February 20, 2026 Interviews Bob Broussard re: S.C.C. Civil Grand Jury; Dr. Mijin Cha re: BESS and environmental justice

Hour One: Mr. Bob Broussard, current Foreperson of the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury, describes the work of the Civil Grand Jury, the investigations that lead to improved local government and how people can volunteer to participate in the 2026-2027 Civil Grand Jury.

https://www.santacruz.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil-grand-jury

Hour Two: Dr. Mijin Cha, UCSC Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies, affiliate faculty in the legal studies department, and on the Faculty Advisory Board at the UCSC Center for Labor and Community. She is also a Fellow at Cornell University’s Climate Jobs Institute

and authored the book A Just Transition for All: Workers and Communities for a Carbon-Free Future was published by MIT Press in Dec. 2024

https://mijincha.com/about-me/

Dr. Cha discusses the implications of transitioning energy sources from fossil fuel  to solar and wind, but cautions the real implications of the battery energy storage systems (BESS)  required that may merely shift the health and safety risks as well as pollution related to mineral mining to other disenfranchised communities.  She emphasizes the importance of full and early engagement of the Communities affected to support social and environmental justice and government transparency, focusing on the People more than the profits related.

Please visit "People of Red Mountain" re: Lithium mining on sacred Tribal lands:

https://peopleofredmountain.com/