Ep. 20: Fossil Fuels and an AI Bubble

Headlights: Voices from The Progressive South

SYNOPSIS:

Up until January of this year, several Southern states were among the leaders in clean energy production, with big investments in solar and wind power in Texas, Florida and elsewhere. Then came the Trump administration, with its hostility to renewable sources and championing of fossil fuels. This week, we talk to Steve Smith of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy about the status and future of energy production in the South — and the growing impact of massive new data centers and cryptomining operations, which are guzzling more and more from our regional grids. Also, we take a look at a trio of new laws in Texas that reflect the ongoing efforts of anti-abortion advocates to extend the state’s total abortion ban outside its borders via novel legal mechanisms. If anyone thought religious fundamentalists were going to be happy with state-by-state abortion regulation, they were of course wrong. Our arts and culture segment previews this weekend’s Mississippi Festival of Books, a celebration of all things literary in a state that punches way above its weight in producing great writers.

Show Notes:

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

“Stability in the Number of Abortions from 2023 to 2024 in US States Without Total Bans Masks Major Shifts in Access” Guttmacher Institute

“New Texas law requires hospitals support grieving families amid rising infant death rates post-abortion ban” CBS News

“Texas bill allowing private citizens to sue over abortion pills clears Legislature” The Texas Tribune

“City of Austin ends abortion fund to comply with new state law” The Daily Texan

“Abortion Views in All 50 States” PRRI

Mississippi Festival of Books

“Why has Mississippi inspired so many great writers?” W. Ralph Eubanks, America: The Jesuit Review

CONTACT:

Jesse Mayshark [email protected] [phone]