Best Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Podcasts (2024)

1
From the Archive: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on the Rising Prospects for a U.S. Carbon Border Fee 32:46

7h ago32:46

32:46

For the month of August, we’re highlighting episodes from the 2023-2024 season of Energy Policy Now. We’ll be back with new content, and a new season, on September the 10th. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse discusses the prospects for bipartisan U.S. carbon border fee legislation, and the need to protect the Biden administration’s clean energy and climat…

1
From the Archive: Michael Mann on the Lessons of Climate Past 26:44

1h ago26:44

26:44

For the month of August, we’re highlighting episodes from the 2023-2024 season of Energy Policy Now. We’ll be back with new content, and a new season, on September the 10th. Climatologist Michael Mann discusses his new book on Earth’s climate past, with insights into our climate future. --- (This episode was recorded on September 14, 2023) Renowned…

1
Navigating the Geopolitical Risks of Solar Geoengineering 43:03

21d ago43:03

43:03

Two experts discuss the geopolitical risks of solar geoengineering and the need for global governance frameworks to prevent conflict. --- Solar geoengineering, the deliberate modification of Earth’s atmosphere to curb global warming, still seems like science fiction. However, research is progressing rapidly, and geoengineering’s potential implement…

1
The Crisis of Confidence in Voluntary Carbon Offsets 52:43

29d ago52:43

52:43

Kleinman Center senior fellow Danny Cullenward examines the integrity, effectiveness, and climate impact of voluntary carbon markets. --- Last year, an investigation by the Guardian and Corporate Accountability found that most of the world’s largest carbon dioxide offset projects failed to deliver promised climate benefits. The report is among seve…

1
Why New Tech is Key for EPA Methane Rule Compliance 44:44

2M ago44:44

44:44

The EPA's methane rules for the oil and gas industry will depend on new technologies to monitor and verify climate impacts. --- In December the Environmental Protection Agency introduced regulations to limit the amount of methane that escapes into the atmosphere from the oil and gas industry. In theory, the path to reducing emissions should be rela…

1
Can the Global LNG Market Support U.S. Export Ambitions? 43:23

2M ago43:23

43:23

Natural gas market expert Anne-Sophie Corbeau explores the global outlook for LNG demand, and the potential for this demand to support the rapid expansion of U.S. LNG export capacity. --- The United States emerged as the leading global exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2023, surpassing long-standing leaders Qatar and Australia. Looking ahe…

1
Power Struggle: The Electric Grid’s Natural Gas Challenge 48:21

3M ago48:21

48:21

As the nation’s reliance on natural gas as a fuel for electricity generation has grown, so have reliability challenges. --- Over 40% of U.S. electricity is generated by gas-fired powerplants yet, double the role the fuel played two decades ago. Yet the past few years have exposed risks arising from our growing reliance on gas-fired generation. Majo…

1
Will Latest Solar Trade Dispute Impact U.S. Solar Growth? 23:51

3M ago23:51

23:51

Canary Media senior editor Eric Wesoff explains the latest in a history of solar PV trade disputes involving the U.S. and China, and what it could mean for the growth of solar power and domestic solar manufacturing. --- In April, a coalition of U.S. photovoltaics manufacturers petitioned the Department of Commerce to impose anti-dumping tariffs on …

1
California’s Solar Equity Challenge 36:06

4M ago36:06

36:06

Kleinman Center visiting scholar Severin Borenstein discusses California’s struggle to balance residential solar growth with electricity rate equity. --- California’s residential solar market is at a critical inflection point after years of strong growth. Last year the state, which has more rooftop solar than any other, lowered the net metering rat…

1
Can Competitive Electricity Markets Deliver Reliable Power? 38:42

4M ago38:42

38:42

An expert in electricity markets explains why market price signals alone will struggle to incentivize adequate investment in the flexible electricity resources needed for future grid reliability. -- In the 1990s the process of deregulation – or restructuring – of the U.S. electricity system began, leading to the introduction of competition to an in…

1
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on the Rising Prospects for a U.S. Carbon Border Fee 31:56

5M ago31:56

31:56

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse discusses the prospects for bipartisan U.S. carbon border fee legislation, and the need to protect the Biden administration’s clean energy and climate achievements. --- (This episode was recorded on March 15, 2024, during Penn Energy Week) Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has a reputation as an advocate for strong climate polic…

1
Will Hydrogen Energy be Clean Energy? 38:10

5M ago38:10

38:10

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is finalizing rules that will determine which new clean hydrogen projects will receive the IRA’s generous 45V tax incentives, and whether those projects will deliver promised climate benefits. --- The Inflation Reduction Act provides a range of incentives for the development of clean energy resources in the Unite…

1
Europe Confronts the Reality of Energy System Sabotage 41:14

6M ago41:14

41:14

Physical attacks on critical European energy infrastructure have risen since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, threatening energy security and the pace of the low-carbon transition. --- Sabotage of critical energy infrastructure has been on the rise, most prominently in Europe, where multiple attacks have targeted subsea electric transmission cab…

1
An Odd Way to Do History 25:13

6M ago25:13

25:13

Welcome to the new ‘wild, wild west’ of Supreme Court false fact-finding! (WANTED: A Supreme Court that doesn’t abuse the fact-finding process to reach the results it wants.) In this episode of Making the Case, Senator Whitehouse is joined by Professor Allison Orr Larsen, an expert on judicial fact-finding at the William and Mary Law School. Some o…

1
Accelerating the Energy Transition with Repurposed Energy 40:52

6M ago40:52

40:52

Local opposition to clean energy projects slows the transition to a low carbon energy system. A legal expert explores how a national policy of “repurposed energy” could speed things up. --- Clean energy infrastructure projects often face opposition from communities where they would be built, a fact that stands in the way of efforts to rapidly lower…

1
Special Episode: Corporate Disclosure Law 9:07

7M ago9:07

9:07

Each fall, the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy hosts a student blog competition, where students from any field of study can showcase their creativity, innovation, and passion for energy policy and sustainability. This year, we welcomed audio submissions, and we’re featuring our first-place audio blog here. This year’s winner is Benjamin Chen, a j…

1
The CO2 Transportation Challenge 40:25

7M ago40:25

40:25

A national network of CO2 and biomass transportation infrastructure, spanning pipelines to rail routes, will be needed to support the permanent removal of atmospheric CO2. Can the network be economically built? --- In December the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory published Roads to Removal: Options for Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United Sta…

1
AI’s Big Future in Energy and Climate Regulation 33:41

7M ago33:41

33:41

Cary Coglianese, director of the Penn Program on Regulation, explores AI’s potential to help regulators keep pace with energy sector growth and climate-tech innovation. --- The ongoing transition to a cleaner energy system has positive implications for climate, energy security and equity. Yet the same transition poses myriad challenges for regulato…

1
FERC Transmission Reform: A New Year's Resolution? 32:00

8M ago32:00

32:00

Ari Peskoe, director of Harvard Law School’s Electricity Law Initiative, discusses FERC’s pending reforms to the electric transmission development process in the U.S., and legal challenges they'll likely face. Description Nearly two years ago, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proposed a set of regulatory reforms to speed a much-needed …

1
No Enforcement, No Problem? 21:59

9M ago21:59

21:59

The Supreme Court justices seem to think so. The Court recently adopted a so-called “code of conduct,” but with no enforcement mechanism in place, it stands no chance of cleaning up bad behavior. Lisa Graves of True North Research joins Senator Whitehouse on this episode to unpack the new code and its shortfalls. Also on this episode, Senator White…

1
Why the IRA’s Carbon Capture Tax Credit Could Increase Greenhouse Emissions 41:56

9M ago41:56

41:56

New research raises doubt around the climate benefits of the 45Q tax credit for carbon capture and storage for fossil fuel powerplants. --- The Inflation Reduction Act earmarks billions of dollars of incentives for carbon capture and storage from coal and gas-fired powerplants. Ideally, the incentive will provide a path for fossil generators to red…

1
Aligning Clean Energy Policy with Grid Reliability 37:24

9M ago37:24

37:24

Recent electric grid emergencies highlight the need for better communication, and coordination, between energy policymakers and grid operators. --- In early November the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, convened its annual technical conference on the reliability of the electric grid. In most years the conference attracts little attent…

1
Taking on Corporate Power 27:04

10M ago27:04

27:04

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a great example of government that works. So it’s no wonder corporate powers are rooting for its downfall. In this episode of Making the Case, Senator Elizabeth Warren joins Senator Whitehouse and Representative Johnson to discuss her role in creating the CFPB and the threat it now faces at the Supreme Co…

1
What’s a “Fair Share” Of Emissions Reductions Under the Paris Climate Process? 36:56

10M ago36:56

36:56

Brazilian economist and IPCC lead author Roberto Schaeffer examines what constitutes a “fair share” of emissions reductions under the Paris climate process, and how fairness is defined. -- This December, at COP 28 in Dubai, countries will consider the results of the first “global stocktake,” which is a global report card that compares real climate …

1
Captured Cases 26:40

10M ago26:40

26:40

Step 1: Select the right justices for your cause. Step 2: Select the right cases for those justices. This podcast has unpacked the right-wing scheme to capture and control our nation’s highest court, but the justices sitting on the bench aren’t the only ones who have been carefully selected — the cases have been too. In this episode of Making the C…

1
The U.S.'s Critical Mineral Supply Challenge 36:42

10M ago36:42

36:42

A metals industry executive explores the race to develop alternative supplies of critical minerals essential to the energy transition. --- For over a century the global energy system has been dominated by fossil fuels, and governments and industry have gone to great lengths to secure reliable supplies of oil, natural gas, and coal. All along, scarc…

1
How Uruguay Went (Almost Completely) Fossil Fuel Free 37:57

11M ago37:57

37:57

Ramón Méndez Galain, this year’s recipient of the Carnot Prize, reflects on leading Uruguay to a 98% renewable electricity mix, and what the rest of the world might take from his country’s experience. --- In 2008 Ramón Méndez Galain, a particle physicist with no experience in government, was appointed Director of Energy for Uruguay and proceeded to…

1
SCOTUS Hostility Toward Voting Rights 24:08

11M ago24:08

24:08

The Roberts Court is an unelected body, but its recent decisions have led to more restrictions on Americans’ right to vote. In this episode of Making the Case, Senator Whitehouse is joined again by Rep. Hank Johnson, and former Attorney General Eric Holder. They walk through the Court’s decision in Shelby County vs. Holder (yes, the same Holder on …

1
Michael Mann on the Lessons of Climate Change Past 26:08

11M ago26:08

26:08

Climatologist Michael Mann discusses his new book on Earth’s climate past, with insights into our climate future. --- Renowned Penn climatologist Michael Mann’s latest book, “Our Fragile Moment,” explores the history of climate change and the lessons it can provide into the trajectory of climate change today. The book is Mann’s response to the phen…

1
Why Oil Companies Support Renewable Energy 32:58

12M ago32:58

32:58

A Penn economist explores the relationship between regional energy policy and oil company support for renewable power. --- In recent years there has been a divergence in the trajectories of the world’s major oil companies. The shift has been most noticeable in the case of the European oil majors, including companies such as BP and Shell, which duri…

1
Mom Against the Machine 23:00

1y ago23:00

23:00

Her vibrant son was driven to suicide by a relentless barrage of social media bullying. Carson Bride was like millions of American kids in the age of social apps: vulnerable to the algorithms that drive profitable engagement regardless of the psychological devastation they may cause. In our final episode of the season, Fernando speaks with Carson’s…

1
¡Two Amigos! 26:22

1y ago26:22

26:22

The United States’ success as a country, the consolidation of democracy, its ability to conquer a continent and then project massive power across the world, is due in part to its relationship with Latin America. As the polymath author of the seminal book Guns, Germs and Steel Jared Diamond explained, geography is destiny. And the United States’ sou…

1
America’s Electric Power Transmission Crisis 39:59

1y ago39:59

39:59

Long-distance electric transmission lines are a critical to the energy transition, yet construction of new lines has come to a near standstill in the U.S. Rob Gramlich of Grid Strategies discusses recent market and regulatory action to resurrect transmission development. --- Electric transmission line mileage will need to triple by the middle of th…

1
What’s Wrong with Congress? 28:26

1y ago28:26

28:26

Why do most Americans strongly disapprove of Congress? It’s complicated. Addiction to power, fame, and money has always been part of Congress’ ick factor and the brutal politics of our era create all sorts of perverse incentives for members to cosplay TV stars. But is there something deeper going on? Is Congress broken forever? Fernando hunts for a…

1
Clean Up on Aisle SC 27:23

1y ago27:23

27:23

Most people agree that the highest court in the land shouldn’t have the lowest ethical standards. But you may be wondering: if the Court refuses to police itself, can Congress step in? Yes — and they’ve done it before. In this episode of Making the Case, Senator Whitehouse is joined by Rep. Hank Johnson, Fix the Court Executive Director Gabe Roth, …

1
Special Interests; Special Decisions 30:26

1y ago30:26

30:26

The Captured Court has delivered big for special interests at the expense of the American people. From campaign finance to gun safety to environmental protection, the Supreme Court is increasingly out of step with the American people on the key issues of our day. In this episode of Making the Case, Senator Whitehouse is joined by End Citizens Unite…

1
Jonathan Greenblatt: White Nationalist Danger 29:17

1y ago29:17

29:17

The 2017 neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville was a coming out party for the extreme-right movement. From that ugly debut, white nationalist groups are now literally marching across the country. Most recently in East Cobb, Georgia, Jewish worshippers were terrorized at a synagogue by swastika brandishing thugs. With a jump in attacks against ethnic, r…

1
Loss and Damage Finance Becomes Reality 27:04

1y ago27:04

27:04

As COP 28 draws closer, climate negotiators race to finalize a financing structure to help countries that suffer climate change-related damages. --- In late November this year’s global climate conference, COP 28, will begin in Dubai. The headline issue at COP will be the global stock take, which is a country by country review of progress toward ful…

1
Héctor Tobar: Decoding Latinos 36:57

1y ago36:57

36:57

Latino voter participation jumped dramatically in the last two elections — yet the Washington DC political class seems pretty clueless about these voters. And if the surprising midterm results are a real trend, the Latino vote is in play for both parties. How effectively Democrats and Republicans persuade — or repel — Latinos could very well determ…

1
Admiral Mike Rogers: From Russia with Chaos 48:31

1y ago48:31

48:31

The Ukraine war took an unexpected turn — into Russia. The spectacular march on Moscow by Vladimir Putin’s rebellious henchman exposed the strongman’s surprising weakness. During these dramatic events, the Russian nuclear superpower teetered on the edge of chaos. And as America ramps up support for Ukraine, an unstable Russia is now an even bigger …

1
California’s Deepwater Wind Challenge 47:54

1y ago47:54

47:54

California is set to present its strategic plan to scale an offshore wind power industry based on unconventional floating wind technology. --- In late June the California Energy Commission will submit its strategic plan for the development of offshore wind energy to the state’s legislature. The plan is the culmination of two years of efforts by Cal…

1
The Overturning of Roe 29:24

1y ago29:24

29:24

Overturning Roe didn’t happen overnight. It didn’t happen onaccident. It was the result of a decades-long effort to capture and control theSupreme Court. In this episode, Senator Whitehouse is joined by NARAL PresidentMini Timmaraju, University of Michigan Law Professor and Strict Scrutiny hostLeah Litman, and Rep. Hank Johnson. When the Supreme Co…

1
The Captured Court Emerges 31:33

1y ago31:33

31:33

When most people think about the current Supreme Court, one of the first names that comes to mind is Donald Trump, who appointed three of its Justices. But there's another name that's arguably more important. And that is the right-wing billionaires’ fixer, Leonard Leo. In this episode, Senator Whitehouse is once again joined by Rep. Hank Johnson, S…

1
Supremely Unpopular 37:36

1y ago37:36

37:36

A majority of Americans increasingly question the Supreme Court’s authority. Deeply controversial decisions have sparked public outrage, raising concerns about the Court’s legitimacy and its outsized impact on American democracy. Fernando digs into the Court’s growing unpopularity with Michael Waldman, president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Ju…

1
Tackling Climate Technology Investment Risk 36:14

1y ago36:14

36:14

Nick Rohleder, Energy Policy Now’s former editorial assistant and current climate entrepreneur, discusses the challenge of managing the investment risk inherent in emerging clean energy technologies. --- Last year, $1.1 trillion dollars were invested globally in carbon-free energy technologies and infrastructure. This volume of investment marked a …

1
Laying the Groundwork 30:12

1y ago30:12

30:12

Welcome to Making the Case. In this episode, Senator Whitehouse is joined by Rep. Hank Johnson, Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick, and Lisa Graves of True North Research. These experts begin peeling back the layers of the far-right effort to capture and control the Supreme Court. Who was involved? When did this scheme begin? And how did it gain momentum? Fol…

1
Welcome to Making the Case 0:45

1y ago0:45

0:45

The Court is not in order. Episode by episode, experts will join to expose the effort to capture and control our Supreme Court. Whether you’re an avid Court watcher, or just tuning in to the ongoing crises at the Court, we hope you’ll join as we make the case.

1
Pennsylvania Effort to Join RGGI Faces Legal, Political Peril 46:37

1y ago46:37

46:37

A new report examines the economic and climate impacts of Pennsylvania joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, now stalled in court. --- The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, was the first major carbon market to be established in the United States. Since its inception in 2009, RGGI has contributed to a reduction in greenhouse gas…

1
Circus Politics: The Debt Ceiling Showdown 36:14

1y ago36:14

36:14

With the resolution of the debt ceiling crisis in sight, we’re asking the key question – just what did Americans get for all the fire-breathing threats to drive the country into a catastrophic default? Fernando speaks with freshman Congressman Seth Magaziner (D-RI) to find out how this madness looks from inside the tent, through the eyes of someone…

1
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse: Supreme Peril 21:45

1+ y ago21:45

21:45

The drip-drip of revelations surrounding Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is sabotaging the legitimacy of the nation’s highest court. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in luxury gifts have gone undisclosed. It’s a troubling pattern of shady behavior at an institution that is considered a cornerstone of American democracy. U.S. Senator Sheldon W…

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Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Podcasts

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