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Something I don't understand about the Sanders climate plan. What happens to existing generating assets? Do they simply disappear quietly into the night through 2030? 1/
As far as I can tell, the plan only offers one cryptic aside on this when it refers to an "EPA federal renewable energy standard" as a mechanism to accomplish this. Serious question. Through what statute would this be possible? 2/ 
I can’t think of any basis for the EPA having this regulatory authority. And, even if there was, federal rule-making timeline involved would take years. Court cases alone would drag on past the 2030 deadline 3/
So perhaps the plan intends to create a national RPS through legislation. So this will legislate existing assets out of existence? Will there be compensation? I can't see any financing for stranded assets though 4/
Of course, one part of this energy mix shift IS very tractable: its moratorium on extensions for existing nuclear plants. A Sanders admin could do this somewhat easily. But this is the plan's worst idea 5/
I worry that Bernie’s plan would kill nuclear while letting coal and gas stick around. This type of perverse outcome could be the byproduct of a plan with aspirational goals that don’t match up with a clear institutional theory of change 6/6
