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.
Since the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 many countries and big companies have ramped up their commitments to lower their emissions, while the U.S. under former President Donald Trump rejected the global effort. But no more: On Thursday — Earth Day —President Joe Bien convenes a virtual summit with dozens of world leaders, putting the U.S. back in the climate spotlight. Today, we preview the summit with POLITICO’s Zack Colman.
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Why California’s fracking ban went bust
California is the country’s leader when it comes to climate policies. But not even Democrats could impose a ban on fracking despite holding all levels of power in California. Today, POLITICO’s Colby Bermel explains why.
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C-suites to Biden: please catch up on climate
In the last decade, some of the largest American companies have taken on the challenge of lowering their emissions to net zero. But as these companies invest in green energies and carbon-capturing technologies, they are finding that the federal government’s inaction is keeping them from reaching their goals. Today, Lorraine Woellert, on what corporate America wants from Biden.
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An early preview of the unconventional COP26 cl...
Officials in London, Glasgow and the U.N. climate headquarters in Bonn are trying to figure out how to salvage the 26th annual United Nations climate conference, known as COP26. The summit is supposed to be held in Glasgow in the first two weeks of November. But POLITICO’s Karl Mathiesen explains the challenges of hosting a global summit amid an unpredictable pandemic.
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EPA’s water justice plan
The Biden administration's efforts to marry environmental justice and clean water access will depend a lot on Radhika Fox, who's currently laying the groundwork at EPA. POLITICO’s Annie Snider reports.
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Is Biden building the grid of the future?
Most of the 21st century has seen a true revolution in the energy world: new, better technologies to create renewable energies, the rise of natural gas, and the advent of vehicles that run on electricity. But one sector that hasn’t seen an evolution is the way energy is transmitted across the country. In comes Biden’s plan to modernize the American power grid. Today, POLITICO’s Eric Wolff discusses the challenges that will come with expanding and renovating American power lines.
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Where farming emissions actually come from
It’s common knowledge that cow burps and pig farts are an important source of emissions in America. But is it true? Today, Alex Guillen explains where the thick of methane emissions related to farming actually come from, and what the federal government could do to curb them.
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The challenge of green, good paying jobs
American energy jobs pay considerably higher than the median job. But Kelsey Tamborrino reports that Joe Biden’s job plan faces challenges in selling new, renewable energy jobs that pay less than traditional energy work.
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Environmental regulations: how far is too far?
Joe Biden wants to be the president to change the course in the fight against climate change. But if he really wants to use the full power of the federal government, his EPA has to craft strong regulations that will pass legal muster. Today, Alex Guillen reports on the challenge of striking that balance.
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The sunset of a solar power original
Way before solar power took off in America, Tom Werner took the reins of a little known California company called SunPower. After nearly two decades, Werner is stepping down as CEO just as the rise of solar seems to have no boundaries. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino talks to Werner about what the industry wants from the Biden administration, and what he sees as the biggest roadblocks for American solar power.
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American EV batteries and a trade conflict
President Joe Biden wants Americans to start driving electric vehicles as soon as possible, and for these vehicles to be fully built by Americans. But in order to achieve this goal, the US will need to dramatically increase its production of batteries. Today, Gavin Bade explains how and an international trade dispute could hit the brakes on a long-awaited battery construction facility in Georgia.
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Supreme Court ends Florida-Georgia water war
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed Florida's lawsuit against Georgia over water use from the Chattahoochee, Flint and Apalachicola rivers. POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie explains.
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Climate activists say Biden’s infrastructure pl...
President Joe Biden's $2 trillion climate and infrastructure plan is too modest to address a global emergency, some environmental advocates say. POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports.
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How climate fits into Biden’s massive infrastru...
President Joe Biden is set to unveil the details of a major infrastructure package that’s expected to include record spending on climate change. POLITICO’s Matthew Choi reports.
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A Biden gust for offshore wind
The Biden administration unveiled a new initiative on Monday to boost the U.S. offshore wind power, aiming to leverage the industry as part of President Joe Biden's effort to create new union jobs under a transition to a clean energy economy.
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The crucial friendship impacting Biden’s climat...
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Senate Dems target Trump methane rollback
Senate Democrats are preparing to use the Congressional Review Act resolution to rescind a major Trump regulatory rule that limits the EPA’s ability to regulate methane. But, will that resolution pass the Senate? POLITICO’s Alex Guillén explains.
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Hydrogen power, explained
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Murkowski takes down an Interior nominee
Earlier this month, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski voted to confirm Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary. But it seems like additional progressives may face longer odds getting into the Interior Department. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre, on how one of the Senate’s biggest power couples are wielding their power at the upper chamber.
Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy.
Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO.
Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
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SCOTUS vs Antiquities Act
For more than a century, presidents have used the authority under the Antiquities Act to create national monuments. At its conception, this law was created to protect vulnerable important sites from looting and exploitation, but on Monday, Chief Justice John Roberts said he wants the court to evaluate whether presidents are overreaching their authority by wielding it to protect vast amounts of land and water. POLITICO’s Alex Guillen, on how Chief Justice Roberts’ announcement could threaten the president’s agenda.
Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy.
Alex Guillen covers the EPA and environmental issues for POLITICO.
Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.