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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876
Getting our trucks in a row
Since the smog crisis in the 60s, California has led the way in fighting for cleaner air and pushing the auto industry for ambitious innovation. Now, they’re using some of their special powers to switch the truck fleet in the state to electric. Today, POLITICO’s Ry Rivard, on how New Jersey is the first state to join California’s push, but on the plenty of obstacles it faces in doing so.
6 min
877
The green awakening in America’s boardrooms
In late May, a small investor group managed to win a quarter of the board seats in one of America’s largest oil companies. Across the board, Engine 1’s win at ExxonMobil is widely seen as a watershed moment for energy, sustainability, and governance movements, and POLITICO’s Lorraine Woellert says the momentum that helped them win is also affecting the traditional relationships between directors and shareholders in other large companies.
7 min
878
The Conservative Climate Caucus
or years, Republicans have largely refused to even acknowledge the reality of climate change, let alone engage on solutions. But now, with legislative and executive action seemingly inevitable, GOP members on the Hill are banding together to discuss rhetoric — and possible solutions. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna talks to the new chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, Rep. John Curtis.
9 min
879
What’s behind the gas price surge
Every summer, gas prices tend to go up as millions of Americans go on their long-planned road trips. But this year, drivers are paying prices they haven’t seen in years. Today, POLITICO’s Matthew Choi explains why prices are soaring.
7 min
880
The group most vulnerable to wildfires
2021 is expected to be the worst year yet for wildfires across the West. And Latino communities are set to suffer a disproportionate amount of the damages – and their risks are growing worse. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman, on the underlying inequities facing Latinos and the public policy complexity in trying to solve them.
7 min
881
A push for global plastic policy
On land and at sea, the planet is drowning in plastic. And while countries are crafting their own policies around recycling and minimizing the use of plastic bottles and bags, POLITICO‘s Eline Schaart reports a push for a unified international policy is brewing.
6 min
882
The GOP’s slow catchup to climate policy
Many imagine the Pacific northwest as a rainy, temperate part of the U.S., but a heatwave earlier this week sent parts of Washington and Oregon to record high temperatures — and may contribute to hundreds of deaths. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman has more on the connection between the heatwave and climate change, and how extreme weather in the region is underlining its Republican uneven messaging on climate policy.
8 min
883
Jersey vs. the Pipeline
For years, the state of New Jersey and developers for the PennEast pipeline have engaged in a fight over the company’s use of eminent domain to seize portions of the state’s land. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court sided with the company in a case that challenged New Jersey's immunity to lawsuits. Today, POLITICO’s Alex Guillen and Ry Rivard, on why the highest court’s ruling still doesn’t guarantee that the pipeline will be built.
7 min
884
GOP’s war against Biden’s BLM pick
The Bureau of Land Management never used to be a controversial selection, but Republican senators have gone all out against Tracy Stone-Manning, Biden’s pick, despite her decades of experience in federal and Montana roles. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre on a 30-year old controversy, and why the GOP is uniting against her.
7 min
885
The alarming Western megadrought
For weeks, about a quarter of the states in the US have been suffering from droughts. Along the west, the dry conditions are creating water shortages and water access crises for cities, agriculture and fishing. And with the planet warming more and more, these droughts are set to get worse. Today, POLITICO’s Annie Snider, on the effects of this year’s droughts for millions in the US now and into the future.
7 min
886
Getting EJ and reliability to coexist
In the wake of two historic failures in American energy access, Republicans and oil-friendly advocates argue the government needs to increase investment in fossil fuels, not cut back. Environmental justice advocates say that’s an old line from the pro-fossil fuel playbook that doesn't meet the current energy landscape or the climate challenge.
9 min
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A crucial case for pipelines
Years ago, a company built a natural gas pipeline in St. Louis to help meet an alleged increase in demand. Now, even though the pipeline has been up and running for two years, a federal court rejected its permit, saying regulators failed to follow their own rules in evaluating its necessity. Turns out, many companies use similar strategies to justify the need for their pipelines. Today, POLITICO’s Eric Wolff explains the ruling and how it can shape the future of pipeline projects.
6 min
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Will companies be honest about climate risks?
The European Union and the US government are moving to ask companies to disclose the risks that climate change poses on their operations. And while most companies have agreed in principle to the idea of sharing their information, they’re asking the government that they not be held legally liable for what the disclosures reveal. Today, POLITICO’s Lorraine Woellert, on what kind of liability the companies are fearing, and whether the federal government will listen.
7 min
889
The dark side of solar panels
Solar panels are a fundamental tool for any country looking to clean up their energy industry. But countries across the globe say China is hiding a sinister secret behind the production of a key component of these panels. Today, POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino, on the Biden administration’s plan to continue boosting solar power at home without funding human right abuses overseas.
7 min
890
A splintered road towards climate policy?
As both parties continue to negotiate over a deal on infrastructure, the possibility that climate will have to be addressed separately is now looking more likely than ever. But could Democrats even find partisan agreement over what would have to be in a climate-alone package? Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna says that won’t be an easy task.
8 min
891
Where America and Europe’s climate roads diverge
Since Joe Biden took office, the US has been seen as an ally in the fight against climate change. But just a change at the helm doesn’t mean the American ship will fully line up with all of Europe’s climate plans. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusses how the president’s European trip reflected the differences.
9 min
892
Bye Keystone XL, hello Line 3
Earlier this month, environmentalists scored a major win they’d spent years fighting for: the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline. But while that project died, there is another pipeline that’s been carrying oil sands from Canada to the US for years: Enbridge’s Line 3. Line 3 has long needed critical maintenance to operate at full capacity, and blocking work on a replacement pipeline has become another key fight for environmentalists. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains the tensions around Line 3, and whether the Biden administration will step in to shut down the project.
8 min
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The G-7’s big climate takeaways
Over the weekend, leaders of the largest developed economies gathered in Cornwall, England to discuss their plans to tackle some of the world’s biggest issues, including how best to fight climate change.Today, POLITICO’s Ryan Heath discusses how these leaders are aligned on many of the broad goals, but critical details about the future of the coal sector- and other climate issues remain elusive.
8 min
894
Progressives draw their climate red line
Two Joes are keeping faith that bipartisanship can deliver a deal on infrastructure: President Biden and Senator Joe Manchin. But amid mounting concerns from progressives a deal won’t include strong enough climate provisions, lawmakers are reminding the administration that their votes are also required for passage and they won’t rubber stamp just any deal. POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna explains the progressives’ warning shot.
8 min
895
Biden scraps Trump’s water rule
Last year, Trump’s EPA announced a controversial rule to define the scope of a new controversial water rule. And on Wednesday, the White House announced it would roll back the rule and begin the process of creating a new one. Today, POLITICO’s Annie Snider analyzes the chances of a new rule sticking around.
8 min
896
Gina McCarthy’s climate reality check
Biden wants his administration to be a transformative period in American climate policy — that much was clear in the original infrastructure bill. Now, after months of no progress in negotiations with Senate Republicans, the White House’s climate advisor says the bill could omit some climate proposals — though she says they’ll keep fighting for all of it. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman, on his interview with the National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy and what could fall out of the infrastructure package.
7 min
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Colonial Pipeline’s CEO in the congressional ho...
Just over a month ago, Russian hackers forced a weeklong shutdown of America’s most important pipeline. Yesterday, senators grilled Colonial Pipeline's CEO over Colonial’s cybersecurity measures and the decision to pay the multi-million dollar ransom. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre discusses the hearing's highlights of the hearing, and what it means for the government's role in protecting critical energy infrastructure in cyberspace.
8 min
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Biden’s LNG mixed messages
In recent years, US companies have been able to export liquefied natural gas to eastern Europe and Asia thanks to government investment in international deals and export facilities. Now, President Joe Biden has to decide whether the gas is lean enough to be part of his administration’s international climate policy or if renewable energies should become the only way forward. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre on the ambiguous early signals from the administration.
7 min
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Can cap and trade enter coal country?
In Pennsylvania, fossil fuels were king even before US independence. First with coal, and then with natural gas, energy production has been a key driver of the state's economic growth. So, can the state’s governor succeed in getting Pennsylvania under a multi-state cap and trade system and curtail carbon emissions in the region? POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Marie French discuss the political fight over the move.
7 min
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Why Sen. Ossoff is leaning on climate
Earlier this year, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock flipped both of Georgia’s Senate seats to give Democrats control of Congress. Now, Sen. Ossoff is breaking the mold of a Democratic senator in the south and making action on climate change a priority. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna speaks with the senior Georgia senator.
11 min