The Dirty Secret of ‘Green’ Policy: It’s Slowing Us Down

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel Cesare explores the idea of the “libertarian environmentalist,” arguing that in 2026 government regulation is often slowing down, not accelerating, building decarbonization. Drawing on stories from his work on a billion-dollar Bay Area transit project (escalators with energy-saving controls) and the net-zero Santa Monica City Hall extension (composting toilets and water reuse), he shows how well-intended rules can create years of delay and bureaucracy. Joel contrasts UK energy performance regulations (EPCs) and U.S. building performance standards with market-driven action, suggesting many owners don’t believe these rules will ever be meaningfully enforced. He also critiques the slow, fragmented rollout of Inflation Reduction Act funds compared to private-sector efforts like Tesla’s Supercharger network. The key takeaway: we may now get further, faster by reducing regulatory friction and letting innovators and building owners pursue efficiency and decarbonization because it’s economically smart, rather than because they’re forced to comply. Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Introduction and libertarian environmentalist framing (0:56) Escalator Energy Savings Blocked by Regulation (3:12) Fighting Cal OSHA to Approve Smart Escalator Controls (6:27) Santa Monica City Hall Project and Net Zero Water Goal (9:41) Composting Toilets, Water Codes, and Multi-Agency Approvals (12:55) UK Energy Performance Certificates Compared to U.S. BPS Rules (16:08) Why Building Owners Doubt Enforcement of Climate Regulations (19:22) Inflation Reduction Act, EV Charging, and Green Bank Bottlenecks (22:36) Case for Libertarian Environmentalism and Call for Counterexamples (25:10) The nexus of business, policy, and sustainability is more divided than ever, but Less Talk, More Action is here to cut through the noise. Hosted by clean energy experts Joel Cesare and Owen Barrett, this podcast dives into the front lines of decarbonization, net-zero real estate, and entrepreneurship. Each episode features bold questions, real solutions, and stories from leaders in science, tech, and business who are taking action to make the world a better place. Join us as we move beyond talk and work toward a cleaner, net-zero future. Learn more and subscribe at lesstalkmoreaction.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.