President Donald Trump is escalating his attacks on clean energy, cutting $8 billion in funding in states that didn’t vote for him in last year’s election – but some GOP districts will take some collateral damage. The decision comes amid a heated partisan blame game over the ongoing government shutdown and builds on Trump’s broader rollback of clean energy policies. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino unpacks the politics of this move, the pushback, and how it ties into the government shutdown. James B...
Oct 03, 2025•11 min
The Trump administration is making a new move to secure America’s critical minerals: taking an ownership stake in a Nevada lithium mine alongside its developer. The deal is designed to boost U.S. supplies of lithium, a key component of electric vehicles and renewable energy. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the details and implications of this unusual agreement. Plus, roughly 60 percent of Energy Department staff are without furlough protections if a prolonged government shutdown and budgeta...
Oct 02, 2025•9 min
Even though the Trump administration and Republicans have scaled back federal support for electric vehicles, more than 40 red and blue states across the country are moving ahead with plans to tap into billions in federal funding to build fast-charging EV networks. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why states are racing to expand EV infrastructure despite mixed signals from Washington and what it means for the future of the national EV market. Plus, the Transportation Department will cancel a ...
Oct 01, 2025•9 min
The Trump administration announced its latest major push this week to revive the U.S. coal industry including new funding, land leases and looser regulatory rules. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the details and impact of the move for the industry, along with what it means for rising electricity prices. Plus, the Energy Department has added “climate change,” “green” and “decarbonization” to its growing “list of words to avoid” at its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Josh Sie...
Sep 30, 2025•9 min
The Trump administration is considering using weapons-grade plutonium to help fuel a new wave of nuclear reactors. But these plans are already concerning Democratic lawmakers and some Department of Energy officials, who worry that allowing commercial nuclear producers to have the material could pose defense and safety issues. POLITICO’s Zack Colman cracks open the details of how this nuclear fuel plan will work and the effects it could have on national security. Also, New York’s state energy age...
Sep 29, 2025•8 min
President Donald Trump hasn’t been a big fan of renewable energy. And on the international stage, he’s used some unusual diplomacy to get his point across. These two themes collided earlier this week in New York City, where heads of state gathered for the UN General Assembly. In a nearly hour-long speech, Trump eviscerated his peers for falling for what he called the “the green energy scam.” Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Chris Wright made the rounds promoting a contrarian climate science report th...
Sep 26, 2025•9 min
EPA’s power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions might get switched off sooner than expected. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin intends to sign off next week on the final policy and legal justifications for repealing the so-called endangerment finding and Biden-era climate rules for cars and trucks, according to a scoop from E&E’s Jean Chemnick. But Zeldin and the EPA may come to regret this accelerated timetable. Also, oil drilling in Texas, northern Louisiana and southern New Mexico slows down,...
Sep 25, 2025•8 min
Once again, the Trump administration is working to hobble the growth of clean energy. On Monday, the administration announced plans to use the Clean Water Act permitting process to prioritize fossil fuel projects and potentially undercut renewable energy. POLITICO’s James Bikales and Kelsey Tamborrino break down what’s behind this move towards “energy dense” projects – likely to harness fossil fuels – and what this means for the future of renewable energy. Plus, a federal judge allows work to re...
Sep 24, 2025•7 min
Environmentalists have been stunned by President Donald Trump’s rapid-fire attack on many of their achievements. From Joe Biden’s climate law to longstanding regulations – green groups now find themselves on the defensive seemingly everywhere. But this week, they’re rallying in New York City for Climate Week to try to forge a new path ahead. The only problem: two roads may be diverging as environmentalists debate different strategies to win back power. Plus, new guidance from the U.S. Army Corps...
Sep 23, 2025•9 min
Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview with Mike Sommers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, to discuss the state of the U.S. oil and gas under President Donald Trump’s energy dominance agenda. The industry has secured policy wins like tax cuts, regulatory rollbacks, and expanded lease sales, but it faces short-term challenges like low prices, layoffs, tariffs, and climate lawsuits. They discuss what’s been accomplished under Trump 2.0 and what still ne...
Sep 22, 2025•23 min
The bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled a new permitting reform framework this week that aims to speed the construction of energy and infrastructure projects. But after years of gridlock and failed attempts, can Congress finally get a deal across the finish line? POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down what’s in the new proposal, why the Problem Solvers are taking the lead, and what obstacles still stand in the way. Plus, the White House is pulling its nominee to run the Bureau of Reclam...
Sep 19, 2025•11 min
The Trump administration is proposing to eliminate EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, a federal program that’s tracked U.S. climate pollution since 2009. The move is drawing backlash from environmental groups, along with concern from Republicans and industry leaders who worry it could undermine U.S business interests. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why the EPA is targeting the program and the political fight it’s set to spark. Plus, one of the United States' most respected scientific bo...
Sep 18, 2025•9 min
The Trump administration has halted construction on Revolution Wind, one of the largest U.S. offshore wind pr ojects, even though it was nearly complete and set to power New England. T hat deci sion has triggered a costly legal battle, backlash from state political and business leaders, and raised fresh questions about the future of offshore wind in the United States. Ben Storrow from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why the administration stepped in and what comes next. Plus, a coalition of ...
Sep 17, 2025•10 min
Americans may be getting relief at the pump this year, but U.S. oil companies are feeling the squeeze, cutting jobs and scaling back investments. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why these conflicting trends are happening and what they mean for President Donald Trump’s energy dominance agenda. Plus, a new study published shows that climate change will cost the European Union an estimated $50 billion this year. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal...
Sep 16, 2025•9 min
Since taking office, the Trump administration has putting clean energy under pressure -- cancelling funding, revoking permits, and tightening access to key tax credits. That comes at a time when solar remains among the fastest-growing sources of electricity in the United States and as energy demand is projected to surge in the coming years. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino sits down for an extended interview with Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, to t...
Sep 15, 2025•25 min
President Donald Trump’s campaign against renewable energy since taking office isn’t just hitting approved projects and green industries — it’s quietly rippling through Congress in small but significant ways across party lines. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down how the president's anti-clean energy agenda is complicating the Senate energy committee, permitting negotiations and even Republican House races. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mul...
Sep 12, 2025•11 min
The Trump administration’s latest Make America Healthy Again report was supposed to crack down on America’s environmental hazards. Instead, it delivers major wins for industry, including calling for faster chemical approvals and weaker pollution rules. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down how the report tackles environmental issues and why some MAHA loyalists feel it falls short. Plus, the Interior Department proposed to rescind rules that offered public land for conservation leasing. Annie Snide...
Sep 11, 2025•10 min
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently unveiled a new industrial policy -- Buy Canadian – as the Washington and Ottawa try to sort out their trade tensions. It’s a protectionist move that mirrors the Trump administration’s Buy American strategy and comes as President Donald Trump’s tariffs have hit Canada’s manufacturing sectors. POLITICO’s Zi-Ann Lum breaks down why this policy is coming now and how it impacts energy, trade, and U.S.-Canada relations. Plus, the share of disposable income ...
Sep 10, 2025•7 min
The U.S. solar industry has been one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity, but a new forecast out this week warns that momentum could slow as Trump-era policies and Republican tax changes take effect. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down how the solar industry’s outlook is at risk in the near future and what it all means for America’s power grid. Plus, the House Natural Resources Committee is holding a hearing tomorrow to review three bipartisan permitting proposals. Josh Siegel is ...
Sep 09, 2025•8 min
Today, POLITICO’s Josh Siegel sits down for an extended conversation with Emily Domenech, executive director of the Federal Permitting Council and a top Trump administration official. They discuss the council’s permitting strategy so far, the administration’s behind-the-scenes approach to different energy sources, and what it wants from Congress on permitting reform. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POL...
Sep 08, 2025•20 min
House Republicans narrowly passed a $57 billion energy and water bill on Thursday that slashes clean energy and boosts GOP priorities — squeaking it through by just one vote after two last-minute flip-flops. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the details of the package, how it exposes deeper GOP divisions, and why lawmakers face a difficult government spending fight ahead. Plus, President Donald Trump’s nominees to fill the two vacancies at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission vowed to...
Sep 05, 2025•7 min
The Trump administration secured a major legal victory this week after a federal appeals court ruled that EPA can cancel $20 billion in Biden-era clean energy funding. However, the courtroom fight is far from over. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the ruling, how the legal saga will continue, and what this means for America’s clean energy future. Plus, a top official at the Interior Department said the agency is prioritizing permits for new fossil fuel generation over renewable energy because...
Sep 04, 2025•10 min
President Donald Trump’s war on wind power is colliding with Iowa’s prominent wind industry and putting Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in a political bind. She’s long defended wind power as part of an “all-of-the-above” strategy, but her vote for Trump’s megabill is now a major liability as she faces one of the toughest reelection fights in the country. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down how Trump’s anti-wind agenda is threatening a vulnerable Iowa Republican. Plus, a federal appellate...
Sep 03, 2025•10 min
President Donald Trump promised to help Appalachian communities recover after Hurricane Helene — one of the deadliest and costliest storms in U.S. history. But his administration’s rollback of billions in Biden-era climate and energy funds has stalled projects meant to rebuild housing and lower energy costs across the region. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains how Trump’s actions are slowing recovery efforts and what it means for the communities still struggling nearly a year after the storm. Zack ...
Sep 02, 2025•9 min
President Donald Trump’s effort to fast-track small nuclear reactors favors Silicon Valley startups over established nuclear companies, raising questions about safety, trust, and the future of U.S. nuclear power. Francisco “A.J.” Camacho from POLITICO’s E&E news breaks down how that split in the industry could complicate Trump’s larger nuclear goals. Plus, the Commerce Department said Thursday it has opened a national security investigation into imports of wind turbines. Francisco "A.J." Cam...
Aug 22, 2025•11 min
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s shutdown of the Indian Point nuclear plant years ago was seen as a safety win, but it’s driven up emissions, raised electricity costs, and complicated New York’s climate goals. Now, as Cuomo pursues a political comeback, critics say the closure left the grid dirtier and consumers paying more. POLITICO’s Marie French breaks down what it means for New York’s energy future and the Democratic debate over nuclear power. Plus, President Donald Trump pledged in a soc...
Aug 21, 2025•7 min
A former Biden administration official is pushing back against a Department of Energy report that could undermine the federal government’s authority to regulate carbon emissions. Jean Chemnick from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why the report matters, how it ties into the Trump administration’s broader strategy to overturn the “endangerment finding,” and what’s at stake for future climate rules. Plus, a coalition of U.S. manufacturers that build the equipment used to make batteries is urgi...
Aug 20, 2025•10 min
Energy Secretary Chris Wright exclusively told POLITICO recently that he’s worried about rising electricity prices, and he thinks Republicans could suffer political pain in the midterm elections because of them. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down why Wright is concerned and who he really thinks voters should blame for rising prices. Plus, 19 states and the District of Columbia sued the Energy Department over the agency’s move to limit the use of its grant funding for “indirect costs” such as bui...
Aug 19, 2025•10 min
So far, President Donald Trump’s steep cuts to the U.S. Forest Service haven’t fueled the wildfire disaster Democrats and state officials feared. But experts warn the risks remain, with future cuts threatening prevention and response efforts. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why Trump's cuts haven't fueled wildfire catastrophe and how America isn’t out of the woods yet. Plus, the Trump administration announced a policy on Friday that will make it even harder for wind and solar projects to ta...
Aug 18, 2025•8 min
A new POLITICO analysis finds the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has only saved $1.4 billion in verifiable cuts — far less than the $50 billion it claims. And none of it will reduce the federal deficit. POLITICO’s Jessie Blaeser breaks down DOGE’s inflated savings and the impact on federal energy agencies. Plus, the Energy Department is making available nearly $1 billion dollars in funding for critical minerals projects. James Bikales is a reporter for POLIT...
Aug 15, 2025•9 min
