Podcast Summary: The Find Out Podcast

Episode: Why Your Electric Bill Is About To Explode

Date: November 25, 2025
Guest: Jay Inslee, former Governor of Washington
Host(s): Find Out Podcast crew

Episode Overview

This episode centers on why electric bills are soaring across America during Trump’s second term, zeroing in on the intersection of climate policy, fossil fuel interests, and political corruption. The hosts are joined by Jay Inslee, renowned for his climate advocacy, to break down the real-world impacts of energy policy rollbacks, Trump's alliance with fossil fuel elites, and the strategic responses available to both citizens and policymakers. The conversation moves through breaking legal news, climate communications, the economics of alternative energy, actionable strategies for progress, and a few moments of pure sports-and-jacket levity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Legal News: Judicial System Under Trump

[00:33 - 07:57]

• Trump's Manipulation of the Justice System:
  • Inslee describes Trump’s approach: “He’s basically said, I'm going to use the judicial system for my permanent vindictive effort to punish anybody who ever criticized me... I robbed the bank of democracy and I don't care, I'm going to do it again.” (Inslee, 01:20)
  • Trump’s appointment of non-confirmed interim prosecutors subverted legal norms; Inslee applauds a judge’s ruling blocking illegally appointed prosecutors, describing this as a bulwark against “mob hit job[s]” and the erosion of democracy.
• Congressional Abdication:
  • Inslee laments Congress's inaction: “Our only hope for the existence of liberty in this country at the moment is... the judicial system, number one, and two, the November 26th elections.” (02:50)
• Systemic Corruption Example:
  • Trump’s appointees and their lack of experience were cited as dangerous and indicative of “Keystone Cops” incompetence, further threatening democratic checks and balances.

Notable Quote:

"He's turned [the judicial system] into a mob hit job more than a judicial system." (Inslee, 02:12)

2. The Core Issue: Why Electric Bills Are Spiking

[07:57 - 14:27]

• Fossil Fuel Collusion & Political Cronyism:

  • Trump’s deal with energy oligarchs led to suppression of renewables. Inslee claims: “The cheapest electricity you can get today is in renewable energy… And what happened was this corrupt scheme where the coal industry came to Donald Trump and said, 'Donald, we'd like to give you a billion dollars.' ... 'Drive our competitors out of business.'” (Inslee, 08:41-09:34)
  • Result: Voters across states are revolting against higher electrical prices.

• Personal Economic Impact:

  • Voters are now “wise to what was happening,” recognizing both the affordability and health stakes of fossil fuels.
  • Recent polling: The high cost of energy was “the most cited reason for voting for the Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia.” (09:45)

Memorable Exchange:

C: “You can't win over the country one flood at a time... But when we start talking about prices... that's the affordability argument that we've been winning on lately.” (C, 12:51)

3. Framing the Climate Message: Pragmatism Over Ideology

[14:27 - 17:59]

• Effective Messaging:
  • Inslee: “People don’t want an ideological decision, they just want a practical decision. Just give me what works.” (14:27)
  • The right's messaging is “race to the bottom,” making it critical for the left to stress practical benefits (affordability, jobs, health).
• Corruption Resonates:
  • Analogous to tobacco fights: Big Oil has lied to Americans for decades. Like Big Tobacco, “They knew their product was going to cause enormous harm.” (15:53)

Memorable Moment:

C (sarcastic): “Did you know that 9 out of 10 doctors recommend coal power?”
A: “9 out of 10 doctors, while they're smoking cigarettes... are heating their homes with coal.” (16:56-17:07)

4. Legal and Grassroots Paths to Accountability

[17:59 - 21:43]

• Lawsuits as Leverage:
  • Multiple lawsuits against oil majors progressing to discovery, modeled on the tobacco litigation. Goal: Expose decades of deceit; “[They] will have to disclose the information in their database, which has already shown that they knew about this problem for 50 or 60 years.” (Inslee, 18:14)
• Threats to Accountability:
  • Fossil fuel interests working to block these suits by lobbying for immunity from Congress. Inslee cautions: “Be alert to this corrupt scheme to try to take that right away from Americans.” (20:20)

5. Example of Success: Washington State’s Cap-and-Invest

[21:43 - 26:15]

• Industry Buy-In:
  • Washington’s Cap-and-Invest policy didn’t just pass, it “thumped” opposition (62-38). Even some oil majors (BP) sided with progress.
  • Clean energy seen as an economic AND ecological win: “Having your state burned down is not good for business.” (22:21)
• Blueprint for Others:
  • All states can move forward, regardless of federal inaction; “We have 24 states now in the US Climate Alliance... we represent 60% of the country.” (25:38)

6. Communicating With “Impenetrable” Audiences

[26:15 - 29:44]

• Florida as a Case Study:
  • Skyrocketing insurance costs and ongoing climate disasters are increasingly tangible to voters.
  • Inslee: “This is an offensive message. We need to attack those folks who defend the oligarchs, who defend this corruption, who defend pollution.” (29:25)

Notable Quote:

“Democrats have been defensive on this subject... This is an offensive message.” (Inslee, 29:17)

7. Elon Musk, Rural America, and Practicality

[29:44 - 34:16]

• Conundrum of Reliance on Unaccountable Innovators:
  • Musk’s companies are essential, but blind hero worship is dangerous; “Don’t be blinded... appreciate someone's virtuous behavior and confront them when he's hurting you.” (Inslee, 32:32)
• Red Districts for Renewables:
  • Even conservative areas supported Washington’s climate policy when rooted in practical, non-ideological messaging: “They just kind of looked at it from a practical, non-ideological standpoint.” (33:40)

8. Debunking Wind Turbine Myths & Next-Gen Grid Issues

[35:08 - 39:19]

• Trump’s Wind Turbine Claims:
  • On Trump’s statement that “wind turbines cause cancer”:
    • Inslee: “They cause massive stupidity because that's what they've done to Donald Trump.” (35:08)
• Renewable Energy Reality:
  • Storage and battery tech make wind and solar reliable. Costs are plummeting—a “stable baseload system” is now possible. (36:06)
  • The hosts discuss the need for tech companies (like data centers) to pay their fair share for new grid capacity.

9. Messaging for the Future: "New Energy"

[39:19 - 41:22]

• Cultural Framing:
  • In China, renewables are simply called “new energy,” which sidesteps tribalism/identity. “No one wants old. Right. New versus old is a very enticing argument.” (C, 39:47)
• Identity vs. Practicality:
  • Inslee: “It’s not an identity issue. It's a practical decision of what makes sense, that's cheapest and works.” (40:54)

10. 2026 Election Strategy: Go On Offense

[43:05 - 45:43]

• Be Ambitious:
  • Inslee advises: “Compete in places where it may seem difficult or problematic because when the Tide is running. People cannot swim against it.” (43:07)
• Key Campaign Issues:
  • Focus on “new cheap electricity energy” alongside health care costs—twin issues impacting cost of living most directly.
• Campaign Energetics:
  • “Go out there and have some fun when you’re campaigning... It makes you feel good.” (44:42)

Notable Quote:

“The sky's the limit on Democratic possibilities in the next election cycle.” (Inslee, 43:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump & Judicial Overreach:
  “He’s corrupted it. He's turned it into a mob hit job more than a judicial system.” (Inslee, 02:12)

• On Wind Turbines and Natural Stupidity:
  “Maybe we should stop worrying about artificial intelligence and start worrying about natural stupidity.” (Inslee, 35:11)

• On Identity vs. Practicality:
  “It’s not an identity issue. It's a practical decision of what makes sense, that's cheapest and works.” (Inslee, 40:54)

• Comic Relief - Coal Doctors:
  “Did you know that 9 out of 10 doctors recommend coal power?” (C, 16:56) “9 out of 10 doctors, while they're smoking cigarettes at the same time, are heating their homes with coal.” (Inslee, 17:00)

• NFL and the Power of Present Votes:
  “I never voted present except one time and that's when there was a congratulation resolution of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I said I'm present. I am not voting.” (Inslee, 42:18)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:33: Breaking Legal News - Trump’s Judiciary Corruption
• 07:57: Electric Bill Hikes & Fossil Fuel Collusion
• 14:27: Messaging the Climate Crisis—Practicality Over Ideology
• 17:59: Legal Action Against Oil Majors
• 21:43: Washington State’s Cap-and-Invest Success
• 26:15: Communicating With Red States (e.g., Florida)
• 29:44: Elon Musk, Rural America, & Non-Ideological Messaging
• 35:08: Debunking Wind Turbine Cancer Myths
• 39:19: The “New Energy” Approach
• 43:05: 2026 Elections—Advice for Democrats
• 46:11: The Story of the Legendary Kraken Hockey Jacket

Language & Tone

The episode is candid, witty, and irreverent, balancing hard-hitting critique and policy wonkery with humor and cultural asides. Inslee and the hosts blend righteous anger with optimism, repeatedly urging listeners not to be defensive, but to go on offense with climate messaging, and root for practicality, not tribal identity.

Conclusion

With the cost of electricity and the climate crisis now center stage, Inslee and the Find Out team outline both the pitfalls of fossil-fuel cronyism and the real, practical benefits of transitioning to new energy. Their advice is unified: fight corruption and pollution by voting, by reframing the message, by holding the powerful accountable—and by never apologizing for wanting cleaner, cheaper energy.

Recommended Next Steps for Listeners:

• Vote in 2026 against fossil fuel corruption
• Frame climate and energy as economic common sense, not a culture war
• Get involved locally and have fun doing it—progress is possible even in tough times