Last week, California’s air quality regulation agency laid out steps for the state to reach carbon neutrality by 2045 that lean on clean energy, driving, carbon capture, and forestry. However, state officials have acknowledged that some of those goals are potentially unreachable, and environmental groups have argued that the plan isn't doing enough. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down the takeaways from California's new climate plan and what greens are asking for. Plus, EPA has floated a significant increase to the contested social cost of carbon.

The United Nations climate change conference, COP27, finished Sunday with a historic deal to create a global loss and damage fund. That new pool of money would be collected from richer nations that have historically contributed to climate change and distributed to countries that have already suffered irreversible climate damage. But, even though the agreement was considered a huge win, climate advocates still weren’t totally pleased since the final text also included a nod to natural gas. POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen breaks down his main takeaways from COP27, the details of this historic deal, and how climate advocates are reacting.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Thursday that a troubled oil refinery on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which shut down last year after raining oil droplets on the island's majority-Black residents, may take years to meet new permitting requirements to restart operations. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the backstory of the plant, what EPA says needs to be done before it can restart, and the Biden administration’s environmental justice concerns. Plus, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation says that the U.S. power grid faces 'unprecedented' reliability risks this winter.

At the climate change talks in Egypt on Wednesday, the European Union signaled openness to discussing the creation of a new loss and damage fund. The fund, which developing nations have been calling for, would create a new pool of money to disburse to poor countries that have suffered irreversible climate damage. After the EU’s new stance, the spotlight is now on the United States, which has been less clear on its position. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the state of negotiations for the loss and damage fund and if the European Union’s new stance shifts the momentum. Plus, EPA’s watchdog has launched two probes into the Jackson water crisis. And, Ukraine has warned its allies that it may not be able to recover from more Russian attacks on the country’s energy systems.

If Republicans win a narrow majority in the House as expected, a select group of GOP lawmakers will wield significant power as committee chairs for the next two years. According to their own words, those House Republicans plan to conduct a lot of oversight of Democrats’ energy and climate spending, the Biden administration’s green policies, and the Cabinet officials implementing them. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down what House GOP committee chairs plan to do and the actual impact on the administration. Plus, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s newest regulator says the U.S. cannot ignore its nuclear waste problem as it looks to build new plants to help solve the climate crisis.

On Friday, President Joe Biden boasted how his administration has taken “unprecedented” climate actions at home and abroad during a speech at COP27 in Egypt. But officials from developing countries remain skeptical that the United States will be able to deliver on the president’s pledges, with Biden facing an unsettled political situation at home following last week’s midterm elections. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the president’s climate message to the world, new actions he announced and what skeptics are saying. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to sharply curb methane leaks from the oil and gas sector calls for more inspections and tightened restrictions to reduce flaring of the gas.

West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair, won’t hold a hearing this year on the nomination of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Richard Glick. Glick can still serve until the end of the year, but Manchin’s decision could deal a potentially major blow to FERC, a regulatory body that’s crucial to President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down Manchin’s decision and its impact on FERC and Biden’s green goals. Plus, Trump Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose tenure was plagued with scandals, will represent Montana in Congress next year.

In order to pass new energy permitting rules, Republicans will need to consider whether to work with Democrats in the lame-duck Congress or push their own plan in the next term if they succeed in taking control of the House. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the paths forward for permitting legislation and why Republicans may not seek a compromise. Plus, environmental groups are calling on Democrats to press ahead with ambitious climate policies after they outperformed expectations in the midterm elections.

Far right or populist leaders across the world have co-opted climate change and made it part of their culture wars. They say the ongoing energy crisis was exacerbated by international institutions and green policies being promoted at global climate conferences like COP27. That’s alarmed green advocates, who say populism poses a major threat to addressing global warming. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down the far right’s message and who is buying into it. Plus, it’s still unclear after Tuesday’s midterm elections who will control both the House and Senate.

COP27, the 27th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, kicked off on Sunday, and the U.S. appears to be showing a new willingness to pay loss and damage to nations already suffering from the ravages of climate change. But the stance appears to be predicated on one big caveat: China should also contributes, since it’s the leading greenhouse gas emitter and is expected to be so for decades. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why the U.S. is now willing to pay climate reparations and what climate vulnerable countries are demanding. Plus, it’s Election Day and here’s what to expect for energy policy if Republicans take the House back.

Consumers across the country are footing the bill for billions of dollars in transmission upgrades. And yet, many state regulators have little insight into how that money is actually being spent, particularly regarding local and small transmission projects. That’s leading FERC and utilities to clash about how much oversight there should be. POLITICO’S Catherine Morehouse breaks down why regulators are starting to pay more attention to how small power lines are built and the implications for U.S. consumers. Plus, Canada has teased two new clean technology tax credits in response to the Inflation Reduction Act.

COP27 kicks off Sunday in Egypt, where countries will dig into climate finance, reparations and impactful green commitments at the annual UN summit. POLITICO’s Zack Colman recaps where things stand after last year's climate conference and the major upcoming themes to expect in this year’s negotiations. Plus, a new report from the Government Accountability Office rebuked EPA and DOE over its small refiner biofuel exemptions.

New Jersey environmental regulators released a flood rule last week that shows the state is trying to balance construction interests and environmental concerns. It aims to beef up building standards to protect communities and better prepare for extreme weather. But it also includes an exemption for the state’s Department of Transportation, New Jersey’s largest builder. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down how construction and green interests are colliding in New Jersey. Plus, U.S. clean power growth slides to lowest level in three years, according to new data from the American Clean Power Association.

Republicans have blamed President Joe Biden for the jump in gasoline prices that have plagued drivers this year. But a POLITICO review of federal data shows that compared to the early months of the Trump administration, Biden’s Interior Department has approved new oil and gas wells at a far faster clip produced more crude oil over the same period. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down that data. Plus, Republican members on the Federal Elections Commission blocked it from sanctioning a Russian-funded Texas energy company for campaign donations to Louisiana lawmakers.

As the November midterm elections approach, Republicans are predicted to take back the House and potentially the Senate. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel discusses what House GOP lawmakers might prioritize in terms of energy policy and the broader limits the party faces. Plus, President Joe Biden urged Congress on Monday to hike taxes on oil and gas companies' record profits but did not endorse a specific proposal.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are rattled because of a recent energy trend: Chinese energy companies snapping up American natural gas exports, purchasing nearly half the cargoes that U.S. companies agreed to ship in the last year. And some of those companies are actually working against U.S. interests. POLITICO’s Gavin Bade breaks down why lawmakers are growing more concerned, what they are proposing to do, and how this trend could potentially fuel a new clash between the two global powers. Plus, the Interior Department is moving to cut Colorado River deliveries next year.

Biden administration officials are holding several meetings over next several days with European energy officials to discuss two major topics: how to keep energy flowing to Europe and how to ease growing tensions about the United States’ role as the continent’s leading gas supplier. While Europe has turned to the U.S. to help with its energy needs after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the continent is wary of relying on U.S. supplies. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre discusses why these meetings are being held and what both the United States and Europe hope to accomplish. Plus, the International Energy Agency’s new landmark report says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marks a ‘turning point’ for global fossil fuel demand and could accelerate the world’s green transition.

Senate Democrats have privately urged SEC chairman Gary Gensler to consider additional feedback on a variety of regulations that are making Wall Street nervous. That includes the commission’s climate risk rule, which would require companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and be held accountable for their climate promises. POLITICO’s Declan Harty breaks down why moderate Democrats are pushing the commission to slow down and what might happen next with the climate risk disclosure rule. Plus, General Motors CEO Mary Barra said the company’s electric vehicles will qualify for full federal tax credits within three years.

A group of congressional Democrats is calling on JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo to stop working with the conservative State Financial Officers Foundation, which Democratic lawmakers say spreads misinformation about sustainable and green investing. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman discusses why this issue is attracting attention from Democrats, how influential the foundation has been across the country and the response from banks as they navigate accusations about their ESG policies from Democrats and Republicans. Plus, Special Climate Envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart have directly communicated in recent days but climate talks between the countries remain in “limbo.”

The trade relationship between the United States and South Korea is under new pressure as the Biden administration implements its tax credits for electric vehicles from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. POLITICO’s Steven Overly discusses how the domestic production and content portions of those credits is angering South Korea and how the Biden administration is responding. Plus, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected a challenge by environmentalists to the agency’s August decision to give the embattled Mountain Valley Pipeline more time to complete construction.

Americans should brace for steep winter power bills as demand for natural gas has spiked globally, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why the Biden administration has limited options to lower those bills. Plus, the state of Missouri loses its challenge to President Joe Biden’s social cost of carbon.

Democrats on the campaign trail are blasting oil companies for high gasoline prices and accusing Republicans of being too cozy with Big Oil. But that messaging strategy is overshadowing Democrats’ major legislative achievement this Congress: the $369 billion climate bill that President Joe Biden signed into law just two months ago. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the reasons for that strategy, whether it’s effective and how Republicans are responding. Plus, EPA has proposed a new rule that will reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons, a group of chemicals that are significant contributors to global warming, by 40 percent.

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that its continuing to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in an effort to bring down gas prices before the November midterm elections. But the administration is holding back on more dramatic and riskier actions while also facing criticism over gas prices from Republicans. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the White House’s latest moves. Plus, the Biden administration announced $2.8 billion in grant awards to support domestic electric vehicle battery production.

Minnesota’s grid regulator and the state utility, Xcel Energy, are at odds over a $197 million proposal to build out hundreds of electric vehicle charging stations across the state. This battle is seen as the first big test case for whether EV charging stations should be in public or private hands. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse talks about why regulators put the brakes on the proposal and the broader implications this fight may have as the nation looks to transition away from fossil fuel-burning vehicles. Plus, the Biden administration is expected to tap oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve again ahead of the midterm elections.

The recent controversial remarks from the World Bank’s president David Malpass, in which he repeatedly dodged questions about climate science, may have given climate advocates and several western countries an opening to force the institution to adopt stronger green policies. But some countries, particularly in Africa, are skeptical of those changes. POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusses issues raised by the Malpass episode, and how the World Bank is defending itself. Plus, two House committees are probing Mississippi’s water spending amid allegations that the Republican-led state withheld resources from the predominantly Black city of Jackson.