>> TONIGHT ON "IVORY TOWER," WHAT'S THE BEST WAY FORWARD ON THE IMMIGRATION FRONT?

ON ANOTHER FRONT ARE DEMOCRATS NOW SHYING AWAY FROM CLIMATE POLICY?

AND A SYRACUSE NEIGHBORHOOD SAYS ‘NO' TO A BATTERY STORAGE FACILITY.

STAY TUNED FOR INSIGHTS FROM THE PROFESSORS COMING UP NEXT.

THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MEMBERS OF WCNY.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "IVORY TOWER."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M NINA MOORE OF COLGATE UNIVERSITY.

THE PROFESSORS JOINING ME AROUND THE TABLE TONIGHT ARE.

LUKE PERRY OF UTICA UNIVERSITY TY SEIDULE OF HAMILTON COLLEGE MICHAEL TILLOTSON OF SUNY CORTLAND AND AARON STRONG, ALSO OF HAMILTON COLLEGE MANY OF US ARE PROBABLY ASKING HOW DID WE GET TO WHERE WE ARE IN MINNESOTA?

BUT THE QUESTION WE WANT TO TACKLE TONIGHT IS HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD?

WHAT BEGAN AS VOTERS' INTEREST IN MORE BORDER SECURITY SOMEHOW EVOLVED INTO WHAT ONE SENATOR DESCRIBED AS “TRAGEDY AND CHAOS,” REFERRING TO HEAVY-HANDED ICE TACTICS AGGRESSIVE ANTI-ICE PROTESTS AND THE DEATH OF TWO AMERICAN CITIZENS.

AMONG OTHER THINGS.

WELL, THERE'S A NEW POINT PERSON ON THE GROUND NOW AND FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS IN MINNESOTA ARE TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER.

THE GOAL IS TO MAP A WAY OUT.

A LOT OF THINGS ARE ON THE TABLE.

A LOT WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE THE NEXT STEPS SHOULD BE IN THIS SITUATION.

>> I THINK THE HEADLINE COULD BE POLITICAL THEATER TURNS DEADLY IN THE TWIN CITIES, RIGHT?

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US NOT TO FORGET THAT, FOR SOME OF THESE SO CALLED ICE AGENTS, FIVE OR SIX WEEKS AGO, SOME OF THEM WERE LIVING IN THEIR MOTHER'S BASEMENT PLAYING VIDEO GAMES.

NOW THEY'RE IN CHARGE OF LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS.

THERE IS A GROSS LACK OF TRAINING, GROSS LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

YOU TOP THAT OFF WITH IDEOLOGY, NATIVISM AND TWO AMERICANS ARE KILLED.

AT LEAST NO MASKS, AT LEAST COURT ORDERED ARREST WARRANTS AND BODY WORN CAMERAS WOULD BE A GOOD START.

FOR ME, ALL I SEE IS BULL CONNOR TACTICS FROM ALABAMA IN THE EARLY 1960S AND THIS IS VERY UNSETTLING FOR MANY AMERICANS.

>> YOU SAY THAT GETTING RID OF MASKS, REQUIRING WARRANTS AND A FEW OTHER THINGS YOU MENTIONED BUT YOU LED WITH THIS IDEA THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH TRAINING AND PERHAPS THE-- PERHAPS THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING REDRUTTED.

DO YOU THINK THAT SHOULD BE ON TOP OF THE THINGS YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT?

THAT IT IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING RECRUITED?

>> IF YOU LOOK AT SMT ADS RECRUITING THESE PEOPLE, IT'S NATIVISM, JINGOISM.

YOU TOP IT OFF WITH A BIT OF RACIALLY CHARGED PSYCHOLOGY, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME OF THEM, MOST OF THEM CAN'T PASS A PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST.

THEY COME FROM THE BACKGROUNDS THAT ARE UNSAVORY.

IT'S PROBLEMATIC ON A LOT OF LEVELS.

>> THE PRESIDENT HAS SHIFTED THE CONVERSATION AWAY FROM THE THINGS THAT MICHAEL IS TALKING ABOUT TO OTHER THINGS.

AND HE IS DEMANDING THE ARREST, THE DETENTION AND THE TRANSFER OF IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE BEEN CRIMINALLY ACCUSED IN SOME WAY.

DO YOU THINK THAT SHOULD BE THE PRIMARY FOCUS GOING FORWARD?

>> I THINK GOVERNMENT IS SERIOUS BUSINESS FOR SERIOUS PEOPLE.

AND IT'S NOT BEING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW.

AND ALL OF BOTH THE BORDER PATROL AND ICE HAVE GOT THIS HUGE INFUSION OF MONEY.

AND THE BORDER IS FUNCTIONALLY CLOSED SO THEY'RE NOT THERE BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ANYTHING TO DO THERE AND THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE BORDER AGENTS AND STEVEN MILLER HAS GIVEN A QUOTA FOR THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GET.

THIS PROBLEM IS NOT GOING AWAY.

NO MATTER WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAYS, AS LONG AS THEY CONTINUE TO PUT THESE PEOPLE AS A POLITICAL RETRIBUTION INTO THESE COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T WANT THEM, THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE VIOLENCE.

AND I THINK-- IF THIS WAS IN THE MILITARY, WE WOULD STAND DOWN.

WE WOULD STAND DOWN, EVERYONE.

GO BACK AND DO RETRAINING TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE DOING OUR FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHT.

BUT YOU HAVE A FORCE THAT IS NEITHER PARA POLITICAL, NOR POLICE, IN THESE CITIES AND THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE AND MORE PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY AS LONG AS THERE IS A QUOTA SYSTEM SAYING HOW MANY PEOPLE WE SHOULD GET.

THIS PROBLEM IS NOT GOING AWAY.

>> THEY'RE NOT MILITARY BUT ARMED LIKE MILITARY.

ARMED LIKE SPECIAL TROOPS.

>> THEY'RE PLAYING WITH REAL GUNS.

>> THAT'S A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO CHANGE.

THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY GOES, TO THE RESOURCES TO ARM THEM.

I THINK WE HAVE SEEN SOME POSITIVE CHANGE IN RECENT DAYS.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAID IN MINNEAPOLIS HERE ONLY GOING TO TARGET ALIENS WITH A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND COMING INTO THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY, OBVIOUSLY.

WE HAVE SEEN THEM ORDER ICE AGENTS NOT TO ENGAGE PROTESTORS BECAUSE NOTHING POSITIVE COMES FROM THAT AND THEY'VE ISSUED OTHER DIRECTIVES LIKE USING A MEGA PHONE TO ARTICULATE WHAT THEY WANT PEOPLE TO DO SO IT'S CLEARLY HEARD AND PEOPLE CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THE SITUATION ENTAILS.

SO THERE HAS BEEN SOME POSITIVE STEPS IN THE SHORT-TERM.

>> YEAH, SOME POSITIVE STEPS.

SO LET ME ASK YOU THIS, LUKE.

AND THIS MIGHT BE POLITICALLY INCORRECT QUESTION.

BUT I'LL ASK IT ANYWAY.

COULD THIS HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD DEMOCRATS OR LEADERS OF THESE BLUE CITIES AND STATES COOPERATED IN THE FIRST PLACE BY TRANSFERRING THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CRIMINALLY ACCUSED SO THAT INNOCENT, HARD WORKING IMMIGRANTS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT UP IN THIS?

>> I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT DEMOCRATIC CITIES SHOULD DO, RIGHT?

IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, IF YOU HAVE AN UNDOCUMENTED PERSON WHO HAS COMMITTED A CRIME, PARTICULARLY HARMS A COMMUNITY, IS THERE IS NO NEED FOR THEM TO STAY IN THIS COUNTRY.

MORE COOPERATION IS MERITED BUT I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HAVE NECESSARILY CHANGED THE TACTICS OR FOCUS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> I WANT TO CAUTION AGAINST BLAMING THE MAYOR OF MINNEAPOLIS FOR NOT COOPERATING ON THIS.

WE HAVE UNTRAINED COS PLAYING FOLKS WITH GUNS OUT THERE WHO DO NOT NEED TO SHOOT PROTESTORS.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW.

IF THE FOCUS REALLY HAD BEEN JUST ON WORKING ON FINDING CRIMINALS, AND THERE HADN'T BEEN VIOLENT REPRESSION JUST ABSOLUTELY ABHORRENT IMAGES COMING OUT, THERE WOULDN'T BE THIS MEDIA NARRATIVE AND TRUMP WOULDN'T HAVE CHANGED THE TACTICS.

IT'S A RESPONSE TO THIS.

THERE IS RISING DISCONTENT.

HE SEES THE POLLING NUMBERS OF INDEPENDENTS WHO ARE NOW REALLY QUESTIONING WHETHER THEY'RE ON BOARD WITH ICE TACTICS.

IT WENT TOO FAR AND THEY'RE BACKING DOWN.

NOW YOU ASKED US WHAT IS THE PATHWAY GOING FORWARD.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A DISCUSSION IN CONGRESS.

IT SEEMS LIKE, AT LEAST RIGHT NOW THERE IS GOING TO BE AN OPEN GOVERNMENT AND TWO WEEKS TO NEGOTIATE THE FUTURE OF ICE FUNDING.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS WHAT THE FUTURE OF ICE FUNDING LOOKS LIKE.

WHAT I'M LOOKING AT GOING FORWARD, IS WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 6 VIOLATIONS OF COURT ORDERS BY ICE IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH IN MINNESOTA?

ARE THEY GOING TO CONTINUE TO VIOLATE THE RULE OF LAW AND WHAT COURTS ARE TELLING THEM, PARTICULARLY ABOUT NOT RUSHING TO DEPORT IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY HAVE A PATHWAY TO STAY HERE LEGALLY BECAUSE OF THEIR PROTECTED STATUS.

>> OR WHO MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE A DEFENSE, RIGHTS OF AN APPEAL.

SO TO AARON'S POINT, MICHAEL, WHAT ABOUT THAT?

WHAT ABOUT THE INFRACTIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED?

WOULD IT BE A GOOD EXPENDITURE OF DEMOCRATS TIME TO FOCUS ON HOLDING THOSE OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BUT I THINK ONE THING WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND IS WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WITH A VERY MER CURIAL PSYCHOLOGY.

WHAT HE THINKS AND SAYS TODAY COULD BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HE THINKS AND SAYS TOMORROW.

WHAT LUKE MENTIONS WHILE WONDERFUL ON THE SURFACE, WE HAVE TO SEE HOW IT'S INSTITUTED IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.

ACCOUNTABILITY IS TOP OF MIND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> ACCOUNTABILITY IS SOMETHING, THE RULE OF LAW, TO ENSURE THAT.

WE DO HAVE THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS WHO ARE ENSURING THAT THAT HAPPENS.

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT THAT AND I'M HEARTENED BY THE FACT THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT.

AND ICE FUNDING AND CPB FUNDING COULD COME OUT OF THAT.

IT IS AMAZING TRUMP HAS RETREATED ON THAT BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY GOING INTO THIS THAT THE LONG-TERM HEALTH WITHOUT THEM BEING AT THE BORDER BECAUSE THERE IS NO REASON TO BE AT THE BORDER, MEANS THEY HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE AND THAT WORRIES ME.

>> THE LARGEST BUDGET OF THE 15 DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT.

TYE, LET ME ASK YOU, HOW DOES THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST GET ADDRESSED HERE BECAUSE PART OF THE REASON THAT TRUMP IS BACKING OFF THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE IS BECAUSE VOTERS HAD THE ECONOMY AND INFLATION AT THE TOP OF MIND BUT ALSO CONTROL AT THE BORDER.

HOW DO WE WRESTLE WITH THAT?

>> THE BORDER IS UNDER CONTROL.

THE PROBLEM AGAIN IS WHAT YOU DO YOU DO WITH ALL THESE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW AGENTS.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO AND WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO?

AS LONG AS STEVEN MILLER IS IN CHARGE OF THE IMMIGRATION, SETTING THE PRIORITY AND THAT'S THE PRIORITY WRN THE ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE HE HAS THE MOST POWER, IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE VOTING WITH THEIR FEET IN EACH ONE OF THESE CITIES AND THE MORE VIOLENCE THAT OCCURS, IT IS GOING TO BE WORSE FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BUT IT'S GOING TO BE MORE VIOLENCE, I THINK.

>> MORE VIOLENCE.

THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER TOPICS WE COULD HAVE TOUCHED ON JUST WITH THIS BUT WE'LL COME BACK TO IT.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD NOW.

AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RETREATS FROM CLIMATE POLICY AND SCIENCE, DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS APPEAR TO BE SHYING AWAY ALSO.

LATELY, WE HEAR THEM TALK ABOUT CLIMATE POLICY LESS AND LESS.

IT SEEMS DEMOCRATS ARE DIVIDED OVER WHETHER TO CENTER CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE RUN UP TO MIDTERM ELECTIONS OR PUT OTHER ISSUES FRONT-AND-CENTER, SUCH AS AFFORDABILITY.

SOME DEMOCRATS SAY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS NOT A WINNING MESSAGE IN THE CURRENT POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT.

OTHERS SAY THAT CLEAN ENERGY IS MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER.

THAT IT'S ACTUALLY CRITICAL TO AFFORDABILITY.

WHICH IS IT?

AND IS IT EITHER/OR?

>> IT IS HARD FOR ANY STRATEGIST FOR THEIR CANDIDATE TO RUN ON CLIMATE ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S NOT A MAJOR FOCUS FOR MOST AMERICANS MOST OF THE TIME.

THAT SAID, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A BIG PROBLEM AND IT'S PRIMARILY MESSAGING.

I AM REMINDED OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN NY 22 TOOK OFFICE, NEWLY ELECTED.

GOES TO THE LEADER AND SAYS YOU KNOW WHAT, I WANT TO COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AND HE SAID, HE SAID YEAH, WE ALL DO BUT WE ALL THINK THAT BUT WE DON'T SAY THAT.

THAT'S WHERE THE DEMOCRATS ARE RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEY DID A LOT UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AS AARON I'M SURE WILL HELP EDUCATE US ON BUT THEY DIDN'T RUN ON IT IN THE LAST ELECTION.

THEY REALLY WANT THIS CHANGE AND HAVE DONE THESE THINGS BUT SCARED THE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF EMPHASIZING THAT AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> YOU SAY IT'S MESSAGING.

AND ACTUALLY THE CHAIR OR THE LEAD DEMOCRAT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE, SENATOR SHELDON WHITE HOUSE ECHOS YOUR MESSAGE SAYING THEY HAVE TO FIND A BETTER MESSAGE.

THEY SAY THAT MESSAGE IS CONNECTING IT TO AFFORDABILITY.

WOULD THAT MAKE IT BETTER, DO YOU ANY.

>> I'M GOING TO JUMP IN THERE AND SAY I THINK IT WOULD MAKE IT BETTER AND THAT'S CRITICAL.

THIS GOES BACK TO THE 2024 ELECTION.

IF YOU REMEMBER THE 2020 ELECTION MOST OF US YOU TALKED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE 2020 ELECTION.

IN THE 2020 ELECTION DEMOCRATS RAN ON CLIMATE.

THEY WERE GOING TO DO SOMETHING, BUILD AMERICAN JOBS AND DO IT WITH CLEAN ENERGY AND THEY DID IT IN 2022 WITH THE MOST AMAZING AMBITIOUS CLIMATE POLICY WE HAVE SEEN IN THE WORD.

IT SET THE U.S.

ON TRACK TO REACH OUR PARIS AGREEMENT TARGETS.

REMEMBER THAT?

IT WAS A THING.

AND SO WE HAD THIS AMAZING LAW.

THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT THAT WAS GOING TO TRANSFORM OUR ENERGY SYSTEM.

AND THEN IN 2024, INSTEAD OF SAYING HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND MOVE FORWARD, KAMALA HARRIS AS A CANDIDATE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT CLIMATE.

WAS SCARED OF IT AND WAS SCARED OF IT BECAUSE POTENTIALLY LOSING PENNSYLVANIA, DIDN'T SEE IT AS A WINNING ISSUE.

WAS WORRIED ABOUT TALKING ABOUT FRACKING AND RAN AWAY FROM IT AND THEY HAVE NOT PICKED UP THE THREAD SINCE THEN.

THEY ABANDONED CLIMATE IN 2024 AND I WILL SAY, TO THEIR PERIL.

CLEAN ENERGY WE NEED FOR AFFORDABILITY.

ELECTRICITY PRICES.

LOOK AT YOUR ELECTRIC BILL.

HAS IT GONE UP?

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLY.

WHERE IS IT GOING TO COME FROM?

>> MICHAEL, PIGGY BACKING ON AARON'S POINT, PART OF THE ARGUMENT ABOUT MESSAGING BEING CRAP IS THAT BUYERS ARE BUYING IT.

IT'S NOT A SALIENT ISSUE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

>> THE PROBLEM WITH THE DEMOCRATS IS HOW DO YOU BRING OUT THE INDEPENDENTS AND BRING BACK THE DEMOCRATS WHO STAYED AT HOME.

NO MATTER HOW MUCH I AGREE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IT POSSIBLY IS NOT A WINNING UP FRONT MESSAGE FOR THE MID TERMS.

GET YOUR PEOPLE IN OFFICE FIRST AND THEN YOU ATTEND TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THE CONSTITUENCY.

I THINK THE DEMOCRATIC BASE IS GOING TO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT NOT ALL OF THEIR ISSUES CAN BE FRONT AND CENTER THIS TIME.

YOU GET YOUR PEOPLE IN OFFICE AND THEN YOU PUT THE PRESSURE ON BUT DURING THE CAMPAIGN, STICK ON THE FRONT AND CENTER ISSUES LIKE JOBS, INCOME, HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, LIFE EXPECTANCY, PRENATAL CARE AND HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE.

ALSO DEMOCRATS DON'T OVER INTELLECTUALIZE EVERYTHING ON YOUR MESSAGING.

SPEAK IN PLAIN EVERYDAY LANGUAGE ABOUT PLAIN EVERYDAY ISSUES, PLAIN EFERRED FOLKS.

IF YOU DO THAT, EVERYDAY LANGUAGE, I THINK THE DEMOCRATS WIN THE DAY THIS COMING NOVEMBER.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I FEEL VERY NERVOUS ABOUT SAYING THIS IN FRONT OF AARON BECAUSE HE LAS FORGOTTEN MORE ABOUT CLIMATE SCIENCE.

I'VE GOT A TWITTER POST ABOUT IT AND HE'S GOT REAMS OF JOURNAL HOUSING.

WE HAVE A HUGE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

AS LONG AS WE CAN SAY THAT DLIEMENT IS NOT GOING TO GET I'M I'M CLIMATE WON'T GET IN THE WAY OF BIDDING MORE HOUSING BUT WILL HELP OUR CITIZENS WITH CLEANER BILLS AND BETTER COMMUNITIES, THAT'S A WINNING MESSAGE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ENERGY.

WE TALK ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY AND CLEAN ENERGY POLICY.

IT'S ABOUT INSURANCE.

CAN YOU GET INSURANCE FOR A HOME?

GO TO FLORIDA OR CALIFORNIA OR INDEED PLACES THAT ARE PRONE TO FLOODS, IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO THAT AND GETTING HARDER BECAUSE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE OUT IN THESE BIG STORMS.

WE NEED LEADERSHIP THAT'S GOING TO COME IN AND SAY HEY, HOUSING IS UNAFFORDABLE, IT'S HARD TO GET INSURANCE.

THERE IS A CRISIS HERE AND ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS, ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS FOR IT IS TO DOUBLE DOWN ON PAYING ATTENTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE SO WE CAN BUILD A BETTER ECONOMY FOR THE FUTURE.

AND HERE IS HOW.

THEY HAVEN'T GOT THAT MESSAGE.

THEY COULD.

WE HAVE SHELDON WHITE HOUSE SAYING WE SHOULD RUN ON AFFORDABILITY.

>> ELECTIONS ARE ABOUT THE NOW, NOT THE FUTURE.

THAT'S WHERE THE RUB COMES IN, PARTICULARLY IN AMERICAN POLITICS.

IT'S SO HARD TO PLAN AND GOOD GOVERN FOR THE FUTURE WHEN PEOPLE ARE SO FOCUSED ON GETTING AND SUSTAINING POWER NOW.

>> AND OF COURSE WE ARE TALKING SCIENCE AS TY POINTED OUT.

HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT SELL?

MOVING CLOSER TO HOME.

RESIDENTS IN A SYRACUSE NEIGHBORHOOD RALLIED TOGETHER TO SAY ‘NO' TO A BATTERY STORAGE CENTER IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THE FACILITY IS PART OF A NEW YORK STATE PROGRAM TO GENERATE NEW SOURCES OF ELECTRICITY AND TO HELP WITH BLACKOUTS AND HIGH ENERGY DEMAND.

BUT RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISKS.

THEY WORRY ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE AND POLLUTION FROM LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES IN THE MIDDLE OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

AARON, SHOULD THEY WORRY?

>> THEY'RE RIGHT TO THINK ABOUT FIRES, BUT NO, I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD WORRY.

THESE BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES ARE EXTREMELY SAFE.

THINGS THAT ARE NEW ARE A LITTLE BIT SCARY.

WE RECENTLY RAN A POLL THROUGH THE LEAF ITS CENTER AT HAMILTON COLLEGE AND THE UPSTATE INSTITUTE AT COLGATE UNIVERSITY, THAT ASKED RESIDENTS OF CENTRAL NEW YORK AND THE MOHAWK VALLEY, WOULD YOU SUPPORT A BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE FACILITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

THAT WAS THE QUESTION.

40% SAID THEY WOULD SUPPORT IT.

30% WOULD OPPOSE AND 30% SAID THEY WERE UNSURE.

THAT'S MUCH HIGHER THAN FOR SOLAR AND OTHERS.

IN OTHER WORDS, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

THIS IS A NEW TECHNOLOGY.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE AFRAID OF IT OR NOT.

AND YOU HEAR A STORY OF A FIRE, AS JUST HAPPENED IN ORANGE COUNTY IN SOUTHERN NEW YORK WHERE THERE WAS A BATTERY FIRE, AND YOU GET WORRIED.

SO WHAT WE FEED TO DO IS REALLY TALK ABOUT THIS MORE, HAVE LOTS OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S HAPPENING ENOUGH.

INTERESTINGLY, SUPPORT IN SYRACUSE IS ACTUALLY EVEN HIGHER FOR THIS, UP TO 55% OF SYRACUSE RESIDENTS SUPPORT BATTERY STORAGE.

>> SO, JUST THINKING ABOUT THE 30% THAT'S UNSURE, DO I HAVE IT RIGHT THAT WHAT THESE CENTERS WOULD DO IS STORE ENERGY OVERNIGHT DURING LOW USAGE POINTS AND THEN DELIVER IT ON DEMAND WHEN IT'S NEEDED, ESPECIALLY DURING BLACKOUTS.

>> THE SAME TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR PHONE.

YOU CHARGE YOUR PHONE UP AND DISCHARGE IT.

IT GETS CHARGED AT NIGHT WHEN THERE IS A LOT OF ELECTRICITY, RELATIVELY CHEAP AND AT PEAK DEMAND, WHICH USUALLY HAPPENS RIGHT WHEN EVERYONE COMES HOME EVERY SINGLE DAY AND TURNS ON ALL THEIR DEVICES AND START COOKING, THAT'S WHEN HAVE YOU PEAK DEMAND, IN ORDER TO ENSURE WE HAVE ENOUGH ELECTRICITY, WE HAVE TO HAVE-- AND THAT'S WHEN IT IS GIVING YOU THE POWER.

>> LUKE.

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOGIC TO IT.

I THINK AARON IS ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF RESEARCHING OUR COMIERNTS AND HOW THEY THINK ABOUT THIS.

I WAS IN THE 30% THAT DIDN'T KNOW AND NOW RESEARCHING IT, I'M IN THE 30% WHO OPPOSE IT.

THESE CENTERS ARE BIGGER THAN YOUR PHONE AND THE PROSPECT FOR FIRE AND DAMAGE IS NOT ONLY TO THE FACILITY BUT THE TOXINS THAT GO OUT INTO THE AIR THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE TO BREATHE AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO MONITOR.

AND NOT TO MENTION THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE AT RISK IN TERMS OF OR DEALING WITH THESE JAI-ALAILY FLAMMABLE TAXIC MATERIALS.

SO I WOULD NOT WANT ONE OF THESE IN MY COMMUNITY.

I'M FINE IF YOU PUT THEM IN AN INDUSTRIAL SPACE AND REZONE IT IN A WAY WHERE THEY'RE AWAY FROM RESIDENTS AND I KNOW NEW YORK HAS BEEN WORKING ON ZONING IN THAT REGARD.

BUT WE HAVE HAD FACILITIESES IN NEW YORK STATE WHERE THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE FIRES AND THEY CAN'T GET RID OF THE FACILITY, THE RESIDENTS ARE ANGRY AND TOWNS ARE BANNING THIS.

THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THIS.

>> TIED TO LUKE'S POINT, THE SYRACUSE CITY FIRE CHIEF TESTIFIED BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THAT IS A REAL RISK.

AND THAT A STUDY NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT WHAT HAS HAPPENED ELSEWHERE DOESN'T HAPPEN HERE.

YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK THERE ARE 5,000 OF THESE IN NEW YORK STATE ALREADY.

SO THERE ARE ALREADY 5,000.

AND I WAS JUST THINKING, I USED TO LIVE NEAR A GAS STATION.

AND A GAS STATION HAS GOT A 30,000 GALLON TANK OF HIGHLY FLAMMABLE FUEL UNDERNEATH THE GROUND AND OCCASIONALLY THEY LEAK.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PER SOLUTION TO ENERGY.

BUT WE REALLY LIKE IT.

I REALLY LIKE HAVING MY LIGHTS ON.

PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S THIS COLD.

SO I THINK THAT WITH ALL OF THESE THINGS, WE DO NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT BETTER BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS A BETTER SOLUTION THAN THESE BATTERY PLANTS ARE.

SO I THINK I'M THINKING THEY NEED TO GO IN.

WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY FOLLOW THE NEW YORK STATE REGULATIONS WHICH I THINK THEY'RE DOING.

>> THIS INSTALLATION PERHAPS WILL BE NEAR A GAS STATION, SO, MICHAEL, WHO SHOULD DECIDE?

WHO SHOULD MAKE THE FINAL CALL HERE?

>> I THINK THE PEOPLE SHOULD.

NOTHING AGAINST THE PROMISES OF SCIENCE.

ON A HUMAN LEVEL, ANY TIME I HEAR ANYTHING INDUSTRIAL BEING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, I HEAR ABOUT SAVAGE INEQUALITY WHERE HE TALKED ABOUT THE MONSANTO PLAN AND ST.

LOUIS HAS HAS HAD A HIGH RATE OF INFANT MORE TO THE-- MORTALITY AND ASTHMA, CANCER ALLEY, LOUISIANA, 85 MILES ALONG MISSISSIPPI WITH THE PETROL PLANTS AND IT BRINGS IN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST POOR BLACK AND WHITE PEEP.

HISTORY HAS SHOWN THAT THERE IS A DANGEROUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BIG MONEY AND HEALTH OF REGULAR FOLKS.

SO WE WILL SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU THE FINAL SAY.

>> I DON'T WANT TO EQUATE PETROCHEMICALS WITH CLEAN BATTERY.

THESE DON'T LEAK.

THERE ARE FIRE RISKS.

WE NEED IT NEAR CITIES TO DELIVER ENERGYFORDBLY.

>> CAN WE PLACE IT FAR AWAY?

>> >> THAT WILL BE DECIDED.

WHAT NEW YORK STATE DID WAS GET A STUDY GROUP TOGETHER AND SO AS ALWAYS, AS DEASHINGS WE LIKE TO SEE A DUDDY.

NOW IT'S TIME FOR OUR GRADE BOOKS.

WE'LL START LUKE WITH YOUR F.

>> MY F GOES TO THE U.S.

GRANTING EXCLUSIVE OIL SELLING CONTRACTS IN VENEZUELA TO TWO COMPANIES THAT WE CONVICTED OF BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION.

THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE USE OF $500 MILLION.

>> AND MICHAEL.

>> MY F GOES TO MARCO RUBIO FOR HIS LIFE LONG VENDETTA AGAINST FIDEL CASTRO AND TURNING IT INTO HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VENEZUELA.

>> MINE IS TO PETE HEGSETH.

I HAVE LIVED OVERSEAS FOR OVER SEVEN YEARS AND RED STARS AND STRIPES EVERY DAY.

AND SINCE I HAVE RETIRED, I HAVE WRITTEN OP-EDS FOR HIM.

HE HAS TAKEN AWAY THE EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE GRANTED BY CONGRESS AND ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY INCOMPETENT LEADERS TO CONTROL THE MESSAGE AND THE MEDIA.

>> JUST TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH STARS AND STRIPES.

DID THE SECRETARY OF WAR/DEFENSE, WHATEVER HE IS.

>> I WON'T CALL HIM SECRETARY OF WAR.

THAT'S NOT THE LEGAL TERM.

>> CHIEF BRO.

>> SO YOU SAY THAT HE TOOK AWAY THE ED EDDIED TORIAL INDEPENDENCE.

DID HE CLEAR THE BOARD OF THE ORIGINAL EDITORS?

>> DON'T KNOW YET.

IT'S STILL A MATTER OF WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

DURING TRUMP'S FIRST ADMINISTRATION, THEY TRIED TO KILL STARS AND STRIPES ALL TOGETHER.

NOW THEY'RE NOT BUT SAYING IT IS GOING TO BE A MOUTH PIECE OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> SOMETHING DIFFERENT, OKAY, YOUR F.

>> TO THE NFL HALL OF FAME.

SO I GREW UP IN MAINE.

I'M A PATRIOTS FAN I'M EXCITED TO SEE THEM IN THE SUPER BOWL.

YOU CAN'T NOT ELECT BELLICHICK TO THE HALL OF FAME.

A TOTAL FAIL OF THE VOTING SYSTEM AND THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED AGAINST HIM.

HE IS THE WINNINGEST SUPER BOWL COACH EVER.

HE SHOULD BE IN.

>> I FEEL THAT PAIN.

NOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR AS.

GOOD NEWS STARTING AGAIN WITH YOU, LUKE.

>> MY A GOES TO THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF GREGORY JARVIS.

Mr.

JARVIS WAS AN ENGINEER, AIR FORCE CAPTAIN AND ASTRONAUT FROM MOHAWK WHO DIED IN THE CHALLENGER EXPLOSION, THE ANNIVERSARY THAT HAPPENED 40 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

>> MY A GO TO A COUPLE OF COLLEAGUES, MARY MAGUIRE AND JERRY CALLAHAN WHO RETIRED FROM A QUARTER CENTURY OF SCIENCE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE.

NECESSITY JOIN BOB SPITZER IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.

>> WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT BOB SPITZER.

TY.

>> MY A GOES TO U.S.

DISTRICT COURTS LIKE THE ONE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

DUE PROCESS, THE RULE OF LAW IS THE SECRET SAUCE FOR BUSINESS GOVERNMENT IN THIS COUNTRY.

I RECENTLY SERVED AS EXPERT WITNESS AT A FEDERAL TRIAL AND CAME AWAY SO IMPRESSED BY THE FEDERAL JUDGES, CLERKS AND STAFF ENSURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ADHERES TO THE RULE OF LAW, FRONT LINE AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION'S LAWLESSNESS.

>> IN THE TUMULT OF OUR COUNTRY, WE CAN SOMETIMES FORGET THAT THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE EVERYTHING WORK ALL AROUND US.

AND SO MY A GOES TO SNOW PLOW DRIVERS.

WE HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW STORMS AND THE BEAST THAT IS AN UNFROZEN LAKE ONTARIO CONTINUES TO PRODUCE, IT IS AMAZING TO LIVE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK AND SEE HOW QUICKLY THOSE SCHOOL PARKING LOTS AND HIGHWAYS AND ROADS ARE CLEARED BY ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE OUT THERE DOING GOD'S WORK.

>> HERE, HERE.

>> HERE, HERE.

>> ALL AROUND ONLY BECAUSE WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT.

I HAVE TO ECHO THAT SENTIMENT.

WE LITERALLY COULD NOT MOVE AROUND WERE IT NOT FOR BOTH THE SNOW PLOW DRIVERS AND ALSO THE FOLKS WHO SHOVEL ALL OF THOSE NEW SIDEWALKS.

>> UNBELIEVABLE.

THANK YOU ALL WHO ARE DOING THAT WORK.

AS AARON CALLS IT, GOD'S WORK.

AND I AGREE.

WELL, THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION WITH US OFFLINE PLEASE WRITE TO THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.

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I'M NINA MOORE.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "IVORY TOWER" HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.