Everything happens at once, right? Whether rain (thanks, April), taxes (thanks, April), birthdays (how do I know so many April birthdays, including 3 friends on the same day), sometimes it feels like we are being inundated.
Which is why I’m ready for vacation… (Also happening in April… more on that later.)
This week’s must read: U.S. distributed solar capacity grows 6.8 GW in 2025 as Maine leads on per capita basis (PV Magazine)
I felt like we could all use a little good news, and especially when that good news is about my home state and the energy transition happening there.
“Maine surpassed other states to reach the highest distributed solar saturation in the country with 700 W per person. The state’s growth was driven heavily by community solar, which accounted for 53% of Maine’s total existing solar capacity by the end of 2025,” the article states. And now Maine, as reported last week and as will be discussed in next week’s podcast, is the second state in the nation to approve a law paving the way for balcony solar, which “will allow a homeowner or renter to connect a single portable solar device with 420 watts or less of power output, or work with a certified electrician to connect a device of up to 1,200 watts output.”
Related: Apparently I am now a person who checks out PV Magazine.
Is everything bigger in Texas?
Their clean energy prowess sure is!
In this bipartisan episode, State Reps. Drew Darby and Erin Zwiener, joined by Patricia Zavala of PowerHouse Texas, all key leaders in the state’s energy and climate policy, delve into what makes Texas so special, how renewable energy has been able to rise above partisan rancor, and how other states can follow The Lone Star State’s example.
PowerHouse Texas embraces a bold mission: to educate and cultivate policy leaders who will promote energy innovation, security, and sustainability, working beyond partisanship so policymakers, legislative staff, industry experts, innovators and public citizens can share solutions that will secure Texas’ position as a leader in energy and advance new technologies.
The Texas Energy and Climate Caucus is a bipartisan legislative caucus chaired by Reps Darby and Zwiener, that aims to reduce pollution while creating jobs and growing the economy. Members of the caucus are elected officials in the Texas Legislature who are invested in developing environmental and energy solutions for their constituents.
Coming up next week, we check in with Bright Saver founder Cora Stryker on the status of balcony solar, which is picking up speed in the U.S. (a mere 10 years after it took hold in Germany). If you’re wondering what’s next, weighing in with your state on solar balcony could be a meaningful step!
And if you want to digest more podcast content, check out Bob Inglis’s interview on the Longleaf Politics show. And if you’re still thirsty for Bob content, check out his interview on Spokane Public Radio. (His segment begings about 19:30 into the broadcast.)
“We think it starts with a carbon tax that’s paired with a reduction in payroll taxes,” Bob explains of our advocacy for pricing carbon. “So there’s no growth of government, and it deals with the problem of regressivity. If you just have a naked carbon tax, it really hurts poor people. But if you reduce their payroll taxes while you’re doing the carbon tax, Congressional Budget Office says the bottom 70% end up better off with that tax swap.”
Celebrate Earth Week with Bob
Next week, tune in for Earth Week 2026, which will be featuring Bob on their 22 Minutes… series, where he talks about why conservative voices matter in the climate conversation. In his typical style, Bob makes the case that market-based solutions, free enterprise, and good stewardship can drive a cleaner energy future — and that economic reality is already pushing us there whether Washington catches up or not.
Tune in April 19th at noon eastern. You can RSVP here.
Shout out to Kacey Shriner
Real pros are real helpful to our mission. That’s the way it was in March in Indiana, and the way that we hope it continues in the months to come.
Kacey Shriner of Indianapolis is the pro that comes to mind. She’s our Indiana Outreach Liaison. She’s long been involved in Indiana politics and policy. She’s well known and well liked. She’s built relationships. She’s credible and principled. She knows how to plan and execute events. And she’s somewhere in the 99th percentile of enthusiasm!
Three cheers for Kacey!
Where am I going on vacation?
Why, thanks for asking!
I’m about to head to Budapest, Hungary, where I am meeting up with my best wine tasting friends for a river cruise on the Danube River, which also stops in Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and ends in Romania. (So, old world wines.) Then three of the six of us are janting off to Rome for two days since none of us has been there. I’m so excited to be embarking upon an adventure; don’t worry… you will get next week’s WER, then I will give you a break on May 1, resuming my reporting on May 8!
Have a nice weekend! I will be attempting to make a packing list!