POLITICO Energy

President Donald Trump said this week that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is effectively over. What does that mean for the world's energy markets and, by extension, consumers' wallets? Could renewed tensions reshape the political landscape with the midterm elections approaching? POLITICO's James Bikales breaks down the economic and political consequences of the latest escalation....

Experts are warning that federal job cuts imposed by President Donald Trump are starting to have an effect on weather forecasts, raising worries about that communities could be unprepared for extreme conditions. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why some meteorologists are concerned, the response from the Trump administration, and what it could mean for communities across the country. Plus, scorc...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview with Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia. They discuss the state's first-of-its-kind data center energy tax, her affordability agenda and the Democratic party's energy and climate messaging ahead of the midterm elections. Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-hos...

The United States and Europe are both suffering through dangerous heat waves this summer, but their political leaders are telling very different stories about why and what to do about it. POLITICO’s Chelsea Harvey breaks down how dangerous these heat waves are, the role climate change is playing and why U.S. and E.U. leaders are responding so differently to the same problem. Plus, the World Bank i...

 Today, POLITICO Energy host Manuel Quiñones sits down for an extended interview with Loren Blackford, executive director of the Sierra Club, one of the nation's leading environmental advocacy organizations. They discuss the group’s standing, the challenges facing the environmental movement under President Donald Trump, and the group's strategy heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Nirmal Mulai...

The oil industry received some welcome news this week as the United States and Iran agreed to a temporary ceasefire, raising hopes for greater certainty around shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. But President Donald Trump also directed the Justice Department to investigate major oil companies over alleged price gouging. POLITICO's James Bikales breaks down how the Trump–Big Oil alliance is get...

Today, POLITICO Energy reporter Kelsey Tamborrino sits down for an exclusive interview with Laura Swett, the chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, after the agency released a new strategy recently for managing the growing demand data centers are placing on America’s power grid. They discuss why FERC rejected a one-size-fits-all national rule and what this historic decision means for t...

Today, POLITICO Energy reporter Kelsey Tamborrino sits down for an extended interview with Ho Nieh, the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They discuss how the agency is at the center of America’s nuclear revival, the NRC’s relationship with the Trump administration, ongoing concerns about safety and regulatory independence, and what it will take to bring more nuclear energy online in...

POLITICO’s deputy editor-in-chief Joe Schatz sits down for an exclusive interview with Laura Swett, the chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. They discuss how FERC might regulate energy-hungry data centers in the near future, rising power demand across the country, the controversy surrounding the nation’s largest grid operator, and what Swett wants to change about energy permitting in...

While Democratic leaders are pledging to restore wind and solar tax credits if they regain control of Congress and the White House, some clean energy developers are questioning whether continuing to pursue those incentives is necessary or even politically wise. POLITICO's Nico Portuondo breaks down why Democrats and parts of the renewable energy industry are increasingly at odds over those credits...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican who leads a state that relies heavily on both oil and wind power while enjoying some of the nation's lowest electricity prices. They discuss how the Trump administration's energy agenda is affecting the state, including restrictions on new wind and solar projects, rising...

The oil industry is telling the Trump administration that oil and fuel stockpiles are running dangerously low and that global energy prices could spike in a matter of weeks. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why the warning is coming now, how the Trump administration is responding, and the impact on consumers and the global economy. Plus, President Donald Trump is expected to invoke the Defense...

As the Trump administration pushes to expand fossil fuel infrastructure, it may have found some unexpected allies: Democratic governors in New England. POLITICO's Ben Storrow breaks down what's driving that shift in a region long defined by its climate ambitions, how the White House and green groups are responding, and what it could mean for the future of Democratic energy policy. Plus, seven stat...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview with David LaCerte, a Republican commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. They discuss FERC’s highly anticipated proposal on connecting AI data centers to the power grid, the turmoil surrounding America’s largest power grid operator PJM Interconnection, rising electricity costs, permitting reform, whether...

The governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey announced plans this week to build guardrails around data center development -- the latest sign that states are taking a more active role in shaping how and where data centers get built amid worries about soaring electricity prices, grid reliability and community impacts. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down what the two Democratic governors are pro...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Arianna Skibell sits down with Matt Abele, the executive director of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association who serves on Governor Josh Stein’s Clean Energy Task Force. They discuss why North Carolina, which was one of the South's earliest and biggest adopters on clean energy, is slowing down its climate and green ambitions and what that trend reveals about a...

On Thursday, the Trump administration postponed a regulation requiring grocery stores to buy climate-friendly models when they purchase new refrigeration systems – an effort to tamp down skyrocketing grocery prices that’s opposed by U.S. manufacturers. POLITICO’s Jean Chemnick breaks down why the administration delayed the rule, if it will actually help lower rising food prices -- and why that mov...

The massive $67 billion merger of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, two of the largest utility companies in the nation, will face a regulatory gauntlet at the state and federal level amid concerns about energy affordability and rising power demand. POLITICO’s Adam Aton breaks down the details of the potential merger, the difficult regulatory process ahead, and the stakes for the utility industry...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Manuel Quiñones sits down for an extended interview with Josh Levi, the president and CEO of the Data Center Coalition, the primary trade group for major tech companies and data center developers. They discuss concerns about data centers’ energy usage, data center moratoriums, how big an electoral issue data centers could become, and the industry's response to mounting...

President Donald Trump’s meetings this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping come as the Iran war is rattling global energy markets and raising new questions about energy security. POLITICO’s Scott Waldman and Sara Schonhardt break down the energy stakes behind the talks and how the conflict could ultimately help Beijing strengthen its long-term position in the global energy race. Plus, watchdog...

President Donald Trump and some congressional Republicans are pushing to suspend the federal gas tax amid rising pump prices, accelerating inflation, and no end in sight to the Iran war. POLITICO’s Amelia Davidson discusses the political hurdles on Capitol Hill and whether suspending the tax would actually make a meaningful difference for Americans. Plus, the U.S. Energy Information Administration...

Today, POLITICO Energy guest host Sophia Cai, a White House reporter, sits down for an extended interview with Jarrod Agen, the executive director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council. They discuss the Trump administration’s effort to drive new investment in Venezuela after Nicholas Maduro’s capture, if there will be Democratic elections in Venezuela soon, the energy fallout from...

Clean energy companies across the country are racing ahead of a July deadline to secure federal tax credits and incentives that have helped drive the rapid expansion of wind and solar power. But as those incentives begin to phase out, big questions loom about whether the U.S. clean energy industry will stumble or stand strong. POLITICO’s Pavan Acharya breaks down the scramble, the stakes, and whet...

Fervo Energy, a little-known geothermal company, is targeting up to a $6.5 billion valuation in a U.S. IPO — a sign that the industry that produces electricity from the Earth's heat may be turning a corner, at least in terms of investor confidence. POLITICO’s Christa Marshall breaks down what’s behind the company’s ambitious valuation, where Congress and the Trump administration stand, and whether...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a leading voice of the party on a range of issues and a rumored 2028 presidential candidate. They discuss Gallego's 32-page energy policy plan, rising electricity prices, data centers, climate change, and why energy affordability should be Democrats’ number priority heading into the 20...