On Monday, the Midwest power grid operator approved a $10.3 billion proposal to expand power transmission and ease congestion on the grid across nine states, while also clearing away for vast amounts of new clean energy to be built. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the details of the proposal, how Midwest state regulators and utilities are reacting, and what this investment means for the rest of the nation’s power grid. Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siege...
Jul 27, 2022•7 min•Ep. 704
On Friday, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that regulations become “final” actions once they are made available for “public inspection” in the Federal Register – not the date of actual publication. That decision could impact future rulemakings from presidents and agencies, and put progressives in the unusual position of agreeing with former President Donald Trump’s regulation czar. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén explains. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Kelsey Tamborrino is...
Jul 26, 2022•8 min•Ep. 703
The United States’ capacity for refining oil into gasoline is declining, a trend that appears irreversible. And while more electric vehicles are hitting the road, the nation’s appetite for oil-derived fuels remains high. That’s not only causing political pain for President Joe Biden in the short-term, but it could also hurt future presidents on both sides of the aisle moving forward. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy repor...
Jul 25, 2022•9 min•Ep. 702
Last month, the Supreme Court imposed sharp limits on the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate greenhouse gases. And that decision has created legal uncertainty for executive actions beyond climate, including energy, abortion, immigration and even amateur auto racing. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down how opponents of the White House are challenging executive actions and how the Biden administration is responding. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Josh Sie...
Jul 22, 2022•10 min•Ep. 701
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced new executive actions aimed at combating climate change. However, the moves fall short of pleas from progressive activists and some Democratic lawmakers to declare a climate emergency. That unilateral action would give Biden broad powers to halt fossil fuel exports, marshal clean energy production and redirect spending to bolster climate defenses. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the latest climate actions from the White House and why Biden has so fa...
Jul 21, 2022•10 min•Ep. 699
Even before President Joe Biden visited Saudi Arabia last week, his administration has quietly been working with the country’s Middle Eastern neighbors on climate change — in part to pressure the kingdom to act to slow planetary warming. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains the Biden administration’s strategy and why Saudi Arabia is so important when it comes to climate change. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITIC...
Jul 20, 2022•9 min•Ep. 698
New York has some of the most ambitious climate goals in the nation, and the state's powerful public and private unions are growing their influence over the direction of climate policy. POLITICO’s Marie French explains how much influence unions have over climate policies and how greens are reacting. Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is a senior...
Jul 19, 2022•7 min•Ep. 697
Joe Manchin on Thursday rejected Senate Democrats’ proposed energy and climate investments, delivering a devastating blow to his party’s efforts to enact a social safety net, climate and tax package. But the West Virginia senator denied Friday he was closing the door completely on climate and energy spending. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino discuss what Manchin’s stance means and what Democrats, many of whom are angry with their colleague, can accomplish on energy and climate before...
Jul 18, 2022•9 min•Ep. 696
The Russian war in Ukraine has forced global leaders to rethink their anti-natural gas stances. But that shift could cause richer countries to subvert the clean energy transition they’re targeting while also stoking tensions with developing countries over access to the fuel. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the exe...
Jul 15, 2022•9 min•Ep. 695
President Joe Biden is visiting Saudi Arabia on Friday, and he is expected to discuss everything from bolstering security in the region to reorienting policy with the kingdom. Everything except the one thing he really needs but can't get: more oil. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why a hard push by the president would probably fail to get Saudi leaders to pump new crude supplies into the world oil market. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POL...
Jul 14, 2022•8 min•Ep. 694
Construction on New Jersey’s first offshore wind project is set to begin next year, with developers looking to install nearly 100 wind turbines 15 miles off the coast of Ocean City. But the city doesn’t like the plan, potentially derailing the ambitious climate and clean energy goals put forward by President Joe Biden and state Gov. Phil Murphy. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down the fight for offshore wind along New Jersey and how it could impact other local communities and clean energy projects ...
Jul 13, 2022•10 min•Ep. 693
The Biden administration took a key step in approving the Willow oil project in Alaska. But, the White House is giving itself some wiggle room as it struggles to balance climate promises with the painfully high fuel prices driving inflation. POLITICO’S Ben Lefebvre explains. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is...
Jul 12, 2022•8 min•Ep. 692
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering new rules that would allow it to take a harder look at new pipelines or liquefied natural gas projects. But not so fast! Critics, including one of the agency’s own commissioners, are now arguing that the Supreme Court’s recent EPA ruling could place limits on FERC too. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse reports. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy. Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Kara Tabor is an audio ...
Jul 11, 2022•8 min•Ep. 691
The federal Bureau of Reclamation has given seven states an ultimatum: come up with a plan to drastically reduce your Colorado River water usage, or we will. The lives and livelihoods of millions of people depend on the river’s water, so ceding access will be no easy feat. Climate change and the current drought only complicate the problem. So how might the states’ compromise over water rights shake out? POLITICO’s Lara Korte reports. Lara Korte covers state politics and is a co-author of POLITIC...
Jul 08, 2022•9 min•Ep. 690
Residents of Northwest Indiana, many of whom are Black and Latino, live in one of the most polluted regions in America, suffering from poor health outcomes and low life expectancies. The Biden administration has promised that it will bring the radical change necessary to end the pollution that plagues America’s industrial cities. Politico Pro Energy reporter Annie Snider and E&E News reporter Sean Reilly spent months reporting on the plight of Americans forced to endure these living conditio...
Jul 07, 2022•10 min•Ep. 689
Oil companies and climate activists have new fodder for disagreement with the release of the Biden administration’s proposed offshore oil and gas leasing plan. The Interior Department proposal could involve the sale of zero leases or 11 — a decision that puts details around future oil and gas production in limbo and has frustrated both environmentalists and fossil fuel supporters. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre reports. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy. Ben Lefebvre is an energy re...
Jul 06, 2022•9 min•Ep. 688
After significant setbacks to President Joe Biden’s green agenda over the last 18 months and the Supreme Court’s major climate ruling against the EPA last Thursday, environmentalists and many of their Democratic allies are starting to shift their focus to state capitals as the places to press for action on climate change — going back to a strategy that they employed with some success during the Trump era. POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Zack Colman...
Jul 05, 2022•9 min•Ep. 687
On Thursday, the Supreme Court delivered a major setback to President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate goals, ruling in a 6-3 decision that the Environmental Protection Agency does not have the broad authority to curb planet-warming pollution from power plants. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén explains how this ruling creates a significant obstacle to Biden’s hopes of addressing global warming and could raise questions about the authority of other federal agencies. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLI...
Jul 01, 2022•11 min•Ep. 686
The plastics crisis has received attention from lawmakers in state capitals across the country. But, there's a fundamental split in many states between groups arguing that industry needs to be at the table and those who don't trust it to govern itself. That‘s triggered a political battle in California, where a ballot initiative to tax plastic, ban Styrofoam and set recycling targets has scared industry enough to get them to negotiate a compromise bill. POLITICO’s Debra Khan reports. Josh Siegel ...
Jun 30, 2022•9 min•Ep. 685
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has proposed an overhaul of the U.S. transmission system that could usher a new wave of green energy onto the U.S. power grid. Those plans would help the Biden administration reach its ambitious clean energy goals. But FERC has not yet addressed a significant question: Who should pay for the work? Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu...
Jun 29, 2022•8 min•Ep. 684
The sentencing of Ngụy Thị Khanh, Vietnam’s highest-profile environmental voice, to two years in prison has sparked questions about whether Western governments should help pay for the country’s commitment to ditching coal. And it highlights how human rights issues and geopolitical concerns are dividing Western officials as they pivot toward trying to broker climate deals with polluting countries around the world. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Za...
Jun 28, 2022•9 min•Ep. 683
Since the start of the war, Russian forces have committed hundreds of environmental crimes against Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s environment minister. POLITICO’s Louise Guillot breaks down the environmental cost of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how Ukraine wants to make Russia pay for those damages. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Louise Guillot is a reporter on POLITICO Europe’s sustainability team. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is a sen...
Jun 27, 2022•8 min•Ep. 680
This month, POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen spoke to Patricia Espinosa, who is leaving her job next month after six years as the U.N.’s climate chief. Today, Mathiesen breaks down Espinosa’s views on the climate impact of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, who Espinosa’s successor might be, and the role of the United Nations in fighting climate change. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Karl Mathiesen is the senior climate correspondent for POLITICO Europe. Nirmal Mulaikal is a P...
Jun 24, 2022•8 min•Ep. 679
Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have been privately huddling for weeks on a party-line bill that would include incentives for the clean energy sector. But POLITICO has learned that Manchin isn’t keen on supporting a direct pay provision in the reconciliation package. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino explain how that could impact President Joe Biden’s clean energy goals. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter coveri...
Jun 23, 2022•9 min•Ep. 682
In recent years, environmental groups have changed course to not only protect the natural environment but also to embrace social justice causes. That’s raised concerns among some long-time advocates who fear the strategy is pulling away from the original message of the movement and could have a major political cost. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Ra...
Jun 22, 2022•9 min•Ep. 681
FERC Chairman Richard Glick blasted a Wall Street Journal editorial , accusing him of having improper talks with White House officials and allowing the Biden administration to improperly influence the commission’s now rescinded gas pipeline policy statement. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the allegations against Glick, how the White House and the FERC chairman are responding, and the policy statement at the center of this controversy. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. C...
Jun 21, 2022•8 min•Ep. 678
On Tuesday, domestic solar manufacturers left a meeting with the White House accusing the Biden administration of failing to address their concerns over its recent move to try to stimulate U.S. manufacturing. Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down that meeting, new solar legislation exclusively shared with POLITICO, and initiatives the sector hopes could be included in a potential reconciliation package. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy...
Jun 17, 2022•9 min•Ep. 677
Natural gas prices plummeted in the United States but surged higher in Europe, after a major liquefied natural gas exporter in Texas said its plant will be offline through much of the remainder of the year. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains what happened in the natural gas markets this week and what this means for the United States as an LNG exporter. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer....
Jun 16, 2022•8 min•Ep. 676
Rich countries are establishing new agreements, known as Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs), in which they would spend billions of dollars to help emerging economies transition away from coal and natural gas. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how these agreements can help cut greenhouse gas emissions and why they face major challenges. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu...
Jun 15, 2022•9 min•Ep. 675
The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline topped $5 dollars a gallon this weekend. But Americans are still hitting the road in droves, complicating President Joe Biden’s efforts to bring down fuel prices and subdue inflation. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why consumer demand for gas is high and what the Biden administration can do to reduce the price at the pump. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITI...
Jun 14, 2022•7 min•Ep. 672
