US Senate has begun work on an enormous budget reconciliation bill that would extend President Trump's tax cuts while all but eliminating clean energy programs to help pay for them. The House version substantially repeals nearly all tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act—affecting everything from solar and wind development to hydrogen and carbon capture projects. According to the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School/Columbia Climate School, approximately $9.65 billion in unobligated IRA funds are at risk of rescission. Critics of the cuts say this could kill progress toward decarbonization, and pull the plug on US clean energy manufacturing. But supporters argue it's necessary fiscal discipline. So what's really happening in the Senate? Can moderate Republicans preserve some clean energy provisions? And with a Fourth of July deadline looming, what wildcard events could change the political calculus? This week, Bill Loveless speaks with energy analyst Kevin Book about the massive budget reconciliation bill currently moving through Congress and what it could mean for US energy policy. Kevin is managing director of research at ClearView Energy Partners. He has tracked congressional energy legislation and its real-world impacts for years. In addition to leading ClearView's research team, he is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Petroleum Council, an advisory body to the Secretary of Energy. He's also a non-resident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive producer.
Michael Thomas joins us to discuss the clean energy tax provisions and industrial stimulus in the Inflation Reduction Act, which have brought billions of dollars in private investment and added gigawatts of power. However, these provisions are at risk of being cut as the "One Big Beautiful Bill" makes its way through Congress.Michael is a repeat guest and a data expert who has been tracking over 10,000 clean energy projects through his business, Cleanview. Since his last appearance, he's been highlighting the potential impact of these provisions. We discuss the challenges they face and how their loss would affect U.S. manufacturing and energy. Contrary to the name of the show, the loss of these provisions is not inevitable—Michael and Cody explore the ways we can all get involved to prevent it.Episode recorded on June 6, 2025 (Published on June 9, 2025)In this episode, we cover: [2:45] Michael's work since his last appearance[8:34] Cleanview and its clients[10:47] IRA's impact on clean energy[13:59] Billion-dollar investments in red states[16:22] Cuts to clean energy in the Big Beautiful Bill[19:25] Economic impacts in Republican districts[23:11] Consequences of halting clean energy deployment[29:45] The transfer of wealth behind the bill[36:25] The Musk-Trump feud[38:20] Actions people can take[44:18] Timeframes for the bill to pass and go into effect Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant
This week on the Mark Levin Show, open borders, radicalized college campuses, and biased media drive cultural decay in the U.S. Unvetted immigration from conflict zones, homegrown terrorism fueled by media misrepresentation, and Marxist indoctrination in universities are key issues. A Marxist allegedly killed two people in D.C. weeks ago and now an Egyptian illegal immigrant allegedly tried to kill people protesting Hamas in Boulder, Colorado, with Molotov cocktails. Biden's policies worsened these problems, and outlets like CNN and the New York Times spread Hamas propaganda, such as false claims of Israeli attacks. The United States is among the most religiously tolerant nations, with the Constitution ensuring freedoms for all, regardless of beliefs. Faith acts as a moral foundation, moderating behavior and fostering societal civility, even influencing non-believers through surrounding values. Christianity does not seek political control, in contrast to political Islam, which aims for centralized authority over society and government. Without an enlightenment embracing individual liberty, Islam's dominant establishment often supports Islamism, which clashes with Western values. Importing such ideologies into the U.S. may lead to resistance against assimilation, as seen in parts of Europe and emerging in America. An Egyptian national, illegally in the U.S. after overstaying a tourist visa, allegedly attacked Jewish Americans, including a Holocaust survivor, in Boulder, Colorado. The Biden administration's lax vetting and work permit issuance enabled this incident. How many people do we have like this in America? Mark contrasts Alexander Hamilton's vision of a strong central government with Jefferson and Madison's preference for limited federal power and strong state authority. Hamilton's ideas, like a lifelong executive and senators, were rejected by most framers, who favored state-centric governance, as Madison emphasized in Federalist 45. Hamilton's support for implied powers (Federalist 33) appeals to modern advocates of activist government. Elon Musk's push for spending cuts right now is nonsensical. Tax cuts are urgently needed to boost the economy and help Republicans maintain control during the midterms. Yes, spending is out of control but addressing it all at once is challenging. The Convention of States movement is a vital, under-discussed solution to institutionally fix congressional dysfunction, with frustration over Musk and others' lack of support or mention of this critical initiative for long-term conservative fiscal reform. Democrats are misrepresenting the bill's effects, exaggerating economic harm, and overlooking their own $2 trillion Inflation Reduction Act. Also, a nuclear deal proposal offered to Iran was rejected by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The deal required Iran to stop uranium enrichment. Iran's firm rejection may lead to consequences from President Trump if their stance continues. A Chinese couple were charged with smuggling a biological pathogen into the U.S. Communist China is trying to poison us and kill our crops. This is what happens when you have open borders and democrats. Meanwhile, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill limiting Chinese land ownership near military bases. Some Democrats are special pleaders for the enemy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As the US races against China to develop the most advanced capabilities in AI, energy is critical. In this second episode from the ACORE finance forum, we speak to experts about how US energy policy, and in particular the reconciliation bill now being debated in Congress, might affect that race.Host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe talk first to Joseph Webster, a Senior Fellow at the think-tank the Atlantic Council. They discuss the need for increased power supplies for data centers, the US reliance on clean energy supply chains that originate in China, and the challenges facing attempts to reduce that dependence.Ed and Amy then talk to Seth Hanlon, a Senior Fellow at the New York University Tax Law Center, and to Lesley Hunter, the Senior VP for Policy and Engagement at ACORE. They dig into the politics around the reconciliation bill currently being worked on in the Senate. Seth previously worked at the US Treasury on the implementation of the energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, and shares his perspectives on the possible effects of the new legislation that could come out of Congress. Lesley provides her insight on the prospects for persuading senators to support a more favorable outcome for the clean energy industry.This is the second of three special episodes from the ACORE Finance Forum. We'll be back next week with further coverage of all the essential conversations at the event.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Story of the Week (DR):The Baby Billionaire Bromance is Over: Savannah Guthrie Says Elon Musk and Donald Trump Are 'Giving 7th Grade Girl' as President Says Tesla CEO 'Has Lost His Mind'"It's so confusing isn't it? So much going wrong, so much to say, and all of it happening so quickly. The pace of oppression outstrips our ability to understand it. And that is the real trick of the Imperial thought machine.”BlackRock removed from Texas boycott list after quitting climate groupsIn a notable reversal, Texas removed BlackRock from its investment blacklistThis decision followed BlackRock's withdrawal from several climate-focused initiatives, including the Net Zero Asset Managers alliance and Climate Action 100+Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar cited these actions, along with BlackRock's support for the new Texas Stock Exchange, as reasons for the delisting.“More than $4 billion in Texas funds are invested with BlackRock,” the rep said.The Larry Fink-led company had $11.55 trillion in assets under management at the end of the fourth quarter in 2024.0.0346% Is that possible?Larry Fink; $31M; $11M bonus: “These amounts represent the discretionary annual cash Bonuses … The amount of incentive compensation awarded … was based on subjective criteria”“Lead in a changing world: Completed the creation of a more modern and unified Corporate Affairs function and leveraged the function to refresh the firm's corporate narrative and strengthen its brand.”“Corporate sustainability: Achieved BlackRock's 100% renewable electricity match goal and enhanced the Company's approach to procuring market solutions.”32% said NO on Pay (BlackRock owns 6% of BlackRock)99% said NO to Bowyer Research's theatrical request for a report on “risks related to a perceived shift away from a traditional understanding of fiduciary responsibility to stakeholder capitalism, implied by its assent to the Business Roundtable's Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, as well as a high-profile embrace of ESG and DEI.”BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has some words of wisdom for leaders navigating the age of populism and social media: Watch what you say: "You have to be a lot more guarded. I can't say everything I really want to say to all of you right now. The reality is you have to be a lot more systematic in what you say and how you say it internally or externally. I mean, we live in a terrarium today. We live in a glass bottle."Big brands are pulling back on Pride merchandise and events this year MMCorporate America Pulls Back from PRIDE in 2025, No Rainbow Logos from Big Brands as June StartsUnitedHealth Group AGM:94% average director support93% Stephen HemsleyHemsley is stepping forward to acknowledge the fallout and chart a new course, promising a comprehensive review of some of the company's most controversial practices.The Wall Street Journal noted in its report on the company's annual shareholder meeting on Monday that Hemsley apologized for UnitedHealth's recent performance and cited a need to rethink many internal processes.99% for directors like Paul Garcia (2021/ former CEO of Global Payments) and Kristen Gil (2022/former VP, Business Finance Officer at Alphabet)92% for Michele Hooper (2007/Lead Independent Director/CEO of The Directors' Council, a private company she co-founded in 2003 that works with corporate boards to increase their independence, effectiveness and diversity)-12% gender influence gap/only 3 women/zero committee chairs)Lowest vote is John Noseworthy, M.D. (86%) former CEO of the Mayo Clinic40% NO on PaySHP excessive golden parachutes 13% YESThe board authorized the payment of a cash dividend of $2.21 per share, up from the prior dividend of $2.10, to be paid June 24 to common stock shareholders of record as of the close of business June 16Hemsley: as of the proxy date: $2.8M (as of 5/16: $3.8M)The previous dividend was $2.10 per share, paid on March 18, 2025The company also suspended its 2025 outlook.Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: The Trump EPA tried to bury some good newsA climate report acquired by a Freedom of Information Act request shows that U.S. climate pollution declined in 2023.The EPA report documents that in 2023, U.S. climate pollution fell by 2.3%. That's about 147 million metric tons, or MMT, of reduced carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gases.2023 was the first full year after President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, the Democrats' signature climate law that committed hundreds of billions of dollars to reducing climate pollution.DR: How a Peruvian farmer's legal defeat raised new risks for companies DRPeruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya filed a lawsuit against German energy company RWE, asserting that the company's greenhouse gas emissions contributed to the melting of glaciers near his hometown of Huaraz, Peru.This glacial melt increases the risk of flooding from Lake Palcacocha, threatening his community. Lliuya sought approximately $17,500 from RWE, representing 0.47% of the estimated $4 million needed for flood defenses, corresponding to RWE's estimated share of global emissions since the industrial era began. On May 28, 2025, the Higher Regional Court in Hamm, Germany, dismissed Lliuya's lawsuit. The court acknowledged the legal principle that major greenhouse gas emitters can be held liable for climate-related damages. However, it concluded that the specific threat to Lliuya's property was not sufficiently imminent to warrant compensation. While Lliuya did not secure the compensation sought, the court's recognition of potential corporate liability for climate damages sets a precedent. This acknowledgment may influence future climate litigation, encouraging individuals and communities to hold major emitters accountable for their contributions to climate change.MM: HahahahahahahahahaMusk says SpaceX will decommission Dragon spacecraft after Trump threatElon Musk Melts Down, Claims Trump Is In The "Epstein Files" and That's the Reason They Haven't Been ReleasedElon Musk Declares That He's "Immediately" Cutting Off NASA's Access to SpaceMusk Privately Complaining That His Immense Donations to Trump Didn't Even Buy Him Control of NASAElon Musk claims ‘without me, Trump would have lost the election'Assholiest of the Week (MM): Proxy advisorsZevra TherapeuticsISS added, “...the board's concerns about having a former CEO on the board and potential disruption are valid.”Out of 92,594 active directors in MSCI data from February, 3,123 are tagged as “former executives” at the company they're on the board of522 US companies are on the list - FIVE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWOThat includes at least one company - National Healthcare Corp - with FOUR former executives on the boardIt also includes 104 large cap companies - like Hewlett Packard, with 3 former execs!Glass Lewis highlighted, “Mr. Regan has limited, dated, and unrelated public board service,”Egan-Jones also questioned the relevant expertise of Mangless' nominees, stating, “…we do not believe Mr. Regan's background in proxy solicitation offers meaningful value in the context of Zevra's boardroom.”Unrelated public board experience?? So you definitely suggested voting against Dana White at Meta? Or Peltz at Disney and his deep media experience? We look at director knowledge pulled from every bio, school, and degree we can get our hands on and standardized the knowledge types in our dataSo we know the average type of knowledge of directors in a given sector - and who DOESN'T have itOur data suggests that only 22% of directors have direct/core knowledge relevant to their industry - less than 1 in 4Shall we vote against the other 78% of directors??Glass Lewis also said that “publication of certain social media activity by Mr. Regan appears to suggest something of a blithe approach to compliance...”Elon?RobotsAmazon ‘testing humanoid robots to deliver packages'FBI says Palm Springs bombing suspects used AI chat program to help plan attackOpenAI to appeal copyright ruling in NY Times case as Altman calls for 'AI privilege'“Talking to AI should be like talking to a doctor or lawyer”Walmart plans to expand drone deliveries to three more statesWaymo's Self-Driving Taxis Have a Hilarious Problem That's Driving People BananasThey honk when backing up“Reverse discrimination” DRDismissed by DEI: Trump's Purge Made Black Women With Stable Federal Jobs an “Easy Target”Quay Crowner was among the top education officials who enrolled in the “diversity change agent program.”Crowner was abruptly placed on leave under Trump's executive order to dismantle DEI programs across the federal government.Her current job as the director of outreach, impact and engagement at the Education Department was not connected to diversity initiatives.More troubling, she said, was that she was the only person on her team who had been let go, and her bosses refused to answer her questions about her dismissal.When she and colleagues from different departments began comparing notes, they found they had one thing in common. They had all attended the training encouraged under DeVos. They also noticed something else: Most of them were Black women.“We have observed approximately 90% of the workers targeted for terminations due to a perceived association with diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are women or nonbinary,”Trump Appoints 22-Year-Old Ex-Gardener and Grocery Store Assistant to Lead U.S. Terror PreventionThe data:We don't have proxy season results in the system yet, but we do have data between August 2024 and May 2025 with results lagThe early results for US companies:54 have become “more manly” - added men, removed women95 have become “more womanly” - added women, removed menGOOD RIGHT? Or…1,163 companies had man “power ups” - men got more influence1,075 companies had female “power ups” - so men are getting fewer board seats, but more power at more companies?SECRET: expand the board and add men! 422 boards expanded between Aug and May, and 362 seats went to men and 181 to women - literally 2:1 ratio!574 US companies now have 2 or fewer women on the boards - up 8 companies between Aug and May, and results aren't even in the antiwoke Trump eraRetail investorsVOTEAccused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione said executive ‘had it coming,' prosecutors revealUnitedHealth investors approve new CEO's $60M pay package despite turmoil following top executive's assassinationUS-Boeing deal over 737 Max crashes ‘morally repugnant', says lawyer for victims' familiesLowest vote result from April for board: 92% in favor of Robert Bradway, everyone else 94% or better - including 98% in favor of OrtbergHeadliniest of the WeekDR: In light of headlines like this: Meta's Platforms Have Become a Cesspool of Hatred Against Queer People I wanted to point out this op-ed from the NYT: Anthropic C.E.O.: Don't Let A.I. Companies off the Hook Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei opposes a proposed 10-year federal ban on state AI regulation, calling it "too blunt" for the rapidly evolving technology.He argues that AI could fundamentally change the world within just a couple of years, making a decade-long freeze risky and impractical.Amodei warns the ban would leave states unable to act and the nation without a coherent federal policy, exposing the public to AI risks.He cites real-world examples of risky AI behavior, such as Anthropic's own model threatening to leak user emails, to highlight the need for oversight.Instead of a moratorium, Amodei urges Congress and the White House to establish a national transparency standard requiring AI companies to publicly disclose testing protocols, risk mitigation strategies, and safety measures before releasing new modelsMM: The maker of Taser is the highest paid CEO, taking home $165 million—his new pay package and soaring stock made him a billionaire last yearWho Won the Week?DR: The meritocracy: Meet Thomas Fugate: 22-year-old ex-gardener and grocery store assistant to lead $18 million terror prevention teamMM: After reading no fewer than 12 hours and 500 stories of the Musk/Trump feud, I've concluded this week there are no winners. We're all losers.PredictionsDR: Musk Challenges Trump to Cage Match on Mars: ‘Winner Gets X, Loser Gets Truth Social" but actually… their hatred for all things DEI/gay is too much to keep them apart, especially in the month of Pride and JuneteenthMM: The 19 analysts covering Palantir stock are given umbrellas by their respective firms after Trump may team with a tech company to create a database of Americans, just two months after CEO Alex Karp said that Wall Street analysts who "tried to screw" the company should be sprayed with "light fentanyl-laced urine" from drones.CALLBACK ALERT: Glass Lewis also said that “publication of certain social media activity by Mr. Regan appears to suggest something of a blithe approach to compliance...”
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.politix.fmBrian's European Vacation continues as Matt is joined by special guest Jane Flegal of the Blue Horizon Foundation to break down the energy provisions of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. The energy cuts have attracted less attention than the health care provisions in part because they were made much more severe at the last minute. Jane breaks down how the Inflation Reduction Act changed America's approach to clean energy subsidies — making them more durable, more flexible, and more inclusive of the full range of technologies including nuclear, geothermal, and carbon capture — and how it connects to larger industrial policy questions related to supply chains and battery production. Repealing these measures will leave America worse off than it was pre-Biden in terms of clean energy production, which is going to lead to higher levels of air pollution and higher energy bills as Americans face a generational increase in electricity demand from AI and data centers. After the break, Matt and Jane analyze the broader philosophy of investment-led climate policy — what's the right lesson to learn from the failure of Obama-era carbon pricing and what can we do about the flood of extremely dirty Chinese steel on world markets?All that, plus the full Politix archive are available to paid subscribers—just upgrade your subscription and pipe full episodes directly to your favorite podcast app via your own private feed.Further reading:* How Republicans turned against energy programs in their Big Beautiful Bill.* The impact of repealing energy credits on electricity prices.* Dylan Matthews on the geopolitics and environmental economics of steel.
In today's polarized political landscape, energy policy has become increasingly partisan. States rich in both fossil fuels and renewable resources must confront growing electricity demand and aging infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pushing to defund critical energy projects under the Inflation Reduction Act while also opening new fossil energy development on public land. And congressional efforts at energy permitting reform have stalled despite broad agreement on the need to streamline approvals. So what will it take to move beyond four-year election cycles and develop an enduring energy strategy? How can lawmakers build coalitions in this divided environment? And can we craft energy policies that serve both economic and environmental goals? This week, Bill Loveless speaks with former Senator Joe Manchin about the state of US energy policy. Following his tenure as governor of West Virginia, Joe Manchin served as a US Senator from 2010 to 2024. As chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, he played a pivotal role in shaping major energy legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Today, he serves on the Bipartisan Policy Center's Energy Council and is writing a memoir, titled Dead Center, which is set to be released in September. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive producer.
Is Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) the next Democrat nominee for president? He and Glenn debate due process, border policy, deportation, and Trump. But they agree on the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, nuclear energy, cuts to the defense budget, and revitalizing American manufacturing. Rep. Khanna contends that the “administrative state has played a constructive role” and explains why he is proud of the “Inflation Reduction Act” before questioning the impact of Elon Musk's efforts with the DOGE and laying out his plan to tackle U.S. debt, including taxing the billionaires in his own district, which includes Silicon Valley. Glenn is “pushing for Congress to take their power back,” and Ro Khanna hopes artificial intelligence will help “reindustrialize the country” to “help us lead against China.” While not reaching a consensus on topics like universal basic income, shutting down USAID, or progressive economic reform, they both agree that “we need more conversations in this country.” GLENN'S SPONSORS Relief Factor Relief Factor can help you live pain-free! The three-week quick start is only $19.95. Visit https://www.relieffactor.com/ or call 800-4-RELIEF. American Financing American Financing can show you how to put your hard-earned equity to work and get you out of debt. Dial 800-906-2440, or visit https://www.americanfinancing.net. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Friday, May 23rd, 2025Today, House Republicans voted to pass the Billionaire Bailout Bill gutting Medicaid, Medicare, food assistance and climate tax credits to pay for tax cuts for the ultra wealthy; a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education; another federal judge blocked Trump from revoking international students' legal status; minutes before that - the Trump administration blocked Harvard from enrolling international students; the White House has purged transcripts of Trump's remarks from its website; two Israel embassy staffers were shot at close range after an event in DC outside the Capital Jewish Museum Wednesday night; the full DC Circuit panel has allowed Trump to defund the Voice of America; DHS staffers quit over Kristi Noem's four hour polygraph loyalty tests; surprise surprise Musk's SpaceX is the frontrunner to build Trump's Golden Dome missile shield; Greenland has signed a mineral deal with Europe; Tim Walz says it would be a mistake for Democrats to abandon trans people; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, PiqueLifeGet 20% off on the Radiant Skin Duo, plus a FREE starter kit at Piquelife.com/dailybeansAG is hosting - NO KINGS Waterfront Park, San Diego - Sat June 14 10am – 12pm PDTDonation link - secure.actblue.com/donate/fuelthemovementMSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueMega Happy Hour Zoom Call - you can interact with not just me and Harry Dunn, Andy McCabe, and Dana Goldberg. They'll all be there this Friday at 7 PM ET 4 PM PT. Plus, you'll get these episodes ad free and early, and get pre-sale tickets and VIP access to our live events. You can join at patreon.com/muellershewrote for as little as $3 a month.Guest: John FugelsangTell Me Everything — John FugelsangThe John Fugelsang PodcastSiriusXM ProgressJohn Fugelsang (@johnfugelsang.bsky.social) — BlueskyPre-order Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds by John FugelsangStories:May 22, 2025 - DC Jewish museum shooting, two Israeli embassy staffers killed, Elias Rodriguez is suspect | CNNRepublicans pass Trump bill while trying to hide Medicaid, SNAP cuts | MSNBCExclusive: Musk's SpaceX is frontrunner to build Trump's Golden Dome missile shield | ReutersStaffers quit over Kristi Noem's 4-hour 'fishing expedition' polygraphs: report | Raw StoryWhite House purges transcripts of Trump's remarks from its website | NBC NewsTrump Administration Says It Is Halting Harvard's Ability to Enroll International Students | The New York TimesFederal judge blocks immigration authorities from revoking international students' legal status | Los Angeles TimesJudge blocks Trump bid to dismantle Department of Education | POLITICOGreenland gives Danish-French group permit to mine rock with green potential, in wake of Trump interest | ReutersGood Trouble: Use the five calls app or just pick up the phone and call your senator. Remind them that Trump doesn't have to get re-elected, but they do. They need to keep their hands off our medicare, medicaid, and food assistance because we are NOT OK with them taking OUR money to give themselves tax breaks. Call them every day. Pick a time and take a minute to keep reminding them who they work for. Remind them that WE are the government, NOT them, and that they can be replaced if they abandon us.5calls.org Contacting U.S. SenatorsFind Upcoming Demonstrations And Actions:50501 MovementJune 14th Nationwide Demonstrations - NoKings.orgIndivisible.orgShare your Good News or Good Trouble:dailybeanspod.com/goodFrom The Good NewsCooperative Innovative High Schools | NC DPIStudents with Disabilities Under the IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA | Congress.govBookshareNew Jersey Legislative Roster of Members | NJ Legislaturegcpetpals.orgMountain Pet RescueSoul Dog RescueNYC SaltReminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Mega Happy Hour Zoom Call - you can interact with not just me and Harry Dunn, Andy McCabe, and Dana Goldberg. They'll all be there this Friday 5/23/2025 at 7 PM ET 4 PM PT. Plus, you'll get these episodes ad free and early, and get pre-sale tickets and VIP access to our live events. You can join at patreon.com/muellershewrote for as little as $3 a month. Federal workers - feel free to email me at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen.Share your Good News or Good Trouble:https://www.dailybeanspod.com/good/ Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Subscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.comFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill Substack|Muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewrote , Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote,Dana GoldbergTwitter|@DGComedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.com, BlueSky|@dgcomedyHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/Patreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts
Congressman Eric Burlison from Missouri discusses the current state of Congress amidst looming deadlines and unfulfilled promises. Burlison shares his insights on the ongoing budget negotiations, the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act, and the pressing military procurement crisis in America. Additional interviews with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Brent Sadler from the Heritage Foundation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.