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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1351
Getting to zero: the House Democrats’ strategy
Pro’s Anthony Adragna has more details on the anticipated climate bill. And today, House Democratic leaders are expected to unveil an ambitious infrastructure framework.
5 min
1352
Rick Perry’s paper trail related to the impeach...
Following a lawsuit, the Department of Energy will release the first of three batches of documents related to Rick Perry’s activities with Ukraine scandal that led to President Donald Trump’s impeachment. Pro’s Anthony Adragna explains how these documents could impact the Senate impeachment trial. Plus, Google gets heat for allegedly helping spread misinformation on climate change.
5 min
1353
An earful for Trump in 2020
On Friday, a federal court overturned biofuel exemptions the EPA issued to three refineries in the Midwest. Pro’s Eric Wolff explores how Democrats are using these exemptions to attack the president in front of one of his most reliable voters. Plus, Pro’s Anthony Adragna sits one-on-one with Rep. Jared Huffman to discuss climate change policies.
8 min
1354
WOTUS' replacement is in.
EPA's Andrew Wheeler announces the new rule that replaces an Obama-era 2015 definition of the waters protected under the Clean Water Act. But Pro's Annie Snider says this rule is headed straight to court. Plus, one of the FERC board members announces he'll leave the agency.
9 min
1355
The House Republicans' environmental plan
The rise of climate and the environment as a political issue is forcing House Republicans to prepare a climate plan. However, Pro's Anthony Adragna, Eric Wolff, and Zack Colman report that the plan in the works is neither new nor aggressive enough. Plus, the EPA administrator is expected to announce a rollback on federal protections for millions of bodies of water across the country.
6 min
1356
There’s a lot more PFAS chemicals in the water.
A nationwide study finds contamination from the “forever chemicals” in dozens of communities nationwide. Pro’s Annie Snider says that while EPA may not be able to use the results to draft regulations, the findings may help a public push for action. Plus, climate activist Greta Thunberg criticizes President Trump’s plan to combat climate change by planting one trillion trees.
6 min
1357
Climate talks at the center of the World Econom...
The summit at Davos will gather world leaders to discuss climate change, but the U.S. president, who will be attending, is expected to tout recent trade deals with China and North American neighbors. Plus, climate activists lose a battle in court to force the federal government to act on climate change.
4 min
1358
Why Steyer’s and Bloomberg’s climate records ar...
Despite their records on climate change, the two billionaire Democratic candidates are struggling in the polls, both still in the single digits and far away from the top contenders. Pro’s Zack Colman explains why other candidates’ climate agendas are appealing to more voters. Plus, the new trade deal passes the Senate. And an associate of the president’s lawyer brings Rick Perry back into the impeachment controversy.
9 min
1359
Upwind air pollution is back in court.
A lawsuit from Maryland and Delaware urging for federal action against upwind states on air pollution is bringing the EPA to court. Pro's Alex Guillen is following the case, which could have repercussions for similar action nationwide. Plus, FERC's controversial vote to set a price floor that would exclude renewable energy and nuclear sources from the large PJM capacity market is drawing mixed reviews.
6 min
1360
Major changes to the WOTUS rule are coming.
President Trump's new rule cuts back on which water bodies are under federal protections. Pro's Annie Snider explains why farmers are welcoming this deregulation. Plus, the world's largest asset manager says it will put climate change at the center of its investing strategy.
8 min
1361
Congress studies phasing out HFCs
The gases, prevalent in many types of coolants, were key in helping recover the Ozone layer. However, their greenhouse effect is thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide, and Pro's Eric Wolff is following bills to reduce their uses. Plus, a supporter of nuclear power drops out of the presidential race. And, the Energy Department quietly publishes energy efficiency rules.
5 min
1362
Oil prices fall despite Iran tension
Despite last week's tensions between Iran and the U.S., global oil prices fell to the lowest point since last July, and on Sunday, multiple top American government officials were questioned on the Trump administration’s actions in the Middle East. Plus, USMCA is under the microscope of six Senate committees, and California's governor addresses the possibility of taking over the country's most controversial utility.
5 min
1363
Activists vow to cut fossil fuel's money flow
Environmental activists plan to announce a new effort to pressure big financial companies to divest from the fossil fuel industry. Pro's Zack Colman has details on what this strategy will consist of. Also, president Trump reverses his comments that climate is a hoax, even as he announces big changes to NEPA.
7 min
1364
Maryland takes the EPA to court over the Chesap...
The state seeks to pressure the EPA to take actions against Pennsylvania for ignoring its promise to reduce pollution runoff into the Bay. Pro's Annie Snider says this lawsuit could have legal repercussions for water preservation nationwide, but it could also be a political issue in 2020. Plus, the president says the situation in the Middle East is no threat for America's oil.
6 min
1365
Changes to NEPA are coming
The Trump administration is expected to announce changes to the environmental permitting rule that governs reviews for a variety of infrastructure projects. Pro's Zack Colman deepens on the significance of these changes. Plus, the Senate Energy Chairman says key nominations for executive offices will be frozen unless they get unanimous consent, and the Atlantic Coast pipeline project gets another loss in court.
5 min
1366
Congress retakes action on PFAS regulations.
After negotiators failed to include PFAS regulations in must-pass bills last year, House members are starting 2020 by taking up action on the chemicals. Pro’s Annie Snider has more details on this new push in Congress for more regulations. Plus, an American oil company pulls its U.S. employees from Iraq as fears rise about possible Iranian retaliation.
5 min
1367
Power shift: the past and future of energy policy
The 2010s was a decade marked by the rise of climate and energy policy as one of the top issues in national politics. And to start the 2020s, POLITICO's energy team takes a deep look at the biggest moments of the decade, and what's in store for this sector in the years ahead.
38 min
1368
Climate policy takes the stage
The last Democratic debate of the year, hosted by POLITICO and PBS Newshour, delivered a lengthy conversation on energy and climate policy. PRO's Eric Wolff explains the candidates' answers on the topic. Plus, FERC decides to curb wind, solar and nuclear power in the largest U.S. power market in a closely watched ruling.
7 min
1369
The 2020 Democratic race on climate
As 2020 candidates meet on the debate stage tonight, Pro’s Anthony Adragna analyzes their climate plans. Plus, Pro’s Gavin Bade and Eric Wolff walk us through a FERC decision today that could define a multi-state capacity market.
8 min
1370
Winners and losers of the tax extenders deal
As part of the 2020 spending package now heading to the Senate, lawmakers reached a deal with the Treasury Secretary over a package of tax extenders, which affects a number of energy producers. Pro's Eric Wolff details the winners and losers of this deal. Plus, Pro's Gavin Bade fleshes out the candidates' positions on carbon emissions ahead of Thursday's Democratic presidential debate, hosted by POLITICO and PBS.
8 min
1371
What's in the budget deal?
A finished bipartisan deal on the government budget for 2020 is expected to be signed next week, averting another December shutdown. Pro's Annie Snider reports why many of the Democrats' plans related to PFAS chemicals didn't make it to the final version of the deal. And, ahead of the Democratic presidential debate on Thursday, Pro's Ben Lefebvre breaks down the candidates' positions on oil and gas.
8 min
1372
The failures at COP 25
The UN climate summit started with an ambitious agenda to further global policy on climate change. Instead, Pro's Zack Colman says it resurfaced bad blood among parties of the Paris Climate Agreement. Plus, Pro's Gavin Bade explains how FERC could stop the climate agenda of many progressive Democratic presidential hopefuls. And, a special analysis of the Democratic candidates' views on nuclear power with Pro's Eric Wolff.
10 min
1373
The climate summit may end without a deal
The climate conference in Spain is coming to a close, and negotiations on global climate policies still appear to be far from successful. Pro's Zack Colman breaks down what's happened in Madrid. But in Capitol Hill, a deal on funding seems to be within reach, scaring away the ghosts of another government shutdown over the holidays.
6 min
1374
The EU considers carbon tariffs
The tariffs aim at leveling the playing field with respect to countries that haven't matched its climate change policies. Pro's Zack Colman explains how this would impact the US. Meanwhile, negotiations continue at the climate conference in Madrid. And, the new Energy secretary is sworn in.
4 min
1375
Key PFAS regulations are out of the defense bud...
Pro’s Annie Snider explains why House Democrats gave up on their effort to include two key provisions related to PFAS regulations in the National Defense Authorization Act. Plus, Exxon Mobil escapes a lawsuit in New York, and the EPA’s watchdog concludes one of its investigations into the agency’s chief of staff.
5 min