Climate Sees Some Legitimate Debate. Did Anyone Care?

This week on Political Climate, we debate the second round of Democratic debates. Plus, we discuss Ohio’s controversial new energy bill.

Julia Pyper August 08, 2019

Julia Pyper

Senior Editor
Greentech Media

Julia Pyper is a Senior Editor at Greentech Media covering the energy transition. She is also the host and producer of the Political Climate podcast. She previously reported for E&E Publishing, and has covered clean energy and climate change issues across the U.S. and abroad, including in India, Haiti, Israel and the Maldives. She holds degrees from McGill and Columbia Universities. Find her on Twitter @JMPyper.

There were several moments of legitimate engagement on climate change at last week’s Democratic presidential debates. But did any of it resonate with voters?

In this episode, we break down the key points candidates made on stage in Detroit — from promoting direct air capture to climate justice — with help from Jigar Shah, president and co-founder of Generate Capital and co-host of The Energy Gang podcast.

Plus, top Republican pollster Frank Luntz gives Senate Democrats a lesson on climate change communication. We discuss the GOP strategist’s about-face on climate change.

Finally, lawmakers in Ohio just passed an enormous subsidy package for coal and nuclear plants, while gutting the state’s renewable energy and efficiency standards. Utility FirstEnergy lobbied hard and helped elect allies to office to get $1.1 billion in ratepayer funds for its aging nukes. We round out the show with a look at Ohio’s controversial new law.