Former Trump Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who departed the administration under a cloud of ethics scandals, has struggled to pull away in a three-way Montana race for a House seat. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre discusses why this congressional race is unique, what’s working in Zinke’s favor, and how his challengers have brought his record into the spotlight. Plus, the Interior Department has launched a new Colorado River drought spending initiative.

Gas prices have climbed sharply in California, with Gov. Gavin Newsom calling a special session of the state legislature to consider a windfall profit tax on oil companies in response. POLITICO’s California Playbook author Lara Korte breaks down why prices are increasing in California and the likelihood of a windfall profit tax. Plus, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sparked controversy on Tuesday by saying that he always knew Russian President Vladimir Putin would weaponize energy, despite Scholz’s past defense of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Last week, California offered to voluntarily cut its use of Colorado River water in exchange for federal money. California is the largest user of the river so the move could potentially reenergize negotiations among the seven states that rely on its water. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the impact of California’s proposed cuts, if the plan could actually help set the stage for a deal, and how the Biden administration might impact negotiations. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency says lead emissions from small aircraft pose a threat, signaling the first step toward regulation.

After nearly 100 days of declining prices at the pump, domestic gas prices are rising due to refinery outages and damage from Hurricane Ian. And that trend might continue because of OPEC’s decision to cut oil production starting in November. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down how a potential rise in gas prices could impact the political strategy for Democrats and Republicans heading into the midterm elections. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to include EV charging under its upcoming RFS proposal.

On Wednesday, OPEC announced one of the biggest cuts to oil production since the start of the pandemic: a 2 million-barrel per day cut to its target starting in November. The move threatens to push gasoline prices higher and disrupt the positive momentum Democrats and the Biden administration had enjoyed over the last couple months related to prices at the pump. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why OPEC is cutting oil production and how the Biden administration is responding. Plus, the Biden administration has kicked off the first formal step in the process of implementing Democrats’ historic climate and energy bill.

The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided billions of dollars to invest in the controversial carbon capture industry. And now, the industry is pouring money into hiring lobbyists. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down what the industry hopes to accomplish by staffing up, the well-connected insiders being hired, and the unsettled politics behind carbon capture itself. Plus, Virginia’s governor Glenn Youngkin wants the state to bet big on nuclear power.

As Florida recovers from Hurricane Ian, Puerto Ricans still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona are pleading with the Biden administration to not forget the island. Power is still out for more than 100,000 Puerto Rican customers and remains unstable for those who have it. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down why Puerto Ricans fear being forgotten, the Biden administration’s response to Fiona so far and how the island’s residents hope the federal government can speed up its slow rebuilding efforts. Plus, the Supreme Court debates narrowing the Clean Water Act.

As the Supreme Court begins a new term today, the justices are once again set to debate what bodies of water qualify for federal protections. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down how the outcome could impact industry, the environment and the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency. Plus, President Joe Biden signed a short-term government funding measure on Friday that helped avert a government shutdown and provides disaster relief, heating assistance for low-income families and aid to Ukraine.

The wreckage caused by Hurricane Ian is poised to leave millions of Floridians without power, possibly for weeks. As utilities look to restore power and repair critical infrastructure, they also face a supply-chain crunch that threatens resiliency after climate disasters. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the state of Florida’s power system and how supply chain issues are impacting efforts to restore power. Plus, a new study finds that oil and gas producers are emitting more methane than previously thought because of flawed flaring.

Earlier this week, Sen. Joe Manchin conceded defeat on his push to combine his energy permitting package with a short-term government funding bill. Though the bill might have died before it reached the Senate floor, some lawmakers and clean energy advocates are hopeful a compromise can be revived. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino discuss why Manchin backed off on his top priority and the remaining obstacles any future legislation faces. Plus, President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned oil companies against increasing gasoline prices as Hurricane Ian makes landfall in the United States.

As Hurricane Ian spins toward Tampa Bay, the Gulf Coast may serve as a warning about expansive development in areas at risk for climate-fueled destruction. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why Tampa Bay is uniquely at risk of major destruction from Hurricane Ian and how the costs of climate disasters are accelerating. Plus, Senator Joe Manchin pulled his energy permitting legislation from a government spending bill on Tuesday after it looked like the measure wouldn’t pass.

Last week, several Biden administration officials traveled to a major clean energy conference to deliver a message to industry executives and international energy leaders: start using the money from the Inflation Reduction Act and help the White House deliver on its international climate commitments. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down that message, the questions that remain about the legislation and how the White House views its international climate standing. Plus, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is urging Senate Republicans to vote no on advancing Sen. Joe Manchin’s permitting reform legislation as part of a government funding package.

Sen. Joe Manchin's permitting bill unveiled last week significantly expands the powers of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, whose chairman he’s criticized in the past. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down how the bill elevates FERC’s authority while also helping Manchin’s own goals. Plus, the World Bank president says he will not resign after apologizing for his remarks on climate science.

When heat waves hit California this month, grid operators asked customers to conserve power. And that strategy worked to prevent major blackouts. But experts say that solution is not sustainable in the long run. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the crucial questions facing grid operators on the demand side and how it could impact customers. Plus,

On Wednesday, the Senate voted to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, delivering bipartisan climate action with industry support to reduce a potent greenhouse gas. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down why this measure received support from both sides of the aisle and how this move builds upon previous congressional action. Plus,

On Sunday, Hurricane Fiona knocked out power for the 3 million residents in Puerto Rico. But the blackouts and grid problems are a recurring problem, and many residents are blaming their government and the company brought in to fix the power network. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down the damage that Hurricane Fiona wrought to Puerto Rico’s power system, how the island is responding, and the impact on Puerto Rico’s ambitious renewable energy goals.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has an ambitious climate agenda led by the agency’s chairman, Richard Glick, who was renominated by President Joe Biden back in May. But the FERC chair still faces an uncertain future in the Senate. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains why Glick might be out as FERC chairman, his priorities if he does get another term, and how FERC’s murky leadership could derail U.S. climate goals.

Democrats tore into the fossil fuel industry and their representatives during a pair of House hearings on Wednesday and Thursday. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and host Josh Siegel discuss what Democrats hoped to accomplish with these hearings, some of the main takeaways, and how fossil fuel companies, their representatives and Republicans responded.

For months, the Biden administration has been working to avoid a possible railroad work stoppage that could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and disrupt the transportation of major energy commodities like coal and crude oil. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder breaks down why this labor dispute is happening in the first place and how it could disrupt the domestic energy space.

On Tuesday, the Biden administration celebrated the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes $369 billion in clean energy and climate incentives. POLITICO’s Zack Colman takes us inside White House’s climate strategy and breaks down which team will implement the law’s provisions and Biden’s larger green agenda moving forward.

A Virginia utility company, Dominion Energy, has been seeking final approval to build the largest offshore wind farm in the United States during the last year. But the company is threatening to abandon the project since Virginia state regulators are trying to impose rules that ensure consumers wouldn't be responsible for higher-than-expected costs. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the dispute between the utility and state regulators, why this project is so unique, and how a possible compromise could impact offshore wind projects across the country.

Last week, the Department of Energy launched a plan to significantly cut the costs of new geothermal technology in an effort to expand the commercial adoption of the green power source. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains why geothermal energy resources have been largely untapped, how the Biden administration plans to expand its use, and which communities will most benefit from it.

On Wednesday, Federal Reserve regulatory czar Michael Barr announced that next year, the central bank will launch a pilot exercise that assesses how climate change might affect the nation’s financial system. POLITICO’s Victoria Guida breaks down the Fed’s plan and how it fits into the Biden administration’s climate agenda.

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.

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.