Recharged with the State Impact Center

In this episode of Recharged with the State Impact Center, we talk to Washington Attorney General Nick Brown on his career path, his priorities as a recently-elected state AG, and how his office approaches environmental law with a focus on public health, safeguarding clean water, and preserving fish and wildlife in Washington State. We also talk to his office’s Chief of the Environmental Protection Division, Bill Sherman, about the history of the Division, the latest trends in environmental law, and more. This episode is part of our What Is a State AG? series,  where we break down the role of state AGs and talk about their significance standing up for the communities they represent. This episode contains valuable insights for law students, environmental advocates, and everyone in between who wants to learn more about what AGs are doing to protect people and the environment.Show Notes: About Nick Brown: Read more about Washington state’s 19th attorney general.Environmental Protection Division: Learn more about the work of the Division in protecting Washingtonians and the environment

In this episode of Recharged with the State Impact Center, we talk to Dana Johnson, policy advocate, fundraiser, government affairs consultant, and founder of Strategic Movement Collective LLC, and Joshua Low, Partnerships Director at the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. We discuss polling data and what people think about climate change, along with the importance of connecting to people through storytelling (yes, even in legal practice!). We also do a case study on clean energy: what the data says, how to translate that data into a message, and how to address opposing messages.  You’ll hear the word “appropriations” in this episode. An appropriation is a law of Congress that delegates budget authority to federal agencies. Climate Change in the American Mind: Read the various reports by YPCCC that investigate, track, and explain public climate change knowledge, risk perceptions, policy support and behavior.Global Warming’s Six Americas: Learn more about the six unique audiences within the American public that each respond to climate change in their own distinct way (and take their quiz to find out which of the Six Americas you are in!)Voters Say Lawmakers Should Listen to Communities Over Fossil Fuel Interests: Read Dana’s blog post breaking down a Data for Progress and WE ACT survey on energy permitting and the Environmental Justice for All Act.Climate Change in the American Mind: Public Perceptions of the Health Harms of Global Warming, Fall 2024: Read more about the YPCCC study conducted in late 2024 that, among other things, looked at public perceptions of federal agencies in terms of climate change.Americans’ support for climate justice: Learn about what Americans think of climate justice in this YPCCC article, which Dana helped with.Fifteen AGs Sued Federal Administration Over “National Energy Emergency”: Check out how AGs are pushing back against the federal administration’s bypassing of environmental review projects for energy projects.

We talk to Carrie Zalewski, former Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission and current Vice President of Transmission and Electricity Markets at American Clean Power Association. Together with our Regulatory Director, Sean Moriarty, she talks about connecting renewable energy to the grid, the importance of reliability and affordability when it comes to energy, and why state utility commissions are cool. You’ll hear the words “PJM” and “MISO” in this episode. These are grid operators. PJM covers all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia in the mid-Atlantic. MISO covers all or parts of 15 central states.American Clean Power Association - Read more about the work of the American Clean Power Association to power a stronger, cleaner economy. Climate and Equitable Jobs Act - Learn about the 2021 Illinois law aimed at easing costs for energy customers and reducing emissions. “Costs to build gas plants triple, says CEO of NextEra Energy” - Read more about Carrie’s mention of the time it takes to build a gas turbine while discussing the need for speed. Tracking Transmission Reform - Learn about why transmission reform is a critical aspect of climate response and what’s at stake, and check out what’s being said about transmission in the media.

Judge Doug Nazarian of the Appellate Court of Maryland speaks with his former law clerk, Kat O’Konski, about career paths in state government and state energy regulation. Together, they discuss Judge Nazarian’s past experience regulating utilities as Chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission and his path to the bench, offering unique insights for law students and professionals alike.Appellate Court of Maryland - Read about the structure and role of the court.Maryland Public Service Commission - Learn about the Maryland Public Service Commission, including the current commissioners.Judicial Clerkship Guide - Check out this guide to state court judicial clerkships.National Association of Regulatory Utilities (NARUC) Careers - Learn about career opportunities in public service commissions.

In this episode of Recharged with the State Impact Center, Tiernaur Anderson (the Center's former Digital Media Manager) sits down with Director of Storytelling and Engagement at Project Drawdown Matt Scott. Matt shares his personal journey into climate storytelling, inspired by his own life experiences. This episode discusses the transformative role of storytelling in advancing climate solutions and how Project Drawdown’s initiative, Drawdown’s Neighborhood, uses personal narratives to inspire action. Matt emphasizes the importance of uplifting underrepresented voices in the climate space, highlighting stories from Black, Indigenous, and queer communities. This episode also explores how storytelling can empower decision-makers and influence climate policy, especially at the community level.Legal professionals and advocates will find valuable insights on how they can approach climate justice issues in a way that centers both community voices and actionable policy outcomes. A key takeaway of this episode is that individuals’ stories can be powerful tools in shaping climate policy.Matt Scott - Visit Project Drawdown’s website to learn more about Matt Scott and his work.Project Drawdown - Visit Project Drawdown’s website to learn more about their work.Drawdowns Neighborhood - Learn more about Project Drawdown’s short documentary series, Drawdowns Neighborhood, hosted by Matt Scott.Pattrn - Learn more about the Weather Channel’s streaming network Pattrn, which Matt discusses during the episode.Drawdowns Neighborhood San Francisco Bay Area video series - Watch Project Drawdown’s full video series of stories from San Francisco Bay Area climate heroes.Drawdown, The Book - Check out Project Drawdown’s book on climate solutions.Global Solutions Diary - Learn more about Project Drawdown’s Global Solutions Diary and how you can get involved and share your story.What is a State Attorney General - Learn more about State Attorneys General, written by Tiernaur Anderson.

Neel Dhanesha - Visit Neel Dhanesha’s website to learn more about his workTik Root - Visit Tik Root’s website to learn more about his work Spark Bird - Learn more about the Spark Bird and how it helps fuel a passion for bird watchingCoastal Erosion in Louisiana - Read more on the coastal erosion issue in Louisiana that sparked Neel’s interest in Environmental JournalismCitizen Science - Learn how everyday people can make an impact on climate research and other environmental issuesHeld v. State of Montana - Read up on the youth led climate case and other similar actions being takenInflation Reduction Act (IRA) - Learn more about the climate investment the Biden administration made through the Inflation Reduction ActPrevious episodes of Recharged - Listen to past episodes of Recharged with the State Impact Center

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin - Meet New Jersey’s 62nd Attorney GeneralA Focus on New Mexico’s New Attorney General Raúl Torrez - Listen to our previous episode in the series, a conversation with New Mexico AG Raúl TorrezNew Jersey Office of the Attorney General - Learn more about the important work done at New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney GeneralNew Jersey State Environmental Justice link - Learn more about the critical environmental justice work done throughout the stateNew Jersey Office of the Attorney General Environmental Justice - Explore how the Attorney General’s office supports and enforces environmental justice throughout the stateNews from the Attorney General’s office - Read announcements from the attorney general’s office on various actions and casesCareers with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General - Explore all the open positions available with the attorney general’s officeEmployment Application for the Division of Law - Apply today through the general attorney employment application, welcoming applications on a rolling basisNew Jersey Attorney General’s Honors Program - Explore this two-year program that offers recent law school graduates and newly admitted lawyers the opportunity to start their legal careers in public service in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The application process typically opens in early fall and applications are due in OctoberStudent Internships - Explore a number of the Department of Law and Safety’s Divisions, which offer unpaid student internshipsPrevious episodes of Recharged - Listen to past episodes of Recharged with the State Impact Center

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison: Learn more about AG Keith Ellison, Minnesota’s 30th Attorney GeneralDavid Glasgow: Learn more about the David Glasgow, the Executive Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of LawEnvironmental, and Social, and Governance…Oh My!: Listen to our previous episode on ESG with former Maryland AG Brian FroshLetter on DEI Practices at Fortune 100 Companies: Read the letter from twenty one AGs on DEI practices, refuting claims that those practices may be unlawfulLetter Urging Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to Address Greenwashing: Read the comments from sixteen AGs asking the FTC to update their guidance on the use of environmental marketing claimsMN AG Lawsuit against Reynolds Bag Co.: Read about AG Ellison’s lawsuit targeting deceptive marketing around recyclability claims from the Reynolds Company on their trash bags“Break the Wheel”: Read AG Ellison’s book recounting accounting the Derek Chauvin trial and examining the cyclical nature of police violenceHouse Financial Services Committee Hearing: Listen to a the House committee hearing on ESG with AG Ellison testifyingCivil Rights Act of 1964: Read civil rights legislation from the 1960s, considered the foundation for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practicesSupreme Court Decision on Students for Fair Admissions Case: Read the recent decision by the Supreme Court on affirmative actionLetter Calling on Congress to Defend Consideration of ESG Factors: Read the letter from 18 AGs, led by MN AG Keith Ellison and AZ AG Kris Mayes, urging congress to not prohibit fund managers from incorporating ESG factors in their investment strategy

Profile Page: Meet New Mexico’s new attorney generalWhat is a State AG? Resource: Learn more about the role of the state AG and what inspired this podcast seriesMission & Vision for New Mexico: Read more about AG Torrez’s vision for New MexicoPress Releases: Gain insight into the cases and work New Mexico's new attorney general, AG Raúl Torrez, has been involved in Deeper Dive into AG Raúl Torrez: Read this 2018 article on then District Attorney Torrez as he recounts his first case, his background, and his passion for the work 

ESG Investing: How the Securities and Exchange Commission defines ESG in investingThe National Association of Attorneys General Has a Unique Opportunity to Demystify ESG Investing: Kathleen Morris’ blog post on the relationship state AGs have with ESG factorsState Impact Center website: Explore more resources and information on the work of state AGs in the environmental, climate, and energy spaceTX AG Ken Paxton Press Release on Volkswagen and Audi: Press release from the TX AG’s office announcing a settlement with the company for violating state environmental lawsMD AG Brian Frosh Press Release on Volkswagen: Press release from the former MD AG’s office announcing a settlement with the company for violating state environmental lawsMD AG Brian Frosh Press Release on JUUL: Press release from the former MD AG’s office announcing a settlement with the company for marketing their products to directly to children2023 STATEHOUSE REPORT: Right-Wing Attacks on the Freedom to Invest Responsibly Falter in Legislatures: A report identifying legislation by states to limit the use of ESG factors in decision makingBrian Frosh and Nancy Kopp Op-Ed: A closer look at the financial harms to cities and states caused by passing anti-ESG legislationESG Part I: An Examination of Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices with Attorneys General: Full video of the committee hearing on ESG in investingFlorida Anti-ESG Law: Check out this reporting on Florida’s anti-ESG lawClimate Change in the American Mind: A collection of surveys and studies by the Yale Program on Climate Change and Communication that examine how and what people think about climate change

Book link: Portia Allen-Kyle’s new book, Advice to Thrive BySpeaker bios: Take a closer look at our speaker and student panelPresentation material: Portia Allen-Kyle outlines different portions of her bookStudent webpage: A resource for all current and aspiring environmental and public interest lawyersNewsletter sign up: Our bi-weekly newsletter keeps you up to date on actions by state attorneys general and notable developments on clean energy, climate and environmental mattersEvent sign up: Subscribe and get invitations to upcoming events