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 secret French LNG connection
Last year, a French energy trader walked away from a U.S. natural gas deal under pressure from the French government, which was concerned about the U.S. gas industry’s environmental record. This year, that same company secretly completed an LNG deal with a Texas company. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why this deal was so hush-hush.
6 min
652
Defining eco-terrorism
After Andreas Malm spoke on a podcast episode produced by The New Yorker Radio Hour back in October, U.S. law enforcement officials homed in on Malm – a fringe environmental activist who has called for the sabotage of energy pipeline infrastructure. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down Malm’s story, explores the concept of eco-terrorism, and explains how the Biden administration is responding to those threats.
6 min
653
Democrats rip NRC's latest decommissioning pitch
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission proposed a rule last month to streamline the process for decommissioning nuclear power plants. But the proposal drew criticism from Democrats, who expressed concerns about the financial costs, safety issues, and the impact on state and local communities. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse reports.
7 min
654
How Biden plans to avoid a carbon trade war wit...
There’s a potential carbon trade war brewing between the United States and the European Union. Earlier this year, the EU released a plan in which the bloc would tax imports from countries that lack aggressive carbon-reducing policies, including the United States. Now on Wednesday, we learned more about how the United States plans to respond. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains.
6 min
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Where will the US send its nuclear waste?
The Energy Department is looking for a place where it can temporarily and permanently store spent nuclear fuel from reactors. But previous attempts to solve the nuclear waste problem have been stymied by local and state opposition. POLITICO’S Kelsey Tamborrino explains.
6 min
656
How climate migrants are changing American poli...
Experts say that the concept of climate migration — population shifts forced by destructive weather changes — is subtly impacting national politics. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains.
6 min
657
Biden’s oil royalty hike
On Friday, the Interior Department recommended hiking the fees that companies pay for oil and gas produced on federal lands. It’s part of the Biden administration's long-awaited review of the process that determines how the country leases out public land for energy production. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre reports.
6 min
658
Biden pulls the trigger on oil release
On Tuesday, the Biden Administration ordered 50 million barrels of oil to be released from America’s strategic reserve to help bring down fuel costs. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains the move and why it’s happening now.
7 min
659
The Manchin family business
The collision between Sen. Joe Manchin’s personal business and Democrats’ social spending package raises questions about conflict of interest and ethics. E&E News reporter Scott Waldman explains.
6 min
660
The pipeline war between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ...
Enbridge, a Canadian energy giant, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are fighting over the controversial cross-border Line 5 pipeline. Now, with Whitmer up for reelection in 2022, Enbridge is trying to tilt the scales in its direction. POLITICO’s Zi-Ann Lum reports.
6 min
661
Biden EPA gives biofuel blenders a little more ...
On Thursday, the EPA proposed a new rule giving oil refiners more time to meet renewable fuels blending requirements for 2020 and 2021. The agency signaled that the plan is designed to reduce uncertainty around the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard. But, biofuel advocates are not too pleased. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains the Biden administration’s latest move and the politics behind it.
10 min
662
Will FERC shutdown a major Missouri pipeline?
While legal experts say FERC is unlikely to shut down the Spire STL Pipeline this winter, questions facing the commission remain about the pipeline’s status in the long-run. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains.
9 min
663
Is limiting energy exports a solution to rising...
Republicans have been pummeling the Biden administration over high energy prices. But on Tuesday, Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Sen. Angus King (I-Vt.) questioned whether limiting natural gas exports might take the heat off the rise in that fuel’s prices. POLITICO’S Ben Lefebvre breaks down whether that solution could actually work and the political strategy behind it.
8 min
664
SCOTUS takes up major energy cases
The Supreme Court’s new term began in October, and it wasn’t supposed to be especially momentous for energy issues. But, it looks like conventional wisdom may have been wrong because of two cases: one about gas emissions from power plants and one about the Volkswagen emissions scandal. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén reports. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
9 min
665
Breaking down COP26
The COP26 climate conference finished up on Saturday with a deal that many countries described as imperfect and unsatisfying. Still, the conference was seen as a step forward in limiting global warming. POLITICO’s Zack Colman, who was at the conference for the last two weeks, breaks down the good and bad of that final deal. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Zack Colman is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department. Intro Music: Spacedman by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Outro Music: Breakmaster Cylinder
8 min
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BIF’s transmission powers to test federal-state...
The bipartisan infrastructure bill grants new transmission powers to federal regulators. While that will likely help the Biden administration’s clean energy strategy, it could also prove to be politically unpopular with state officials. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
7 min
667
The moment of truth for COP26
The U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow is entering its final days. The summit has produced numerous pledges, joint commitments, and agreements from attending countries to date. But the question remains: will countries act quickly and aggressively enough to stave off the worst effects of climate change? POLITICO’s Matt Daily explains what has been accomplished so far and what might be next.
8 min
668
The fight over California’s last nuclear power ...
California's last nuclear facility is approaching its scheduled retirement date in 2025. But a new report Tuesday from Stanford University researchers, backed by President Barack Obama’s first energy secretary, is raising questions about whether the retirement plan should be revised. POLITICO’s Colby Bermel explains.
8 min
669
How rising gas prices are fueling Biden’s critics
Gas prices are the highest in years as the economy recovers from the pandemic. Republicans are blaming President Joe Biden and his energy and climate policies. At the same time, the president is also receiving heat from environmentalists and Indigenous groups who are eager to shut down fossil fuel infrastructure. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the real reasons why gas prices are soaring and the political ramifications.
8 min
670
Sen. Markey talks BBB and the politics of clima...
POLITICO’s Annie Snider spoke with Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts to talk about the future of the reconciliation bill and how the politics of climate and energy have changed in the decade since he led the last major legislative effort to confront climate change.
13 min
671
Deforestation, finance pledges top COP26 highli...
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference has been underway in Glasgow since Sunday. So far, we’ve seen a series of new pledges to reduce deforestation and methane emissions and notable new financial commitments to try to achieve net-zero emissions goals. But how impactful are those moves? Reporting from the conference, POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains what’s being promised in public, but what’s really being said and done privately.
7 min
672
EPA tackles methane emissions
The Biden administration released new rules on Tuesday aimed at curbing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down what the new rules would do, where they fit into President Joe Biden’s climate goals, and how they might impact the politics of Democrats’ sweeping climate and social spending bill.
8 min
673
Maine voters to decide fate of controversial tr...
A proposed transmission line that would transport hydropower from Quebec into the New England grid has sparked a costly ballot initiative fight in Maine. Environmentalists find themselves in the unusual position of being aligned with natural gas plant operators in opposing a renewable energy project supported by local officials and the Biden administration. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman explains what’s at stake in Maine today.
8 min
674
The latest climate top line
Reconciliation is set to include at least $500 billion in climate spending, the White House told lawmakers, making it one of the biggest priorities in the package. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains hat made the cut and the state of play on the Hill.
7 min
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What to know heading into COP26
POLITICO’s Zack Colman previews what to expect at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, which start this weekend.
8 min