No. 111: Green Tape

Imagine being awarded a grant (yay!) then finding out that you can't access it (nay!) and won't be able to anytime soon. That is the reality facing the Yakama Nation this week: they are trying to build a new renewable energy project with support from the Inflation Reduction Act, but the various government entities involved are not aligned.

Speaking of climate impact, this is definitely the week for it: Zillow is adding climate risk data to its property listings, Project Drawdown has two promising job opportunities, and a raft of nonprofit organizations are assembling to keep Hurricane Helene victims afloat. Off we go!

~ Greg

What we're reading

A $32 million solar grant and $100 million loan for the Yakama Nation face significant bureaucratic hurdles. (Grist)

• The grant, awarded by the Department of Energy, was intended to help the Yakama Nation build a solar project over irrigation canals that would preserve culturally-significant lands and generate renewable energy for thousands of homes.
  • Unfortunately, the project is being delayed because another part of the Department of Energy – the Bonneville Power Administration – controls grid access, creating a bottleneck with high costs and long timelines. Tribal leaders are understandably frustrated that the two parts of the government are misaligned.
  • It could take so long for the Bonneville Power Administration to respond that even though the grant expires in 2031, the tribe may not be able to access the funds in time. Every year that passes also means that inflation increases the project's cost.
• The challenges reflect wider national issues in connecting new renewable projects to an aging and overwhelmed grid. I've discussed that from a few angles in the past – energy generation is growing, but energy transport has been unable to keep up due to bureaucracy.

Zillow is incorporating climate risk data into its property listings across the United States. (The Verge)

• Listings will now show potential risks for wildfires, flooding, extreme heat, wind, and poor air quality as part of a partnership with First Street, a firm specializing in climate risk modeling. (Yes, they're hiring.)
  • Buyers can receive recommendations on necessary or suggested insurance based on the risk factors for the property.
  • Future predictions of climate risks will also help buyers understand the long-term insurance costs.
  • I'll be interested to see how this affects home values because this kind of data is actionable to consumers in a way that it hasn't been in the past. If you knew your future home was at higher risk, wouldn't you make a lower offer?
• For an example of how this could be used, consider Hurricane Debby early this year: 85% of flooded homes would have had insurance recommendations if this system had been in place.
  • I find this especially interesting because there are zones where you are required to purchase flood insurance. 78% of the homes flooded by Hurricane Debby were outside those zones.
  • It seems like Zillow's system is hedging against risk better than the federal government, and the flood insurance program is in debt to the tune of $20 billion. It might be time to retune the models.
• iOS devices will get the update later this year, and Android will get it shortly thereafter.

Job of the week

I've had an eye on the team at Project Drawdown for a while, ever since I included their climate career guides as a resource in a prior newsletter. They're a leading nonprofit focused on climate solutions and currently hiring for two roles: an Administrative Manager and a Grant Writer / Development Communications Specialist. Both roles are remote – just like the rest of the organization – so don't count this one out. I'm also encouraged by the deadline, October 14th: you know as well as I do that the job search process takes forever, so it's nice to see a two-week application period with a quick turn.

Community roundup

• Pandora, the world's largest jewelry maker, has switched its supply chain over to recycled silver and gold. (Fast Company)
• The aquifer that serves Joliet, IL is on track to run dry by the end of the decade. To compensate, the city has struck a deal with the city of Chicago to get water from Lake Michigan using an exemption in the Great Lakes Compact to access water they wouldn't normally qualify for. (Inside Climate News)
• Ford has announced a new program that covers the cost of an EV charger and installation as part of new vehicle purchases and leases. The intent is to help consumers overcome range anxiety by giving them the ability to "fill up" at home. (Car and Driver)
• Two architecture professors at the University of Michigan have produced a new building material called Post Rock made out of repurposed plastics. (Fast Company)
  • They took inspiration from the plastic "rocks" that wash up on beaches, and the resulting product is currently on display at the Craft Contemporary museum in Los Angeles.
  • I'm reminded of a company called ByFusion that I've been eyeing for future job opportunities; they're using recycled plastic to build cinderblock lookalikes.
• California had a slew of social-impact-related legislative news this week. Notably, Newsom signed a bill that eliminated legacy admissions at California universities – including private colleges – and vetoed a bill that would have required Attorney General approval when hedge funds and private equity firms pursue health care acquisitions that are worth more than $25 million dollars. (POLITICO and Axios)
• In a first, researchers reprogrammed a woman's stem cells to treat her type 1 diabetes, and she started producing her own insulin after three months. (Nature)

Hot job opportunities

• Senior Marketing Campaign Manager – Guild – Remote
• Sustainability and Strategy Research Intern – Worldly – Remote
• Director of Operations – Charlie Health – New York, NY
• Communications Manager – Veeva Systems – Remote
• Web Developer – Frontend – January Advisors – Remote
• Director of Inside Sales – ThinkCERCA – Chicago, IL
• Senior Manager of OmniChannel – Charlotte's Web – Remote
• Director of IT – Moxion Power – Richmond, CA
• Enrollment Specialist – Amae Health – Remote
• Product Manager – VORTO – Denver, CO

Resource of the week

Helene rapidly grew into a Category 4 hurricane last week, and I was shocked by the flooding in Asheville, NC. I lived in Florida for eight years, and it's not uncommon for a hurricane to cross into Georgia and the Carolinas, bringing severe wind and rain with it. I've never seen anything like what happened in Asheville however; their community and many others will require months to recover.

Many nonprofit organizations have started deploying aid in the wake of Helene. If you feel like supporting their efforts, USA Today has compiled a list of organizations and their specializations.

For those of you in the hurricane's wake, we're thinking about you and hope you and your families are safe.

Test your knowledge

Last week's mystery organization was Doctors Without Borders, which provides medical assistance in conflict zones and disaster areas. They got their start in France in 1971 and now number over 69,000 people. You don't have to be a doctor to make a difference either: you can find non-medical roles at their New York office here.

The United Nations General Assembly was last week, and talk about timing – we need cooperation more than ever. You might find some surprises on their list of member states, including some nations you've never heard of before.

Which member state is the most recent addition to the United Nations?

Email me your guess, and I'll send one lucky winner a couple of One Work stickers!

I assembled the last piece of furniture on my to-do list and now I’m drowning in cardboard. To the recycle bin! You can find me on LinkedIn and Threads.