Alex Epstein

The lowest-hanging fruit with AI is to use it as an advisor. As long as you're using a decent model and it has enough context about you, you almost can't lose by asking your AI assistant to give a second opinion on your thinking, your plans, your work, etc.

The irrefutable case for BAAJA — master thread Each of the pieces below can be read in 2 minutes, and has a one-page PDF to share with your elected officials. You have the power to make Congress enact legislation that will unleash America's freedom to build. Use it! 👇

Another Dem BAAJA "no": @SenDuckworth, who led a letter skeptical of Trump's intent to implement the bill fairly. "After Americans issued a complete and total rejection of Donald Trump, Congress should not be rushing to pass a bill that would hand that same man even more power"

Just to be clear. I am not against permitting reform. I am against a bad bill (BAAJA). There is no agreement on fossil fuel permitting that Senate Democrats could deliver even if they wanted (which they don't). A one-sided compromise is not a compromise; it is a trick.

And @AlexEpstein, who was influential in pushing Rs to phase out solar and wind tax credits, has been a key validator for HFC/conservatives on permitting reform behind the scenes

The 2-minute pro-freedom case for BAAJA Bipartisan bills are rarely pro-freedom. BAAJA is an exception, because both leading Democrats and Republicans now recognize that America needs much greater freedom to build. Both parties now recognize that America needs the freedom to build In the last two years, Democrats have become dramatically more interested in increasing the freedom to build—“permitting reform”—which was historically largely a Republican focus. Democrats have seen that it’s not just fossil fuel projects that are impeded by endless permitting delays, but also solar, wind, battery, and transmission projects they care about. Democrats have seen that open-ended Presidential power to reverse permits doesn’t just give Biden the power to kill oil projects; it also gives Trump the power to kill wind projects. While some Democrats have historically embraced permit delays as a tool to oppose fossil fuels, many now believe fossil fuels can be outcompeted on a level permitting playing field. Bipartisan bills are rarely pro-freedom, but BAAJA is an exception because it was negotiated in an environment where both parties had a strong interest in greater freedom. BAAJA responsibly streamlines permitting for all kinds of projects without any subsidies BAAJA limits the abuse of bonus reviews (NEPA) to block projects by years. BAAJA limits the abuse of the Clean Water Act to stop the vital, 100% water-safe gas pipelines and power lines our grid needs. BAAJA even modestly improves electric transmission by making it easier to build cost-effective projects while somewhat constraining utilities from building wasteful projects. BAAJA makes it hard for administrations to reverse permits—which protects lawful solar/wind projects from Trump but also oil/gas permits from a future Democrat President. BAAJA, unlike most pieces of legislation, does not add any subsidies. BAAJA overall improves electricity affordability, reliability, and availability BAAJA is by no means an ideal electricity policy, but if we look at its overall effects compared to the status quo it is a big improvement. BAAJA addresses the root cause of our electricity problems—lack of reliable supply—by unleashing reliable infrastructure: power plants, gas pipelines, and power lines. The most valid criticism of BAAJA from an electricity perspective is that its measures designed to limit wasteful utility transmission spending are not tightly-defined enough. But today’s limits on wasteful spending are even looser than BAAJA’s—while strangling cost-effective transmission and electricity in general. Given the options on the table, BAAJA is worth adopting on electricity grounds alone—and an absolute no-brainer given that it also unleashes development throughout the economy. Economic freedom-fighters fought successfully last year to de-subsidize intermittent electricity. By fighting for BAAJA they can also unleash electricity—and everything else. Answering pro-freedom objections to BAAJA Myth: BAAJA dramatically expands federal infringement on legitimate state authority over transmission. Truth: The federal government already has the (constitutionally valid) authority to overrule states on interstate transmission. BAAJA actually limits that authority by setting new, stricter standards for what lines it can be used to approve. Myth: BAAJA undermines state authority by letting FERC investigate local transmission spending—and this is unnecessary because states already oversee local utility projects. Truth: Utilities are getting away with a lot of wasteful local spending because state regulators lack the resources and expertise to scrutinize every project. BAAJA increases state authority by giving states the option to ask FERC to investigate local spending. Myth: BAAJA favors certain forms of energy over others. Truth: It’s a remarkably technology-neutral bill that increases all forms of energy’s freedom to develop and compete. Myth: The House needs to demand major changes to BAAJA so the House “uses its voice.” Truth: BAAJA overwhelmingly incorporates ideas and language led by the House, such as the SPEED Act and the PERMIT Act.

This bill is a Trojan Horse. Why would anyone vote for this permitting bill after voters have just handed us the largest midterm repudiation of a sitting President in American history? I urge my Senate colleagues to vote NO. We cannot greenlight transmission at any cost, including undermining tribal sovereignty, protections for sacred sites, public lands, clean water, wildlife, and the environment for generations to come. We can, and we must, pass a bill we can actually believe in—not a false promise.