At the young age of 27, JB Hamby of California is perhaps the most powerful negotiator in deliberations among seven states about how to share water from the rapidly shrinking Colorado River. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down Hamby’s rapid rise to one of the most powerful seats in the West and the huge responsibilities that come with it in determining the fate of the river that 40 million people rely on. Plus, the Interior Department announced it plans to hold an offshore wind auction off the...
Dec 13, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1040
GOP lawmakers arrived at the U.N. climate summit promoting U.S. fossil fuels and nuclear energy while also acknowledging the need to cut or capture carbon emissions. But they’re not talking about what will happen to their climate agenda if Donald Trump wins the presidency in 2024. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Republicans are trying to carve out their own climate agenda at COP28. Plus, the prospect of a global deal to end fossil fuels faded on Monday after organizers of the U.N. climate...
Dec 12, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1039
On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom released his version of a decade-long effort to transport more water from Northern California to the southern part of the state. It’s the most significant action he’s taken on the issue, but it faces potential challenges from environmentalists and local politicians. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down Newsom’s plan and its potential pitfalls. Plus, Bulgaria has withdrawn its bid to host next year’s global climate summit, clearing the way for the ...
Dec 11, 2023•7 min•Ep. 1038
Saudi Arabia believes that emissions from renewable energy are a growing threat to the Earth’s climate. It’s a controversial stance from the world’s biggest oil player that could complicate the United Nations climate talks in Dubai. Corbin Hiar from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down the Saudi government’s stance and how it may impact COP28 negotiations. Plus, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told the POLITICO Power Play podcast that the United States must end oil and gas subsidies to achieve its ...
Dec 08, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1036
The race to become Puerto Rico’s next governor in November 2024 is heating up, and the territory’s ongoing energy issues are at the center of the campaign. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down the controversial energy plan from Jennifer González-Colón, the territory’s congressional representative who is running to unseat current Gov. Pedro Pierlusi Urrutia. Plus, the Supreme Court is denying an emergency bid from multiple landowners who tried to halt work on parts of the controversial Mountain...
Dec 07, 2023•7 min•Ep. 1035
Electric vehicle sales just passed a significant milestone in the United States, and they’re expected to set records later this year globally. But the news isn’t all rosy just as upcoming elections in the United States and Europe are throwing the future of EVs into uncertainty. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the industry’s murky outlook. Plus, the Federal Trade Commission is investigating Exxon Mobil's plan to buy Pioneer Natural Resources, the largest oil and gas deal in years. For more n...
Dec 06, 2023•7 min•Ep. 1034
Over the weekend, the Biden administration launched a major climate regulation that aims to cut methane emissions from the U.S. oil and gas industry by 80 percent through 2038. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details of the sweeping rule and the potential pushback. Plus, President Joe Biden’s climate envoy John Kerry and two major philanthropies announced a framework to assist countries that want to transition away from fossil fuels. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe...
Dec 05, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1032
The Biden administration released long-awaited guidance on Friday for the electric vehicle tax credit that aims to clamp down on Chinese imports, but it also likely reduces the number of cars that can qualify. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the new rules and how they pose a potential risk to Biden’s EV adoption goals. Plus, the mood at the United Nations climate summit darkened significantly on Friday as news broke that the week-old truce between Israel and Hamas was collapsing. For more n...
Dec 04, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1031
Countries kicked off this year’s United Nations climate summit with an agreement to create a loss and damage fund, which would help developing nations recover and rebuild from the impacts of climate change. But a separate deal to phase out fossil fuels is in trouble. POLITICO’s Sara Schonhardt breaks down what is and isn’t going well so far at COP28. Plus, the Biden administration is proposing to remove nearly all lead pipes from the nation’s drinking water system within the next decade. For mor...
Dec 01, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1030
The United Nations' 28th climate COP begins today, with nearly 200 governments coming together to haggle over how the world can fight climate change in a year marked by record-high temperatures and a wave of climate-related disasters. This year’s conference is hosted by the United Arab Emirates, which has been mired in controversy because of its role as a major oil producer. POLITICO’s Zack Colman previews the conference and the key forces shaping it. Plus, the federal government is investigatin...
Nov 30, 2023•10 min•Ep. 1029
The Biden administration’s $7.5 billion federal program to build out the nation’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure hasn’t brought a single charger online in two years. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the sluggish rollout and how it will affect the administration’s EV goals. Plus, a new analysis from the Energy Department says California’s Salton Sea could help the United States meet its growing need for lithium. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch,...
Nov 29, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1028
Companies are starting to keep quiet about their climate and sustainability goals and commitments — a trend known as greenhushing. It’s a dramatic shift from how companies in previous years would tout their environmental credentials. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the politics behind greenhushing and the polarization of sustainability in corporate America. Plus, leaked documents show that the United Arab Emirates planned to use its position as host country of the upcoming United Nations cli...
Nov 28, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1027
The United States and China agreed to a surprise climate deal earlier this month that could boost the global climate negotiations starting this week. But the world’s two biggest emitters and economies remain at odds on tough questions, which may hinder how far the talks can go. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Sara Schonhardt break down the climate divide between Washington and Beijing heading into COP28. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newslett...
Nov 27, 2023•10 min•Ep. 1026
Ever since the historic Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015, the oil and gas industry has grown bigger than ever despite countries ramping up efforts to rein in their greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a reality that climate negotiators must face as the United Nations Climate Change Conference begins at the end of this month. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why the industry has grown. Plus, the Biden administration unveiled $2 billion in funding that will go directly to fund projects in c...
Nov 22, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1025
Earlier this year, the Biden administration announced a historic deal to use Inflation Reduction Act cash to conserve nearly a billion gallons of water from the shrinking Colorado River through 2026. But a POLITICO investigation found that the federal money is driving up the payments for farmers and tribes to forego some of their water rights – and could make any long-term agreement to save the West’s most important river far more expensive. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down exactly how the IR...
Nov 21, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1024
A global push to make corporations account for their carbon footprints is raising questions about the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which hasn’t finalized its own corporate climate disclosure proposal from almost two years ago. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why the SEC isn’t in the driver seat for the global corporate climate disclosure race. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency may revise its sweeping power-plant-carbon-rule to avoid hurting grid reliability. For more new...
Nov 20, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1023
Democrats in the swing states of Pennsylvania and Virginia are weighing how much political capital they are willing to spend so their states participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative — a carbon trading program that’s been politically controversial since its inception. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the tricky politics in those states and how it’s a test for both Democrats and the RGGI. Plus, rich countries likely met their overdue climate funding promise to developing nations l...
Nov 17, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1022
The United States and China, the world’s two largest greenhouse gas emitters, reached a surprise climate deal this week. The agreement came together despite broader tensions between the two countries and just weeks before the United Nations Climate Change Conference begins in Dubai. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the details of the agreement, what’s missing, and how it’s a positive sign for the UN climate talks. Plus, the European Union announced the first-ever law to tackle methane emission...
Nov 16, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1021
Federal officials on Tuesday released the latest comprehensive report on climate change, and it highlights the threat that global warming poses to the United States, particularly to elderly, children and low-income populations. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the report’s takeaways, how climate science has improved in the past four years, and if the Biden administration’s emission reductions goals are still achievable. Plus, Republicans at a hearing Tuesday hammered EPA’s upcoming greenhouse ...
Nov 15, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1020
The United Arab Emirates, which is set to host the United Nations climate talks at the end of this month, is pushing secretive state-run oil companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, according to documents obtained by POLITICO. But environmentalists aren’t convinced the plan goes far enough, and they don’t trust the UAE to put together a green plan. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why the UAE is pushing its peers for climate pledges ahead of COP 28. Plus, the European Union will mak...
Nov 14, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1019
West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin will not seek reelection to the Senate in 2024, leaving behind an enormous energy legacy and an empty seat as the top Democrat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino discusses Manchin’s energy legacy, which Democrat might take his committee assignment, and what Manchin might accomplish in his time left in the Senate. Plus, Ukraine’s energy minister told POLITICO Kyiv is open to attacking Russian energy infrastructure. For mo...
Nov 13, 2023•10 min•Ep. 1018
On Tuesday, a rural Michigan town voted to oust five local officials who backed tax breaks for a multi-billion dollar Chinese-affiliated battery plant. It’s a potential warning sign for President Joe Biden and Democrats’ clean energy agenda, and it could offer Republicans a winning political strategy in crucial swing states. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down how a tiny town sent a big message to China and Biden. Plus, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin announced Thursday he will not seek r...
Nov 10, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1017
The collapse of New Jersey’s ambitious offshore wind plan has put increasing pressure on New York and other Northeastern states to help President Joe Biden meet his clean energy goals. POLITICO’s Marie French and Ry Rivard break down the pressure on New York to rescue Biden’s wind plans. Plus, Pacific Gas and Electric has officially requested federal permission to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in California open for 20 more years. For more news on energy and the environment, subscri...
Nov 09, 2023•6 min•Ep. 1015
The Republican movement against environmental, social and governance investing is looking to take its message to the United Kingdom and spark a similar campaign there. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why anti-ESG advocates are targeting the UK and how their message is being received. Plus, U.S. annual solar generation is expected to overtake hydropower for the first time next year. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://w...
Nov 08, 2023•6 min•Ep. 1014
International climate negotiators finally reached an agreement this weekend on how to set up a fund that would help developing nations recover and rebuild from the impacts of climate change. But no one’s happy with the compromise agreement. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Sara Schonhardt breaks down the highlights of the deal, why it pleased no one and what it means for the upcoming United Nations climate talks. Plus, the leaders of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North America...
Nov 07, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1013
The Treasury Department is expected to roll out long-awaited guidance interpreting a key piece of the Inflation Reduction Act’s electric vehicle tax credit in the coming weeks. And with these rules, the Biden administration must balance its EV adoption goals and congressional pressure to crack down on China. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down Treasury's complicated dilemma, along with the political and climate stakes. Plus, the House on Friday passed an Interior-EPA funding bill with steep cut...
Nov 06, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1012
Starting today, world governments are making a last-ditch effort to save a historic agreement that supports victims of climate disasters. But countries are at odds over key details, which could derail the agreement and the upcoming United Nations climate summit in Dubai. POLITICO’s E&E News Sara Schonhardt breaks down the tense climate negotiations and why getting it done before COP28 is so important. Plus, three Republican senators introduced legislation Thursday that would impose a fee on ...
Nov 03, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1011
Orsted announced Tuesday it would cancel two of its largest offshore wind projects in New Jersey, a major setback for President Joe Biden and Democrats’ clean energy ambitions. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down why Orsted pulled out, how it impacts the offshore wind industry, and the political fallout. Plus, the Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office is moving ahead with a revised proposal to collect data from property insurers on climate risks. For more news on energy and the environment...
Nov 02, 2023•6 min•Ep. 1010
The United Auto Workers union has reached tentative contract agreements with Detroit’s Big Three automakers, marking the end of a difficult chapter for President Joe Biden and a major moment in America’s electric vehicle transition. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down what the union won in the negotiations and the impact on the president’s political and EV goals. Plus, the Biden administration approved the construction of the largest offshore wind project ever in the United States on Tuesday. F...
Nov 01, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1009
The Environmental Protection Agency is facing pressure to use a powerful and far-reaching air pollution program to regulate and reduce greenhouse gases. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the latest push, the opposition, and where the Biden administration might stand. Plus, the Department of Energy is sending $1.3 billion to help bolster power infrastructure across six states. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politi...
Oct 31, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1008
