Reckoning With Utilities’ Dirty Past

<p><em>We’re doing a free live show from our homes! </em><a href="http://bit.ly/2xxeLFe" target="_blank"><em>Sign up here</em></a><em> to join us on Wednesday April 22nd. You can watch a behind-the-scenes recording with The Energy Gang and </em><a href="https://www.greentechmedia.com/podcast/the-interchange" target="_blank"><em>The Interchange</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>This week: The many ways that dirty energy has controlled the politics of clean energy.</p><p>Dr. Leah Stokes, an expert on interest groups and their influence over policy, joins the gang. Her new book, <em>Short Circuiting Policy</em>, is the focus of our episode.</p><p>Who are the truly bad actor utilities? How have they held back climate policy, and where would we be without their resistance?</p><p>Suddenly, utilities are embracing much more ambitious carbon-free energy targets. How optimistic should we be about their intentions?</p><p>We’ll talk about the history of clean energy politics detailed in Leah’s book, which she researched over a seven-year period.</p><p>Then: the election. With Bernie Sanders out, what will his climate voters do? How long will they hold out, what influence do they have, and how will they wield it?&nbsp;</p><p>Recommended reading:</p><ul><li><a href="https://global.oup.com/academic/product/short-circuiting-policy-9780190074265?cc=us&amp;lang=en" target="_blank">Leah Stokes</a>: Short Circuiting Policy</li><li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/01/02/elizabeth-warren-says-government-has-been-bought-paid-by-big-business-political-scientists-say-shes-got-point/" target="_blank">Washington Post</a>: Elizabeth Warren says ‘government has been bought and paid for’ by big business. Political scientists say she’s got a point.</li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/14/trump-epa-soot-pollution-clean-air-standards" target="_blank">Guardian</a>: Trump Administration Declines to Strengthen U.S. Clean Air Standards</li><li><a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-0