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.
Cryptocurrency mining operations are popping up in New York, taking advantage of old industrial space and cheap energy access. But, environmentalists and some state government officials have grown concerned about the impact of the industry. POLITICO’s Marie French reports.
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Checking in on Biden’s environmental justice goals
The Biden administration has announced it has put $29 billion to date into programs to alleviate environmental burdens that have disproportionately harmed disadvantaged communities. But, where is that money going? And is it enough to meet the White House’s environmental justice goals? POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports.
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Why Interior’s offshore plan schedule is raisin...
Last week, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland pledged to propose a new five-year offshore leasing plan by the end of June. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the details of that announcement and why it's being met with skepticism from lawmakers, industry and green groups.
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How NEPA is making strange bedfellows
As the Biden administration looks to overhaul regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act, clean energy advocates are defending some of the moves made under former President Donald Trump that eased regulatory hurdles to speed the approval and construction of infrastructure projects under the bedrock environmental law. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel reports.
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Promoting Canadian energy to America
POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel chats with the premier of the Canadian province of Alberta, Jason Kenney, about how the two countries can expand their relationship in the energy sector, and why Washington should simply look north rather than asking OPEC for more oil.
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How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is hurting the...
On Monday, COP26 President Alok Sharma said the war in Ukraine has pushed climate change from the global agenda, which is undermining the “fragile” climate deal reached in Glasgow last year. POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen breaks down how geopolitical dynamics have stymied progress on climate since COP26 and the expectations heading into COP27.
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Inside California's latest climate budget
Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed an additional $9.5 billion in climate spending, bringing the state’s total climate investments to over $47 billion. POLITICO’s Colby Bermel breaks down what Newsom hopes to achieve and how it compares to the rest of the country.
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Why FERC is handing power back to utilities
Faced with new urgency under President Joe Biden's goal to rid the electric grid of planet-warming carbon dioxide by 2035, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is putting transmission planning back in the hands of the nation’s large utilities, who have long controlled construction of the power network in their territories. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains.
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Biden scraps Alaska, Gulf of Mexico offshore oi...
The Interior Department canceled its remaining offshore oil and gas lease sales for the year, escalating a fight with Republicans and the oil and gas industry. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why the Biden administration made this move now and the political fallout.
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Natural gas prices rise, putting Biden in a bind
The Biden administration has been trying for months to dodge the political shotgun blast of high oil prices. But now comes the other barrel: natural gas prices. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains.
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Why Democrats are going big on mining
Democrats have embraced calls for more mining to help the country achieve the Biden administration’s clean energy agenda, but they want to overhaul the 150-year old law to strengthen environmental standards and impose royalites for the first time. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman explains why Democrats are specifically pushing for mining reform and the pushback they may face.
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A solar showdown could lead to a renewable slow...
The Commerce Department's probe into Southeast Asian solar imports could be offering a respite to fossil fuel power plants, undermining President Joe Biden's climate goals. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains.
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How renewables can grow in fossil fuel-dependen...
As President Joe Biden looks to transition the country toward clean energy, it’s still unclear how much renewables can actually grow in fossil fuel dependent states like West Virginia. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel chats about that and more with Craig Cornelius, the chief executive officer of Clearway Energy Group, which operates renewable projects across the country.
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Inside the fight to keep California’s last nucl...
For more than four years, California has been planning for the shutdown of its last nuclear power plant, citing safety threats, environmental concerns and changing energy priorities. But now, Gov. Gavin Newsom is stoking hopes of keeping the Diablo Canyon Power Plant alive. POLITICO’s Colby Bermel explains.
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The Russian-EU energy war enters a new phase
On Wednesday, the European Commission presented plans to ban Russian oil imports in the next six months and all refined oil products by the end of the year although two European countries dependent on Russian oil are still resisting such a swift transition. POLITICO’s Barbara Moens breaks down the ban and how it could impact both Russia and the European Union.
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What to make of Manchin’s meet-n-greets
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is brainstorming climate and energy policies during ongoing meetings led by Sen. Joe Manchin. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino, who talked to lawmakers after Monday’s meeting, look at whether there is a legislative path forward for this bipartisan group and what those meetings mean for Democrats.
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DeSantis delights Dems with solar veto
Democrats got a new ally in the war over distributed solar power and it’s not someone you’d expect: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The rumored Republican presidential candidate vetoed a GOP bill last week that would have cut payments to owners of rooftop solar systems. POLITICO’s Debra Kahn explains why DeSantis made that decision, how solar advocates are reacting, and what this move could mean for solar panel battles in other states.
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Big Oil’s profits keep increasing. How about th...
Last week, Chevron and Exxon Mobil reported their quarterly earnings skyrocketed because of soaring oil prices. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre discusses whether those Big Oil companies will pour that money into new drilling while fuel prices remain high and as Democrats’ criticism ramps up.
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Democrats take gas price solutions for a spin
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are expected to introduce new legislation aimed at fighting high gasoline prices. POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna breaks down the legislation and why vulnerable Democrats want their party to do more to tackle high costs.
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Solar industry to Commerce: stop your probe ASAP
Solar industry executives opposed to the Biden administration’s inquiry into module imports from four Southeast Asian countries were on the Hill this week to make their case that the Commerce Department should quickly issue a negative determination. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the latest with the investigation and its impact on the solar sector.
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A climate crossroads for greens
As Congress returns this week, there’s renewed pressure on Democrats and environmental advocates to pass party-line legislation that addresses climate change. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the latest climate talks and what’s at stake, especially as the midterm elections loom.
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Why natural gas is for carbon pricing
Natural gas power plant owners are hoping states and regional markets will do what that federal government won’t: put a price on carbon emissions. It’s a policy choice the companies hope will improve their market position compared to coal and less efficient plants, although they still face big challenges winning over regional markets and environmental advocates. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains how carbon pricing gained momentum with the gas industry.
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Ukraine’s green post-war vision
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine rages on, Ukraine should have a plan to repair or rebuild with the most energy-efficient materials and technologies, according to one of the country's government officials. POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen explains the details of that plan and how it could reshape Ukraine’s climate legacy.
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What the French election means for climate
he French presidential election ends this Sunday. Centrist and current President Emmanuel Macron is squaring off against far-right opponent Marine Le Pen. POLITICO Europe’s Louise Guillot explains each candidate’s climate views and how they could impact France’s future green policies.
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The social cost of carbon gets politicized
Republican lawmakers and red states alike are politically and legally attacking President Joe Biden’s social cost of carbon. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén explains how the estimate became a political flashpoint and what that means for the Biden administration’s climate agenda.