President Donald Trump plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on all imported autos and auto parts starting this week. It’s a controversial move that Trump argues will help domestic car manufacturers, but experts and US trade partners say it could hurt the industry and global economy. POLITICO’s Doug Palmer breaks down the details of the move and the potential impacts. Plus, the SEC is officially ending the legal defense of its historic climate risk disclosure rule. Doug Palmer is a senior trade re...
Mar 31, 2025•11 min
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that aims to rapidly expand US critical mineral production. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the details of the order, along with the reaction and potential impact. Plus, the Trump administration moves to approve the use of public lands for potential carbon sequestration and alert companies to a possible “presidential exemption” from air rules. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of PO...
Mar 28, 2025•10 min
POLITICO is exclusively reporting that the Energy Department is considering cutting funding for multiple clean energy projects primarily in Democratic states while still maintaining funding for similar hydrogen projects in Republican states. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the scale of the potential cuts and the questions they would raise if enacted. Plus, a new survey Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy. Alex Keeney i...
Mar 27, 2025•10 min
The Supreme Court Tuesday heard arguments in a case about a procedural but important legal question: when the Environmental Protection Agency writes rules under the Clean Air Act and then a lawsuit is filed, where should that legal fight take place? POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the case and how the high court's ruling could significantly impact future EPA regulations. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy. Annie...
Mar 26, 2025•12 min
Even though the Trump administration is hitting legal obstacles in its attempt to revoke the funding from a $20 billion Biden-era climate program, its efforts are still disrupting former President Joe Biden’s clean energy efforts. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Trump is gutting Biden’s green agenda without even winning the legal battle. Plus, President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on countries that purchase oil or gas from Venezuela. Zack Colman covers ...
Mar 25, 2025•8 min
POLITICO exclusively reported that Energy Department officials are creating a “hit list” of Biden-era clean energy projects that the Trump administration could terminate. It’s potentially the largest effort to date targeting the Biden administration’s climate achievements. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down which projects might be targeted and the Trump administration’s plans moving forward. Plus, POLITICO learned of two notable energy staffing changes in the Trump administration late last...
Mar 24, 2025•8 min
While oil industry executives are generally supportive of the Trump administration, they met with President Donald Trump this week and raised concerns about how his trade policies could negatively impact their businesses. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down what we know about that meeting, oil executives’ concerns, and how Trump’s tariffs are already leaving a mark on the industry. Plus, FERC Chair Mark Christie said the commission is examining what “efficiencies” could be implemented in respons...
Mar 21, 2025•11 min
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to reclaim more than $20 billion in climate grants awarded under the Biden administration. The ruling is a setback for the Trump administration, which is moving to dismantle President Joe Biden’s clean energy agenda. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the ruling’s impact on Trump’s EPA and the grantee recipients, along with what’s next in this saga. Plus, the Trump administration conditionally approved a liquef...
Mar 20, 2025•8 min
Developers, grid experts and clean energy advocates are pushing the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Congress to quickly get behind a buildout of new transmission infrastructure in order to meet America’s rising electricity demand. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the urgent need for transmission in the US, the Trump administration’s plans to address this issue, and how the Supreme Court might play a role. Plus, the Trump EPA is planning a sweeping removal of its scie...
Mar 19, 2025•10 min
Oil and gas executives have been big backers of President Donald Trump and his energy dominance agenda. But the trade fights Trump has triggered are set to drive up costs for oil and gas companies. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre, who was at CERAWeek last week, breaks down how the oil industry is feeling about Trump behind closed doors. Plus, the Trump administration said it would disburse nearly $57 million to help restart a shuttered nuclear plant that secured financing under the Biden administration....
Mar 18, 2025•9 min
The Trump administration is pushing to terminate the Department of Defense’s climate efforts as part of its broader effort to eliminate “waste” at federal agencies. But some experts say that move could hurt military readiness and operations. Scott Waldman from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down DOD’s push and how it could potentially backfire on the Pentagon. Plus, the Department of Energy late last week reinstated employees who had been fired last month in governmentwide cuts, according to a D...
Mar 17, 2025•10 min
Critical minerals are having a bipartisan moment in Washington right now, leading to cautious optimism that Republicans and Democrats can push through legislation to reduce U.S. reliance on China for the raw materials. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why there’s momentum and what tangible progress could be made. Plus, two top EPA nominees advanced out of committee on Thursday on party-line votes, putting the people who will be key to President Donald Trump’s effort to unwind climate regulat...
Mar 14, 2025•9 min
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin made several big moves this week: ending all offices and positions related to environmental justice, terminating $20 billion in Biden-era climate and housing grants, and launching a major deregulatory effort that includes seeking to overturn the federal government’s core scientific finding about the dangers of greenhouse gases. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details and impact of these moves. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for...
Mar 13, 2025•11 min
Despite Trump administration officials touting their moves to boost oil and gas, the head of one of America’s largest utilities said renewable projects remain more attractive because of a shortage of natural gas turbines. POLITICO Energy Editor Matt Daily breaks down the somewhat contradictory messages coming out of CERAWeek, if there’s anything Trump can do to solve this problem and what this means for America’s energy outlook. Plus, former Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chair Chris Hanson empha...
Mar 12, 2025•10 min
Twenty-one House Republicans are pushing their party to preserve some of the clean energy tax credits in the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, and they’re warning that they could oppose the GOP’s multi trillion-dollar tax-cut package if those credits are repealed. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and James Bikales discuss why some Republicans are defending those IRA incentives and how it complicates President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. Plus, the Energy Department on Monday issued a permit extens...
Mar 11, 2025•10 min
CERAWeek, the biggest annual energy conference in the world, kicks off today in Houston, Texas where thousands of energy executives, leaders, lobbyists and Trump administration officials will gather to discuss the state of the industry. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down how the industry is feeling publicly and privately about the Trump administration so far and what to expect from the conference. Plus, EPA will end a novel enforcement lawsuit brought against a chemical plant in Louisiana that ...
Mar 10, 2025•10 min
By law, Puerto Rico has committed to getting 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. But that mandated effort is being threatened by Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón, a fossil fuel advocate and ally of President Donald Trump’s. POLITICO deputy energy editor Gloria Gonzalez breaks down how Puerto Rico’s new governor is putting the territory’s clean energy transition in doubt. Plus, the Trump administration canceled 21 grants for work on low-carbon construction materials this week. Nirmal Mulaikal is t...
Mar 07, 2025•11 min
President Donald Trump’s speech to the joint session of Congress on Tuesday night revealed a lot about his administration’s energy priorities moving forward. POLITICO Energy editor Matt Daily analyzes what Trump said and what it means for American energy policy moving forward. Plus, President Trump on Wednesday decided to delay for a month a portion of the 25 percent tariffs he imposed on Canada and Mexico at the urging of automakers. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energ...
Mar 06, 2025•11 min
The Supreme Court imposed new limits on EPA’s ability to regulate water pollution on Tuesday. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the ruling, how the case involved strange political alliances, and what this means for EPA and America’s water quality moving forward. Plus, America's oil industry has been pretty muted about President Donald Trump’s new tariffs despite the trade moves financially hurting its bottom line. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-hos...
Mar 05, 2025•9 min
The Department of Government Efficiency has hobbled the federal agency that delivers water across California, a move that inadvertently undercuts President Donald Trump’s plan to address the state’s water crisis. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down how DOGE's actions are in direct conflict with the president’s policy goals. Plus, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Monday requested an inspector general probe of the management of a $20 billion climate fund held by Citibank...
Mar 04, 2025•10 min
The second Trump administration has put the environmental movement on the defensive, and green groups are scrambling for a new strategy that can meet the moment. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the anxious mood among environmentalists and their game plan moving forward. Plus, Republicans are continuing to attack regulations passed under the Biden administration through Congressional Review Act resolutions. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio hos...
Mar 03, 2025•9 min
The Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to reverse a landmark scientific finding that’s the foundation for major climate change regulations. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down why EPA is going after this finding, the potential legal pushback, and what’s at stake for US climate policy now and for future administrations. Plus, EPA intends to cut 65 percent of its spending. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees ...
Feb 28, 2025•10 min
The United States and Ukraine have agreed on the terms for a minerals-for-aid deal, and the two countries could sign it this week. But it’s unclear if Ukraine’s reserve of critical minerals can meet President Donald Trump’s expectations. Hannah Northey from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down what we know about the deal so far and how significant it is from a minerals standpoint. Plus, EPA is attempting to unravel a landmark scientific finding that underpins its climate change regulations. Hanna...
Feb 27, 2025•10 min
President Donald Trump’s environmental chief is vowing to reclaim $20 billion in congressionally mandated climate grants issued by the Biden administration, but one of the grant recipients is moving ahead with plans to spend the money. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how EPA’s controversial pursuit has escalated in recent days and the political fallout. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at ...
Feb 26, 2025•10 min
State leaders are growing increasingly concerned about the mounting costs of natural disasters in light of the Trump administration’s moves to cut government spending and jobs related to disaster preparation and recovery. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why state officials are worried about handling natural disasters without a lot of help from the federal government. Plus, EPA told its workforce to reply to an Elon Musk email demanding a bullet point list of five things the employee did last ...
Feb 25, 2025•11 min
President Donald Trump is fundamentally changing how the federal government conducts environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act, a landmark law enacted in 1970. Hannah Northey from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why the president is changing this review process, what he is replacing it with and how this could impact America’s environment. Plus, a bill that would require major oil companies to pay fees to cover climate damages based on their past emissions has been rei...
Feb 24, 2025•9 min
President Donald Trump’s unprecedented push to take control of independent agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission could send a shock wave through the energy industry. POLITICO’s Cat Morehouse breaks down the legal viability of Trump’s push, how it could affect the agencies in the short-term and long-term, and the reaction from energy industries and regulators. Plus, the Center for Biological Diversity said it plans to sue the Trump administra...
Feb 21, 2025•11 min
POLITICO’s Josh Siegel recently interviewed Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is urging the Trump administration to fulfill the clean energy contracts signed by the Biden administration and to treat all types of energy production the same. Siegel discusses his takeaways from the interview ahead of Stitt’s visit to D.C. this week for governors’ meetings. Plus, environmental groups filed lawsuits Wednesday challenging President Donald Trump’s orders to put millions of acres of federal wate...
Feb 20, 2025•10 min
Terminations have hit all of the major federal energy and environmental agencies in recent days as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to shrink the federal workforce. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down which agencies have been affected, how the firings represent the most aggressive action against bureaucracy in modern Washington history, and the reaction from lawmakers. Plus, a top federal prosecutor in Washington resigned on Tuesday after refusing an order from Justice Departme...
Feb 19, 2025•11 min
The Trump administration’s decision to halt funding for America’s federal EV charging program is throwing states into disarray and causing uncertainty for the country’s EV future. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down how states and Congress are reacting to Trump’s pause. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the ...
Feb 18, 2025•10 min
