Republicans aim to make the fossil fuel-centered energy package that passed last month in the House a core asset heading into the 2024 elections. However, new polling shared with POLITICO shows that the GOP’s message isn’t getting through to voters. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Zack Colman discuss why fossil fuel policies are a central part of the GOP’s 2024 campaign strategy, despite difficulty translating energy issues into campaign trail slogans. Plus, Republican lawmakers are urging FERC to ta...
Apr 28, 2023•9 min•Ep. 885
President Joe Biden’s latest attempt to cut the nation’s climate pollution could come with serious political consequences. EPA is expected to release two draft rules that target the country’s second-largest source of greenhouse gases: the electric power sector. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why these rules are critical to the president’s climate agenda and how they could influence messaging efforts by Democrats and Republicans ahead of the 2024 elections. Plus, House Republicans passed thei...
Apr 27, 2023•8 min•Ep. 884
The Biden administration is expected to propose two highly-anticipated new rules to target the greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The power sector is the second-biggest contributor to the these types of emissions in the United States so these new regulations could have a major impact on President Joe Biden’s ability to meet his climate pledges. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down what we know about these proposed rules so far and the legal challenges the administration would need to nav...
Apr 26, 2023•7 min•Ep. 883
State officials on both sides of the political aisle are considering creating carbon offset programs to monetize their state lands. These initiatives give states a new revenue source by charging companies to protect state forests, in exchange for carbon offsets needed to reach their corporate net-zero commitments. But environmentalists have concerns about whether these programs are actually effective and state legislatures aren’t always on board. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down how states a...
Apr 25, 2023•8 min•Ep. 882
Alaska LNG is a multi-billion dollar natural gas export project planned for the state. Two years ago, it looked dead in the water, but now the project looks to be back on track thanks to support from the Biden administration. It would be the second major fossil fuel project in the state to have stalled under the Trump administration only to be revived under President Joe Biden. That’s alarming Democratic lawmakers and environmentalists. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why the Biden administrati...
Apr 24, 2023•8 min•Ep. 881
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy released a plan to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion or suspend it until March 31, 2024, whichever occurs first. The proposal includes repealing several green energy tax incentives established under Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act. It would also enact the GOP’s partisan energy bill that passed the House last month. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down why the GOP is linking the debt ceiling fight to energy policy and how their plan could lay the groundwork for...
Apr 21, 2023•9 min•Ep. 880
House lawmakers from both parties are moving toward reversing the Biden administration’s controversial two-year pause on solar import tariffs from four Southeast Asian countries. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down how those countries have served as conduits for Chinese solar equipment and why the push to undo Biden's policy is dividing the US solar industry. The House resolution also put Democrats in a tough position between siding with President Joe Biden or looking weak on China. Plus, H...
Apr 20, 2023•9 min•Ep. 879
On Monday, New Jersey regulators finalized a first-of-its-kind environmental justice rule that protects over 4 million state residents in low-income areas and communities of color from heavy industrial pollution. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down the extensive public debate surrounding the new rule, along with the details and challenges ahead. Plus, as Senate committees tee up permitting hearings, Senator Joe Manchin plans to reintroduce his energy permitting reform bill that failed to pass late ...
Apr 19, 2023•7 min•Ep. 878
Effective today, only 14 electric cars and trucks will qualify for federal tax breaks up to $7,500, according to a new list put out by the Treasury Department on Monday. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder breaks down why only 14 EVs qualify, which automakers benefitted from Treasury’s list, and if the White House expects more vehicles to qualify in the future. Plus, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy directly ties permitting reform to the congressional debt ceiling fight. Tanya Snyder covers transportation for P...
Apr 18, 2023•7 min•Ep. 877
U.S. and European leaders are urging transformation and an increase in lending efforts by the World Bank to fight climate change, but have been unwilling to provide additional funding to the institution. That’s prompting questions about whether the bank can effectively fight climate change alongside its traditional mandate of eradicating poverty, without an increase in funding. POLITICO’S Zack Colman breaks down the proposed transformation of the World Bank and the challenges. Plus, FERC will ta...
Apr 17, 2023•8 min•Ep. 876
Japan, the world’s top importer of liquefied natural gas, will be pushing G-7 nations this weekend to endorse LNG’s long-term future. That plan has alarmed environmentalists and has put the Biden administration in another difficult spot as it attempts to balance the fossil fuel industry, environmental groups and a key Pacific ally. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the details of Japan’s LNG push and how the US is responding. Plus, Progressive Democrats are urging the Biden administration to su...
Apr 14, 2023•9 min•Ep. 875
On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced what it called the most ambitious auto pollution rules in history, with the goal of accelerating automakers’ shift to electric vehicles. But the administration will have to defend its proposals against potential legal and industry challenges. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the impact of these new rules and the coming legal battle. Plus, a federal court blocked President Joe Biden’s WOTUS rule in 24 states. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter f...
Apr 13, 2023•8 min•Ep. 874
On Tuesday, the Biden administration took a step toward being able to force water delivery cuts on states that rely on the drought-stricken Colorado River. But it declined to take a firm stance on whether California or Arizona should bear the brunt of potential water cuts. The crisis is a political minefield for the administration. The Interior Department is trying to turn up the pressure on the states in hopes of accelerating their negotiations and reaching a resolution themselves. POLITICO’s A...
Apr 12, 2023•9 min•Ep. 873
Some state officials and consumer advocates in Maryland, West Virginia, and Kentucky are pushing back against the power of regional transmission organizations. But utilities argue that making decisions in private — under the current RTO system — is more effective and that reforms are unnecessary. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down how regional transmission organizations work and why states are fighting for more influence. Plus, DOE proposed lowering the calculation used to determine the ...
Apr 11, 2023•9 min•Ep. 872
The Treasury Department has delayed issuing guidance on the “foreign entity of concern” provision in the Inflation Reduction Act’s electric vehicle tax credits, which left companies uncertain about who they can partner with in the race to build a domestic EV industry. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the goal of that provision, why Treasury delayed releasing the guidance, and how industry and lawmakers are reacting. Plus, the White House has proposed regulatory review changes that would bene...
Apr 10, 2023•7 min•Ep. 871
After backlash from environmentalists and state lawmakers, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is dropping her push to rewrite the state’s ambitious climate law — a controversial effort that would’ve changed how New York accounts for its emissions and weakened the landmark legislation. POLITICO’s Marie French breaks down why Hochul was looking to rewrite the climate law and the opposition she faced. Plus, EPA is aiming to slash cancer-causing chemicals from industrial plants. Marie J. French covers energ...
Apr 07, 2023•6 min•Ep. 870
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed strengthening a successful yet contentious Obama-era rule limiting toxic pollutants, like mercury, from coal-fired power plants. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details of the updated rule, the potential impact on the nation’s already shrinking fleet of coal plants, and how the rule fits into the Biden administration’s broader climate agenda. Plus, an appeals court dismissed a lawsuit from Louisiana and other Republican-controlle...
Apr 06, 2023•8 min•Ep. 869
On Tuesday, the Biden administration released new guidance for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act meant to incentivize the creation of new green projects and jobs in fossil fuel-reliant communities. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains which communities will be impacted and the challenges in creating clean energy jobs and building green projects in these areas. Plus, EPA has overhauled its approach to financing the removal of lead from drinking water systems. Kelsey Tamborrino is a r...
Apr 05, 2023•7 min•Ep. 868
In recent months, Democrats and Republicans have been pushing tough-on-China bills, and that trend is worrisome for the United States’ booming natural gas export industry, which has an established business history with Beijing. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the relationship between the US LNG industry and China, why industry is concerned, and how lawmakers are reacting. Plus, the Department of Interior approved the first commercial-scale offshore wind energy project to start turbine constr...
Apr 04, 2023•8 min•Ep. 867
On Friday, the Treasury Department released long-anticipated eligibility guidance for the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act. The rules could have major implications for the fight against climate change, Washington’s rivalry with Beijing, and President Joe Biden’s quest to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down what the rules mean for consumers, automakers and U.S. allies. Plus, EPA approves a Biden-backed Californi...
Apr 03, 2023•8 min•Ep. 866
House Republicans passed their sprawling energy bill Thursday on a 225-204 vote, delivering the GOP's biggest legislative win since they took control of the chamber. And even though President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the bill, elements of the legislation could be a part of bipartisan negotiations on a narrower energy issue: permitting. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down what’s next after Republicans passed their energy bill. Plus, President Joe Biden will open up federal land for public conse...
Mar 31, 2023•8 min•Ep. 865
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been waging a public battle against the oil industry for months. On Tuesday, Newsom signed a first-in-the-nation law that’s supposed to keep gas prices in the state under control. POLITICO’s Wes Venteicher breaks down the law’s details, its evolution and why fossil fuel lobbyists couldn’t defeat it. Plus, the Senate votes to overturn Biden’s WOTUS rule. Wes Venteicher covers climate and energy energy news in California for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy r...
Mar 30, 2023•7 min•Ep. 864
House Republicans are expected to pass one of their biggest legislative priorities this week: a sprawling party-line energy package. The bill includes some of the GOP’s most popular energy policies and pitches from the past decade, while also taking aim at President Joe Biden’s climate policies. The package is considered an opening negotiating pitch by Republicans on energy permitting — a rare policy area that they hope will lead to a bipartisan deal. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the detai...
Mar 29, 2023•9 min•Ep. 863
It’s been almost six months since Hurricane Fiona battered Puerto Rico’s brittle power grid, and while the territory hasn’t faced any major disruptions since then, this year’s hurricane season is quickly approaching. Some Puerto Ricans worry that their good fortune might not last much longer, and that they may once again face potentially fatal consequences from devastating blackouts. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down the short and long-term concerns from Puerto Ricans about the territory’s ...
Mar 28, 2023•8 min•Ep. 862
The Biden administration may allow European companies to qualify for U.S. tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act if the two sides can reach a trade deal in the next few weeks, a senior administration official told POLITICO on Friday. It’s a move that could ease a major source of transatlantic friction and help President Joe Biden meet his promise to consumers to help make electric vehicles more affordable. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the details of the trade talks. Plus, FERC fi...
Mar 27, 2023•9 min•Ep. 861
A Canadian plan for a permanent storage facility for nuclear waste is drawing protests from some U.S. lawmakers, who took their concerns to President Joe Biden’s ahead of his visit to Canada this week. The Canadian plan calls for burying waste containers underground 30 miles from the shoreline of Lake Huron.POLITICO’s Joseph Gedeon breaks down Canada’s plan and the pushback from both sides of the border. Plus, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm sparred with a Republican lawmaker over her recent ...
Mar 24, 2023•8 min•Ep. 860
Extreme cold blasts during two of the last three winters have crippled gas-fired power plants, leaving millions in the dark and hundreds dead. And as natural gas is projected to grow in its role as a dominant source for electricity in the U.S., regulators are again worrying about the reliability of natural gas plants. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the natural gas’ reliability concerns, potential solutions and what it means for natural gas broadly in the future. Plus, House Oversight...
Mar 23, 2023•9 min•Ep. 859
The United Nations put out a sprawling, sobering report this week about the world’s progress in slowing global warming. POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen breaks down the big takeaways from the report, what was missing, and the limitations of the UN’s climate change panel in general. Plus, DOE says private-sector spending needs to ramp up to hit President Joe Biden’s climate goals. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Karl Mathiesen is the senior climate correspondent for POLITICO Europ...
Mar 22, 2023•9 min•Ep. 858
The Supreme Court began oral arguments in a case on Monday that pits the Navajo Nation against the Biden administration, along with four Southwest states, over the tribe’s rights to the Colorado River, the West’s most important waterway. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the arguments and what’s at stake. Plus, a federal judge blocks President Joe Biden’s WOTUS rule in Texas and Idaho. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mul...
Mar 21, 2023•9 min•Ep. 857
Republicans in Congress are pushing for changes in how the nation’s big infrastructure projects are permitted – mostly by easing rules under the National Environmental Policy Act. But energy experts say the proposed changes won’t dramatically speed up the approvals. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Afra Abdullah is a associate producer for POLITICO audio. Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is...
Mar 20, 2023•9 min•Ep. 856
