Volts

A newsletter (and podcast) about the clean energy transition. David Roberts breaks down how we can move away from fossil fuels.

About Volts

Volts is a premier source for deep dives into the technology and policy behind the energy transition. David Roberts provides clear-eyed analysis of how the power grid, transportation, and buildings are changing to address the climate crisis.

What Makes This Newsletter Unique

Unparalleled depth in policy and technology reporting, made accessible through clear writing.

Who Should Subscribe?

Anyone who wants to understand the nuts and bolts of how we actually fix the climate crisis.

Content Format

Long-form essays and podcast transcripts with technical charts and analysis.

Recent Newsletter Issues

Apr 20, 2026

Life as a clean energy journalist in an age of madness

Robinson Meyer and I discuss why the traditional climate movement struggles to build infrastructure and how a global oil shock is scrambling US energy politics.

Apr 17, 2026

Climate finance, interrupted

Beth Bafford on Climate United, the green fund she designed & ran before Trump killed it -- and the legal fight to revive it.

Apr 15, 2026

Doing data centers the not-dumb way

Jigar Shah joins me to break down why powering new data centers with behind-the-meter natural gas plants is an engineering and economic disaster.

Pricing & Subscription Options

Free + Premium

  • Weekly emails
  • Free tier with core content
  • Premium tier with extra features
  • Unsubscribe anytime
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Our Take: Pros & Cons

Pros

  • High level of technical detail
  • Expert author
  • Covers both policy and tech
  • Strong community

Cons

  • Can be very technical
  • Premium content requires paid subscription

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is David Roberts?

David Roberts is a veteran clean energy journalist, formerly of Vox and Grist, known for his deep expertise in energy policy and decarbonization.

What does Volts cover?

Volts covers the 'clean energy transition' in extreme detail, focusing on the technology, policy, and politics of moving away from fossil fuels.

Is Volts a podcast or a newsletter?

It is both. Volts features deep-dive essays and a highly-regarded podcast where David interviews energy industry experts.

About the Author: David Roberts

D

David Roberts

David Roberts has been reporting on clean energy and climate change for over 20 years, formerly at Grist and Vox.

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