Filling cabinet position with temporary, acting chiefs has long been a trademark of the Trump administration. But on Friday, a judge ruled that William Perry Pendley’s time as acting chief of the Bureau of Land Management was unlawful, and ordered a massive review of the agency’s moves over the past year, opening the door for walk backs. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and Kelsey Tamborrino investigate which of BLM’s rules could be at risk. Ben Lefebvre covers energy policy for POLITICO. Kelsey Tamborri...
Sep 29, 2020•7 min•Ep. 240
Over the weekend, the president announced he is nominating Amy Coney Barrett to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Barrett, a longtime legal scholar with a short tenure as a federal judge, is almost certain to be confirmed, after GOP senators confirmed they would vote on the nomination over the past week. But what would a Justice Barrett mean for environmental law? POLITICO’s Alex Guillen explains. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO an...
Sep 28, 2020•6 min•Ep. 239
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday, setting a goal to ban the sale of new gas vehicles within 15 years. But, the order faces major legal obstacles ahead. POLITICO’s Eric Wolff explains. Eric Wolff covers energy and policy for POLITICO. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is an audio intern for POLITICO Audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of P...
Sep 25, 2020•8 min•Ep. 238
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. energy company executives polled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas believe U.S. crude oil production has peaked, according to survey results released Wednesday. What does that mean for the oil industry? And who are oil executives blaming? POLITICO’S Ben Lefebvre explains. Ben Lefebvre covers energy and policy for POLITICO. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is an audio intern for POLITICO Audio. Irene Noguchi is the e...
Sep 24, 2020•7 min•Ep. 237
China's President Xi Jinping announced on Tuesday that the world's top-emitting country would pursue swifter greenhouse gas emissions goals, pledging to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 and to reach peak emissions before 2030. How does that compare to the United States’ current climate goals? POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains. Zack Colman is a Politico Energy reporter. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of Politico’s audio dep...
Sep 23, 2020•8 min•Ep. 236
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be remembered as a champion of gender equality, but she also left behind a considerable environmental legacy. POLITICO's Alex Guillén and Annie Snider take a look at her past rulings, and peek into the future of environmental cases the high court could consider without RBG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 22, 2020•9 min•Ep. 235
States across the map are embracing the transition to clean energy sources. And in the growing wind market, a race is underway to become the inland hub of offshore wind power in the eastern seaboard. POLITICO New Jersey’s Sam Maldonado and New York’s Marie French explain how each state plans to become the capital of offshore wind along the Atlantic coast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 21, 2020•6 min•Ep. 232
In the 21st century, technological developments have allowed America to develop its fossil fuel market and become a major player as a natural gas exporter, while market forces are pushing coal into extinction. And now, climate change is forcing many developed economies to transition into green energy. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre talked to Pulitzer prize-winning author Dan Yergin about the future of the energy world, and how it’s reshaping geopolitics. Kelsey Tamborrino is a Politico Energy reporter....
Sep 18, 2020•10 min•Ep. 234
Despite resistance from the energy sector, the Waxman-Markey bill’s cap and trade bill made it to the Senate 11 years ago. But the bill, which proposed a market-based approach to climate change policy, ultimately died on the Senate floor. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains why the chiefs of some of the energy companies that opposed cap and trade now want the government to go down a similar route to address the climate crisis. Kelsey Tamborrino is a Politico Energy reporter. Zack Colman is an...
Sep 17, 2020•8 min•Ep. 231
After years of paying to recover from massive natural disasters, cities and states want to send the bill to who they see as the main culprits of climate change: big oil companies. POLITICO’s Alex Guillen, on why lawsuits against fossil fuel giants are racking up nationwide, and which court may take up these cases. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Alex Guillen covers the EPA and environmental issues for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast p...
Sep 16, 2020•5 min•Ep. 230
The 2020 election is proving to be extremely competitive up and down the ballot. In Iowa, the president is holding a narrow lead over Democratic nominee Joe Biden, while GOP senator Joni Ernst is also in a tight race to hold a seat that could determine which party controls the Senate. And yesterday, the EPA announced it would side with corn producers in the battle for biofuel exemptions, a move that could help Republicans in the state. POLITICO’s Eric Wolff explains. Anthony Adragna is an energy...
Sep 15, 2020•7 min•Ep. 229
As Energy secretary, Rick Perry spent much of his time trying to open the Ukrainian energy market to American natural gas exports. But new reporting says he was also trying to help out some friends in the energy sector. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is ...
Sep 14, 2020•8 min•Ep. 228
In the span of 9 months, some of America’s biggest threats have all converged at once: a pandemic that’s killed nearly 200,000 people, a crumbling economy, and natural disasters boosted by climate change that are ravaging every corner of the country. And in searching for solutions, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a host of progressive organizations believe the only way to fix these problems is with an all-encompassing approach. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host...
Sep 11, 2020•8 min•Ep. 227
Earlier this week, another federal government agency released a clear warning on the risks of climate change. In a massive bipartisan report, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission warned the climate crisis could fundamentally shake the American financial system. POLITICO’s Zack Colman got its hands on the report before anyone else, and he explains how it could reshape financial regulators’ response to the climate crisis, and how other countries are already baking in climate change into their ...
Sep 10, 2020•8 min•Ep. 226
Since winning the presidency, Donald Trump and his top officials have promised oil companies they would deliver on rolling back limits on offshore drilling. But yesterday, the president seemed to change his tune, signing a memorandum limiting drilling off the coast of some states that have become essential for his re-election campaign. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre, on why the president reversed course, and how the announcement took many by surprise, including some in his own party. Anthony Adragna is...
Sep 09, 2020•7 min•Ep. 225
Monstrous robots to sort through recycling, school buses that double as gigantic batteries… states around the country are leading the way with ambitious projects to reach climate goals. But what do these green projects look like? POLITICO’s Lorraine Woellert, Nancy Vu, Sam Maldonado, and Debra Kahn explain these innovative solutions. Carlos Prieto is a podcast producer at POLITICO. Lorraine Woellert is an editor at POLITICO. Nancy Vu is an editorial intern at POLITICO. Samantha Maldonado covers ...
Sep 08, 2020•14 min•Ep. 224
For years, US foreign policy has relied heavily on sanctioning countries to get the Trump administration’s desired outcome. But can America’s inflexibility end up breaking decades-long ties with important allies? And how might the poisoning of a Russian opposition figure shake up the fight?POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre, on how the aggressive push to keep Nord Stream 2 from happening could end up hurting transatlantic relations with the European Union. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO...
Sep 04, 2020•8 min•Ep. 223
A big company allegedly bribes some politicians in order to get a massive bailout for two nuclear power plants. Nope, it’s not the plot of the next Mission Impossible, it’s what the FBI says happened in Ohio in a scheme that involves the state’s largest energy company. POLITICO’s Eric Wolff, with the rest of the plot, and the fallout from the charges against former state House Speaker, Larry Householder. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Eric Wolff i...
Sep 03, 2020•7 min•Ep. 222
For decades, the US Chamber of Commerce has primarily fought to get Republicans in power to keep a business-friendly government. But in 2020, the lobbying group is looking to hedge their bets and back some Democratic candidates, even if it means breaking with some in the oil industry. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and Zack Colman, on how the Chamber is picking their endorsements, and how they are rattling the oil industry’s interests. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLI...
Sep 02, 2020•8 min•Ep. 221
Joe Kennedy was born in 1980, a month before Ed Markey won his third Congressional race. Today, Massachusetts Democrats will choose which of them will represent the party in the Senate race this November. POLITICO’s Zack Colman, on how environmentalists are playing a major role this primary battle. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Zack Colman is an energy and environment reporter for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenny Amen...
Sep 01, 2020•8 min•Ep. 220
The Trump administration has so far notched a mixed record on the environment. Federal agencies, including the EPA and the Interior Department, have moved swiftly on deregulation, but have struggled in the courts, where California has led the charge against most of the federal government’s actions. POLITICO’s Alex Guillen looks at the greater picture, and how the state has fared in its dozens of environmental challenges against the administration — so far. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter f...
Aug 31, 2020•6 min•Ep. 219
This month, the White House pulled William Perry Pendley’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management. Yet, despite knowing he wouldn’t be confirmed in the Senate, Pendley is still running the agency. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and Kelsey Tamborrino [CUE THIS COMMA], on how Senate approval could not just threaten Pendley’s impacts at the agency, but set a dangerous precedent across the federal government. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Kelsey Tamborrino is an energy repor...
Aug 28, 2020•7 min•Ep. 218
As if a pandemic wasn’t enough, 2020 has already been filled with historic natural disasters: massive wildfires in California, hurricanes on the gulf coast, and huge storms in the Midwest. POLITICO’s Zack Colman, on what we know, and what we don’t, about how climate change relates with these catastrophes. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Zack Colman is an energy and environment reporter for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jen...
Aug 27, 2020•9 min•Ep. 217
Mortgage lenders and big banks can find out if a house is at risk of flooding, and they can hide that info from buyers. But now, a new tool from Realtor.com is letting millions of people find out whether their dream home is at risk of flooding. Bye bye, Hawaiian beach house? POLITICO’s Zack Colman, on the challenges that Realtor.com’s latest update will pose for the housing market. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Zack Colman is an energy and enviro...
Aug 26, 2020•9 min•Ep. 216
Louisiana and Texas are preparing for a week of potential devastation, with a storm about to make landfall and another gaining strength as it heads toward the coast. But, up to this point, unlike previous years, big storms are not yet translating in higher oil and gasoline prices. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains what the unusual one-two storm punch may mean for the oil industry. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is...
Aug 25, 2020•7 min•Ep. 215
For decades, environmentalists and conservatives have been on opposite sides of most issues, especially when it comes to exploiting natural resources. But it seems like the Alaskan salmon can forge even the most unlikely of alliances, and the complaints of influential Republicans may have convinced the Trump administration to consider shutting the door on Pebble Mine. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Alex Guillen explain. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. ...
Aug 24, 2020•8 min•Ep. 214
For more than a week, an intense heatwave has been deepening California’s already flaming summer. The dangerously high temperatures not only have forced many of the state’s power companies to set rolling blackouts, but have also sparked wildfires in nearly every corner of the state. Photographer Stuart Palley paints the picture from the line of fire, and POLITICO’s Colby Bermel explains what is happening on the energy front. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Colby Bermel is an ...
Aug 21, 2020•11 min•Ep. 213
While the Democratic National Convention takes on TV screens for just a couple of evening hours this week, behind the scenes, delegates are working around the clock to set the party’s platform. But when drafting the platform on climate, someone within the party removed language calling for the end of subsidies for fossil fuels. What’s going on with that fight and who’s most angry about it?POLITICO’s Zack Colman looks into it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Aug 20, 2020•8 min•Ep. 212
Since taking office, President Trump has struggled to strike a balance with two key Republican groups: corn farmers and oil refiners. They're at odds over how much ethanol should be blended into the fuel. And less than three months before the election with farmers critical to the GOP base, the importance of striking a balance is ever more important, especially after Iowa, a state huge in corn and oil, was ravaged by a natural disaster. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Carlos P...
Aug 19, 2020•8 min•Ep. 211
For 60 years, Alaska’s wildlife has had thousands of miles to roam away from any human contact at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. But once oil was found under the refuge, a fight started to allow for some drilling and production. And yesterday, oil producers scored a big win when the Interior Department officially opened parts of the refuge for business. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenny ...
Aug 18, 2020•9 min•Ep. 210
