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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826
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
827
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
828
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
829
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
830
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
831
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
832
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
833
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
834
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
835
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
836
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
837
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
838
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
839
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
840
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
841
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
842
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
843
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
844
Biden looks for methane win before COP26
Democrats are racing to deliver a climate win to President Joe Biden before he leaves to the U.N. Climate Summit in Glasgow next week. New regulations aimed at curbing methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas, could be the solution. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains.
7 min
845
The transmission obstacle to Biden’s clean ener...
Fulfilling President Joe Biden's goal of reducing carbon emissions won’t just take a massive build out of more wind, solar and other renewable energy. It would also require longer, newer transmission lines to take renewable power from where it’s produced to where it’s needed. But utility companies such as Entergy hold a great deal of sway when it comes to planning those new lines, and they’re not always on board. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains.
7 min
846
The opportunities and challenges of offshore wind
Offshore wind is President Biden’s clearest shot at getting a new energy source off the ground and helping it blossom in a way to delivery on his climate promises. But making the industry grow presents big challenges. Today, POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains the challenges for the administration in helping bring this renewable industry to maturity.
7 min
847
A tobacco-sized hearing for Big Oil
America’s biggest oil companies knew about greenhouse effect and their industry’s impact on the environment for years before the science was widely known. But what they did once they had this information is now up for questioning before the House Oversight Committee. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre, on what House Democrats want to find out, and the impact it could have on the oil industry’s political influence.
8 min
848
Big Oil’s Alaska troubles
On Wednesday the Biden administration decided to no longer defend a massive oil project that would have ramped up production in Alaska. And while the Biden administration is making the headlines for its continuing fight against oil developments in the state, the reality shows that oil companies are also losing interest in producing oil in the last frontier. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains the administration’s decision around the Willow project.
6 min
849
The cost of the clean transition
Switching where we get our energy from is going to have implications in the global economy and multiple industries. But today, POLITICO’s Lorraine Woellert is joining to discuss how it will affect most Americans’ bottom line in the short and long run.
7 min
850
The green recovery that wasn’t
When the pandemic first paralyzed the world’s economy, many leaders vowed to make the stimulus spending that would return their countries to financial health as environmentally friendly as possible. But as the world’s economies move closer to their pre-pandemic state, it’s increasingly looking like the path forward still includes all the emissions from the pre-coronavirus world. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains why the early recovery measures worldwide failed to promote climate policies.
7 min