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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1126
A key witness in the impeachment testimony coul...
The U.S. Ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, has repeatedly connected the Energy secretary with the discussions at the heart of the impeachment inquiry. Pro's Anthony Adragna is following for more hints to the role that Secretary Perry played in the administration's connections with Ukraine. Plus, a new draft legislation on renewable energy tax breaks. And, we preview the Democratic debate from the perspective of climate policy with Climate 2020's Jeff Nesbit.
5 min
1127
The Senate Energy Committee votes on key nominees
The committee will vote on several nominees, including Energy secretary, deputy Interior secretary, and a vacancy at the board of FERC, while the House’s Energy and Commerce committee will hold a markup that includes PFAS regulations, and a ban on asbestos. And, climate activists take over Nancy Pelosi’s office.
6 min
1128
All eyes on the EPA's chief of staff and the fu...
Pro's Anthony Adragna and Alex Guillen take a closer look at Ryan Jackson, the man at the center of two investigations at the EPA. Meanwhile, Gavin Bade follows Dan Brouillette's Senate confirmation hearing as Energy Secretary. Also, a court ruling says the EPA ignored the disposal of chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act. And, will Twitter's ban on political ads include climate change ads?
8 min
1129
Dan Brouillette's confirmation hearings begin
Pro's Gavin Bade is following Dan Brouillette's Senate confirmation hearing, who is set to replace Rick Perry at the Department of Energy next month. Also, Alex Guillen discusses an exclusive POLITICO interview with California's attorney general, Xavier Becerra. And, the president confirms that U.S. troops remain in Syria to protect oil fields.
6 min
1130
Why does the EPA want more data from its scient...
Only a day after confirming the new proposal on science transparency was sent to the White House for review, the EPA will have to answer questions from Congress about the role of science on rule making, a hearing that Pro's Annie Snider is following. Also on Capitol Hill, the impeachment probe starts its public phase, as the first witnesses speak publicly about the Ukraine scandal.
6 min
1131
The EPA asks scientists to release more data
Under the agency's new science transparency proposal, scientists would have to disclose more data related to their studies before the agency considered their conclusions. Meanwhile, Pro's Alex Guillen is following controversial probes into a top official at the EPA. And, a group of activists gather on Capitol Hill to support a carbon tax and dividend bill.
5 min
1132
What we've learned about Rick Perry's role in t...
Pro's Anthony Adragna and Ben Lefebvre have gone through hundreds of pages of depositions related to the impeachment inquiry, trying to understand the energy secretary's role in the Ukraine scandal. Plus, Iran says it has found a new oil field, and some federal workers are close to getting a 30-day notice to move out of D.C. or quit their jobs.
4 min
1133
How small environmental groups are shaping the ...
Environmental justice has become a central issue in the 2020 Democratic race, and Pro's Zack Colman is following some of the small groups that have motivated the grassroots movement on this issue nationwide. Plus, more controversy is brewing between the E.P.A.'s inspector general and the agency's chief of staff. And, some 2020 nominees speak about climate change.
7 min
1134
E.P.A. warns of rise of carcinogenic chemicals ...
Pro's Annie Snider discusses why the agency is saying the levels of ethylene oxide in the air do not pose a short-term risk. Meanwhile, the E.P.A.'s internal watchdog says the agency's chief of staff is refusing to cooperate with an investigation. Plus, Rick Perry speaks out on the latest developments in the impeachment inquiry, and Democratic nominees speak about climate change on The Weather Channel.
6 min
1135
Clean Water Act, and new questions for Perry
Pro's Annie Snider is following a lawsuit coming from Hawaii that is set to test the limits of the Clean Water Act, and may set a precedent for regulations on pollution permits nationwide. Released depositions from two key witnesses in the impeachment inquiry mention the energy secretary multiple times, and Pro's Ben Lefebvre and Anthony Adragna say it could have important consequences. Plus, the White House eases fears of another government shutdown, and agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act nears.
6 min
1136
The Senate meets a nominee for FERC's board
President Trump's nominee for the Republican vacancy on FERC, James Danly, begins his path to confirmation in the Senate today. Pro's Gavin Bade discusses how Danly's nomination breaks tradition in filling FERC's board. Plus, depositions related to the impeachment inquiry from two close allies of Rick Perry may be released. And, the president formalizes proceedings to leave the Paris Climate Agreement.
5 min
1137
The U.S. can now start leaving the Paris Climat...
POLITICO Pro's Zack Colman discusses the process to fully leave the accord, and how it could impact foreign relations related to climate. Plus, the E.P.A. is expected to cut regulations related to coal ash, and lawmakers will hear from the former chief of staff to energy secretary Rick Perry as part of the impeachment inquiry.
4 min
1138
The Keystone piepline has a major oil spill in ...
POLITICO Pro's Ben Lefebvre has more details on the spill, which has dumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil on wetlands right as TC Energy tries to get permits to build an even bigger pipeline, Keystone XL. Also, the administration's expected federal auto emissions rule is reported to institute annual increases, but won’t finalize a total freeze. And, the first fiscal spending bills for 2020 pass the Senate.
4 min
1139
Testimony appears to contradict Rick Perry Ukra...
Pro's Ben Lefebvre discusses testimony in the impeachment inquiry that puts Energy Secretary Rick Perry in the middle of the talks involving Ukraine relations and an investigation into Joe Biden. Plus, Pro's Eric Wolff talks about the struggles in revitalizing the coal industry. And, the House picks up public lands bills later this week.
7 min
1140
PG&E tests California's patience
The House begins a hearing on the Trump administration's decision to roll back automobile fuel economy standards. Pro's Colby Bermel joins from California with a look at the state's struggles with regulating PG&E, as another blackout extends over two days because of wildfires. Plus, Rep. Greg Walden Oregon says he won’t run again, and it has GOP members in the House eyeing his position on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
6 min
1141
Lawsuits line up as the E.P.A. repeals WOTUS rule
Pro’s Annie Snider discusses a number of lawsuits following the Trump administration’s decision to repeal the Obama-era WOTUS rule without bringing forth a replacement. Also, Secretary of Energy Rick Perry defends president Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president, and more Californians are without power as wildfires spread across the state.
5 min
1142
Trump keeps U.S. troops in Syria to "secure oil...
Despite announcing a full retreat from the Syrian territory, the president said some military presence would stay to secure oil fields. Plus, another lawsuit out of the northeast involving Exxon, and New York city looks for another source of energy.
6 min
1143
A possible tipping point in how the EPA uses sc...
PRO's Alex Guillen previews the agency's meeting to review the science behind the particulate matter standard, which will happen with a drastically reduced the number of experts. And, a Ukrainian energy mogul may have enlisted Rudy Giuliani's associates to funnel money for illegal campaign donations to the president.
4 min
1144
Trump talks Paris in Pittsburgh
The president is addressing a natural gas conference in Pennsylvania today, where he is expected to set a date for the U.S. to leave the Paris climate deal. Energy Secretary Rick Perry is mentioned in yet another testimony related to the impeachment enquiry, and the administration announces new water pumping regulations for California.
6 min
1145
A new tack on assigning climate change culpability
A new field of research claims it can links weather events to carbon emissions, and to the companies responsible. How would this reshape the climate debate? Also, FERC chairman comments on how the agency will define grid resilience.
6 min
1146
FERC hosts an unusual summit in Kentucky
Meanwhile, last week's monthly meeting showed the partisan divide on the commission’s board. Also, measures to set funding levels for Interior, E.P.A. and the Energy Department are getting their day on the Senate floor this week.
5 min
1147
Rick Perry will step down
But will he cooperate with Congressional Democrats considering impeachment? Also, big trade associations being to reevaluate their positions on climate change.
6 min
1148
EPA's research chief ignores his own voluntary ...
David Dunlap, head of the agency's research office and former Koch Industries employee, exchanged e-mails about a health assessment of formaldehyde after saying he'd recuse himself to avoid an appearance of bias. Also, Rick Perry stays laser-focused at the D.O.E even as the impeachment enquiry surrounds him.
7 min
1149
EPA pares back its promise to biofuel producers
Details on the agency's proposed supplemental blending rule for the RFS have both biofuel groups and oil refineries fuming. Also, how did energy and the environmental issues play out on the fourth Democratic presidential debate?
4 min
1150
Will Congress help make electric vehicles more ...
Congress returns to session after a two-week recess, and we're following a tax credit for electric vehicles that may make its way through Congress. Also, what does Neil Chatterjee have to say about leaving FERC?
5 min