Podcasts about ry rivard

America's offshore wind industry is on the ropes after two major announcements in the last month: President Donald Trump's executive order to halt wind development and New Jersey saying it will not provide financial support for new offshore wind projects. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down how the industry is in tatters and what this means for the future of offshore wind in the United States. Plus, the Senate voted on Monday to confirm Chris Wright to lead the Energy Department.  Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Within hours of taking office, President Donald Trump announced an executive order targeting the wind industry, particularly offshore projects. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the impact of the move on the offshore wind industry and what's next in the Trump vs. wind power saga. Plus, a chemical risk management rule issued in the final weeks of the Biden administration is among those whose effective dates have been delayed by Trump's regulatory freeze. Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of unionized dockworkers began striking across the country earlier this week, and it's putting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in a difficult political position just weeks before the November elections. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down how the strike could scramble this election season and the US economy. Plus, the Treasury Department is planning to finalize rules for the production of clean hydrogen by the end of the year. Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. reaction to Iran firing almost 200 missiles at Israel, interview with Politico's Ry Rivard on East Coast dockworkers' strike (23), President Biden on Hurricane Helene recovery, interview with 24sight News' Tom LoBianco on tonight's Vice Presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) (38), former President Carter celebrates his 100th birthday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his administration are set to fight legal challenges against their landmark environmental justice law, which aims to protect millions of state residents in low-income areas and communities of color from heavy industrial pollution. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the legal dispute and how it could be a major setback for residents and the Murphy administration. Plus, Chevron, the second-largest oil company in the country, says it will move its corporate headquarters from California to Texas.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro:  https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has been found guilty on all counts in a federal corruption trial. The prominent Democrat was accused of abuse of power and enriching himself and associates. Just minutes after the verdict was delivered, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer again called for his fellow Democrat to step down immediately. William Brangham discussed more with Ry Rivard of Politico. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has been found guilty on all counts in a federal corruption trial. The prominent Democrat was accused of abuse of power and enriching himself and associates. Just minutes after the verdict was delivered, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer again called for his fellow Democrat to step down immediately. William Brangham discussed more with Ry Rivard of Politico. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The cancellation of three offshore wind farms in New York is threatening the state's clean energy goals along with President Joe Biden's national climate agenda. POLITICO's Marie French and Ry Rivard break down why the projects were canceled and how it's a big deal for the state and the country. Plus, the Biden administration announced new details about the American Climate Corps and the Environmental Protection Agency's Solar for All program.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro:  https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York.  Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO.  Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

After New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy gave their State of the State addresses last week, Marie French, reporter who covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York, and Ry Rivard, reporter who covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for Politico, break down how both governors plan to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis in their states.

The collapse of New Jersey's ambitious offshore wind plan has put increasing pressure on New York and other Northeastern states to help President Joe Biden meet his clean energy goals. POLITICO's Marie French and Ry Rivard break down the pressure on New York to rescue Biden's wind plans. Plus, Pacific Gas and Electric has officially requested federal permission to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in California open for 20 more years.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro:  https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast. Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Marie French, who covers energy and the environment for Politico New York, and Ry Rivard, who covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for Politico, talk about the challenges to New York and New Jersey's wind energy projects and where they go from here.

Orsted announced Tuesday it would cancel two of its largest offshore wind projects in New Jersey, a major setback for President Joe Biden and Democrats' clean energy ambitions. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down why Orsted pulled out, how it impacts the offshore wind industry, and the political fallout. Plus, the Treasury Department's Federal Insurance Office is moving ahead with a revised proposal to collect data from property insurers on climate risks.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast. Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Orsted, the company that's planning to build New Jersey's first offshore wind farm, made a deal with the state recently that shows it's still financially committed to building the project. But the agreement could also allow Orsted to avoid making a $100 million payment – a third of the money the company owes to the state. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the financial outlook of New Jersey's first offshore wind farm and the bumpy times for the offshore wind industry as a whole. Plus, the United States will not reimpose steel and aluminum tariffs on the European Union at the end of the year even if the sides cannot come to an agreement on a so-called green steel deal.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro:  https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast. Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Several Democratic governors are urging President Joe Biden to offer more subsidies through the Inflation Reduction Act to help vulnerable offshore wind projects across the Northeast – a sign that state leaders in the president's party are willing to publicly push their clean energy woes onto the White House. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the governors' request, why they are going public, and what the Biden administration can do about it. Plus, House Republicans are eyeing deeper spending cuts in their legislation to fund EPA, along with the Interior and Energy departments.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast. Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Several New York lawmakers are suing Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to stop the government from housing migrants in Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field. Meanwhile, the operator of a Bronx daycare center now faces federal drug charges in the death of a one-year-old boy exposed to fentanyl. Also with more than 100,000 migrants entering New York City's shelter system over the past year. WNYC's Ramsey Khalifeh takes a look at just how unusual the so-called migrant crisis really is. Finally, this week's United Auto Workers strike caps a summer of increased activism from organized labor. With unions representing workers for Metro North and NJ Transit threatening strikes, the potential for walkouts could disrupt travel for hundreds of thousands of daily commuters in New York and New Jersey. Politico New Jersey transportation reporter Ry Rivard explains the protest.

California's largest agricultural water district is making controversial plans to conserve water and invest in solar panels. It's a Biden-esque policy move prompted by the projected impacts of climate change and shifting political winds. But that strategy is prompting a power struggle within the district that could determine how water fights unfold across the state. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down how the district is going through a political transformation, its approach to climate change, and what it means for California at large. Plus, the Biden administration finalized tighter offshore drilling safety rules on Tuesday.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO.  Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

August 3, 2023 - Politico New Jersey reporter Ry Rivard explains why more than 20 attorneys general from around the country, including New York Attorney General Tish James, are urging a federal judge to reject a settlement deal with a company accused of polluting drinking water.

Energy companies have struggled to finance their offshore wind power projects, threatening a key part of President Joe Biden's clean energy transition. The Biden administration is hoping the offshore wind industry will produce at least enough power for 10 million American homes by 2030. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the industry's financial woes and why 2023 could be a decisive year. Plus, federal and state authorities reached a deal with the city of Jackson, Miss., to hand control of its troubled sewer system over to a third-party manager.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is hoping his state will be the nation's leading producer of offshore wind energy by 2040. But his ambitious plans are facing criticisms for two big reasons: questions remain about how the state's wind projects will be financed and the opposition stirred up by unfounded claims that those projects are linked to several whale deaths along the coast. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down if New Jersey's offshore wind plans are still on track and how they are important to the Biden administration's clean energy goals. Plus, hear some of the main takeaways from POLITICO's first-ever energy summit.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro:  https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Brook Hayes edited this POLITICO energy podcast. Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO's audio department.

April 20, 2023 - A 70-year-old, bi-state commission tasked with policing the waterfront shared by New Jersey and New York is going to be retired following a decision by he U.S. Supreme Court, Politico New Jersey reporter Ry Rivard explains why New Jersey wanted out of the arrangement and explains what oversight for the ports could look like moving forward.

On Monday, New Jersey regulators finalized a first-of-its-kind environmental justice rule that protects over 4 million state residents in low-income areas and communities of color from heavy industrial pollution. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the extensive public debate surrounding the new rule, along with the details and challenges ahead. Plus, as Senate committees tee up permitting hearings, Senator Joe Manchin plans to reintroduce his energy permitting reform bill that failed to pass late last year.   Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO's audio department.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, announced a suite of executive orders and regulatory actions last week that raised the bar much higher for the state's climate ambitions, including the most aggressive clean energy target of any large state and a ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the suite of New Jersey's climate ambitions – and whether they are feasible. Plus, EPA reinstated an Obama-era regulation that significantly curbed mercury emissions.   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO's audio department.

A string of whale deaths along the New York and New Jersey coasts are increasing tensions between environmental groups, energizing Republicans and threatening the development of the offshore wind industry. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the controversy. Plus, a new government watchdog report found that the Tennessee Valley Authority needs to step up its efforts to manage climate-related risks.   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO's audio department.

Nine east coast states on Monday released a plan to create a fund that would compensate fishing interests for losses related to offshore wind development. These fishing interests are worried that the wind farms will hurt their profitability and create more competition. But some states like New York and New Jersey — along with the Biden administration — are hoping to use the clean energy generated from these wind farms as part of their ambitious plans to combat climate change. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the plan and what's at stake if it falls apart. Plus, California is poised to cut incentives for rooftop solar today.   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO's audio department.

New Jersey environmental regulators released a flood rule last week that shows the state is trying to balance construction interests and environmental concerns. It aims to beef up building standards to protect communities and better prepare for extreme weather. But it also includes an exemption for the state's Department of Transportation, New Jersey's largest builder. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down how construction and green interests are colliding in New Jersey. Plus, U.S. clean power growth slides to lowest level in three years, according to new data from the American Clean Power Association.   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO's audio department.

Construction on New Jersey's first offshore wind project is set to begin next year, with developers looking to install nearly 100 wind turbines 15 miles off the coast of Ocean City. But the city doesn't like the plan, potentially derailing the ambitious climate and clean energy goals put forward by President Joe Biden and state Gov. Phil Murphy. POLITICO's Ry Rivard breaks down the fight for offshore wind along New Jersey and how it could impact other local communities and clean energy projects across the country.   Ry Rivard is an environmental reporter for POLITICO New Jersey. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO's audio department.

April 1, 2022 - Politico's Ry Rivard provides an update on New Jersey's effort to leave the bistate waterfront commission it's in with New York, which is being decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Dec. 2, 2021 - New York and New Jersey are at odds over the future of a bi-state commission tasked with monitoring the criminal element at the state's ports. Politico reporter Ry Rivard provides the backstory on the Waterfront Commission and how a nearly 70-year partnership could be coming to an end.

October 8, 2021 - New York City's campaign to implement congestion pricing may have overcome federal roadblocks, but Politico New Jersey's Ry Rivard says the newest obstacle is closer to home, with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy threatening to derail plans in the Big Apple.

Since the smog crisis in the 60s, California has led the way in fighting for cleaner air and pushing the auto industry for ambitious innovation. Now, they're using some of their special powers to switch the truck fleet in the state to electric. Today, POLITICO's Ry Rivard, on how New Jersey is the first state to join California's push, but on the plenty of obstacles it faces in doing so. Ry Rivard is POLITICO New Jersey's energy reporter. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Raghu Manavalan is an editor for POLITICO Audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

For years, the state of New Jersey and developers for the PennEast pipeline have engaged in a fight over the company's use of eminent domain to seize portions of the state's land. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court sided with the company in a case that challenged New Jersey's immunity to lawsuits. Today, POLITICO's Alex Guillen and Ry Rivard, on why the highest court's ruling still doesn't guarantee that the pipeline will be built. Alex Guillen is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Ry Rivard is POLITICO New Jersey's energy reporter. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Raghu Manavalan is an editor for POLITICO Audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

This week, we revel in some fresh Chargers drama, lay the groundwork for the city’s new energy agency and hear District Attorney Summer Stephan's news-making take on rape kits. That Public Utilities listserv mentioned by Ry Rivard can be found here: Talk to us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.   

We’re back rockin the stadium talk! Dike Anyiwo and Drew Steck join Nick and Travis to talk about the upcoming soccer projects 1904 and USL San Diego. Then they talk to Ry Rivard from Voice of San Diego about the impending Mission Valley stadium deal.

This week, host Sara Libby and Voice environment reporter Ry Rivard have taken the podcast helm.   The race for the 50th Congressional District is shaping up. The latest on the Pure Water case. And San Diego’s great housing debate inspired a high-profile op-ed.   See you at our next live show! Get your tickets now at voiceofsandiego.org/events. Talk to us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

This week on the podcast, Scott Lewis, Andrew Keatts and Sara Libby tackle a fire insurance conundrum, Rep. Duncan Hunter's text message history and a new hot button in the San Diego mayor's race. VOSD reporter Ry Rivard joins the show to talk about his story series on fire insurance at 23:50 See you at our next live show! You can get your tickets now at voiceofsandiego.org/events. Talk to us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

A little-known company is quietly buying up massive amounts of land in the Imperial Valley. VOSD’s Ry Rivard reported this week that Los Angeles-based Renewable Resources Group has already helped sell 33,000 acres to California’s most powerful water agency, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. But new documents he’s obtained raise fresh questions about those deals – and about what the company is seeking to do in Imperial. Hosts Scott Lewis, Sara Libby and Andrew Keatts sat down with Rivard to break down the company’s motives and explain why it matters. Also, we brought in Councilwoman Vivian Moreno, who has been heavily involved in housing and land use issues in San Diego. We asked Moreno for her thoughts on inclusionary housing fees and more. The interview with Moreno starts at minute 30. Subscribe to our daily newsletter at vosd.org/morningreport. Talk to us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. This podcast was sponsored in part by Mingei International Museum. A story featuring Mingei's latest exhibit is at the end of the show at 44:30.

Rep. Lorena Gonzalez announced she’s running for Secretary of State in 2022 (yes, 2022). So we had to talk about that, especially since we asked Gonzalez about it in a live podcast last year.    County Supervisor Dianne Jacob announced in her State of the County address that she wants the board to move forward on community choice energy for county residents as an alternative to SDG&E.   VOSD’s Ry Rivard joins the pod this week to talk about the city’s $3 billion Pure Water project, and what that could mean for your water bill. (That discussion starts at minute ___.)   The People’s Reporter is back — and we need your help to determine which question we’ll report on next. Take the quick poll (and submit your own question) at    To follow Ry Rivard’s environmental coverage, check out his . 

San Diego is close to entering the power business. Back in October, the city’s plans to form its own electric utility to provide green power. The city believes it can provide cleaner and cheaper electricity than the region’s long-time energy monopoly, San Diego Gas & Electric. If the City Council approves the mayor’s proposal, San Diego would become a  In other words, the city will have its own government-run power agency. And like most agencies, the city will have to figure out who will run it. That would include a board, likely made up of elected officials and then run by staff, who would lean on outside consultants. On this week’s podcast, hosts Sara Libby and Scott Lewis are joined by Voice of San Diego reporter Ry Rivard, who explains . Meanwhile, SDG&E, which would still provide the power lines to run the city’s electricity, is trying to . Also on the podcast, the crew discusses the push to make it easier to build housing, which includes for new housing near transit. Hero of the Week Departing County Supervisor Ron Roberts got our hero of the week. While he has left a lot of work for his predecessors to do to make a dent in the mental health and homeless crises, he does have one legacy we'll be able to see for a long time: the Waterfront Park downtown. As he ends his long career in public service, we decided to recognize that achievement. Goat of the Week The San Diego Police Department and officials at Montgomery High School get the goat this week after they  as cover so police officers could arrest four students who allegedly committed serious crimes off campus. Voice now has a podcast texting club for listeners. To join, text the word “podcast” to 619-202-9051. We’ll send you links to new episodes weekly and solicit questions and ideas for future podcasts.  

Just before we went to tape the latest episode of the San Diego Decides podcast, former Obama adviser David Axelrod had a fortuitous tweet: Polls are so numerous at this point that results vary greatly and everyone can find one they like. Yet all are covered as if they're right! — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) September 14, 2016 During election season, various polls get blasted in people’s faces like they’re being hurled from a T-shirt gun. Making sense of them all – especially when they sometimes seem to contradict one another – is tough. In this episode, Ry Rivard and I run down some of the many things to consider when reading a poll: Who was paying for it, who was surveyed and how (did the interviewers use cell phones? Did they have Spanish-speakers available?) and what questions were actually asked. We also talk about the rise of online polling – a method that was considered kind of a joke as recently as a few years ago but is growing more sophisticated at a rapid clip. And we talked with John Nienstedt of Competitive Edge, who’s been polling San Diegans for decades, about lessons he’s learned over the years. Nienstedt said that even subtle changes in the wording of a polling question can produce significant differences in results. He pointed out that in 2015, the Chargers paid for a survey that asked: “Do you favor or oppose the city and the county spending $400 million to build a new NFL football stadium in the Mission Valley area of San Diego?” About 61 percent of the respondents said they opposed that plan. “I pointed out when this was touted to me – the question itself, if you read it carefully, what is a respondent supposed to say? Because you’re putting the emphasis on the city and county spending $400 million – that’s what you’re responding to,” Nienstedt said. “You’re not responding to a package or a proposition or an initiative, you’re responding to whether they should spend that money. The default is gonna be no.”

The primary is right around the corner, so co-hosts Sara Libby and Ry Rivard tackle some of the biggest local races and issues that'll be on the ballot. VOSD staffers join the podcast this week to help break things down and give listeners useful information in advance of the June 7 vote. Andrew Keatts talks about a few of the San Diego City Council races and the five-way city attorney race. He also shares some important background and details about Rebuild San Diego, the measure put forward by San Diego City Councilman Mark Kersey that promises to finally deal with the city’s large infrastructure funding dilemma. "Somewhere along the line someone dropped the ball or somebody lost their nerve," Keatts said of the measure, which the city's independent budget analyst has said lacks a new source of revenue to actually make a dent in the city's crumbling infrastructure problem. "One thing or another happened, but the plan that was sketched out never happened and instead what we have is Proposition H." Also on the podcast, VOSD's Ashly McGlone shares some insight about the city's raging debate over vacation rentals and what the candidates for City Council District 1 are saying the city should do to regulate them, education reporter Mario Koran discusses the unusually exciting race for the San Diego County Board of Education, Scott Lewis explains the lackluster mayoral race and other staffers discuss more races and measures. Favorite Things • Ry Rivard's favorite thing this week is "All the Way," an HBO movie based on the life of President Lyndon B. Johnson and his work on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Rivard says the series takes a good look a a politician who decided to do something bold with his time in office. • Sara Libby's favorite thing this week is San Diego's growing love of cold brew coffee. She specifically names Barrio Logan cafe Por Vida's horchata cold brew and North Park's Holsem Coffee's  banana bread cold brew.

There's a lot to unpack when it comes to politicalactioncommittees, or PACs.Joe Yerardi, a reporter at inewsource, joins San DiegoDecidesthis week for a quick PAC history lesson, including arundownof the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling andothercases that have upended the world of campaign finance inthelast few years. He also reviews the basics when it comesto"dark money" and other termsswirling around themysterious world of campaignfinance."This stuff is a little hard to wrap your head around,"Yerardisaid. "But really it's extremely important to how this cityandthis country is governed."Hosts Sara Libby and Ry Rivard go from learning about PACstotalking to someone who runs one. Aimee Faucett, COO of theSanDiego Regional Chamber of Commerce, joins the show to discussthePACs she heads. The Chamber used to keep politics at arm'slengthbut has significantly ramped up its involvement in localraces.Faucett said the Chamber's goal when it comes togettinginvolved in politics and elections is to give the localbusinesscommunity a say in how the region is being run."In San Diego, we're tying to be the mostbusiness-friendlyregion in California and with that we need tostart helping andsupporting campaigns by getting businesscandidates elected so thatwe have a voice," she said.Faucett also talks about the candidates and issues backed bythechamber, including plans for a convadium, theinfrastructuremeasure called Rebuild San Diego and minimumwage.Also on this podcast, Libby and Rivard discuss the City Council District 1 candidates andtheirbootstraps, Bruce Lightner's weird website problems and more.Crazy Ballot InitiativesThere are a few wild ballot proposals that involvecampaignfinance. One would amend the state Constitutionto impose a 1,000 percent sales tax on allpoliticaladvertising in California. All media spending by allpoliticalparties, PACs or candidates would be subject to the tax,and themoney would go to public education. Anotherproposedmeasure is the brainchild of a local businessman. It's beendubbedthe "NASCAR measure'' and would require lawmakers towearthe names of their top 10 donors on their person – as in,theywould have to wear pins or stickerswithdonors' names. The mock-ups of what that would looklikeare hilarious.Favorite Things• Sara Libby's favorite thing this weekisa profile of author Angela Flournoy atBuzzFeed.Flournoy's book, "The Turner House," is Libby'sfavorite newbook.• Ry Rivard's favorite thing is TheAxe Files, a podcast by David Axelrod,President Obama'sformer campaign architect.

In the political arena, underdogs are candidates who don't get many endorsements, they raise little money compared to competitors and they don't have much name recognition. People think underdogs are long-shots who won't likely win, but sometimes they pull out a surprise. Lori Saldaña is a self-admitted political underdog who joins podcast co-hosts Ry Rivard and Sara Libby this week to talk about her underdog status in the mayoral race, and her surprise win in a past race for state Assembly. Saldaña was a major underdog when she ran for Assembly. She said she won, in part, because the Democrats she was up against were too busy slinging mud at each other. "People said it was a circular firing squad of Democrats in that primary and I ducked," she said. Also on the podcast this week, Kevin Melton, a Republican candidate for the 78th District Assembly seat. Melton is running against City Councilman Todd Gloria — someone who's well known, has racked up endorsements and raised far more money — but Melton said he doesn't consider himself an underdog at all. "I'm able to relate with all sides and all people," he said. "So those people who need to come over who are fiscally conservative, socially moderate – they will vote my way." Melton said on the podcast that he has a slate of high-profile endorsements but that they'll stay secret for the time being. He also said that though he hasn't reported much money on campaign fundraising disclosures, that will soon change. After the podcast taping, Melton emailed a new list of endorsements: "Supervisor Bill Horn, Assemblyman Brian Jones, Councilman Scott Sherman, Coronado Councilman Richard Baily, the entire Republican Party Central Committee 78th Assembly District, Republican Federation of Women Coronado, Point Loma, La Jolla, Del Mar, Solano Beach." But he also said he has the endorsements of four "major people in the city" that he still can't share. VOSD's Lisa Halverstadt also makes an appearance on the podcast this week to shed some light on the race to fill Gloria's District 3 City Council seat. Candidates Chris Ward and Anthony Bernal are similar in a lot of ways. They've both said no to public funding for a new stadium for the Chargers and yes to a dedicated funding stream to fix the estimated $300 million of infrastructure needs in Balboa Park. The two have also invoked Gloria's image in their campaigns, even though neither candidate has gotten his official endorsement yet. Crazy Ballot Initiatives The Secret Ballot Voting in State Legislature Initiative is also a bit of an underdog to make the November ballot. The proposed measure wants legislators to be required to vote by secret ballot, thereby eliminating voting records and any method of understanding how our elected officials are doing their job. Favorite Things • Rivard's favorite thing is the California Public Records Act. During the Saldaña interview, the candidate brought up her complaint that someone with political motivations has requested her personnel records. Rivard said he likes the fact that anyone can file a public records request, and it shouldn't matter what the motivations are behind each filing, because the public deserves access to public files. The public, after all, is paying for them. • Libby's a USC alum, so her fave thing this week is the school's recent hire of Lynn Swann, a former professional football player, as athletic director.

You might've heard that California's presidential primary, for once, could actually matter this time around. But that doesn't necessarily mean you can just stroll into a poll this June and weigh in. The latest San Diego Decides is all about voting — what needs to happen before you can vote in the primary, how voting is changing and some of the controversies surrounding how votes are counted. Hosts Sara Libby and Ry Rivard speak with Rep. Susan Davis, who has for years been pushing a bill that would allow any eligible voter to vote by mail. Californians can vote by mail easily, but folks in many other states have to jump through onerous hurdles like producing a doctor's note or proving they'll be on vacation on Election Day. “If you actually get sick on Election Day, you probably didn’t know you were going to get sick, which means you probably didn’t go to the doctor in order to get a permission slip so that you can vote by mail,” Davis said. Also on the show: Vince Hall, executive director of the Future of California Elections, a group charged with modernizing the voting process in California. Hall talks about some of the latest reforms to the voting process and why you still won't be able to vote online anytime soon. "With paper ballots, you always have accountability, you have an audit system that allows you to essentially recreate the election, precinct by precinct, based on demonstrable physical evidence of what happened," Hall said. "But when you’re talking about digits in a computer, you don’t have that permanent record, that permanent accountability, with the way the internet currently functions.” Hall closes with some sobering statistics about California voter participation: “In 2014, the voter participation rate in California was so bad, that the average voter was older than the average Californian’s parents. So it was really a grandparent electorate. And in our state, in that year, an 18 or 19 year-old was more likely to get arrested than to vote in a state-wide election.” Crazy Ballot Initiatives The latest proposal to go under the microscope is a measure that would eliminate charter schools — all of them. Sara talks with a supporter of the measure about why she believes the plan is viable. Favorite Things • Ry shares some lore from his home state of West Virgina, which has a history of alleged voter fraud. • Sara's vibing The Return of the '90s: TLC, O.J., the Clintons and "Full House" are all back.   Show Notes

San Diego Decides is Voice of San Diego’s elections podcast. Hosts Sara Libby and Ry Rivard break down individual races and ballot measures San Diegans will weigh in on this year, as well bigger issues like the mechanics of voting, state-level drama and more. ♦♦♦ In this week's episode, hosts Sara Libby and Ry Rivard talked about three big races this week: the race for mayor, the race for city attorney and the race for the District 9 City Council seat. Sara and Andrew Keatts interviewed mayoral candidate Ed Harris, and share some excerpts of that conversation. Harris addresses why he decided to get in the race, and what separates him from Mayor Kevin Faulconer even though they seemingly have a lot in common. Next up: the race for city attorney saw some verbal sparring between Rafael Castellanos and Gil Cabrera, as Voice of San Diego’s Andrew Keats wrote about recently. Both candidates have been preparing to run for several years, so they both have a lot invested in winning. A third candidate, Mara Elliott, has not received as much attention or money, but she may have a built-in advantage with her title, “chief deputy city attorney.” The race for City Council's District 9 is also starting to heat up, with three main candidates contending for the position: Ricardo Flores, chief of staff for outgoing Councilwoman Marti Emerald, Georgette Gomez, associate director at the Environmental Health Coalition, and Sarah Saez, program director for the United Taxi Workers. KPBS reporter Megan Burks, who's covered City Heights and surrounding communities for years, stopped by to talk about the unusual dynamics at work in D9. Two neighborhoods separated essentially by just a roadway are actually a world apart: Kensington has a 60-70 percent voter turnout and its median income is about $90K a year. By contrast, City Heights’ voter turnout can be as low as 14 percent, its median income is $21K a year. Crazy Ballot Initiatives Sara plans to highlight a few of the strangest measures vying to make the November ballot in each episode. First up: A measure that would require candidates and lawmakers to take regular lie detector tests, and another that would restrict any speech that has to do with Holocaust denial. Our Favorite Things This Week Sara: Acting as VOSD's pop culture ambassador, Sara selected Rihanna's new album, Anti. Ry: Bruce Lightner, who's running to replace his wife, Sherri Lightner, as the City Council rep for District 1, compared their combined power to one of the great American political dynasties. Asked if he'll get a name-recognition boost, he told the Union-Tribune:  “It won’t be the first time. Look at the Kennedy dynasty.” Megan: A city in New York has created a Hamsterdam to address the heroin epidemic: a part of town where you can use safely and freely. Former KPBS reporter Tarryn Mento pointed out that this is basically "The Wire" come to life.   Show Notes Page