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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1126
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
1127
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
1128
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
1129
Inside Exxon’s lobbying playbook
On Wednesday, Britain’s Channel 4 released an explosive story where a lobbyist for Exxon disclosed what he called the company’s lobbying playbook. According to the lobbyist, the company’s public climate campaign is the opposite of what it pushes senators behind closed doors, and that’s just the beginning. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre discusses the company’s strategy, and how this revelation could shift the ongoing climate discussions.
9 min
1130
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
1131
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
1132
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
1133
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
1134
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
1135
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
1136
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
1137
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
1138
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
1139
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
1140
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
1141
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
1142
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
1143
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
1144
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
1145
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
1146
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
1147
Biden’s honeymoon with progressives is up
Last year, Joe Biden had to expand and make bolder his climate change agenda to get the support of environmental activists. Now, as the administration continues to search for bipartisan agreement on infrastructure, a big green group is bringing the heat to ensure climate action isn’t left behind.
8 min
1148
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
1149
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
1150
ANWR drilling in Biden's hands
The Trump administration tucked a gift into the 2017 tax bill long sought by oil companies: a legal mandate for the federal government to allow oil production in part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. But now, President Biden is stepping in, and POLITICO contributor Adam Federman reports that the administration is halting oil exploration at ANWR to take another look at the environmental risks.
7 min