Political Climate

• Unpacking the EPA’s aggressive moves on energy and climate

  As “Political Climate” marks the one-year anniversary of its re-launch, the deluge of energy sector news continues. In today’s episode, the hosts dig into a series of recent and contentious moves from the Environmental Protection Agency—from massive power plant deregulations and an intention to undo the 2009 endangerment finding, to the termination of $20 billion in climate grants. Which of these policies could have the most impact, and where can the hosts find some unexpected common ground? Also in this episode—21 House Republicans have issued a letter calling on leaders to preserve some clean energy tax credits in the upcoming Congressional reconciliation bill; they’ve suggested they might vote against the bill if the credits are repealed. But will they really die on that hill? And later, the hosts assess some of the issues that Trump’s tariffs could inflict on the energy sector. The show wraps up with some reflections on the past year. --- Credits: Hosted by Julia Pyper, Emily Domenech, and Brandon Hurlbut. Produced by Max Savage Levenson. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. The energy industry is transforming - are you staying ahead of the curve? As the premier bipartisan strategic advisory firm, Boundary Stone Partners bridges the gap between technology, policy, and finance to drive real-world impact, empowering clients to shape a more sustainable future. Visit BoundaryStone.com to learn more.

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• Live from Winterfest: Rich Powell and Travis Kavulla talk GOP energy priorities

  In this special episode of “Political Climate,” hosts Brandon Hurlbut and Emily Domenech travel to Big Sky, Montana, to record the podcast live at the Winterfest conference. Now in its twentieth year, Winterfest brings together leaders in clean energy and finance to help move the global energy transition forward. This year the conference focused on finding solutions in a singular and difficult political moment. To help make sense of the political headwinds rocking clean energy and decarbonization efforts, the hosts are joined by two conservative-minded insiders with decades of experience: Rich Powell, CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers’ Association, and Travis Kavulla, vice president of regulatory affairs at NRG.  In their wide-ranging conversation, the hosts and their guests explore the clean energy projects most likely to make gains during the Trump administration, discuss how skyrocketing energy demand impacts supply, and offer advice for industry leaders unsure of how to move their projects forward amidst compounding political challenges. --- Credits: Hosted by Emily Domenech and Brandon Hurlbut. Produced by Max Savage Levenson. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. The energy industry is transforming - are you staying ahead of the curve? As the premier bipartisan strategic advisory firm, Boundary Stone Partners bridges the gap between technology, policy, and finance to drive real-world impact, empowering clients to shape a more sustainable future. Visit BoundaryStone.com to learn more.

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• High turbulence: What Trump’s first moves mean for clean energy

  Since President Trump took office on January 20, he has quickly enacted an expansive list of policies with immediate and dramatic impacts on climate and energy.  If you feel like you’re struggling to process these rapid-fire actions, you’re not alone. Among other pursuits, the President has vowed to “terminate the Green New Deal” and paused funding for tons of clean energy projects—from offshore wind development to Solar for All and IRA grants. He has signed executive orders designed to maximize fossil fuel extraction and domestic mining, and overseen the launch of an enormous, power-hungry data center called Stargate, which could potentially employ solar as part of its fuel mix. Additionally, Trump instituted a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, and has threatened to implement additional tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods. (Okay, let’s take a breath.) In today’s episode, the hosts dig into some of these pressing issues, debate their impact on the clean energy sector, and find some common ground on the potential upside of trimming the federal government. This episode wraps up with the rapid-fire segment, the Mark-Up. --- Credits: Hosted by Julia Pyper, Emily Domenech, and Brandon Hurlbut. Produced by Max Savage Levenson. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. The energy industry is transforming - are you staying ahead of the curve? As the premier bipartisan strategic advisory firm, Boundary Stone Partners bridges the gap between technology, policy, and finance to drive real-world impact, empowering clients to shape a more sustainable future. Visit BoundaryStone.com to learn more.

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• Fire-killing robots and executive orders galore

  Amid the ongoing fires that have plagued California this month, the conversation around mitigation and prevention has accelerated. In today’s episode, the hosts are joined by Anukool Lakhina, the CEO and co-founder of BurnBot. The company produces tank-sized robots that take in biomass, incinerate it, and extinguish it as they move. Prescribed burns are a normal part of forest management, but they typically require specific weather conditions for safety purposes. But BurnBot can operate around the clock, no matter the weather. In the interview, Anukool explains how his robots work and their potential to diminish the strength of fires like those in LA. He also discusses the bills and policies that he believes can make the biggest impact on fire mitigation moving forward. Earlier in the show, the hosts unpack and debate some of the first moves from the new Trump administration on climate and energy, including the President’s “national energy emergency,” the unwinding of President Biden’s tailpipe emissions rules, and the impact of an EPA study on the social cost of carbon. --- Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. The energy industry is transforming - are you staying ahead of the curve? As the premier bipartisan strategic advisory firm, Boundary Stone Partners bridges the gap between technology, policy, and finance to drive real-world impact, empowering clients to shape a more sustainable future. Visit BoundaryStone.com to learn more.

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• Will Biden’s 11th-hour climate strategy have lasting impact?

  When President Biden departs the White House on January 20th, he will leave behind a nuanced and divisive legacy on climate and energy policy. On one hand, his Administration passed the momentous Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act, which have collectively stimulated massive investment and jobs creation. Yet IRA funds were slow to get out the door. Americans remained unaware of its impact and opportunities. Much of Biden’s work could be undone by President-elect Trump. To some of his supporters’ chagrin, Biden also oversaw record oil and gas extraction during his term. In today’s episode, the hosts discuss Biden’s successes and misses. In particular, they consider some of his Administration's final decisions: doling out huge LPO grants, instituting an offshore drilling ban and more.  Later in the show, the hosts dig into a swan song report from Biden’s Department of Energy; it cautions that a further expansion of liquified natural gas could hurt consumers and the environment alike. What will the Trump Administration make of its warning? The episode wraps up with our rapid-fire segment, the Mark-Up. --- Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com.

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