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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476
Biden revamps climate team with familiar faces
The Biden administration has revamped its climate team, promoting Ali Zaidi to national climate adviser after Gina McCarthy announced that she is leaving her post at the end of next week. John Podesta, a former climate adviser in the Obama administration, will also join as the senior adviser for clean energy innovation and implementation. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down Biden’s new climate team and why these moves come at a critical time for the Biden administration’s climate strategy.
8 min
477
Biden’s growing natural gas price problem
As both winter and the November midterm elections approach, the Biden administration faces another politically ill-timed headache from the energy markets: rising natural gas prices. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains why prices are rising, how they will impact consumers, and the response from the Biden administration and Congress.
6 min
478
Why clean vs green is the next permitting battl...
Democratic leaders made a political compromise with Senator Joe Manchin to get his support for the Inflation Reduction Act: pass the bill now and the party will vote on separate legislation that would speed federal infrastructure permits for both clean energy and fossil fuels. But that bill is dividing Democratic lawmakers, clean energy groups and green activists. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down why Democrats and their allies are so divided over permitting and the timeline the party is working with to pass that legislation.
9 min
479
Inside the California gas car ban
On Thursday, California voted to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. That ban could pave the way for other states to adopt the requirement, overhauling the nation’s auto industry and market. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down the ban, how it could impact the rest of the country, and how automakers are adjusting.
7 min
480
The Inflation Reduction Act climate provision t...
Tucked deep inside the Inflation Reduction Act is a provision that some legal experts are claiming expands the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. But other commentators say that’s not quite so, and that the law did little to address the Supreme Court’s June ruling limiting the EPA’s climate authority over power plants. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down what this climate provision could mean for the EPA’s authority and legal challenges to regulations going forward.
8 min
481
Why private oil and gas drillers are leaving ANWR
: Two private companies recently backed out of drilling leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, leaving the state of Alaska as the only remaining lease holder in the protected wilderness area. Contributing reporter Adam Federman explains why Alaska is the sole entity still holding rights to drilling acreage and how the Biden administration has discouraged future drilling in ANWR.
8 min
482
US, China enter a new clean energy race
The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Joe Biden may mark the start of a new clean energy arms race between the U.S. and China — a dream of climate advocates for decades. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains.
7 min
483
Why environmental justice advocates are unhappy...
After President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law last week, most Democratic allies were celebrating — with the notable exception of advocates for low-income and minority communities. They say that once again the needs of those environmental justice communities have been sacrificed for political compromise. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains why these advocates are unhappy with the law and what their priorities are moving forward.
9 min
484
Why green energy incentives aren’t just for big...
There are billions of dollars in clean energy tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act that President Joe Biden signed into law on Tuesday – and for the first time they will be accessible to cities, nonprofits, public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives that are usually excluded from using tax credits for clean energy. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains why green energy incentives aren’t just for big utilities anymore and what this means for electricity providers across the country.
8 min
485
The Colorado River water crisis is getting much...
Seven Western states are facing a massive water and power crisis as soon as next year as water levels are plummet at Lake Powell, one of two main reservoirs on the Colorado River, due to drought and overuse. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the urgency of the crisis and what states and the federal government are doing to combat it.
9 min
486
Why red state governors hate Biden's climate pa...
Despite protests from Republican governors over the Inflation Reduction Act, climate funding is set to deliver major financial incentives to red states to boost clean energy projects. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains the benefits their states could receive and criticisms from GOP leaders.
8 min
487
Why progressives will fight Manchin’s permittin...
Now that the Inflation Reduction Act is set to be signed into law by President Joe Biden, progressives and moderates in the Democratic party may clash about a secondary agreement struck by Senator Joe Manchin and democratic leadership to pass permitting reform legislation. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains.
6 min
488
Can the EU convince the world to go big on gree...
Within its borders, the European Union is pursuing a plan that would require large companies to disclose green information with the same strictness as they do for financial disclosures. But while the EU may want to lead the way globally on green disclosures, it’s also finding itself increasingly isolated within the international community. POLITICO Europe’s Hannah Brenton breaks down the EU’s plan, why international players such as the United States aren’t on board, and how this could impact the fight against climate change.
7 min
489
A risky GOP attack on the Inflation Reduction Act
Since the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, GOP lawmakers have attacked the legislation’s climate and energy components. But as the bill heads to the House of Representatives today and President Joe Biden’s desk in the near future, former GOP lawmakers and Republican allied groups warn the party risks overreaching and alienating key voting groups. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel explains.
9 min
490
Gas prices have fallen. Will inflation follow?
According to the latest data released from the Consumer Price Index, overall inflation didn’t rise in July for the first time in more than two years, due to lower gas prices. POLITICO’s Victoria Guida breaks down if falling gas prices will continue to be a trend and how the economy might look heading into the midterms.
8 min
491
Why greens are pushing California leaders for m...
As Congressional Democrats look to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, environmentalists want California state leaders to pass a strong climate and clean energy package during the final weeks of the state’s legislative session. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel explains what greens are pushing for and the timeline state leaders are working with.
6 min
492
Trouble in EV credit paradise
In the reconciliation package passed over the weekend, Senate Democrats crafted an electric vehicle tax credit not a single car on the market would qualify for. To unlock those tax credits, Democrats may need to rely on bureaucracy and creative definitions. POLITICO’s Alex Daughtery explains.
9 min
493
Senate Dems notch their big climate win. What's...
On Sunday, the Senate voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes the largest climate and clean energy investment in U.S. history. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Matt Daily discuss what’s in the package and how important the deal is for Democrats and Republicans heading into the November midterm elections.
8 min
494
Oil’s big profits spark political fallout
Last week, major oil companies reported eye-popping second-quarter profits while consumers suffer under high gasoline costs and inflation. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down what led to these record profits and what the companies are doing with the bulging coffers.
7 min
495
Manchin’s permitting wish list
Senate Democrats have been rushing to pass their climate, health and tax bill before their scheduled month-long August recess. But as part of the deal, Senator Joe Manchin also secured a commitment from President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pursue something he’s been demanding for a longtime: permitting reform. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino discuss Manchin’s side deal and how Republicans and Democrats are reacting.
8 min
496
Why the U.S. is a seabed mining laggard
The United States is behind other countries in the race to mine minerals from the sea used to make climate-friendly technology. That’s because, for decades, several presidential administrations and the Senate have refused to ratify the ​​U.N.’s Convention on the Law of the Sea, which governs the use of ocean resources. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman explains why the U.S. has never ratified that treaty and what that means for the Biden administration’s clean energy goals.
8 min
497
The campaign to bring Manchin back to the recon...
Over the last two weeks, executives and leaders from some of the nation’s biggest companies and labor unions pushed Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin to agree to a reconciliation package that includes clean energy and climate provisions. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains.
9 min
498
The oil and gas 'Easter eggs’ in reconciliation
The oil and gas industry isn’t rushing to embrace Democrats’ recently unveiled climate spending package, which would penalize some forms of fossil fuel pollution while making one of the largest investments in clean energy in U.S. history. But the legislation includes provisions that could benefit oil and gas companies, several of which are reporting record profits. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains.
8 min
499
Breaking down Dems’ climate spending package
On Wednesday, Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer unveiled the details of a proposed reconciliation package that includes $700 billion-plus in climate, tax and health care provisions. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino discuss why Manchin finally agreed to this deal, break down the proposed clean energy and climate provisions, and if Democrats can get this legislation passed before the August recess.
9 min
500
Why GOP gas price attacks against Biden are los...
The national average price of a gallon of regular gas has fallen from its peak above $5 a gallon at the beginning of June. And because prices have declined, Republican attacks blaming President Joe Biden are no longer the lethal campaign weapon they once were as the midterm elections approach. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains the price decline, if experts believe that trend will continue and how much credit the Biden administration truly deserves.
7 min