POLITICO Energy

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin made several big moves this week: ending all offices and positions related to environmental justice, terminating $20 billion in Biden-era climate and housing grants, and launching a major deregulatory effort that includes seeking to overturn the federal government’s core scientific finding about the dangers of greenhouse gases. POLITICO’s Al...

Despite Trump administration officials touting their moves to boost oil and gas, the head of one of America’s largest utilities said renewable projects remain more attractive because of a shortage of natural gas turbines. POLITICO Energy Editor Matt Daily breaks down the somewhat contradictory messages coming out of CERAWeek, if there’s anything Trump can do to solve this problem and what this mea...

Twenty-one House Republicans are pushing their party to preserve some of the clean energy tax credits in the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, and they’re warning that they could oppose the GOP’s multi trillion-dollar tax-cut package if those credits are repealed. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and James Bikales discuss why some Republicans are defending those IRA incentives and how it complicates Presi...

CERAWeek, the biggest annual energy conference in the world, kicks off today in Houston, Texas where thousands of energy executives, leaders, lobbyists and Trump administration officials will gather to discuss the state of the industry. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down how the industry is feeling publicly and privately about the Trump administration so far and what to expect from the conference...

By law, Puerto Rico has committed to getting 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. But that mandated effort is being threatened by Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón, a fossil fuel advocate and ally of President Donald Trump’s. POLITICO deputy energy editor Gloria Gonzalez breaks down how Puerto Rico’s new governor is putting the territory’s clean energy transition in doubt. Plus, the Trump administrat...

President Donald Trump’s speech to the joint session of Congress on Tuesday night revealed a lot about his administration’s energy priorities moving forward. POLITICO Energy editor Matt Daily analyzes what Trump said and what it means for American energy policy moving forward. Plus, President Trump on Wednesday decided to delay for a month a portion of the 25 percent tariffs he imposed on Canada a...

The Supreme Court imposed new limits on EPA’s ability to regulate water pollution on Tuesday. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the ruling, how the case involved strange political alliances, and what this means for EPA and America’s water quality moving forward. Plus, America's oil industry has been pretty muted about President Donald Trump’s new tariffs despite the trade moves financially hurti...

The Department of Government Efficiency has hobbled the federal agency that delivers water across California, a move that inadvertently undercuts President Donald Trump’s plan to address the state’s water crisis. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down how DOGE's actions are in direct conflict with the president’s policy goals. Plus, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Monday r...

The second Trump administration has put the environmental movement on the defensive, and green groups are scrambling for a new strategy that can meet the moment. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the anxious mood among environmentalists and their game plan moving forward. Plus, Republicans are continuing to attack regulations passed under the Biden administration through Congressional Review Act...

The Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to reverse a landmark scientific finding that’s the foundation for major climate change regulations. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down why EPA is going after this finding, the potential legal pushback, and what’s at stake for US climate policy now and for future administrations. Plus, EPA intends to cut 65 percent of its spending.  Alex Guillén...

The United States and Ukraine have agreed on the terms for a minerals-for-aid deal, and the two countries could sign it this week. But it’s unclear if Ukraine’s reserve of critical minerals can meet President Donald Trump’s expectations. Hannah Northey from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down what we know about the deal so far and how significant it is from a minerals standpoint. Plus, EPA is attempti...

President Donald Trump’s environmental chief is vowing to reclaim $20 billion in congressionally mandated climate grants issued by the Biden administration, but one of the grant recipients is moving ahead with plans to spend the money. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how EPA’s controversial pursuit has escalated in recent days and the political fallout. Zack Colman covers climate change for PO...

State leaders are growing increasingly concerned about the mounting costs of natural disasters in light of the Trump administration’s moves to cut government spending and jobs related to disaster preparation and recovery. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why state officials are worried about handling natural disasters without a lot of help from the federal government. Plus, EPA told its workforc...

President Donald Trump is fundamentally changing how the federal government conducts environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act, a landmark law enacted in 1970. Hannah Northey from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why the president is changing this review process, what he is replacing it with and how this could impact America’s environment. Plus, a bill that would require maj...

President Donald Trump’s unprecedented push to take control of independent agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission could send a shock wave through the energy industry. POLITICO’s Cat Morehouse breaks down the legal viability of Trump’s push, how it could affect the agencies in the short-term and long-term, and the reaction from energy industries...

POLITICO’s Josh Siegel recently interviewed Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is urging the Trump administration to fulfill the clean energy contracts signed by the Biden administration and to treat all types of energy production the same. Siegel discusses his takeaways from the interview ahead of Stitt’s visit to D.C. this week for governors’ meetings. Plus, environmental groups filed law...

Terminations have hit all of the major federal energy and environmental agencies in recent days as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to shrink the federal workforce. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down which agencies have been affected, how the firings represent the most aggressive action against bureaucracy in modern Washington history, and the reaction from lawmakers. Plus, a to...

The Trump administration’s decision to halt funding for America’s federal EV charging program is throwing states into disarray and causing uncertainty for the country’s EV future. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down how states and Congress are reacting to Trump’s pause. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is the managing produce...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview with Jigar Shah, the former director of the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office under the Biden administration where he oversaw billions of dollars in government loans to America’s energy sector. Siegel and Shah discuss Biden’s clean energy legacy, the second Trump administration, the future of government financing...

President Donald Trump announced new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States - a move that mirrors a similar policy he enacted during his first term. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the potential impact of these new tariffs on energy-related industries and the lessons learned from the first-term tariffs. Plus, President Trump declared that his administration would...

Senate lawmakers are kicking off work this week on their budget blueprint that aims to unlock President Donald Trump's legislative agenda, including spurring U.S. energy development. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the details of that blueprint and why Republicans are still divided over how to advance Trump’s agenda. Plus, the Trump administration said in a recent court filing that the Energy D...

The Trump administration is halting a $5 billion program to help build out the nation’s EV charging network, which upends years of federal precedent and raises legal questions. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the suspension and how it’s a significant blow for America’s EV transition. Plus, a budget blueprint released Friday by Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) lays the groundwork fo...

The Trump administration has made several moves that are disrupting one of the most critical and bipartisan functions of government: providing clean, safe and affordable water. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down how the administration is causing uncertainty for America’s water system and the reaction from lawmakers. Plus, an aide for the Department of Government Efficiency is now listed in the De...

An internal memo reviewed by POLITICO this week shows that the Environmental Protection Agency began partially lifting the Trump administration’s spending freeze for some environmental programs after a court order this week, according to a memo reviewed by POLITICO. James Bikales breaks down which programs are and aren’t disbursing funds, and how lawmakers are reacting. Plus, oil giant Chevron Cor...

President Donald Trump’s decision to delay tariffs on Mexico and Canada gives US consumers and the oil and gas industry some breathing room – at least for now. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the impact of these looming energy tariffs and the reaction from the industry. Plus, senior officials at the Energy Department encouraged staff during a Monday town hall to consider the offer to resign fr...