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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751
Why rural communities, inner cities may struggl...
The Biden administration has secured billions of dollars in new federal funding to follow through on its climate and environmental justice promises, but some small and financially strapped communities may struggling to navigate the bureaucracy to get access to that funding. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains those challenges and how the White House is responding.
7 min
752
EPA’s 2022 To-Do List
Last week, the Biden administration released its energy and conservation priorities for next year under its Unified Agenda. POLITICO’S Alex Guillén explains what the EPA plans for climate regulations in 2022. 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 a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the interim executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
6 min
753
New York’s lofty climate plans
New York's Climate Action Council released an initial draft that outlines how the state can achieve its ambitious emissions reduction mandates through the electrification of buildings, transportation and other sectors. But it leaves major questions unanswered. POLITICO’s Marie French explains.
5 min
754
Dems’ climate plans under the microscope
This week was big for Senate Democrats as move toward to passing their $1.7 trillion dollar social spending plan, which includes hundreds of billions of dollars in climate provisions. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino gives an update about Senate Democrats’ meetings with the Senate Parliamentarian and what climate provisions might change as negotiations continue.
6 min
755
Mixed reviews for Biden’s biofuels plan
This week, the Environmental Protection Agency released its long-awaited biofuel blending proposals under the Renewable Fuel Standard. While the Biden administration tried to balance the powerful oil and corn industries, the plan received mixed reactions. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains.
6 min
756
EV tax credit fight, and Tesla under fire
The European Union is lining up against the measure in the Build Back Better reconciliation bill that has drawn criticism from some its automakers, and urging the Senate to scrap the portion of an electric vehicle tax credit that would only benefit union-made EVs. Meanwhile, the SEC is now investigating Tesla for its solar panels. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder reports.
6 min
757
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
758
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
759
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
760
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
761
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
762
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
763
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
764
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
765
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
766
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
767
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
768
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
769
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
770
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
771
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
772
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
773
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
774
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
775
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