26 | "Power Lines: The Human Cost of American Energy in Transition" with David Konisky

26 | "Power Lines: The Human Cost of American Energy in Transition" with David Konisky

From O'Neill Speaks by IU Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

November 4, 2025 · 22 min · Season 1 · Episode 26

About this episode

This episode discusses the complexities of energy production and distribution in the U.S. amidst climate change, featuring insights from David Konisky on his book about the human costs of energy transition.

As climate change continues to wreak havoc across the globe, how best to combat the issue remains a topic of hot debate. In the United States, the vision of a green-energy future is entangled with complex realities. Aging infrastructure strains under modern demands, the adoption of new technologies remains uneven and fragmented, and many households struggle to secure reliable, affordable energy. Too often, Americans are left out of the decisions that determine how power is produced and distributed, leaving energy in America a matter of race, class, and wealth. We’re joined today by Lynton K. Caldwell Professor David Konisky, who is co-author along with former O’Neill School faculty member Sanya Carley, of the new book “Power Lines: The Human Costs of American Energy in Transition.” David’s research and teaching focuses on U.S. environmental policy and politics, with emphasis on environmental and energy justice, regulation, federalism, and public attitudes. Konisky is a founding co-director of the Energy Justice Lab, a research collaboration between Indiana University and the University of Pennsylvania to explore, measure, and improve the equity and justice dimensions of society’s…

People in this episode

Guest: David Konisky

Topics covered

  • climate change
  • energy transition
  • energy justice
  • environmental policy
  • U.S. infrastructure

Keywords

  • climate change
  • energy justice
  • infrastructure
  • energy policy
  • environmental justice

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

Books & works: Power Lines: The Human Costs of American Energy in Transition

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