POLITICO’s Zack Colman previews what to expect at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, which start this weekend. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department. Learn more about your a...
Oct 29, 2021•8 min•Ep. 511
Democrats are racing to deliver a climate win to President Joe Biden before he leaves to the U.N. Climate Summit in Glasgow next week. New regulations aimed at curbing methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas, could be the solution. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playboo...
Oct 28, 2021•8 min•Ep. 510
Fulfilling President Joe Biden's goal of reducing carbon emissions won’t just take a massive build out of more wind, solar and other renewable energy. It would also require longer, newer transmission lines to take renewable power from where it’s produced to where it’s needed. But utility companies such as Entergy hold a great deal of sway when it comes to planning those new lines, and they’re not always on board. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLIT...
Oct 27, 2021•8 min•Ep. 509
Offshore wind is President Biden’s clearest shot at getting a new energy source off the ground and helping it blossom in a way to delivery on his climate promises. But making the industry grow presents big challenges. Today, POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains the challenges for the administration in helping bring this renewable industry to maturity. Kelsey Tamborrino covers Energy for POLITICO. Annie Snider covers environment issues for POLITICO and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prie...
Oct 26, 2021•8 min•Ep. 508
America’s biggest oil companies knew about greenhouse effect and their industry’s impact on the environment for years before the science was widely known. But what they did once they had this information is now up for questioning before the House Oversight Committee. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre, on what House Democrats want to find out, and the impact it could have on the oil industry’s political influence. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO. Annie Snider covers environment issues for PO...
Oct 25, 2021•8 min•Ep. 507
On Wednesday the Biden administration decided to no longer defend a massive oil project that would have ramped up production in Alaska. And while the Biden administration is making the headlines for its continuing fight against oil developments in the state, the reality shows that oil companies are also losing interest in producing oil in the last frontier. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains the administration’s decision around the Willow project. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO. An...
Oct 22, 2021•7 min•Ep. 506
Switching where we get our energy from is going to have implications in the global economy and multiple industries. But today, POLITICO’s Lorraine Woellert is joining to discuss how it will affect most Americans’ bottom line in the short and long run. Lorraine Woellert is POLITICO's sustainability editor. Annie Snider covers environment issues for POLITICO and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily ...
Oct 21, 2021•7 min•Ep. 505
When the pandemic first paralyzed the world’s economy, many leaders vowed to make the stimulus spending that would return their countries to financial health as environmentally friendly as possible. But as the world’s economies move closer to their pre-pandemic state, it’s increasingly looking like the path forward still includes all the emissions from the pre-coronavirus world. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains why the early recovery measures worldwide failed to promote climate policies. Z...
Oct 20, 2021•8 min•Ep. 504
PFAS chemicals are just about everywhere, and whenever they get somewhere, they stay forever. Now, the administration wants to deal with the contamination of these hazardous chemicals straight from the source. Today, POLITICO’s Annie Snider discusses the administration’s plan, and why action on these chemicals has taken so long. Annie Snider covers environment issues for POLITICO and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-produce...
Oct 19, 2021•9 min•Ep. 503
When disaster strikes, governors are the first line of action to manage response and get resources available to the victims. And as their role as disaster managers becomes an increasingly important part of the job, many are also making disaster mitigation a priority to minimize the future impact of climate change in their communities. Today, POLITICO’s Katherine Landergan explores how some governors in the Northeast are reshaping their duties. Katherine Landergan is POLITICO's New Jersey bureau ...
Oct 18, 2021•8 min•Ep. 502
In a bid to finally win over one of their make-or-break outliers, Democrats are revisiting one of their key climate provisions in the reconciliation bill: the Clean Electricity Performance Program. In their latest version, a seemingly small tweak would open the door for some natural gas production, provided it has carbon capturing technologies. But POLITICO’s Zack Colman says this new attempt could still not be enough for West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin. Zack Colman covers climate change for P...
Oct 15, 2021•9 min•Ep. 501
The world’s environmental community has been waiting for Glasgow for more than a year, after the pandemic frustrated their plans last year. But as the UN and nation leaders work to propel climate action, the financial community is planning to seize the opportunity to rub elbows and participate in climate talks that will directly impact their operations in the near and long term future. Today, POLITICO Europe’s senior climate correspondent Karl Mathiesen explains how the expanding guest list of t...
Oct 14, 2021•9 min•Ep. 500
Pennsylvania is one of the largest energy producers in the country, which also makes it one of the highest-emitting states. And as the state’s Democratic governor moves to join a cap-and-trade program, he is facing resistance from state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and a core Democratic constituency. Today, POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman explains the tension. Jordan Wolman is a digital producer at POLITICO. Annie Snider covers environment issues for POLITICO and is the host of POLITICO Energy....
Oct 13, 2021•8 min•Ep. 499
Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema’s play to shrink the Democrats’ reconciliation package has worked. But in trying to find a compromise that will keep the president’s agenda and get the votes, the White House and Democratic leadership are finding that progressives and environmentalists are also ready to use their voting leverage to get a bold deal on climate change. Today, POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains where the talks stand. Kelsey Tamborrino covers Energy for POLITICO. Annie Snide...
Oct 12, 2021•8 min•Ep. 498
If you’re looking for drama in the federal government, the EPA’s regional offices aren’t usually the place to go. But in recent months, a senior Democratic senator has been pushing to get a long-time ally and seasoned water official from Chicago over the EPA administrator’s own recommendation for the Midwest office. POLITICO’s Alex Guillen and Shia Kapos report on what’s at the heart of this dispute. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLITICO Energy? We want to hear f...
Oct 08, 2021•8 min•Ep. 497
Former President Donald Trump restricted the ability of federal agencies to consider all climate impacts during permitting reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act to narrow the scope of the reviews and speed up the process. Now, President Joe Biden is moving to change NEPA regulations to consider climate change and carbon emissions. But POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports the administration is walking a fine line in expanding the scope of these reviews without threatening the pa...
Oct 07, 2021•8 min•Ep. 496
President Biden says he wants a major federal response to climate change to be part of his legacy, but environmental justice leaders say the president hasn’t acted forcefully enough to stop oil and gas pipelines and raise cash for climate priorities. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports on the tensions between the environmental justice community and the White House. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLITICO Energy? We want to hear from you! Take part in our 2021 pod...
Oct 06, 2021•8 min•Ep. 495
Over the weekend, an underwater oil pipeline spilled thousands of barrels of oil off California’s coast. And as crews work on cleanup and to minimize the environmental impact, POLITICO’s Colby Bermel reports the spill could affect efforts to expand and accelerate drilling bans at the state and federal levels. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLITICO Energy? We want to hear from you! Take part in our 2021 podcast survey and provide valuable feedback on your favorite ...
Oct 05, 2021•9 min•Ep. 494
As the fall settles in, many of the world’s largest economies are trying to shore up natural gas supplies to keep the lights on and industries running in what’s expected to be a cold winter. But tight supplies of natural gas and a lack of access to other fuel alternatives is driving prices way up, and leaving many fearing there won’t be enough supply to make it through the spring. Today, POLITICO’s Matt Daily explains what’s going on, and how the current crisis could impact the upcoming global c...
Oct 04, 2021•9 min•Ep. 493
On this special edition, we're introducing POLITICO's new podcast Global Insider. Health workers who don’t get paid if they contract Covid-19. Over 6,000 migrant workers dead after helping with World Cup construction in the Middle East. As the head of the world’s largest union confederation, it’s Sharan Burrow’s priority to protect workers against abuses like these and hold offending governments accountable. But as she tells host Ryan Heath, she’s walking a tightrope between convincing governmen...
Oct 02, 2021•21 min•Ep. 491
During the Trump administration, FERC approved a widely unpopular rule that was seen as undermining state plans to promote renewable energy. But after several states in the PJM Interconnection threatened to abandon the market, the grid operator proposed a replacement plan adopted Wednesday by FERC due to a 2-2 tie at the commission. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse has more on why FERC deadlocked and the legal complications it created. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of ...
Oct 01, 2021•9 min•Ep. 492
The Biden administration wants to use tax credits to help renewables grow in America. The Biden administration also wants to tie these credits to all- American-made products. Can the Biden administration have it both ways? POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLITICO Energy? We want to hear from you! Take part in our 2021 podcast survey and provide valuable feedback on your favorite POLITICO podcast. Tell us what you like or what y...
Sep 30, 2021•7 min•Ep. 490
Yesterday, FERC commissioners testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee for the first time in years and there were plenty of fireworks. The two GOP members of the commission didn’t hold back their disdain for a Clean Electricity Performance Program Democrats are pushing as part of their reconciliation package while Democratic FERC commissioners defended plans to take climate impacts into consideration in future permitting decisions from continued attacks from Ranking Mem...
Sep 29, 2021•8 min•Ep. 489
Biden’s Commerce Department is set to decide on Thursday if it should probe whether Chinese solar panels are being shipped to Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to circumvent U.S. tariffs on Chinese solar goods. The dispute, which is pitting American solar power developers against U.S. manufacturers, is also testing the administration’s pledge to promote domestic manufacturing. POLITICO’s Gavin Bade has more details on the dispute and on how the administration may move forward. Do you listen to a PO...
Sep 28, 2021•8 min•Ep. 488
As California continues battling catastrophic wildfires that threaten much of the state, including the famous trees that make Sequoia National Park a mecca for nature lovers,Gov. Gavin Newsom signs new climate bills expanding the state’s already aggressive plans to prepare for a worsening climate and lower its environmental footprint. Today, POLITICO’s Colby Bermel has more on California’s new suite of climate policies. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLITICO Energ...
Sep 27, 2021•7 min•Ep. 487
Since the Montreal Protocol was signed to help restore the Ozone layer, a different kind of gases was popularized in the use of refrigeration. But since that time, we’ve learned that these gases, known as HFCs, have an impact on global warming exponentially higher than carbon dioxide. Now, the Biden administration has a plan to drastically reduce America’s use of these gases. Today, POLITICO’s Alex Guillen has the juicy details. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLIT...
Sep 24, 2021•8 min•Ep. 486
On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced his country would stop building foreign coal power plants. And while the announcement was welcome news to environmentalists and world leaders, POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports that no one really knows what exactly China is committing to. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLITICO Energy? We want to hear from you! Take part in our 2021 podcast survey and provide valuable feedback on your favorite POLITICO podcast. Tell u...
Sep 23, 2021•8 min•Ep. 485
In the middle of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt founded the Civilian Conservation Corps, a group responsible for hiring hundreds of thousands of white men to develop trails and build infrastructure that is still standing today. Now, Democrats want to create a similar, but more divers, group to build a new Corps to help the economy recover from the pandemic and fight climate change at once. POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna has the details on the plan for a Civilian Climate Corps. Do you list...
Sep 22, 2021•9 min•Ep. 484
Climate change is driving temperatures higher across the world, and making heatwaves in the country increasingly frequent. The record temperatures are a risk for millions during hot months, and in most of the country, workers have no legally enforced protections from heat stress. Now, the Biden administration has decided to step in. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports on the administration’s plan to tackle heat stress protections, and the challenges ahead. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? ...
Sep 21, 2021•8 min•Ep. 483
President Biden’s push for an electric future requires a dramatic surge in demand for minerals like copper and zinc. But in order to get these minerals within our borders, the administration may need to open protected lands for mining, and that means building a road to a remote site in Alaska that’s near the northernmost point of the mountain range that stretches to the American Rockies. Today, Adam Federman reports on a road project right in the middle of President Biden’s environmental dilemma...
Sep 20, 2021•8 min•Ep. 482
