Ep 119: Rep. Sean Casten, Illinois’ 6th Congressional District

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Sean’s experience as an entrepreneur.
• Sean’s background in science and his interest in climate change.
• How business revealed to him the regulatory and legislative barriers related to climate development.
• How his father and his work in cogeneration plants influenced his interest in biofuels and climate.
• The challenges faced by mission-driven energy companies.
• Why he feels, in general, the tech component is overstated as a barrier.
• Why deployment of technology is the real challenge.
• How Sean transitioned from business to politics.
• Why framing climate change, in a way that appeals to constituents’ specific interests, is key.
• The specific areas of the Green New Deal he takes issue with.
• How the needs of addressing climate change far exceed what’s politically possible currently.
• Why critical issues, like climate change, cannot be decided by the majority.
• What Sean recommends concerned citizens should do to address climate change.
• What Sean believes the U.S. needs to do to address climate change.

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Website: https://casten.house.gov/about
• Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Casten
• Recycled Energy Development: http://www.recycled-energy.com/
• IMF Fossil Fuel Subsidy Report: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/Environment/energy-subsidies
• Green New Deal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_New_Deal

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant