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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Is clean hydrogen an illusion?
Some scientists looking for clean energy solutions have spent years researching the capabilities of hydrogen. Earlier this month, the Senate included funding for clean hydrogen technologies in hopes that it will be part of America’s net-zero emissions future. But is hydrogen actually net zero? Today, POLITICO’s Matthew Choi explains how complicated this question is.
6 min
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Turmoil at the Sierra Club
When the executive director of the Sierra Club abruptly left late last week, many wondered what was going on behind the scenes at the storied environmental organization. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman has some answers, and they get at the core of Sierra Club founder John Muir’s racial legacy and memory.
7 min
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The Colorado River’s drastic water cutoffs
The Colorado River is a critical water source for millions of people in both cities and farms across seven states and Mexico. But extremely dire temperatures in the last decades are now set to force some states to cut their use of the river for water access. Today, POLITICO’s Annie Snider explains the extreme conditions brought to the river by climate change, and the federal government’s extreme measures to protect it.
7 min
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A hot planet still freezes the GOP
The UN’s report on the state of climate change shook most of America’s politicians and leaders. But despite the dire warnings, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Ben Lefebvre report that most Republicans opted to deflect and punt on the question.
8 min
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The case for (and against) carbon capture
Carbon capture and sequestration is a technology that can suck the carbon out of high-emitting facilities and bury it underground. Sounds like a great way to fight climate change, right? In reality, the technology is more complicated and far more controversial. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why some climate-friendly senators are willing to deploy billions of dollars to make CCS happen even though some environmental groups oppose it.
8 min
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Reconciling the green details
As the Senate finally voted to pass the massive infrastructure bill, Democrats quickly moved on to their next big item: the details of the even bigger reconciliation package. The $3.5 trillion package is expected to jumpstart Congress’ fight against climate change, but it will take time to get all Democrats on board. POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna has the details.
8 min
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Humanity’s code red
Bummer alert: it’s probably too late for 1.5. On Monday, the UN’s top climate panel released a milestone report on the status of climate change, and according to scientists, it’s very unlikely the world will meet the most ambitious target of limiting global climate change rising 1.5 degrees Celsius. But POLITICO’s Zack Colman says things could still get much worse if bold action isn’t taken.
8 min
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OSHA's struggle to protect workers from climate...
Some jobs are riskier than others. But in an era where temperature records are constantly broken, heat-related risks are on the rise. Yet despite the worsening hazards, relief from life-threatening heat still largely relies on the good will of employers, with few protections guaranteed by the government. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman and E&E News’ Ariel Wittenberg explain the increased risks, and why it’s so hard for OSHA to take action.
9 min
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Reconciliation: more money, more fights
While senators vote on amendments for the massive infrastructure bill, many groups are already eyeing the fight over what makes it into the upcoming reconciliation bill. And on that front, conservationists are fighting to ensure that natural resources and climate preparedness programs get the funding they believe is necessary. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna has details on the fight already shaping up.
7 min
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The 'car guy' president wants Americans to go e...
If there’s one thing Joe Biden loves more than ice cream, it may be his vintage Corvette Stingray. But the long-time ally of the auto industry during his time in the Senate now wants to become the president behind the wheel during America’s shift to electric vehicles. Today, POLITICO’s Alex Guillen explains the president’s lane change, and the road ahead for the White House’s push for electric vehicles.
8 min
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The lead problem Biden can’t fix
In the White House’s original infrastructure proposal, the administration had set out a $45 billion plan to remove all lead pipes and provide clean, safe water to all Americans. And while the bipartisan infrastructure bill making its way through the Senate offers substantial funding for this initiative, the ambitions fall short of what the Biden administration had promised. Today, POLITICO’s Annie Snider explains just how short
7 min
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Alright folks, here’s the (infrastructure) deal
Late on Sunday, the Senate finally released the text of the big infrastructure bill, a historic and bipartisan $1.2 trillion package. Today, POLITICO’s Sam Mintz walks along the path to getting this deal, and the path ahead. Plus, POLITICO’s Zack Colman, Ben Lefebvre, and Kelsey Tamborrino have the key takeaways on energy and the environment.
7 min
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The man who put climate on the UN’s agenda
Many people tried to get the United Nations to take action on the fight against climate change, but Secretary General Ban Ki-moon got the organization to actually put its diplomatic muscle behind the issue. Today, POLITICO’s Lorraine Woellert talks to the former UN chief about the agency’s climate action during his tenure, and the areas where the world needs to act now.
7 min
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A BIF deal
This week, the Senate finally released some details on the infrastructure bill that is expected to come through over the next few weeks. And, while the package doesn’t address climate change as aggressively as the reconciliation bill is expected to, the bipartisan bill does have big plans for water, carbon capture programs, and helping communities transition into the clean energy economy. POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna has more
7 min
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The End of the Nord Stream 2 saga
The Trump administration spent years fighting to keep a Russian pipeline from reaching Germany. Now, it seems like the Biden administration is giving up on fighting the inevitable fate of Nord Stream 2, and is instead looking for a deal to protect the Western bloc’s interests. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre, on the German-US deal over the pipeline.
7 min
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Climate hawks push — but risk overplaying their...
If the Democrats’ reconciliation package passes, it will become the largest piece of climate policy in American history. But even at $3.5 trillion dollars, the framework is being criticized by some progressive green groups as too small. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna, on the risk of climate hawks overplaying their hand and how much of Biden’s climate agenda may actually come through.
8 min
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The wildfire firefighter shortage
The Wildland firefighters are a special unit that battle fires on federal lands and can assist states fighting blazes within their borders. But extremely low wages and ever-increasing working demands are pushing many of these crews out of the job and into other departments. Today, POLITICO’s Ximena Bustillo explains the Biden administration’s plan to keep its firefighters.
8 min
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America’s climate refugees are here
There was a time when rural Guatemalans never left home. But back-to-back hurricanes, failed crops and extreme poverty are driving them to make the dangerous trek north. Today, POLITICO’s Sabrina Rodriguez, on how climate change and natural disasters are contributing to the decision of thousands to flee to the US.
9 min
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Europe’s historic floods
Last weekend, heavy rains led to massive floods across Western Europe, killing hundreds and causing millions of dollars in damages. And while uncontrollable, the floods were predictable. Today, POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen reports that governments are looking at what could have been done to prevent the loss of life, and whether the continent’s climate policies are prepared to deal with damage mitigation.
9 min
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Rep. Casten’s “Hot FERC summer”
Fighting climate change is not just about ending fossil fuels: a low-emissions future will also require higher use of electricity obtained from clean sources. But if the US is counting on electricity to take over for oil in transportation and heating, it is going to need a strong and ambitious Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deploy more clean energy. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna talks to a lawmaker seeking to raise awareness about one of the most important agencies for climate policy that most have not heard about.
7 min
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Congress may fall short on Biden’s lead goals
Getting rid of the nation’s network of lead drinking water pipes is tremendously politically popular — but also estimated to cost tens of billions. President Joe Biden promised a bipartisan infrastructure framework would get the job done, but senior Democrats say it almost certainly won’t. Today, POLITICO’s Annie Snider and Anthony Adragna on how far Democrats may go on removing lead from America’s water and why they may fall short of the White House’s promise.
8 min
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FERC Chair's green grid ambitions
President Biden’s push for green energy development is putting pressure on an energy grid that is currently unprepared to move significant amounts of renewable energy across the country. But the chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has a goal for a new rulemaking that will help ensure the grid can catch up. Today, POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez, on Rich Glick’s ambitious timeline.
6 min
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The framework for a historic climate action
On Wednesday, Senate Democrats announced the framework of their massive — but still unwritten — reconciliation bill. The package, which more than triples the bipartisan infrastructure framework in cost, is meant to establish and fund a big chunk of President Biden’s agenda, including a massive effort to fight climate change. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna has details on what’s in the framework for the environment and renewable energies.
8 min
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The next trade war… over carbon?
Yesterday, the European Union unveiled its detailed plan to drastically cut emissions by half over the next decade. But the EU’s quest to implement a tariff on products originating from countries without similar carbon reducing policies could spell trouble for its relationships with its biggest trade partners, including the U.S. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusses the possibility of an all-out trade war erupting over carbon emissions and how it could be avoided.
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Fixing Texas’ grid
For a long time, leaders in Texas were content to have the state produce, transport, and consume its own electricity. But recent extreme weather events have exposed critical flaws in the system, and yesterday, the state’s Electric Reliability Council unveiled its plan to attempt and make its
7 min