POLITICO Energy - podcast cover

POLITICO Energy

Each week, hosts Nirmal Mulaikal and Josh Siegel break down the stories and power players shaping energy politics and policy in the United States and around the world by featuring original interviews with key power players, alongside in-depth reporting and analysis from the largest energy policy newsroom in the world.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

The G-7’s big climate takeaways

Over the weekend, leaders of the largest developed economies gathered in Cornwall, England to discuss their plans to tackle some of the world’s biggest issues, including how best to fight climate change.Today, POLITICO’s Ryan Heath discusses how these leaders are aligned on many of the broad goals, but critical details about the future of the coal sector- and other climate issues remain elusive. Ryan Heath is POLITICO's senior editor and the author of POLITICO's Global Translations. Anthony Adra...

Jun 15, 20218 minEp. 418

Progressives draw their climate red line

Two Joes are keeping faith that bipartisanship can deliver a deal on infrastructure: President Biden and Senator Joe Manchin. But amid mounting concerns from progressives a deal won’t include strong enough climate provisions, lawmakers are reminding the administration that their votes are also required for passage and they won’t rubber stamp just any deal. POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna explains the progressives’ warning shot. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy. Carlo...

Jun 14, 20218 minEp. 417

Biden scraps Trump’s water rule

Last year, Trump’s EPA announced a controversial rule to define the scope of a new controversial water rule. And on Wednesday, the White House announced it would roll back the rule and begin the process of creating a new one. Today, POLITICO’s Annie Snider analyzes the chances of a new rule sticking around. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a POLITICO podcast producer. Jenny Ament is the senior prod...

Jun 11, 20219 minEp. 416

Gina McCarthy’s climate reality check

Biden wants his administration to be a transformative period in American climate policy — that much was clear in the original infrastructure bill. Now, after months of no progress in negotiations with Senate Republicans, the White House’s climate advisor says the bill could omit some climate proposals — though she says they’ll keep fighting for all of it. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman, on his interview with the National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy and what could fall out of the infrastructure ...

Jun 10, 20218 minEp. 415

Colonial Pipeline’s CEO in the congressional hot seat

Just over a month ago, Russian hackers forced a weeklong shutdown of America’s most important pipeline. Yesterday, senators grilled Colonial Pipeline's CEO over Colonial’s cybersecurity measures and the decision to pay the multi-million dollar ransom. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre discusses the hearing's highlights of the hearing, and what it means for the government's role in protecting critical energy infrastructure in cyberspace. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO. Anthony Adragna is an...

Jun 09, 20219 minEp. 414

Biden’s LNG mixed messages

In recent years, US companies have been able to export liquefied natural gas to eastern Europe and Asia thanks to government investment in international deals and export facilities. Now, President Joe Biden has to decide whether the gas is lean enough to be part of his administration’s international climate policy or if renewable energies should become the only way forward. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre on the ambiguous early signals from the administration. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLIT...

Jun 08, 20218 minEp. 413

Biden’s honeymoon with progressives is up

Last year, Joe Biden had to expand and embolden his climate change agenda to get the support of environmental activists. Now, as the administration continues to search for bipartisan agreement on infrastructure, a big green group is bringing the heat to ensure climate action isn’t left behind. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is the exec...

Jun 07, 20218 minEp. 412

Can cap and trade enter coal country?

In Pennsylvania, fossil fuels were king even before US independence. First with coal, and then with natural gas, energy production has been a key driver of the state's economic growth. So, can the state’s governor succeed in getting Pennsylvania under a multi-state cap and trade system and curtail carbon emissions in the region? POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Marie French discuss the political fight over the move. Marie French covers energy for POLITICO. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for...

Jun 04, 20217 minEp. 411

Why Sen. Ossoff is leaning on climate

Earlier this year, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock flipped both of Georgia’s Senate seats to give Democrats control of Congress. Now, Sen. Ossoff is breaking the mold of a Democratic senator in the south and making action on climate change a priority. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna speaks with the senior Georgia senator. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO au...

Jun 03, 202111 minEp. 410

ANWR drilling in Biden's hands

The Trump administration tucked a gift into the 2017 tax bill long sought by oil companies: a legal mandate for the federal government to allow oil production in part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. But now, President Biden is stepping in, and POLITICO contributor Adam Federman reports that the administration is halting oil exploration at ANWR to take another look at the environmental risks. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Adam Federman is ...

Jun 02, 20218 minEp. 409

New Mexico’s climate hawk

Summertime is bringing the heat on the negotiations for an infrastructure package. In recent weeks, the White House and Senate negotiators have worked tirelessly to get bipartisan agreement on an ambitious package. But in an exclusive interview with POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna, New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich says effective climate policy is worth going at it alone if Republicans won’t join. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prieto is a Politic...

Jun 01, 20219 minEp. 408

Big oil’s climate reckoning

May 26th, 2021 could go down in the history books as a momentous day in the fight against climate change. In a matter of hours, one of the world’s biggest oil companies was ordered by a court to drastically slash its emissions, while shareholders at two of America’s biggest companies took major steps to force the companies to green their operations. By the end of Wednesday, we caught up with POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre to discuss the significance of these moves. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITI...

May 28, 20218 minEp. 407

The paths to a deal on infrastructure

Big climate and resource investments continue to keep Democrats and Republicans from reaching a deal on infrastructure. Yesterday, the Senate Environment and Public Works committee brokered a compromise that Republicans say is the way in which infrastructure should be approached. But Anthony Adragna reports that Democrats fear that going at infrastructure in parts will derail most of their environmental plans. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos...

May 27, 20218 minEp. 406

Another disastrous summer looming

While the coronavirus pandemic was the dominant news story, 2020 was also the year with the most hurricanes and wildfires on record. And by the looks of it, 2021 is going to give 2020 a run for its money. Before the summer has even begun, the wildfire season has already kicked off in the US, and forecasters expect an above-average hurricane season. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman on the federal government’s plans to prepare for a summer of natural disasters and the challenges along the way. Zack C...

May 26, 20218 minEp. 405

The bottleneck holding green energy back

Renewable energy projects need permits to join the grid. But if the permit process takes too long (and it often does), the funders behind the project can back out, making the project unviable but with a permit still pending. POLITICO’s Eric Wolff explains why this bottleneck is slowing the growth of clean energy nationwide and why the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is out to fix it. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Eric Wolff is an energy repo...

May 25, 20215 minEp. 404

An epic update on infrastructure

In Biden’s America, every week seems to be infrastructure week. For weeks, Democrats on both the House and Senate have been working to get a package that keeps a focus on infrastructure. And this work has focused specially on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Peter DeFazio. Today, POLITICCO’s Sam Mintz has an update on the role of climate in the bills. Sam Mintz is also a transportation reporter for POLITICO. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and hos...

May 24, 20218 minEp. 403

Unpacking the federal-state carbon pricing divide

Many of the country’s biggest states have set up various carbon pricing mechanisms to curb greenhouse gas emissions. And while most of these programs have succeeded at lowering emissions and making money in the process, the idea is still no closer to becoming federal policy a decade after the last attempt famously died on the Senate floor. Today, POLITICO’s Debra Kahn and Anthony Adragna explain why carbon pricing isn’t gaining momentum in Washington. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for PO...

May 21, 20218 minEp. 402

A capitulation on Nord Stream 2?

On Tuesday, reports indicated the Biden administration would not be sanctioning the company in charge of building the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline or its owner, a close ally to Russian president Vladimir Putin. This means the final miles of the project could be laid out, but POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre says don't assume it's the US waving the white flag. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio...

May 20, 20217 minEp. 401

Could summer blackouts sink Gov. Newsom?

California summers aren’t just hot and sunny anymore. In recent years, prolonged power outages have also become a mid-year feature in the Golden state. But with his political life at stake, Governor Gavin Newsom can’t take any chances this summer if he wants to win at the polls this fall. Today, POLITICO’s Colby Bermel explains the risk that a season of blackouts would pose to Newsom’s ability to survive a recall. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Colby Bermel is an energy repo...

May 19, 20218 minEp. 400

Oil wins a legal battle, but the war goes on

On Monday, the Supreme Court handed big oil an important win in a case against Baltimore in one of the climate change lawsuits being brought by states and localities. But in its decision, the Court refused to completely side with oil companies, and the win only extends what’s already expected to be a legal war. Today, POLITICO’s Alex Guillen on how the ruling will impact other cases around the country. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Alex Guillen c...

May 18, 20219 minEp. 399

Behind progressive anxiety toward a CES

For years, Democrats have discussed establishing a federally mandated clean energy standard to transition away from high emitting sources of power. But some environmental groups are criticizing the policy before details have even been released. Today, POLITICO Magazine senior writer Michael Grunwald explains what’s at the heart of this criticism. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Michael Grunwald is a senior writer for POLITICO Magazine. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast prod...

May 17, 20217 minEp. 398

Colonial Pipeline makes its return

On Wednesday evening, Colonial Pipeline began to gradually restart after a weeklong halt due to a cyber hack. But POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez says don't relax just yet: getting gas to the states affected is going to be take a little while longer. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy. Gloria Gonzalez is POLITICO's energy deputy editor. Carlos Prieto is a POLITICO podcast producer. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO’s audio department. Irene Noguchi is the ...

May 14, 20218 minEp. 397

Biden wades into political hot water

One of Obama’s priorities on the environment was creating a rule to determine which bodies of water were under federal protection. And one of Trump’s was to repel everything with his predecessor’s signature on it. Now, Joe Biden has an opportunity to write a water rule that could last beyond the next Republican president and survive court rulings, and POLITICO’s Annie Snider reports the administration is trying the most careful path to achieve this. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter and auth...

May 13, 20217 minEp. 396

What's really behind the gas shortages

Last week, hackers launched a ransomware attack on one of the main fuel pipelines in America. This week, the ripple effects of the cyber-attack made it to the pump as drivers raced to hoard fuel. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre discusses the fuel shortages along the East coast, and when the government expects things to return to normal. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast produ...

May 12, 20218 minEp. 395

Can Biden save the Amazon?

Take a breath. Now another. Of all the oxygen you just inhaled, about 20% comes from the Amazon forest. As the planet’s green lung, protection of the Amazon forest is a priority for all environmentalists. But the Biden administration is involved in delicate diplomatic negotiations with Brazil’s president, who watches over most of the Amazon and believes keeping the Amazon intact is keeping his country from fully developing. POLITICO’s Zack Colman, on the challenges in cutting a climate bargain w...

May 11, 20218 minEp. 394

The biggest attack in US oil history

On Friday, the pipeline that feeds nearly half of the east coast’s fuel supply was put to a halt after the company that runs it fell victim to ransomware. And while the attack hasn’t affected fuel access in the country yet, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre says it exposes critical vulnerabilities in the American energy field on the cyberspace. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is the e...

May 10, 20218 minEp. 393

Biden's 30x30 plan

Yesterday, the Biden administration presented a 10-year plan that would set aside one-third of America’s land and waters for conservation. Democrats and scientists have touted this goal as a measure to slow mass extinction. But POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre reports on why details on Biden's plans to reach this goal are still scarce. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenn...

May 07, 20216 minEp. 392

The oil dynasty vs. the oil giant

In the 1860s, John D. Rockefeller started his oil empire in Cleveland, Ohio. By his death in the 1930s, he’d built the largest fortune in American history by building a monopoly in the oil industry. But now, his living descendants are fighting Exxon Mobil, the largest remnant of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, over what they call decades of deception by the company. Today, E&E News reporter Maxine Joselow explains the battle between the two sides of Rockefeller’s legacy. Maxine Joselow covers cl...

May 06, 202112 minEp. 391

Blending ethanol into Biden’s climate plan

The Biden administration is calling for spending tens of billions to help speed the adoption of electric vehicles and bring on the future of clean transportation. But farmers fear that shift away from liquid fuels and they say Biden’s ignoring home-grown biofuels. Now, they’re putting some of their considerable political power into making sure ethanol and other fuels get something from any upcoming infrastructure legislation. Today, POLITICO’s Ryan McCrimmon, on the administration’s plan to bala...

May 05, 20218 minEp. 390

Why Democrats are being picky on the CRA

Ask any Democrat on Capitol Hill about Trump’s regulations and they will almost certainly tell you they were far too weak. But since Dems hold both legislative arms, why not just undo these regulations unilaterally? According to POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna, doing so through the Congressional Review Act carries some untested legal risks. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenny Ament is the senior producer o...

May 04, 20219 minEp. 389
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android