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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576
A short-term oil, long-term green deal?
As Democrats look to pass a party-line climate change and social spending bill ahead of the midterm elections, House progressives may accept policies that boost fossil fuels in the short term in order to win Sen. Joe Manchin's support for the broader bill. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel explains.
8 min
577
Biden’s high-mileage plan
Last week, the Transportation Department released new tailpipe pollution standards that will require cars and light trucks to become more fuel efficient by 2026. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down that rule and how it fits into President Joe Biden’s climate agenda.
7 min
578
The climate advocates who have Manchin's ear
The White House and Democrats are hoping to strike a deal on a slimmed down version of the Build Back Better bill that includes major climate and clean energy legislation – a key priority before the midterm elections. That’s brought all eyes back to Sen. Joe Manchin, who’s been a defender of fossil fuels in the caucus, but has also been open to a historic green energy push. POLITICO’s Zack Colman takes a look at the climate confidants of the West Virginia senator who could help shape his policy positions.
7 min
579
Breaking down Canada’s new climate plan
Earlier this week, Canada released its latest climate plan that includes billions of dollars in new spending to meet the country’s 2030 targets. That plan calls for the oil and gas sector to cut emissions by 42 percent from current levels. POLITICO’s Zi-Ann Lum reports.
7 min
580
Why Biden can’t get a climate-focused bank regu...
More than a year into President Joe Biden’s term, none of the government’s major bank regulators have Senate-confirmed leaders. That’s because some of Biden’s nominees believe that financial regulators should have a major role in fighting climate change — a position rejected by Republican legislators. POLITICO’s Victoria Guida explains.
7 min
581
Why Commerce’s imports probe could upend the so...
After months of waiting, the Biden administration finally announced that it will initiate an investigation into solar modules from four Southeast Asian nations. The decision comes after a petition from a small California-based manufacturer argued that Chinese solar companies were avoiding existing tariffs on products from China. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down how that decision could impact the industry and the Biden administration’s clean energy goals.
7 min
582
Inside the fight over cyber rules for pipeline ...
The federal government’s first attempt to require pipeline companies to meet basic cybersecurity standards is floundering. And that tension comes amid heightened concerns about Russian cyberattacks stemming from the war in Ukraine. POLITICO’s Eric Geller explains why the pipeline industry is pushing back against these cyber rules.
8 min
583
FERC’s gas policy reset
After weeks of blowback from Republican lawmakers, industry groups and Senator Joe Manchin, FERC voted unanimously on Thursday to walk back its two controversial gas policies that would have scrutinized new fossil fuel projects. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains that decision and what that means for new projects moving forward.
7 min
584
Why states aren’t all in for Biden’s climate ju...
President Joe Biden hopes that he can push states to spur transformative climate and equity programs nationwide using money from last year’s $550 billion infrastructure package. The problem is that states control most of the cash and may not share his goals of tackling climate change or reversing the effects of institutionalized racism. POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports.
8 min
585
Why FERC Chair Glick is on the hot seat
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Richard Glick is one of President Joe Biden’s biggest allies when it comes to putting climate change at the forefront of federal energy policy. But that climate focus may cost him his job since he has pushed policies that have angered prominent lawmakers — including many Republicans and, perhaps most crucially, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse reports.
7 min
586
Europe’s LNG dilemma
The European Union wants the United States to send more liquefied natural gas to help the continent reduce its dependence on Russian natural gas. But, what more can President Joe Biden offer? POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains.
7 min
587
The link between the Texas power grid and the g...
The Texas power grid’s ability to withstand extreme weather events could hinge on the outcome of the state’s gubernatorial election. That’s because the candidates — Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke — have very different views on the reliability of the state’s power system. POLITICO’s Jonathan Custodio breaks down each candidate’s power plans.
6 min
588
Court allows Biden to use social cost of carbon...
A federal appeals court lifted a district judge’s injunction against President Joe Biden’s social cost of carbon on Wednesday. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén explains the impact this ruling will have on federal agencies as they try to achieve Biden’s ambitious climate and clean energy goals.
7 min
589
Why greens are pushing Dems to pass climate leg...
Amid high energy prices resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Democrats and green groups are ramping up pressure on President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to move forward on a package of policies that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the timing of this push and what policies the party is looking to pass.
8 min
590
Willie Phillips discusses FERC’s pressure points
Willie Phillips, the newest FERC commissioner, spoke with POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse about his priorities and the biggest issues facing the commission, including the pressure on the agency related to its controversial policy statement on examining gas infrastructure.
7 min
591
The politics behind Ukraine’s alarming nuclear ...
After Russia took control of two Ukrainian nuclear power plants, Ukrainian leaders and media started warning the rest of the world that Russia wants to commit nuclear terrorism. But the danger is not as dire as those warnings suggest, creating a messaging dilemma for Ukraine’s allies and nuclear safety authorities. POLITICO Europe’s Louise Guillot explains.
7 min
592
Why the New England power grid operator faces s...
New England’s power grid operator made a controversial decision last month that will significantly impact the region’s resource mix in the future. That decision has reignited concerns about the system’s lack of transparency and how renewables fit in the power grid’s future. POLITICO’S Catherine Morehouse reports.
8 min
593
Dems, GOP are united on energy policy – for now
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has managed to unite Republicans and Democrats on an energy policy over banning Russian oil imports. But, don’t expect that unity to last. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down each party’s agendas, how long this partnership will persist and how it could impact domestic energy policies in the future.
7 min
594
EPA restores California’s Clean Air waiver
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency restored California's authority to implement its own greenhouse gas emission standards. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén explains how this move could impact automobile makers, blue states and the White House’s clean energy and climate goals.
6 min
595
Biden bans Russian oil imports. What should we ...
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil, gas and coal imports in an effort to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the ban, how Democratic leaders are reacting and the potential impact on oil prices.
6 min
596
The environmental impact of Russia’s invasion
An hours-long bombing on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant spread fears of a disaster in Ukraine. But the fears of environmental devastation go beyond the Zaporizhzhia reactors. Today, POLITICO Europe’s Antonia Zimmermann breaks down the broader environmental impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
7 min
597
California’s next water battle
A new bill from a California state senator would eliminate the California agency responsible for enforcing water quality laws in the drought-plagued state. POLITICO’s Colby Bermel explains why the bill was introduced and the reaction from environmental groups.
6 min
598
Why lawmakers are pushing to ban Russian oil im...
A group of bipartisan lawmakers, including Senators Joe Manchin and Lisa Murkowski, are pushing legislation to block imports of Russian crude oil and petroleum products in an effort to pressure Russia to back off its war in Ukraine. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the legislation’s impact and scope.
7 min
599
How the GOP is using Ukraine to attack Biden’s ...
Republicans are using the war in Ukraine to blame President Joe Biden’s climate and energy policies for rising oil and gasoline prices. But that rhetoric largely defies reality. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains.
7 min
600
Why gas pipelines are a cyber risk for the U.S....
As Russian troops prepared and attacked Ukraine’s physical territory, multiple reports indicated that Russia has also been attacking Ukrainian institutions in cyberspace as well. The threat of Russian cyberattacks is calling new attention to a crucial weakness in the United States' electricity supply: the natural gas pipelines that keep many of the power plants running. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains.
7 min