POLITICO Energy

The latest news in energy and environmental politics & policy — must-know stories and candid insights from POLITICO’s energy team and journalists across our newsroom. All in just five minutes each morning.

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451
California governor wins fight with Big Oil
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been waging a public battle against the oil industry for months. On Tuesday, Newsom signed a first-in-the-nation law that’s supposed to keep gas prices in the state under control. POLITICO’s Wes Venteicher breaks down the law’s details, its evolution and why fossil fuel lobbyists couldn’t defeat it. Plus, the Senate votes to overturn Biden’s WOTUS rule.
7 min
452
House nears vote for GOP’s energy package
House Republicans are expected to pass one of their biggest legislative priorities this week: a sprawling party-line energy package. The bill includes some of the GOP’s most popular energy policies and pitches from the past decade, while also taking aim at President Joe Biden’s climate policies. The package is considered an opening negotiating pitch by Republicans on energy permitting — a rare policy area that they hope will lead to a bipartisan deal. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the details of the bill and the state of play of negotiations. Plus, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the Biden administration will release its delayed five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan in September.
8 min
453
Hurricane season looms over Puerto Rico’s britt...
It’s been almost six months since Hurricane Fiona battered Puerto Rico’s brittle power grid, and while the territory hasn’t faced any major disruptions since then, this year’s hurricane season is quickly approaching. Some Puerto Ricans worry that their good fortune might not last much longer, and that they may once again face potentially fatal consequences from devastating blackouts. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down the short and long-term concerns from Puerto Ricans about the territory’s power infrastructure. Plus, the White House vows to veto House Republicans’ energy bill that’s expected to reach the chamber floor this week.
7 min
454
How Biden might ease the EU-US EV rift
The Biden administration may allow European companies to qualify for U.S. tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act if the two sides can reach a trade deal in the next few weeks, a senior administration official told POLITICO on Friday. It’s a move that could ease a major source of transatlantic friction and help President Joe Biden meet his promise to consumers to help make electric vehicles more affordable. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the details of the trade talks. Plus, FERC finds that a Southeast pipeline project would have a limited environmental impact, paving the way forward for a project tapped for expedited review.
8 min
455
Canada’s controversial nuclear waste plan
A Canadian plan for a permanent storage facility for nuclear waste is drawing protests from some U.S. lawmakers, who took their concerns to President Joe Biden’s ahead of his visit to Canada this week. The Canadian plan calls for burying waste containers underground 30 miles from the shoreline of Lake Huron. POLITICO’s Joseph Gedeon breaks down Canada’s plan and the pushback from both sides of the border. Plus, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm sparred with a Republican lawmaker over her recent comments on China.
8 min
456
A stumbling block for nat gas: reliability
Extreme cold blasts during two of the last three winters have crippled gas-fired power plants, leaving millions in the dark and hundreds dead. And as natural gas is projected to grow in its role as a dominant source for electricity in the U.S., regulators are again worrying about the reliability of natural gas plants. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the natural gas’ reliability concerns, potential solutions and what it means for natural gas broadly in the future. Plus, House Oversight Republicans are launching a probe into DOE climate spending.
8 min
457
Going beyond the UN’s dire climate warning
The United Nations put out a sprawling, sobering report this week about the world’s progress in slowing global warming. POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen breaks down the big takeaways from the report, what was missing, and the limitations of the UN’s climate change panel in general. Plus, DOE says private-sector spending needs to ramp up to hit President Joe Biden’s climate goals.
8 min
458
The Western water wars collide with Navajo Nati...
The Supreme Court began oral arguments in a case on Monday that pits the Navajo Nation against the Biden administration, along with four Southwest states, over the tribe’s rights to the Colorado River, the West’s most important waterway. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the arguments and what’s at stake. Plus, a federal judge blocks President Joe Biden’s WOTUS rule in Texas and Idaho. 
8 min
459
The problem with Congress’ permitting push
Republicans in Congress are pushing for changes in how the nation’s big infrastructure projects are permitted – mostly by easing rules under the National Environmental Policy Act. But energy experts say the proposed changes won’t dramatically speed up the approvals.
8 min
460
How a bipartisan House duo is tackling energy p...
Republican Bruce Westerman and Democrat Scott Peters are leading the effort to find common ground on an important, but highly elusive energy issue: permitting reform. And their effort comes as House Republicans have introduced an energy package that many Democrats are already dismissing. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the lawmakers’ joint approach, the permitting priorities for Democrats and Republicans, and the reform effort’s chances. Plus, FERC approved a new supply chain cybersecurity standard.
8 min
461
EPA’s pollution plan hits coal plants
On Wednesday, EPA issued a new sweeping plan to curb pollution from power plants and manufacturing facilities across 23 states. The measure is the latest in a series of EPA regulations aimed at cutting down pollution and toxic waste from coal-fired power plants, and it’s likely to further shrink the nation’s fleet of coal-fired power generation. However, the regulation might face resistance from industry because of cost compliance and grid concerns. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down EPA’s latest rule and the pushback. Plus, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed the House GOP’s energy agenda, calling it “as bad and partisan as it gets.”
8 min
462
EPA tackles ‘forever chemicals’ in historic wat...
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the first-ever federal limits for toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" that are found in the drinking water of 200 million Americans. If finalized, the rule would mark the first major upgrade in the safety of the nation's drinking water in the past three decades. However, getting it across the finish line is far from certain, and the new safety measures would cost American households hundreds of millions of dollars. POLITICO's Annie Snider breaks down the cost and potential regulatory obstacles. Plus, the state of Ohio is suing Norfolk Southern for the costs associated with the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment.
8 min
463
What to know about Biden’s Willow project approval
The Biden administration approved the long-debated Willow oil project in Alaska on Monday -- the latest concession by President Joe Biden to the oil and gas industry and Republican critics, and which came over the pleas to quash it from environmental groups and some nearby tribal communities. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the project’s details, how the administration is defending itself and the reaction from environmentalists. Plus, Volkswagen picks Ontario for the site of its first battery plant outside Europe as countries rush to build an electric vehicle supply chain.
7 min
464
What we know – and don't know – about the Nord ...
There's still no conclusive answer to the six-month-old question of who blew up the Nord Stream pipelines, which sent geopolitical shockwaves around the world. POLITICO’s Charlie Cooper breaks down the prevailing theories and the global energy implications of each culprit. Plus, Senator Joe Manchin said he would not support President Joe Biden’s nominee to a top Interior Department position.
8 min
465
What Biden’s budget means for his energy goals
President Joe Biden unveiled his $1.7 trillion budget and likely campaign blueprint on Thursday. While the government funding proposal likely has no chance of passing Congress as is, it marks both a campaign pitch and an opening shot at House Republicans who have demanded significant spending cuts. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino discuss Biden’s energy funding proposals and how it impacts his green goals. Plus, the Biden administration met with natural gas industry representatives and foreign government officials on Thursday in Houston to discuss 'clean gas' standards.
7 min
466
The Big Oil vibe shift in Houston
The nation’s premier energy event, CERAWeek, is underway in Houston, and observers to this year’s conference are noting a tone shift from previous years. While demand for oil and gas remains robust, there are signs all around the conference that the traditional oil industry is changing, and it’s all about investing in new climate technologies. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down the vibe shift within the oil industry on climate tech. Plus, the Interior Department expects its final five-year offshore leasing plan in December. 
7 min
467
A Georgia nuclear plant finally takes big step ...
Plagued by delays and cost issues, the only nuclear power plant under construction in the U.S. is moving closer to startup. The two reactors being built by Southern Co’s Georgia Power are projected to produce emission-free electricity for half a million homes and businesses once complete. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the major development. Plus, the Biden administration’s EPA is at odds with the agency’s Inspector General over Trump-era changes to an assessment of PFAS.
5 min
468
House GOP rolls out new energy agenda
The House GOP is preparing a massive new energy bill. Speaker Kevin McCarthy is hopeful the bill will unite his sometimes fractured party, whose members touted many of the energy-related proposals on the campaign trail. But, passage of the bill will not be easy. The package includes both long-time ideological priorities, such as boosting drilling on federal lands, as well as an opening bid to ease permitting of energy projects, a policy area of bipartisan interest. But since the Republicans hold such a slim majority, moving the bill to the finish could prove tricky. Politico’s Josh Siegel breaks down the key points in the bill, and the challenges McCarthy could face ahead of the legislation hitting the floor at the end of March.
8 min
469
Immigration issues are creating a climate heada...
President Joe Biden’s agenda to green the nation’s economy relies on a simple pitch: creating good-paying jobs for Americans. However, there is one big issue: there might not be enough American workers to fill them.
7 min
470
How chemical recycling is putting red states in...
Republican-led states are embracing chemical recycling, a high-temperature plastic melting process that’s criticized by environmentalists. The GOP approach is allowing them to financially benefit off Democrat-led states that recycle more plastic waste. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the red-blue divide over recycling. Plus, Holtec International is pursuing a separate DOE lifeline to restart its Michigan nuclear facility.
8 min
471
Permitting reform on the rebound
Rep. Garret Graves proposed legislation on Tuesday to overhaul the rules for environment reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act for energy infrastructure. The pitch would form the backbone of a larger legislative energy package that House Republicans are planning to introduce in March. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the GOP permitting reform efforts, and why they will (once again) face an uphill legislative battle. Plus, EPA says it will propose allowing year-round sales of gasoline blends containing 15 percent ethanol in several Midwestern states.
8 min
472
EPA’s Regan faces tough PFAS test back home
Community groups in North Carolina are suing EPA Administrator Michael Regan for failing to require sufficient testing of PFAS chemicals contaminating water, air, and blood. The lawsuit poses a significant test for Regan, who grew up in North Carolina and has promised to hold polluters accountable in marginalized communities. Annie Snider breaks down the lawsuit, EPA's response, and what this means for Regan's environmental justice promises. Plus, an EPA watchdog slammed the agency’s wood heater program in a new report.
8 min
473
The solar industry divide over Treasury’s low-i...
The initial rollout of a low-income tax credit program under the Inflation Reduction Act has some solar developers concerned it will be difficult to expand solar power into low-income communities - a Biden administration environmental justice priority. But community solar advocates are rejecting those concerns and applauding the Treasury Department’s approach. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains the divide in the solar sector. Plus, the Department of Energy is offering a conditional $375 million loan for the construction of a first-of-its-kind lithium-ion battery recycling facility in North America.
8 min
474
The Ohio train derailment blame game
The National Transportation Safety Board put out an initial report last week about what caused the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that has triggered a massive cleanup. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder breaks down the report, why this train derailment has caused partisan finger pointing, and how the Department of Transportation might be scrutinized moving forward. Plus, the Department of Energy is exploring a plan to offer a government endorsement for natural gas that meets a minimum standard for cleanliness.
7 min
475
Why Putin’s energy strategy backfired
When Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, Moscow thought it could intimidate Kyiv’s European allies through energy blackmail. But that strategy has actually backfired because of America’s growing energy role in Europe’s economy and the changing global energy landscape. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down how the energy world has changed since Russia invaded Ukraine. Plus, President Joe Biden nominated former Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga to head the World Bank.
7 min