POLITICO Energy

The POLITICO newsroom breaks down the stories and power players shaping energy politics and policy in the United States and around the world by featuring original interviews, along with in-depth reporting and analysis from the largest energy policy newsroom in the world. 

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1051
A CEPP made Manchin’s way
In a bid to finally win over one of their make-or-break outliers, Democrats are revisiting one of their key climate provisions in the reconciliation bill: the Clean Electricity Performance Program. In their latest version, a seemingly small tweak would open the door for some natural gas production, provided it has carbon capturing technologies. But POLITICO’s Zack Colman says this new attempt could still not be enough for West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin.
8 min
1052
The Davos crowd takes over COP26
The world’s environmental community has been waiting for Glasgow for more than a year, after the pandemic frustrated their plans last year. But as the UN and nation leaders work to propel climate action, the financial community is planning to seize the opportunity to rub elbows and participate in climate talks that will directly impact their operations in the near and long term future. Today, POLITICO Europe’s senior climate correspondent Karl Mathiesen explains how the expanding guest list of the rich and famous attending COP26 could affect the perception of these crucial climate negotiations.
9 min
1053
Will cap and trade enter coal country?
Pennsylvania is one of the largest energy producers in the country, which also makes it one of the highest-emitting states. And as the state’s Democratic governor moves to join a cap-and-trade program, he is facing resistance from state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and a core Democratic constituency. Today, POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman explains the tension.
8 min
1054
Climate hawks play hard ball
Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema’s play to shrink the Democrats’ reconciliation package has worked. But in trying to find a compromise that will keep the president’s agenda and get the votes, the White House and Democratic leadership are finding that progressives and environmentalists are also ready to use their voting leverage to get a bold deal on climate change. Today, POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains where the talks stand.
8 min
1055
The battle for the EPA’s top Windy City post
If you’re looking for drama in the federal government, the EPA’s regional offices aren’t usually the place to go. But in recent months, a senior Democratic senator has been pushing to get a long-time ally and seasoned water official from Chicago over the EPA administrator’s own recommendation for the Midwest office. POLITICO’s Alex Guillen explain and Shia Kapos what’s at the heart of this dispute.
7 min
1056
Changing the NEPA rules, yet again
Former President Donald Trump restricted the ability of federal agencies to consider all climate impacts during permitting reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act to narrow the scope of the reviews and speed up the process. Now, President Joe Biden is moving to change NEPA regulations to consider climate change and carbon emissions. But POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports the administration is walking a fine line in expanding the scope of these reviews without threatening the pace at which ambitious infrastructure and green energy developments move forward.
7 min
1057
Keeping the “green” president in check
President Biden says he wants a major federal response to climate change to be part of his legacy, but environmental justice leaders say the president hasn’t acted forcefully enough to stop oil and gas pipelines and raise cash for climate priorities. To
7 min
1058
The blackened waters off California’s coast
Over the weekend, an underwater oil pipeline spilled thousands of barrels of oil off California’s coast. And as crews work on cleanup and to minimize the environmental impact, POLITICO’s Colby Bermel reports the spill could affect efforts to expand and accelerate drilling bans at the state and federal levels.
8 min
1059
A cold, dark winter
As the fall settles in, many of the world’s largest economies are trying to shore up natural gas supplies to keep the lights on and industries running in what’s expected to be a cold winter. But tight supplies of natural gas and a lack of access to other fuel alternatives is driving prices way up, and leaving many fearing there won’t be enough supply to make it through the spring. Today, POLITICO’s Matt Daily explains what’s going on, and how the current crisis could impact the upcoming global climate summit.
8 min
1060
Presenting Global Insider: Union leader Sharan ...
On this special edition, we're introducing POLITICO's new podcast Global Insider. Health workers who don’t get paid if they contract Covid-19. Over 6,000 migrant workers dead after helping with World Cup construction in the Middle East. As the head of the world’s largest union confederation, it’s Sharan Burrow’s priority to protect workers against abuses like these and hold offending governments accountable. But as she tells host Ryan Heath, she’s walking a tightrope between convincing governments to change and keeping her seat at the table. Sharan Burrow is the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation. Ryan Heath is the host of the "Global Insider" podcast and newsletter. Olivia Reingold produces “Global Insider.” Irene Noguchi edits “Global Insider” and is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio. Cristina Gonzalez is POLITICO Europe’s Executive Producer for Audio.
21 min
1061
FERC’s inaction allows PJM to take action
During the Trump administration, FERC approved a widely unpopular rule that was seen as undermining state plans to promote renewable energy. But after several states in the PJM Interconnection threatened to abandon the market, the grid operator proposed a replacement plan adopted Wednesday by FERC due to a 2-2 tie at the commission. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse has more on why FERC deadlocked and the legal complications it created.
8 min
1062
Wind industry worries about tax credit strings
The Biden administration wants to use tax credits to help renewables grow in America. The Biden administration also wants to tie these credits to all- American-made products. Can the Biden administration have it both ways? POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLITICO Energy? We want to hear from you! Take part in our 2021 podcast survey and provide valuable feedback on your favorite POLITICO podcast. Tell us what you like or what you would like to see in the future from the POLITICO Audio team! Your responses will help us improve our offerings and help us better tailor our podcast content to fit your needs. Find the survey at politico.com/podsurvey.
7 min
1063
Fireworks at FERC’s Senate hearing
Yesterday, FERC commissioners testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee for the first time in years and there were plenty of fireworks. The two GOP members of the commission didn’t hold back their disdain for a Clean Electricity Performance Program Democrats are pushing as part of their reconciliation package while Democratic FERC commissioners defended plans to take climate impacts into consideration in future permitting decisions from continued attacks from Ranking Member John Barrasso. Today, POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse has details on the hearing.
7 min
1064
Where do solar panels really come from?
Biden’s Commerce Department is set to decide on Thursday if it should probe whether Chinese solar panels are being shipped to Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to circumvent U.S. tariffs on Chinese solar goods. The dispute, which is pitting American solar power developers against U.S. manufacturers, is also testing the administration’s pledge to promote domestic manufacturing. POLITICO’s Gavin Bade has more details on the dispute and on how the administration may move forward.
7 min
1065
California sees the forest for its trees
As California continues battling catastrophic wildfires that threaten much of the state, including the famous trees that make Sequoia National Park a mecca for nature lovers, Gov. Gavin Newsom signs new climate bills expanding the state’s already aggressive plans to prepare for a worsening climate and lower its environmental footprint. Today, POLITICO’s Colby Bermel has more on California’s new suite of climate policies.
7 min
1066
Biden’s low HFC diet
Since the Montreal Protocol was signed to help restore the Ozone layer, a different kind of gases was popularized in the use of refrigeration. But since that time, we’ve learned that these gases, known as HFCs, have an impact on global warming exponentially higher than carbon dioxide. Now, the Biden administration has a plan to drastically reduce America’s use of these gases. Today, POLITICO’s Alex Guillen has the juicy details.
8 min
1067
China’s ambitious and ambiguous coal promise
On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced his country would stop building foreign coal power plants. And while the announcement was welcome news to environmentalists and world leaders, POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports that no one really knows what exactly China is committing to.
8 min
1068
What’s the Civilian Climate Corps?
In the middle of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt founded the Civilian Conservation Corps, a group responsible for hiring hundreds of thousands of white men to develop trails and build infrastructure that is still standing today. Now, Democrats want to create a similar, but more divers, group to build a new Corps to help the economy recover from the pandemic and fight climate change at once. POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna has the details on the plan for a Civilian Climate Corps.
8 min
1069
OSHA brings down the heat
Climate change is driving temperatures higher across the world, and making heatwaves in the country increasingly frequent. The record temperatures are a risk for millions during hot months, and in most of the country, workers have no legally enforced protections from heat stress. Now, the Biden administration has decided to step in. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman reports on the administration’s plan to tackle heat stress protections, and the challenges ahead.
8 min
1070
Biden’s green agenda v. The Last Frontier
President Biden’s push for an electric future requires a dramatic surge in demand for minerals like copper and zinc. But in order to get these minerals within our borders, the administration may need to open protected lands for mining, and that means building a road to remote site in Alaska that’s near the northernmost point of the mountain range that stretches to the American Rockies. Today, Adam Federman reports on a road project right in the middle of President Biden’s environmental dilemma. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLITICO Energy? We want to hear from you! Take part in our 2021 podcast survey and provide valuable feedback on your favorite POLITICO podcast. Tell us what you like or what you would like to see in the future from the POLITICO Audio team! Your responses will help us improve our offerings and help us better tailor our podcast content to fit your needs. Find the survey at politico.com/podsurvey.
7 min
1071
Digging into Big Oil’s Dark Side
This summer, one of Exxon’s top lobbyists broke the first rule of lobbying: don’t give away the game plan, especially to an undercover environmentalist. Since the dramatic interview aired on British TV, House Democrats have been investigating whether American oil giants’ have deployed a disinformation campaign casting doubt on the science on climate change and their climate commitments. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre, on what could come out of this investigation. Do you listen to a POLITICO podcast? Can’t miss an episode of POLITICO Energy? We want to hear from you! Take part in our 2021 podcast survey and provide valuable feedback on your favorite POLITICO podcast. Tell us what you like or what you would like to see in the future from the POLITICO Audio team! Your responses will help us improve our offerings and help us better tailor our podcast content to fit your needs. Find the survey at politico.com/podsurvey.
7 min
1072
Two committees, one reconciliation bill
After marathon committee markups, the Democrats’ reconciliation package made it out of two huge. Committees unscathed: Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. But, what exactly made it through, and does it stand a chance in the Senate? POLITICO’s Alex Guillen and Kelsey Tamborrino report.
7 min
1073
Corporate America’s put up or shut up moment
American companies have spent months promoting their climate pledges and their environmental commitments. But now, with the reconciliation bill tagging on big tax hikes to climate proposals and possibly threatening to hurt bottom lines, they face the real test of whether they'll stand by their climate plans over how much they really back their climate plans is on. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains the companies’ dilemma.
9 min
1074
Why some greens feel burnt by Biden’s FERC pick
Last week, President Biden announced the nomination of Willie Phillips to the vacant seat at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. If confirmed, Phillips’ vote could finally tip the scales at the commission in favor of the Democrats, and potentially help enact the president’s ambitious green agenda. But POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse reports that not all environmentalists believe Phillips was the right pick for the position.
7 min
1075
House Dems aim high on clean energy, climate
House Democrats outlined hundreds of billions of dollars in climate and energy initiatives for their portion of the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package, including a national clean electricity program and a national green bank, funding the replacement of lead water pipes and building out the country’s electric vehicle infrastructure. POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna reports.
9 min