In this episode of The Climate Guru, host Brent dives into the paradoxical politics of green energy investments in the U.S. Midwest, focusing on the recent $500 million allocated to rebuild the Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill in Middletown, Ohio—home to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Despite opposing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and calling it the "Green New Scam," Vance's hometown stands to benefit greatly from this transformative legislation. Brent explores the historical significance of Middletown’s steel industry, its decline during deindustrialization, and the community’s fight for revitalization. With plans to replace coal-burning furnaces with hydrogen-powered alternatives, the project could create thousands of jobs while positioning Middletown as a leader in sustainable steel production. Brent also unpacks the broader contradictions: red states reaping billions in clean energy investments while their Republican leaders publicly oppose the green transition. From Ohio to Georgia and the Rust Belt to Appalachia, this episode examines the tension between political rhetoric and economic reality in America’s green energy revolution. Join Brent as he asks: Will green energy investments withstand the political crosswinds of the upcoming Trump administration? Listen in for a compelling discussion on the future of manufacturing, climate policy, and the Rust Belt's resurgence through green innovation.