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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Climate change’s “uneven burden”
Climate change is splitting the world into two groups, with the group most vulnerable to the worst impacts contributing the least to global warming, according to the latest report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen explains.
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A big week for SCOTUS
On Monday, the justices will take up the biggest climate case in 15 years. West Virginia v. EPA focuses on the scope of the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector. And, President Joe Biden has picked Ketanji Brown Jackson, a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals judge, to succeed retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the case and Jackson’s environmental and energy record.
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Fear enters the oil markets
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday triggered an immediate jump in oil prices. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains how wartime hostilities and the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the European Union could send them soaring even higher.
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The Ukraine crisis: a threat to energy prices?
Overnight, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a series of attacks on Ukraine's major cities, including the capital Kiev. The attack seemed to confirm the energy markets' biggest fears, and could have major implications on oil and gas prices all around the world. Today, POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down how President Joe Biden may respond to alleviate the impact in the US.
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Germany halts Nord Stream 2 amid Russia buildup
Germany has halted the process of certifying the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline following the movement of Russian troops in Ukraine’s breakaway territories.. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel digs into what the German decision means and how it could impact Europe’s energy situation.
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The fight to electrify the Postal Service fleet
For weeks, Democrats, the White House and EPA have pressed Postmaster General Louis Dejoy to commit to electrifying the Postal Service’s delivery vehicles in the coming years. But Dejoy has pushed back, citing the Postal Service’s financial situation. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder reports.
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Why the push to ban gas stoves is heating up
Democratic lawmakers across the country trying to tackle climate change have directed their attention to an item you might find in your home: natural gas burning stoves. But the movement is dividing the party and pushing Republicans to fire back with their own legislation. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard explains.
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Watchdog finds former Trump Interior Secretary ...
According to a new report from the Interior Department’s internal watchdog released Wednesday, former Trump Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke violated ethics obligations in his land dealings with Halliburton’s then-chairman. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the report’s findings and how it could impact Zinke’s new congressional aspirations.
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Why sea level rise poses a clear and present ri...
In a new federal report released Tuesday, sea levels along U.S. coasts will rise by as much as a foot in the next 30 years as climate change accelerates. That could lead to a “dramatic increase” in millions of Americans' exposure to flooding. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the latest report’s findings and how it could impact Americans across the country.
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Why Biden’s social cost of carbon is in legal t...
On Friday, a federal judge in Louisiana blocked the Biden administration’s social cost of carbon estimate, a metric used by the federal government to calculate the future economic impacts of present-day greenhouse gas reductions. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén explains the judge’s ruling and how it could impact Biden’s green agenda.
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How global leaders are dropping the climate ball
A new POLITICO Morning Consult Global Sustainability Poll reveals that adults across the United States and the world have damning opinions about the performance of their political leaders when it comes to climate change. They also say China needs to step up to address climate change despite its status as a developing country. POLITICO’s Ryan Heath breaks down the poll’s findings.
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The utility industry’s BBB clean energy pitch
Electric utility CEOs met with President Joe Biden on Wednesday to push Democrats to pass the clean energy tax incentives in the Build Back Better bill. The meeting represents the highest profile move yet for the sector and a significant shift in the utilities’ stance on clean energy adoption in recent years, POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse reports.
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Where should climate lawsuits be heard?
On Tuesday, a federal appellate court said a climate change lawsuit brought by several Colorado localities against fossil fuel companies should be sent back to state court. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the ruling and how it could impact dozens of similar lawsuits across the country.
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Will EPA strengthen its soot standard?
EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee released a draft review Friday that recommended Administrator Michael Regan tighten standards on fine particulate matter. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down that recommendation, along with the health, environmental and financial implications.