This week, President Joe Biden approved California’s request for stricter-than-federal vehicle emission standards – a decision that could reshape the trajectory of the American auto industry and will make it harder for President-elect Donald Trump to kill Biden’s electric vehicle transition. Mike Lee from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down the decision along with the political and legal ramifications. Plus, meet Trump's Energy Department landing team. Mike Lee covers transportation for POLITICO...
Dec 20, 2024•9 min
Many Environmental Protection Agency staffers are considering leaving their jobs because of the incoming Trump administration. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down why these employees are debating whether it's time to exit and how that could affect the agency’s ability to carry out critical functions. Plus, the Biden administration has granted California permission to enforce its nation-leading pollution rules for cars and trucks. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal...
Dec 19, 2024•8 min
On Tuesday, the Biden administration released its long-anticipated LNG report that could make it harder for the incoming Trump administration to expand U.S. liquefied natural gas exports. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the big takeaways from the report and the potential impact on America’s energy landscape and the incoming Trump administration. Plus, the Biden administration is poised to provide a record $15 billion loan guarantee to the California utility giant PG&E. Ben Lefebvre is an...
Dec 18, 2024•9 min
Today, POLITICO Energy host Alex Guillén sits down for an extended interview with Chris Frey, who led EPA’s research office under President Joe Biden for three years. They discuss how a second Trump administration could impact federal science policy and lessons for the science community from Trump’s first term. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the d...
Dec 17, 2024•15 min
The climate science community is bracing for Donald Trump's second term as they fear censorship, layoffs and funding cuts. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Trump treated science policy in his first term, the anxious mood among climate scientists right now and how they are preparing themselves. Plus, Europe’s top competition and climate official says America’s rivals are preparing to become bigger players in the clean energy space during the second Trump administration. Zack Colman covers c...
Dec 16, 2024•10 min
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration released two key climate findings this week: 2024 was the hottest year ever on record, and the Arctic tundra is now a driver of climate change. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how NOAA’s findings could have big implications for the fight against climate change. Plus, the board of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator approved a sweeping $21.8 billion package of transmission projects to stretch across the region’s Midwest footprint. Zack C...
Dec 13, 2024•9 min
A bitterly divided federal appeals court upheld a ruling that Exxon Mobil must pay a record $14.25 million in fines for pollution emitted by one of its Texas oil refineries. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the historic decision, the unusual judicial infighting involved in the case and what this ruling means for oil companies like Exxon moving forward. Plus, lawmakers unveiled three bills on Wednesday to strengthen the U.S. critical mineral supply chain and reduce reliance on adversaries such...
Dec 12, 2024•9 min
This week, Supreme Court justices heard arguments in a case that could limit how much federal agencies can consider the climate impacts of new infrastructure projects. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details of the case and how the eventual ruling could dramatically transform the National Environmental Policy Act. Plus, President-elect Donald Trump is promising that anyone who invests at least $1 billion in the United States will be rewarded with expedited permits and environmental appro...
Dec 11, 2024•9 min
Last week, federal judges began debating the legality of the Biden administration’s climate rule regulating emissions from power plants. And while the incoming Trump administration is expected to try to repeal the rule, the legal deliberations could still give us clues about future rulemaking processes and litigation affecting energy policy. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the future of the case, what the judges are thinking, and the policy implications. Plus, Rep. Brett Guthrie of Kentucky ...
Dec 10, 2024•8 min
Congressional Democrats are fighting over a broadly supported bipartisan bill that aims to start to clean up hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines across the country. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the intraparty fight and what it means for the legislation. Plus, a panel of federal judges on Friday dug into EPA’s decision to base its power plant climate rule on capturing carbon emissions. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. N...
Dec 09, 2024•8 min
The Midcontinent Independent Power Operator, which manages the power grid for 15 states, is grappling with how to meet skyrocketing power demand while keeping consumers’ bills affordable. Today, POLITICO Energy host Catherine Morehouse sits down with the grid operator’s second in command, Chief Operating Officer Clair Moeller, to discuss how MISO is planning to respond to growing grid challenges and what MISO hopes to see from the incoming Trump administration. Catherine Morehouse is an energy r...
Dec 06, 2024•18 min
Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva announced this week he’d step down from his spot as the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee next Congress. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the race to replace Grijalva and how it highlights a broader intraparty fight playing out within the Democratic party right now. Plus, the Energy Department will release the final version of its long-awaited report updating how it analyzes whether new natural gas exports are in the public interest later this mon...
Dec 05, 2024•9 min
President-elect Donald Trump is aiming to take action on his first day in office to boost the natural gas export industry, but it’s unclear how far he will go. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down what Trump is considering, industry reaction and the potential legal obstacles he faces. Plus, Senate Republicans are looking to tackle energy as one of their top priorities in a reconciliation bill within the first 30 days of the Trump administration. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Ni...
Dec 04, 2024•8 min
FERC’s policy priorities under President-elect Donald Trump will largely depend on whether current Chair Willie Phillips stays or leaves the commission. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse previews FERC under Trump 2.0 and how Phillips’ decision could impact the agency’s agenda. Plus, the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office makes another conditional loan commitment ahead of Inauguration Day. Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer...
Dec 03, 2024•10 min
This year’s annual United Nations Climate Change Conference unofficially marked a new period in global climate diplomacy. Some countries now see China as the world’s climate leader and winner of the global clean energy race. Sara Schonhardt from POLITICO’s E&E News explains how China ascended to this position and what global climate efforts could look like with Beijing at the helm. Sara Schonhardt is an international climate reporter for E&E News. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host...
Dec 02, 2024•10 min
Sources exclusively told POLITICO that President-elect Donald Trump is looking to revive the Keystone XL oil pipeline on his first day back in the White House even though no companies are trying to build it anymore. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why Trump wants to revive the pipeline and whether his plan is feasible. Plus, FERC issued a new version of its sweeping transmission rule, and this year’s global climate talks are sidestepping a previous historic pledge. Ben Lefebvre is an energy ...
Nov 22, 2024•11 min
The Biden administration is racing to finalize $25 billion in pending loans to businesses that have vowed to build major clean energy projects across the country. It’s an effort that could cement President Joe Biden’s climate legacy months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and Jessie Blaeser break down why a key part of Biden’s climate agenda is on the clock. Plus, Trump is looking to revive the Keystone XL oil pipeline on his first day back in the Wh...
Nov 21, 2024•12 min
President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the federal program that aims to build an electric vehicle charging network across the country. But eliminating that program will be challenging for Republicans and his administration. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why Trump can’t easily repeal the federal EV charging program. Plus, House Republican leaders laid out their biggest legislative priorities for next year, and poor countries are pushing for way more climate funding at the U...
Nov 20, 2024•10 min
President-elect Donald Trump has picked the cabinet officials responsible for shaping his second administration's energy policy: Chris Wright at the Department of Energy, Doug Burgum at the Department of Interior, and Lee Zeldin at the Environmental Protection Agency. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel, Ben Lefebvre and Alex Guillén discuss Trump's energy roster and what the nominees mean for his agenda. Plus, the White House has asked Congress for more disaster aid and there's a trillion dollar question di...
Nov 19, 2024•11 min
President-elect Donald Trump selected North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior and the newly created National Energy Council. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Ben Lefebvre break down Burgum’s dual energy roles and what he means for the incoming Trump administration. Plus, Trump named oil industry CEO Chris Wright to lead the Energy Department, installing a vocal critic of government efforts to fight climate change as the head of the agency at the forefront of the Biden administ...
Nov 18, 2024•10 min
President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act appropriated hundreds of billions of dollars in spending for climate efforts. But it's unclear how much of the money remains on the table and could be vulnerable to repeal by President-elect Donald Trump and the incoming Republican-controlled Congress. POLITICO’s Jessie Blaeser breaks down how much of the Inflation Reduction Act is in danger. Plus, a new report released by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation says extreme cold weather ...
Nov 15, 2024•12 min
Oil and gas companies will have to pay a fee for releasing methane into the atmosphere under a new regulation from the Biden administration out this week. But the rule is likely to be clawed back when Donald Trump returns to power and with Republicans likely controlling both chambers of Congress. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the complicated process to repeal Biden’s methane fee. Plus, AI will be used at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant and the United States will likely pledge a new t...
Nov 14, 2024•10 min
President-elect Donald Trump has picked former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down Zeldin’s history on energy and climate issues, why his selection was a surprise, and what EPA might do under his leadership. Plus, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality cannot issue binding regulations governing federal agencies’ environmental reviews. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter f...
Nov 13, 2024•9 min
Trina Solar, one of China’s largest solar panel manufacturers, just sold its new Texas factory to Georgia-based battery maker Freyr. Trina said Donald Trump’s presidential victory wasn’t related to the sale, but the company was poised to receive nearly $2 billion in tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. POLITICO’s Benjamin Storrow and Kelsey Tamborrino explain the significance of this move and what may happen with the solar industry under the Trump administration. Plus, President-elect ...
Nov 12, 2024•9 min
President-elect Donald Trump’s White House victory has sent global climate diplomacy into a frenzy just as diplomats and Biden administration officials arrive in Baku for the COP29 negotiations. POLITICO's Zack Colman discusses how Trump will impact the goals of the climate talks. Plus, Former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Neil Chatterjee said last week he gave a road map to the Trump transition team on how to implement job cuts at the agency that regulates the nation’s gas and elec...
Nov 11, 2024•7 min
The combination of rising energy demands and fears about climate change is fueling fresh interest in nuclear energy, and the movement is getting a boost from Big Tech. But the return to nuclear power is not just a U.S. phenomenon. In Italy, a new generation of climate conscious young people is shaking up the debate — spurred in part by an unlikely social media influencer. On POLITICO Energy, climate reporter Federica Di Sario joins POLITICO Tech host Steven Overly to introduce the Atomic Advocat...
Nov 08, 2024•19 min
Donald Trump is returning to the White House with a Republican Senate, creating an opportunity for the president-elect and his GOP allies on the Hill to gut parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats’ signature climate law. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and Josh Siegel discuss what a second Trump presidency means for the hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy funding. Plus, FERC on Tuesday signed off on the PJM Interconnection’s proposal to end capacity market payments for energy ef...
Nov 07, 2024•10 min
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election. POLITICO’s Matt Daily and Bob King break down what a second Trump administration means for energy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 06, 2024•15 min
The 2024 elections could determine whether the United States will accelerate efforts to fight climate change or veer off course, depending on which party wins the White House and controls Congress. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the massive climate stakes of the 2024 elections and walks us through the different scenarios. Plus, FERC rejected a proposal to allow an Amazon data center to pull power directly from a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO...
Nov 05, 2024•10 min
Tech companies are increasingly considering putting their new data centers in “excess energy regions” – areas that are typically less populated and have more power supplies than demand – as a way to take pressure off the U.S. power grid. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the pros and cons of this strategy and why it has big implications for America’s power system. Plus, one of Europe’s most powerful business lobby groups is worried a second Trump presidency will punish the EU’s business...
Nov 04, 2024•9 min
