{
  "id": 14425873,
  "title": "The Politics of Solar Energy Are Getting Weird, Mean, and a Little MAGA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/the-politics-of-solar-energy-are-getting-weird-mean-and-a-little-maga",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-14T10:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Wired",
    "slug": "wired",
    "url": "https://www.wired.com/story/the-politics-of-solar-energy-are-getting-weird-mean-and-a-little-maga/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The world of solar energy politics is becoming increasingly unconventional and contentious, with a new political action committee (PAC) taking a more aggressive stance. This PAC, funded by crypto billionaire Chris Larsen and backed by pro-solar advocates, is launching a series of targeted attack ads against seven prominent Republican opponents of renewable energy in the upcoming congressional elections. Their budget for these ads is $15 million, in addition to $5 million already spent in the primaries. The PAC aims to unseat Republican representatives Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Chip Roy of Texas, and Victoria Spartz of Indiana. They are also targeting Democrat Dan McKee in Rhode Island. The strategy is to focus on issues that resonate with Republican primary voters, such as \"not being MAGA enough,\" rather than discussing renewables or climate change. This approach has been met with mixed reactions, as some green groups argue it may alienate decision-makers who could be crucial allies. However, the PAC's CEO, Chris Coffey, believes that taking a more aggressive stance is necessary to make the renewable energy industry \"loved, respected, and feared.\"",
  "summary": "A mysterious super PAC that doubles as a pro-solar-energy outfit is funding some of the most knives-out attack ads of the midterms season.",
  "key_points": [
    "New solar PAC launches $15M ad campaign against 4 Republicans",
    "Focus on \"not being MAGA enough\" rather than renewables",
    "CEO Chris Coffey aims to make renewables \"loved, respected, and feared\""
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Wired Science",
        "title": "The Politics of Solar Energy Are Getting Weird, Mean, and a Little MAGA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/the-politics-of-solar-energy-are-getting-weird-mean-and-a-little-maga-14427998",
        "published": "2026-10-14T10:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}