The MeidasTouch Podcast: Former Governor Jay Inslee on Trump Energy Destruction

Podcast Information:

• Title: The MeidasTouch Podcast
• Host/Author: MeidasTouch Network
• Episode: Former Governor Jay Inslee on Trump Energy Destruction
• Release Date: June 2, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas engage in a profound discussion with former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. The conversation centers around the GOP's recent budget bill and its detrimental effects on green energy initiatives, job creation, and the broader implications for America's energy future. Governor Inslee provides an authoritative perspective on the intersection of politics, economics, and environmental policy, offering listeners an in-depth analysis of the bill's ramifications.

The GOP Budget Bill and Green Energy Tax Credits

The episode opens with the hosts highlighting the GOP's budget bill's threat to green energy tax credits, which have been pivotal in job creation within the renewable energy sector. The moderators emphasize that the removal of these credits will result in significant job losses and stifle the growth of clean energy projects.

Host: "These green energy tax credits that are job creators are going to be removed, and it's going to cause lots of people to lose jobs and lots of jobs that can be created to never actually be created."
[00:00]

Governor Inslee expands on this by detailing the success of clean energy sectors in Washington State, attributing job growth to both federal initiatives under President Biden and local state actions.

Jay Inslee: "Our clean energy sector has been absolutely rocking it, putting people to work across the state of Washington."
[03:29]

The Economic Impact of the Legislation

Governor Inslee presents a sobering analysis of the bill's economic impact, citing data from the Climate Power Organization that indicates the legislation has already resulted in the loss of approximately 62,000 jobs nationwide. He underscores the broader economic contraction caused by reduced investment and the cancellation of vital clean energy projects.

Jay Inslee: "This is going to cost thousands of jobs. And analysis has already been done... it has already cost about 62,000 jobs across the United States."
[03:29]

He further explains how these green jobs are not merely high-tech positions but also blue-collar roles that offer stable, skilled employment opportunities without the burden of excessive educational costs.

Jay Inslee: "These are blue collar jobs. These are skilled jobs in making these turbines, manufacturing, construction jobs, putting up, maintaining."
[04:50]

Critique of Republican Policies and Leadership

Inslee is critical of Republican senators, characterizing their support for the bill as "idiotic" and driven by cult-like adherence rather than sound economic reasoning. He urges constituents to hold their elected officials accountable, emphasizing that continued support for the bill will render these politicians unelectable.

Jay Inslee: "The only reason Republican senators should even give this the time of day is because they are acting as a cult right now."
[05:20]

He also highlights the inconsistency in Republican rhetoric, particularly pointing out former President Trump's contradictory positions on tariffs and clean energy.

Jay Inslee: "If you want to dominate energy, bring it home, build it here, make it here. This is, you know, the sun shines here. This is our sun."
[06:55]

The Future of Clean Energy and Economic Stability

Governor Inslee emphasizes the long-term consequences of the bill, particularly the inevitable increase in energy costs. He argues that the legislation will sabotage efforts to create cheaper and cleaner energy solutions, leading to a "price shock" for Americans as demand for electricity surges due to advancements in AI and crypto technologies.

Jay Inslee: "Americans are going to face a price shock unless we really start to create more energy through cheaper means."
[06:15]

He reiterates the importance of maintaining and expanding clean energy initiatives to ensure economic stability and environmental sustainability.

Political Mobilization and Public Action

Inslee calls for immediate action from citizens to influence their representatives. He advocates for using First Amendment rights to communicate the dire consequences of the bill and to pressure senators to reconsider their support. By highlighting personal stories of job losses and the potential for future economic harm, he seeks to galvanize public opposition to the legislation.

Jay Inslee: "There needs to be people letting them know right now that you're not coming back if you continue down this course."
[07:21]

He provides specific examples, such as Senator Tillis of North Carolina, urging constituents to make their voices heard to prevent further policy damage.

Ongoing Efforts and Hope for the Future

In the latter part of the discussion, Governor Inslee shares his ongoing efforts beyond his gubernatorial tenure. He is actively involved with Climate Power, working to inspire other states to adopt aggressive clean energy laws similar to Washington's. Inslee emphasizes the resilience of state-led initiatives, which he believes can counteract federal setbacks.

Jay Inslee: "We have 24 states right now in our U.S. climate Alliance. This is something I started with Jerry Brown during the first Trump administration."
[11:33]

He also mentions his work on gun safety issues with the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, demonstrating his continued commitment to public welfare and policy advocacy.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a strong call to action, encouraging listeners to engage with their representatives and support state-level clean energy initiatives. Governor Inslee's insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by the GOP's budget bill and underscore the critical need for collective action to preserve and advance America's clean energy future.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Host: "These green energy tax credits that are job creators are going to be removed, and it's going to cause lots of people to lose jobs and lots of jobs that can be created to never actually be created."
  [00:00]

• Jay Inslee: "Our clean energy sector has been absolutely rocking it, putting people to work across the state of Washington."
  [03:29]

• Jay Inslee: "This is going to cost thousands of jobs. And analysis has already been done... it has already cost about 62,000 jobs across the United States."
  [03:29]

• Jay Inslee: "These are blue collar jobs. These are skilled jobs in making these turbines, manufacturing, construction jobs, putting up, maintaining."
  [04:50]

• Jay Inslee: "The only reason Republican senators should even give this the time of day is because they are acting as a cult right now."
  [05:20]

• Jay Inslee: "If you want to dominate energy, bring it home, build it here, make it here. This is, you know, the sun shines here. This is our sun."
  [06:55]

• Jay Inslee: "Americans are going to face a price shock unless we really start to create more energy through cheaper means."
  [06:15]

• Jay Inslee: "There needs to be people letting them know right now that you're not coming back if you continue down this course."
  [07:21]

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a thorough and insightful exploration of the GOP's budget bill's impact on green energy and job creation, enriched by former Governor Jay Inslee's expert analysis and passionate advocacy for clean energy policies. Listeners gain a clear understanding of the stakes involved and are empowered with information on how to take meaningful action.