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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651
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
652
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
653
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
654
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
655
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
656
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
657
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
658
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
659
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
660
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
661
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
662
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
663
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
664
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
665
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
666
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
667
The Midwest’s $10.3 billion grid upgrade
On Monday, the Midwest power grid operator approved a $10.3 billion proposal to expand power transmission and ease congestion on the grid across nine states, while also clearing away for vast amounts of new clean energy to be built. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the details of the proposal, how Midwest state regulators and utilities are reacting, and what this investment means for the rest of the nation’s power grid.
7 min
668
D.C. Circuit Court changes the clock on regulat...
On Friday, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that regulations become “final” actions once they are made available for “public inspection” in the Federal Register – not the date of actual publication. That decision could impact future rulemakings from presidents and agencies, and put progressives in the unusual position of agreeing with former President Donald Trump’s regulation czar. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén explains.
8 min
669
Warning to future U.S. presidents: Gas prices m...
The United States’ capacity for refining oil into gasoline is declining, a trend that appears irreversible. And while more electric vehicles are hitting the road, the nation’s appetite for oil-derived fuels remains high. That’s not only causing political pain for President Joe Biden in the short-term, but it could also hurt future presidents on both sides of the aisle moving forward. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains.
9 min
670
How ‘major questions’ could freeze Biden's regu...
Last month, the Supreme Court imposed sharp limits on the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate greenhouse gases. And that decision has created legal uncertainty for executive actions beyond climate, including energy, abortion, immigration and even amateur auto racing. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down how opponents of the White House are challenging executive actions and how the Biden administration is responding.
9 min
671
Biden holds off on declaring a climate emergenc...
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced new executive actions aimed at combating climate change. However, the moves fall short of pleas from progressive activists and some Democratic lawmakers to declare a climate emergency. That unilateral action would give Biden broad powers to halt fossil fuel exports, marshal clean energy production and redirect spending to bolster climate defenses. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the latest climate actions from the White House and why Biden has so far decided not to declare a climate emergency.
9 min
672
Biden’s quiet climate diplomacy targeting Saudi...
Even before President Joe Biden visited Saudi Arabia last week, his administration has quietly been working with the country’s Middle Eastern neighbors on climate change — in part to pressure the kingdom to act to slow planetary warming. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains the Biden administration’s strategy and why Saudi Arabia is so important when it comes to climate change.
9 min
673
Democrats slam their ‘Lucy’ over climate
Joe Manchin on Thursday rejected Senate Democrats’ proposed energy and climate investments, delivering a devastating blow to his party’s efforts to enact a social safety net, climate and tax package. But the West Virginia senator denied Friday he was closing the door completely on climate and energy spending. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino discuss what Manchin’s stance means and what Democrats, many of whom are angry with their colleague, can accomplish on energy and climate before the midterms.
9 min
674
How natural gas is shedding its climate pariah ...
The Russian war in Ukraine has forced global leaders to rethink their anti-natural gas stances. But that shift could cause richer countries to subvert the clean energy transition they’re targeting while also stoking tensions with developing countries over access to the fuel.
8 min
675
Biden’s oil policy tightrope in Saudi Arabia
President Joe Biden is visiting Saudi Arabia on Friday, and he is expected to discuss everything from bolstering security in the region to reorienting policy with the kingdom. Everything except the one thing he really needs but can't get: more oil. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why a hard push by the president would probably fail to get Saudi leaders to pump new crude supplies into the world oil market.
8 min