On May 1, Dr. Leah Stokes of the University of California Santa Barbara delivered a sterling online lecture to SPA students and faculty. The event was part of the School of Public Affairs PhD Student Association’s (SPAPSA) Annual Prominent Public Affairs Seminar, which provides a platform for rising, pre-tenure scholars to share their research. In her presentation titled, “Short Circuiting Policy: Interest Groups and The Battle Over Clean Energy and Climate Policy in the American States,” Dr. Stokes explained how special interests have weakened clean energy legislation in the U.S. and suggests what can be done to address the challenge.