The EPA has proposed lowering the annual average soot exposure limit, predicting such a move would yield tens of billions of dollars per year in public health benefits. But the proposal, which would overturn a Trump-era decision that left the regulation unchanged, is already drawing criticism from industry, even though it fell short of environmentalists' expectations. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén reports.

The Biden administration has named FERC commissioner Willie Phillips as interim chair of the commission, a decision that isn’t without controversy. Environmental justice groups and renewable industry interests have long lobbied for the more progressive FERC commissioner Allison Clements to be named chair. Phillips, the more moderate choice, is viewed by some environmental groups as too accommodating to utilities and gas companies. POLITICO’s Cat Morehouse explains the impact Biden’s decision to elevate Phillips — even temporarily — could have on FERC’s agenda.

Before 2022 came to a close, the Treasury Department released new rules regarding electric vehicle tax credits offered in the Inflation Reduction Act. The law contained “Made in America” requirements that rankled the European Union and other trading partners, who said the provisions would disadvantage their EV manufacturers and other clean tech industries. The Biden Administration is now showing some flexibility in how it will implement the revised EV tax credits, but it may not be enough to satisfy critics. POLITICO’s Doug Palmer reports.

Ever since Congress passed the Clean Water Act more than fifty years ago, the EPA, the White House and the Supreme Court have wrestled over what legally constitutes “Waters of the United States.” This past Friday, the Biden administration finalized a rule to expand protections from the Clean Water Act nationwide, but the Supreme Court’s decision in an upcoming case could complicate the situation. POLITICO’s Annie Snider reports.

Geothermal energy — the technology that harnesses the heat beneath the Earth’s crust — is poised for growth due to an influx of federal funding, advances in technology, state incentives and interest from the Biden administration and the oil and gas sector. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down why geothermal energy is drawing fresh interest now and the different regulatory, financial and technological obstacles it still faces. Plus, the Senate passed a $1.7 trillion government funding bill on Thursday, sending the package to the House for approval today ahead of a midnight deadline.

On Monday, an influential New York panel adopted a road map of climate and clean energy measures designed to help the state meet its ambitious green goals. But several concerns remain about the implementation of New York’s plan. POLITICO’s Marie French breaks down the state’s new climate effort and unanswered questions. Plus, environmental groups are suing the Interior Department to stop the planned Cook Inlet oil lease sale.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s aggressive policies to transition off fossil fuels are posing a growing threat to the state’s oil industry – and a new tax on refining is the latest front in the battle. But the industry says it isn’t giving up without a fight. POLITICO’s Wes Venteicher breaks down why Newsom and the oil industry are on a major collision course. Plus, inside the energy and climate toplines in the $1.7 trillion year-end omnibus spending package released by senior lawmakers early Tuesday.

European officials have been critical of the clean energy subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act. But that criticism has raised eyebrows in Washington, where officials say the law does exactly what Europe has long pressed the United States to do: get serious about fighting climate change. POLITICO’s Karl Mathiesen breaks down the European outrage over the IRA, America’s response, and how the legislation could actually influence European decarbonization policies. Plus, a new proposal from the Department of Energy aims to strengthen efficiency standards for lightbulbs. 

Oil and chemical companies are investing in chemical recycling, aided by favorable laws passed primarily by GOP-controlled state legislatures. These companies say the technology can help address the country’s plastics crisis by increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste dumped into landfills and polluting the world’s waterways. But environmental groups argue that the pollutants released by the process could be dangerous enough to negate any potential benefits. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the pros and cons of chemical recycling. Plus, the Biden administration is set to start refilling Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

On Thursday, FERC Chair Richard Glick said he will depart the agency at the end of the year when the Senate adjourns. Glick’s long-anticipated exit will leave behind a 2-2 deadlock on the commission, which could delay progress on the agency’s ambitious transmission agenda and impact consideration of environmental justice and climate change factors in the permitting process. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why Glick is leaving and how it impacts FERC. Plus, Senator Joe Manchin's permitting push suffered a final defeat in a Senate vote Thursday.

Nine east coast states on Monday released a plan to create a fund that would compensate fishing interests for losses related to offshore wind development. These fishing interests are worried that the wind farms will hurt their profitability and create more competition. But some states like New York and New Jersey — along with the Biden administration — are hoping to use the clean energy generated from these wind farms as part of their ambitious plans to combat climate change. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down the plan and what’s at stake if it falls apart. Plus, California is poised to cut incentives for rooftop solar today.

After decades of research, US scientists can now create a nuclear fusion reaction that produces more energy than the reaction requires. The breakthrough means that decades from now, nuclear fusion could become a source of clean, inexpensive energy that doesn’t create long-lived radioactive waste or worsen global warming. However, the technology still faces many obstacles to commercial use, namely money. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and Josh Siegel break down what to know about DOE’s experiment and how lawmakers are reacting. Plus, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vows to vote on a permitting proposal as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.

Last month, New York passed the first partial ban on cryptocurrency mining in the nation, which is sending ripple effects throughout the digital currency industry and also encouraging environmentalists to push for similar measures across the nation. POLITICO’s Marie French breaks down the ban and what it means for New York, environmentalists and the industry overall. Plus, a new report from EPA says the average fuel economy of 2021 model vehicles sold in the U.S. remained flat as purchases of less efficient vehicles have ramped up.

European and Asian allies are furious at the Biden administration for being cut out of the lucrative U.S. tax credits for electric vehicles. While President Joe Biden has promised to address the situation, he’s pretty limited in what he can do. And congressional Democrats say they have no regrets. POLITICO’s Steven Overly breaks down why Democrats are unrepentant as US trading partners fume over the EV credits. Plus, the House Oversight Committee has accused oil companies of ‘lying’ about climate actions.

After Democrats failed for a second time to pass permitting reforms, finger pointing on the Hill is in full swing. Democrats blame the GOP for the latest collapse and argue that they offered significant compromises to broker a deal. But, those compromises weren’t enough for Republicans, especially regarding transmission. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why transmission was a sticking point in permitting negotiations for Democrats and Republicans. Plus, Special Climate Envoy John Kerry said people are “exploiting” the war in Ukraine and the surge in energy prices this year to push for more fossil fuel use.

For the second time in three months, Democratic leaders tried and failed to pass energy permitting reform, this time in an ill-fated attempt to attach it to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the latest effort than foundered in the face of Republican and progressive opposition to the measure, and what’s next. Plus, the Biden administration’s third offshore wind auction and first-ever off the West Coast raked in over $757 million in bids.

For months, the United States and European Union have tried to work out a solution over the new electric vehicle tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act that European officials argue threatens their auto industry, which is already struggling with high energy costs and the possibility of a recession. POLITICO’s Doug Palmer breaks down the chances that the European Union and United States can work out the EV dispute by the new year. Plus, the Interior Department has agreed to conduct a new environmental review of a Trump-era oil lease sale in California.

The European Union, United States and G-7 nations are trying to squeeze Russia’s massive fossil fuel revenue through newly-enacted sanctions to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. The European Union’s ban on the import of seaborne Russian crude oil went into effect on Monday, along with a $60-a-barrel price cap on Russian oil shipped to the rest of the world. POLITICO Europe’s Chief UK Correspondent Charlie Cooper breaks down the latest Russian sanctions, how Moscow is privately and publicly responding, and how these moves could impact the energy markets. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed closing a reporting loophole for PFAS chemicals.

On Friday, the Commerce Department said four Chinese solar companies were routing products through Southeast Asian countries in order to evade tariffs. The investigation has worried solar companies in the U.S. that fear they won’t get the imported panels they need for their projects, but Commerce’s findings included key exceptions that could blunt the short-term impact on the sector. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down Commerce’s decision. Plus, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit sent a transmission case back to FERC in a win for renewables.

FERC Chair Richard Glick recused himself from a major clean energy order this week, signaling he may be leaving his position at the regulatory agency. Former commissioners and agency officials have told POLITICO that the recusal could be driven by a desire to avoid conflicts of interest with potential future endeavors. Glick was renominated to FERC by President Joe Biden after his term expired in June, but has not received a Senate hearing amid opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Catherine Morehouse discuss the recusal, the possibility of Manchin changing his mind and how other Democrats are reacting to a potential FERC split. Plus, a New Jersey town received the first grant from a new FEMA program to reduce flood risk.

Retiring Rep. Fred Upton has been a major player in the energy and climate space for years, previously chairing the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee and soon leaving behind a record of bipartisan legislation. The Michigan Republican sat down with POLITICO Energy‘s Josh Siegel to reflect on Upton’s 36-year tenure in the House, what he thinks about the current energy crisis and what a GOP-led House could do on energy policy.

Starting next year, Congress will need to pass the farm bill, a large funding bill renewed every five years that has a major impact on the agriculture industry and farmers' livelihoods. Democrats are fighting to make farming more climate-friendly - a proposition Republicans are likely to reject. A farming practice called regenerative agriculture might satisfy both parties’ interests. POLITICO’s Garrett Downs explains regenerative agriculture and its bipartisan appeal. Plus, the Treasury Department has unveiled labor guidance for companies seeking clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

While billions of new federal tax dollars are earmarked to help people leave climate vulnerable areas, a POLITICO investigation found that those programs often fail because of inconsistencies and bureaucracy. But Washington needs to create a solution soon since the impact of natural disasters on real estate, public infrastructure, and insurance is increasing. POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusses how the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma has tried to mitigate the risk and if the federal government is ready to confront how climate change is impacting housing. Plus, the Interior Department proposed a new rule aimed at reducing the venting and flaring of methane from oil and gas production on federal lands.

Puerto Rico’s fragile power system, which is still recovering from multiple hurricanes and years of electricity problems, faces important deadlines this week that could determine which entities are responsible for restoring the grid. POLITICO’S Gloria Gonzalez breaks down how the grid operator and Puerto Rico’s government are responding, and why the island’s power grid faces an uncertain future.

Beneath the northeastern Minnesota woods lie massive deposits of copper, nickel and cobalt that the Twin Metals company wants to mine. Mining those critical minerals would help the clean energy industry grow to meet the Biden administration’s climate change goals. But the administration has rejected plans to build the mine because of risks to the environmentally sensitive site – a decision that has drawn charges of hypocrisy from Republicans. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the politics behind the stalled Minnesota mining project. Plus, the Biden administration has approved an oil export terminal in the Gulf of Mexico over some local environmental and public health concerns.