California's two landmark corporate climate disclosure laws are set to face major scrutiny from the legal world after the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Farm Bureau Federation, and a coalition of business organizations filed a lawsuit aiming to block them. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the details of the case and how it could impact the federal government and other states looking to advance their own climate disclosure rules Plus, GOP lawmakers are seeking to undo the Biden administra...
Feb 02, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1072
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, President Joe Biden is trying to win over many of the young, climate-focused voters who supported him four years ago. But those voters are not only frustrated with some of the administration’s energy policies, they’re also angry about the war in Gaza and how the president is handling it. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Biden’s Gaza stance risks young climate voters in 2024. Plus, White House adviser John Podesta has been tapped to be the Biden...
Feb 01, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1071
House lawmakers are questioning the Biden administration’s deal to rejuvenate salmon and steelhead species along the Snake River in the Pacific Northwest and support efforts to replace the hydropower along the river. It’s a political issue angering Republicans, who accuse the Biden administration of wanting to remove the Snake River dams. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the administration’s decision and the congressional pushback. Plus, the largest offshore wind farm in the United States rec...
Jan 31, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1070
The Energy Department announced new energy efficiency standards for ovens and gas stoves on Monday that are weaker than what it initially proposed last year. The move comes after Republicans and some centrist Democrats accused the Biden administration of seeking to ban gas stoves – a move the Biden rule never actually contemplated. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the details and politics of Biden’s new gas stove rule. Plus, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in late March about the B...
Jan 30, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1069
The Biden administration is set to impose first-ever federal limits that will require thousands of public water systems to capture and dispose of toxic contaminants in drinking water that have been linked to infertility and cancer. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the details of the standards and how utilities will face significant challenges in order to meet them. Plus, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin is pledging to hold a hearing about the Biden administration’s recen...
Jan 29, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1068
Today, the Biden administration announced a highly-anticipated moratorium on permits for new natural gas facilities for over a year. The decision comes as the United States leads the world in both liquefied natural gas exports and oil and gas production. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the energy and foreign policy implications of the decision, along with the mixed reaction. Plus, continued attacks on vessels in the Red Sea are disrupting cargo shipments between Asia and Europe. For more new...
Jan 26, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1067
Top Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate have once again restarted talks to enact permitting reform after they stalled out last year. But those negotiations are challenged by election-year politics and skeptics on both sides of the aisle. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the latest permitting push and why it faces long odds. Plus, former Trump administration Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette says a second Trump presidency will not kill President Joe Biden’s landmark climate law. For ...
Jan 25, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1066
Rep. Buddy Carter, a Georgia Republican, is set to play a key role in climate and energy policy as the new chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials subcommittee and the new vice chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel chats with Carter about his top priorities for the panel, why Republicans should compromise with Democrats on permitting reform, and what conservatives hope to gain by having a seat at the climate...
Jan 24, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1065
The Biden administration’s decision to review how it considers climate when issuing permits for new natural gas export facilities could cause headaches for European countries, which have become increasingly reliant on U.S. liquefied natural gas during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the concerns within the EU and the internal divisions within the Biden administration. Plus, the Supreme Court said it will review a deal between Texas, New Mexico and Colorado meant...
Jan 23, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1064
The federal government’s pipeline safety watchdog is facing a budget crunch because of partisan politics and increased regulatory responsibility as companies build out thousands of miles of new pipelines. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down how even though the pipeline industry is booming, US regulators are struggling to keep up. Plus, people uprooted by natural disasters will now be eligible for tens of thousands of additional dollars from the federal government. For more news on energy and the...
Jan 22, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1063
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears poised to weaken the power of federal agencies by overturning Chevron deference, a legal doctrine that gives them latitude to craft regulations in countless areas including energy and the environment. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down what’s at stake in the energy world if Chevron deference is overturned. Plus, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee easily advanced legislation Thursday that inches Congress toward imposing carbon tari...
Jan 19, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1062
Republicans are split over the PROVE It Act, a modest bipartisan bill set for markup today in the Senate that would authorize a two-year study into how carbon emissions of U.S. manufactured goods compare to allies and adversaries. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the details of the bill and how it’s exposing larger divisions among Republicans over how to integrate climate into trade policy. Plus, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority seems poised to weaken the power of federal agencies aft...
Jan 18, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1061
U.S. special climate envoy John Kerry is planning to step down from his post in the Biden administration sometime in late winter or early spring. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down Kerry’s climate legacy and how his departure comes at a critical moment in U.S. climate diplomacy. Plus, World Bank President Ajay Banga believes the push to help developing countries deal with climate change could survive a second Trump administration. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power S...
Jan 17, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1060
On Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency released its long-awaited methane fee as directed by the Inflation Reduction Act. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details of the fee that could cost the fossil fuel sector billions of dollars, as well as the expected pushback from the oil industry and Republican lawmakers. Plus, federal science agencies say last year was the hottest on record by a wide margin, but project that this year could be even warmer. For more news on energy and the e...
Jan 16, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1059
A top official at the Energy Department told a Senate panel Thursday that the United States can make the transition to electric vehicles without China. It’s a sign that the administration believes its efforts to establish domestic clean energy supply chains are working. But the remarks drew significant skepticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the Biden administration’s EV defense and the pushback from lawmakers. Plus, a three-month campaign by G7...
Jan 12, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1057
California is trying to implement sweeping climate change policies before a potential second Donald Trump presidency. But the state is running into a growing backlog of federal approvals that are in the hands of President Joe Biden’s EPA, potentially giving Trump an opportunity to weaken California's unique climate authority if he wins again in 2024. POLITICO’s Blanca Begert breaks down why California’s climate policies are on the clock at EPA. Plus, the oil industry is blasting the Biden admini...
Jan 11, 2024•6 min•Ep. 1056
The Biden administration is reviewing the criteria it uses to approve new liquefied natural gas export projects, according to two people familiar with the plan. It’s a potentially major move that could threaten the United States’ position as the world’s biggest shipper of the fuel. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the climate and geopolitical factors behind this decision along with the reaction. Plus, the Biden administration launched a new effort Tuesday to boost the U.S. supply chain for ma...
Jan 10, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1055
Last year was the hottest ever around the world, and if the trend continues, it could spell trouble for politicians as around 4 billion voters head to ballot boxes in 2024. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down what to expect from the global temperature data that's set to be released this week and how it could impact international politics. Plus, the Supreme Court said it will not hear Alaska’s request for the high court to step in directly and undo EPA’s veto of the Pebble Mine project. For more n...
Jan 09, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1054
Rep. John Curtis of Utah, who’s been a consistent green voice on the right, is making climate change a core part of his campaign to replace Mitt Romney in the Senate. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down Curtis’ strategy, the complicated party dynamics he must navigate, and how his campaign could represent a test case for Republicans on climate change. Plus, federal officials say automakers sold more than 1.4 million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the United States during 2023. For more n...
Jan 08, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1053
Corporate environmental, social and governance policies will be back in the spotlight in 2024, with both parties gearing up for fights on Capitol Hill, in statehouses across the country and in the courts. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down how the conflict over ESG policies may play out in 2024. Plus, Shell has joined BP in complaining to federal regulators that Venture Global LNG is failing to ship liquefied natural gas to promised customers from a Louisiana terminal. For more news on energy ...
Jan 05, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1052
The Biden administration’s updated rules for the electric vehicle tax credit took effect on Monday, slashing the number of the EVs that can qualify but giving consumers a chance to access the subsidy right when they purchase the vehicle. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down how these new regulations impact consumers, EV manufacturers, and President Joe Biden’s EV adoption efforts. Plus, the developers of three New York offshore wind projects have terminated one of its contracts with the state. F...
Jan 04, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1051
A federal judge ruled over the weekend that a landmark climate change lawsuit brought by children and young adults against the federal government could move forward, a victory for climate activists after eight years of legal tug-of-war. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the latest ruling and what’s next for the case. Plus, the developers of the embattled Mountain Valley Pipeline plan to dramatically shrink its 75-mile expansion project. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to...
Jan 03, 2024•7 min•Ep. 1050
It’s officially 2024, and the POLITICO Energy team is keeping a close eye on permitting reform, the Biden administration’s regulatory agenda, and the rollout of clean energy incentives – all with the November elections looming. POLITICO’s James Bikales previews what to expect in energy policy in 2024. 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 Mornin...
Jan 02, 2024•8 min•Ep. 1049
Energy and climate policies experienced numerous shifts in 2023, but fossil fuels continued to rise while extreme weather events became more frequent. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down the biggest events and trends in energy and climate policies this past year at home and abroad and how that will impact 2024. 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 ou...
Dec 22, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1048
Seven Western states are trying to hash out a long-term deal to share water supplies from the dwindling Colorado River once their current agreement expires in 2026. But opening negotiations aren’t going well after last week’s Colorado River users conference in Las Vegas. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down why the states are scrambling and how this issue could become the Biden administration’s problem during the 2024 election season. Plus, the Interior Department's Gulf of Mexico oil lease sale ...
Dec 21, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1047
Earlier this month, Michigan regulators approved a key permit to build a tunnel under the Great Lakes to house the controversial Line 5 oil pipeline, prompting pushback from environmental advocates. POLITICO’s Adam Aton breaks down the latest Line 5 news and how President Joe Biden now must navigate tricky pipeline politics in a swing-state during an election year. Plus, FERC on Tuesday launched an investigation into whether it should exercise more oversight over large investment companies’ stak...
Dec 20, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1046
President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection pitch “Bidenomics,” which includes Inflation Reduction Act incentives for more domestic manufacturing, is falling flat with American voters. But leaders across the world can’t get enough of it. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why Bidenomics is working abroad despite flailing at home and why that matters for the climate. Plus, the United Kingdom will impose a tax on imports with large carbon footprints. For more news on energy and the environment, subscrib...
Dec 19, 2023•7 min•Ep. 1045
The United States has a monumental challenge ahead after it agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in the coming decades under last week’s COP28 climate deal. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén and Catherine Morehouse discuss that questions around decarbonizing the economy and the political, legal and technical challenges the US will face. Plus, the Biden administration issued initial parameters for a tax incentive in the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at cutting emissions from aviation. For more news ...
Dec 18, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1044
U.S. green groups are warning the Biden administration that its approval of domestic fossil fuel projects in light of this year’s historic COP28 climate deal could impact President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down how US green groups are reacting after COP28 and what it means for the 2024 elections. Plus, the Biden administration issued guidance for a new tax incentive under the Inflation Reduction Act meant to onshore the production of key clean energy c...
Dec 15, 2023•7 min•Ep. 1043
Nearly 200 countries finalized a last-minute, historic agreement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to transition away from fossil fuels. But some say the deal falls short of what needs to be done to slow down climate change. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Sara Schonhardt break down the final COP28 deal, what’s missing, and where international climate talks go from here. Plus, a new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation warned that the United States could face ...
Dec 14, 2023•7 min•Ep. 1041
