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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776
Why GOP senators might bail on Manchin’s climat...
Senate Republicans are planning to abandon bipartisan talks with centrist Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on long-shot energy and climate legislation unless something dramatically changes. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel explains why GOP senators are frustrated and what that means for Democrats’ reconciliation hopes moving forward.
7 min
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Breaking down the GOP’s energy plan
House Republicans released a policy framework on Thursday that would address energy, environment and climate issues if the party captures the House in the 2022 midterm elections. But the plan has come under fire for not setting a specific emissions reduction target or proposing policies that would reduce fossil fuel use. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the details of the GOP plan and what it’s missing.
8 min
778
Inside the troubled federal rock mine safety co...
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, an independent agency, has been torn apart amid partisan battles and allegations of financial wrongdoing. POLITICO’s Matthew Choi breaks down some of the controversies and a new allegation that one of the commissioners may have violated ethics rules.
6 min
779
Blackouts on the path to a clean energy transit...
Ever-increasing extreme weather events and surging gas prices could jeopardize grid reliability in large portions of the country this summer, particularly in Texas, the West and the Midwest. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down how energy regulators are responding and what it means for President Joe Biden’s transition to clean energy.
8 min
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Can offshore wind prosper in oil and gas territ...
The Gulf of Mexico, a prime base of the U.S. oil and gas industry, is preparing to dip its toe into wind power. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains why the Biden administration is reviewing 30 million acres of Gulf waters near Texas and Louisiana for potential wind turbines.
7 min
781
Why a gas price-fueled EV push won’t save Dems ...
Soaring gasoline prices are pushing consumers to consider swapping their gas guzzlers for a battery-powered car or truck. However, while that trend could help Democrats get to the electric future they’ve been pining for, it’s also likely to hurt them at the polls. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains.
7 min
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A final blow to Pebble Mine?
The Biden administration took a major legal step this week to protect Bristol Bay in Alaska, dealing a huge blow to the company seeking to develop a massive copper and gold mine in the remote region. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the move and how it will impact the future of Bristol Bay.
8 min
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New York’s crypto energy dilemma
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.
7 min
784
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.
8 min
785
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.
7 min
786
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.
7 min
787
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.
10 min
788
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.
7 min
789
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.
6 min
790
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.
8 min
791
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.
6 min
792
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.
7 min
793
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.
7 min
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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.
7 min
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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.
9 min
796
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.
8 min
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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.
7 min
798
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.
7 min
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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.
7 min
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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.
6 min