A growing number of red states are trying to limit the sales of electric vehicles through new taxes, fees, and laws. Those moves have infuriated EV advocates and created barriers to President Joe Biden’s efforts to decarbonize the transportation sector through widespread EV adoption. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Adam Aton breaks down why red states are resisting EV adoption and the potential impact of their efforts. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our ...
Sep 15, 2023•8 min•Ep. 968
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is set to hear three legal challenges this week about rules that could strengthen or hinder President Joe Biden’s goal of aggressively boosting electric vehicles sales by 2050, a key part of his climate agenda. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details of those cases and how they could upend Biden's EV adoption efforts. Plus, FERC staff is pushing back against the idea that the commission should be more involved in other agency rulemaking proc...
Sep 14, 2023•8 min•Ep. 977
California state leaders are trying to come to an agreement on a new state policy that would prevent property insurance companies from pulling back in disaster-prone areas - and attempting to avoid Florida’s fate, where residents pay three times the national average rate for coverage. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down the push from California lawmakers, the criticisms, and where negotiations stand. Plus, the Biden administration unveiled more than 60 recommendations for Congress and fede...
Sep 13, 2023•9 min•Ep. 976
The Treasury Department is hoping to define how new electric vehicles can qualify for a lucrative tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act by the end of this year. But Ford’s agreement to license Chinese battery technology is putting the Biden administration in a difficult spot between looking tough on Beijing while also reaching the president’s ambitious EV adoption goals. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the dilemma the Treasury Department faces as it works to define the IRA’s “foreign...
Sep 12, 2023•8 min•Ep. 975
Several Democratic-led states across the country are hoping to move off fossil fuels toward a clean energy transition. But their plans carry practical and political risks – including increases in utility bills – that could hurt Democrats heading into the 2024 elections. POLITICO’s Marie French examines this trend, how it’s playing out in New York, and the lessons Democrats can learn. Plus, the Treasury Department provided an update on Friday about when to expect guidance for several clean energy...
Sep 11, 2023•7 min•Ep. 974
The Biden administration’s decision on Wednesday to cancel Trump-era oil leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is fueling criticism from both sides of the aisle and comes at a complicated political moment for President Joe Biden. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the strategy behind the decision, if it impacts America’s oil production, and how environmentalists and the administration’s opponents are reacting. Plus, the Biden administration's new rule vastly curtailing the scope of...
Sep 08, 2023•8 min•Ep. 973
Recent polls show that the public, including many Republican primary voters, aren’t interested in GOP politicians attacking corporations for integrating climate and social goals into their business plans. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why voters may be feeling this way and how Republican politicians are responding as the 2024 elections heat up. Plus, the Interior Department canceled oil drilling leases on Wednesday that the Trump administration sold in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Re...
Sep 07, 2023•9 min•Ep. 972
The Community Alliance for Direct Air Capture is using a non-traditional, community-first approach to potentially build a direct air capture hub in California’s Central Valley – a fossil fuel hotspot with some of the nation’s worst air quality. The alliance’s strategy could become a model for other infrastructure projects critical to reaching the Biden administration’s climate goals. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the alliance’s outreach efforts and the concerns from community members. Plus,...
Sep 06, 2023•9 min•Ep. 971
As Congress returns from its August recess, POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and James Bikales discuss what lawmakers on the Hill and the Biden administration aim to accomplish in terms of energy and climate policy for the rest of the year, along with the tricky politics behind those issues. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsl...
Sep 05, 2023•9 min•Ep. 970
Wednesday's Republican presidential debate revealed that energy and climate change are going to be front and center in the 2024 election cycle, with attacks from the GOP field ranging from criticisms of clean energy subsidies to denial that climate change is real. POLITICO’s Matt Daily and Alex Guillén break down the takeaways from the debate and how energy and climate change will play a role in the GOP presidential race moving forward. Plus, a new watchdog report found that the Nuclear Regulato...
Aug 25, 2023•10 min•Ep. 967
Republicans are blaming the late-summer surge in gasoline prices on President Joe Biden’s green agenda, even though U.S. oil production is on track to set a new record this year. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why prices are continuing to rise at the pump and how this trend could factor into the 2024 election. Plus, a new study found climate change was a major driver behind the wildfires that ripped across Quebec and blanketed toxic smoke over U.S. states earlier this summer. For more news ...
Aug 24, 2023•7 min•Ep. 966
California's largest agricultural water district is making controversial plans to conserve water and invest in solar panels. It’s a Biden-esque policy move prompted by the projected impacts of climate change and shifting political winds. But that strategy is prompting a power struggle within the district that could determine how water fights unfold across the state. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down how the district is going through a political transformation, its approach to climate change, and ...
Aug 23, 2023•7 min•Ep. 965
The United Arab Emirates is considering creating one of the largest ever state-sponsored financial funds to spur clean energy projects, and the wealthy oil nation plans to unveil the fund at this year’s U.N. Climate Change Conference in Dubai. It’s a notable effort since the UAE is drawing backlash for its role as host of the global climate talks while also being one of the world's largest contributors of greenhouse gases. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the details of the fund, why it might ...
Aug 22, 2023•9 min•Ep. 964
After a more than year-long investigation, the Biden administration made a final determination that Chinese companies are funneling solar products through four Southeast Asian countries to avoid tariffs. The ruling will set up new duties on the solar industry in 2024 and likely reshuffle the supply chains for renewable energy equipment coming into the United States. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the ruling and how it could threaten the US solar industry and President Joe Biden’s clean...
Aug 21, 2023•8 min•Ep. 963
California is planning to build dozens of massive floating wind turbines in coastal waters off one of the state’s poorer, most remote areas at a scale and depth never before attempted in the world. It’s an important project to both the Biden administration and the Newsom administration’s climate goals, but it faces major financial, logistical, and community challenges. POLITICO’s Wes Venteicher breaks down the project’s significance, community impact, and the roadblocks. Plus, the Environmental ...
Aug 18, 2023•9 min•Ep. 962
Louis DeJoy, who leads the United States Postal Service, has unexpectedly transitioned from one of Democrats’ biggest enemies during the Trump administration to a key player in President Joe Biden’s environmental agenda. POLITICO’s Hailey Fuchs breaks down DeJoy’s partnership with the White House and his green ambitions for the United States Postal Service. Plus, Former Trump Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette will be the next president and CEO of the Edison Electric Institute. For more news on en...
Aug 17, 2023•5 min•Ep. 961
On Monday, a group of young people in Montana won a historic lawsuit when a judge ruled that the state’s pro-fossil fuel laws and policies violated the state constitution. Climate advocates say it’s the first time a court has found a constitutional violation related to fossil fuels, but the ruling may be less seismic than it first appears. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details, implications, and limitations of this ruling. Plus, EPA’s inspector general found that as Congress was negoti...
Aug 16, 2023•7 min•Ep. 960
As the Inflation Reduction Act hits its first anniversary tomorrow, POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino break down how the law sparked a flood of clean energy spending in almost every state while simultaneously splitting conservatives across rural America in places like Michigan, Oklahoma, and New York. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read...
Aug 15, 2023•10 min•Ep. 959
The powerful United Auto Workers union is threatening to strike soon if its concerns about America’s transition to electric vehicles aren’t addressed. That leaves the Biden administration in a difficult position between balancing its aggressive climate goals and 2024 political ambitions. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down what autoworkers are asking for and why a potential strike could have major political implications. Plus, the Treasury Department will not issue any guidance on the Inflation...
Aug 14, 2023•8 min•Ep. 958
For months, 2024 Republican presidential nominees criticized corporations for integrating climate and social goals into their business plans and tied those practices to anti-woke sentiment. But now, many GOP politicians are abandoning it as a campaign issue that can help them reach the White House. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why sustainable investing is no longer a GOP campaign talking point and the reaction from the private sector. Plus, the Treasury Department issued final regulation...
Aug 11, 2023•7 min•Ep. 957
The U.S. electric power sector is warning the Environmental Protection Agency that its proposed climate rule for power plants – a central piece of the Biden administration's climate agenda – is potentially unlawful and requires significant changes. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the sector’s concerns and the likely legal attacks against the rule. Plus, President Joe Biden said he has already “practically” declared a climate emergency, but he has yet to actually make a declaration. For more ...
Aug 10, 2023•8 min•Ep. 956
The Agriculture Department is pouring $3 billion into a program that pays farmers to test out climate-friendly practices instead of forcing them to pay for excessive carbon emissions. The initiative has gained widespread support within the conservative farming industry, but some climate advocates aren’t convinced it will help. POLITICO’s Garrett Downs details why the program is popular with farmers and the pushback from those climate activists. Plus, the U.S. Energy Information Administration ra...
Aug 09, 2023•8 min•Ep. 955
The Biden administration is backtracking on its promise to end U.S. financial support for international fossil fuel projects, sparking an internal policy debate among top officials as they seek to balance climate goals, energy security, and diplomatic alliances. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down this controversial policy pivot, the tense dynamics within the Biden administration, and the climate and geopolitical implications. Plus, companies have announced more than $270 billion in clean energy ...
Aug 08, 2023•9 min•Ep. 954
Across the country, there’s an increasingly coordinated network of activists and organizations that have succeeded in energizing political opposition to offshore wind projects, which is a major part of President Joe Biden’s clean energy strategy. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Benjamin Storrow traces the coalition’s growth and influence, along with how scientists and environmentalists are reacting. Plus, new data shows that explosive growth in solar power will help most countries in the Europe...
Aug 07, 2023•9 min•Ep. 953
Gas prices are on the rise nationwide due to oil production cuts, the extreme heat and strong fuel demand. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre digs deeper into whether this trend might continue and how the Biden administration is responding. Plus, EPA proposed rejecting the state of Alabama's program to oversee the closure of coal ash ponds, landfills and other waste sites. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-swi...
Aug 04, 2023•7 min•Ep. 952
The White House unveiled new guidance on Tuesday directing federal agencies to fully account for how their decisions impact the ecosystems the public depends on. It’s one of several efforts the Biden administration has underway to better assess the environmental benefits throughout the rulemaking process. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Jean Chemnick breaks down the impact of the new guidance. Plus, a new analysis from BloombergNEF found that the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy incentive...
Aug 03, 2023•8 min•Ep. 951
This year, the United States has been stepping up its efforts to secure the critical minerals that are needed for clean energy projects from countries like Mongolia, which is resource-rich and wedged between China and Russia. But making pacts to deliver these critical minerals to the U.S. isn't easy, and the stakes are high since the Biden administration’s climate goals are at risk. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Sara Schonhardt breaks down how the U.S. is trying to negotiate with Mongolia and...
Aug 02, 2023•9 min•Ep. 950
Today, after a decade-long fight, the Energy Department has begun to enforce rules meant to accelerate the phaseout of incandescent light bulbs. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the new regulations, Washington’s political and culture war over light bulbs, and how the larger fight over energy efficiency standards is still looming. Plus, the first new U.S. nuclear reactor to be built from scratch in decades started sending electricity reliably to the grid on Monday. For more news on energy...
Aug 01, 2023•9 min•Ep. 949
The White House released a draft regulation on Friday that would implement permitting provisions in the June debt ceiling law designed to enable faster building of both fossil fuel and clean energy infrastructure projects. But the rule goes beyond what's specifically required by that legislation and includes climate and equity factors that are sparking pushback from Republicans. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down how the Biden administration is defending itself, the Republican pushback, and what...
Jul 31, 2023•9 min•Ep. 948
On Thursday, the Supreme Court cleared a legal pathway for the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline to resume construction, likely ensuring the natural gas project can be built and start operating by the end of the year. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén and Ben Lefebvre discuss the high court’s ruling, why the pipeline may still face legal jeopardy, and the reaction from lawmakers. Plus, President Joe Biden unveiled a series of measures designed to aid workers and residents facing severe health threats...
Jul 28, 2023•8 min•Ep. 947
