POLITICO Energy

The Democratic National Convention begins this week, and congressional Democrats are pushing Vice President Kamala Harris to make clean energy and climate change a core part of her campaign messaging. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down why Democrats think the Biden-Harris’ climate record is a winning issue on the campaign trail and the potential Republican pushback. Plus, the U.S. is planning to c...

The Biden administration, Congress and U.S. companies are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into small nuclear reactors in the hope of reenergizing America’s nuclear fleet. But so far, not a single small nuclear reactor plant is operational in the country. Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down with Jake DeWitte, the CEO of Oklo, a Silicon Valley-based startup that’s racing to bui...

The Biden administration scored $93 million from offshore wind developers Wednesday in a lease auction for areas off the Atlantic coast, which is a good sign for the nascent industry that still faces political and economic headwinds. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down why the sale is the latest barometer for the industry and the challenges it still faces. Plus, Puerto Rico’s fragile power gr...

Automakers are looking to convince governments and customers that their electric cars aren't benefiting trade adversaries, and they’re turning to a new technology to help with that goal: battery passports. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down what the new technology is and how it’s gaining the attention of policymakers and manufacturers in the United States and European Union. Plus, President Joe...

Donald Trump has softened his attacks against electric vehicles after picking up Elon Musk’s endorsement. But EV industry officials say their relationship is unlikely to deter Trump from going after Joe Biden’s EV policies if he returns to the White House. POLITICO’s James Bikales and Josh Siegel discuss the EV policy implications of the Trump-Musk relationship. Plus, the Texas attorney general is...

The bipartisan energy permitting bill gaining momentum in the Senate could help President Joe Biden’s clean energy goals, but it could also put Vice President Kamala Harris in a tough spot with environmental activists. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down why Harris may face a permitting predicament in the next couple months. Plus, China is suing the European Union at the World Trade Organization ov...

The corporate world is expected to have a smaller-than-usual presence at this year’s global climate talks due to a confluence of factors: Donald Trump, the host country Azerbaijan, and numerous logistical challenges. Sara Schonhardt from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why the corporate presence likely won’t be as strong this year, and what that means for global efforts to fight climate change. Pl...

The top Republican position on the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee is up for grabs next Congress, and the race could have a big impact on the future of President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down with Kentucky GOP Rep. Brett Guthrie, who is a leading contender in that race. They discuss Guthrie’s energy stances, his vision for that committee, an...

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who Vice President Kamala Harris selected as her running mate, could help Democrats with their energy and climate messaging, which the party views as a key part of the 2024 campaign. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down Walz’s energy record, what he could bring to the ticket, and potential criticisms he might face from Republicans. Plus, the U.S. Court of Appeals for...

The Biden administration’s manufacturing and environmental justice goals are clashing in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, because of a proposed plastics recycling facility. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why this project is so controversial and how the administration is trying to navigate those tensions. Plus, the Biden administration is appealing a Louisiana federal court decision that...

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his administration are set to fight legal challenges against their landmark environmental justice law, which aims to protect millions of state residents in low-income areas and communities of color from heavy industrial pollution. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down the legal dispute and how it could be a major setback for residents and the Murphy administration. Plus,...

This week, a major permitting reform bill authored by Sens. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) cleared its first hurdle in a Senate committee. But the legislation still faces a difficult path forward during an election year. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down what’s in the bill and the challenges ahead. Plus, Senate appropriators unanimously advanced a $61.47 billion bill to fund the...

Some Democratic allies are calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to select Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as her running mate to ease concerns from the fossil fuel industry and its workers, many of whom are in labor groups. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Jordan Wolman discuss how Shapiro could potentially help the Harris campaign from an energy and political perspective in Pennsylvania. Plus, the Se...

Around the world, a mix of like-minded governments, diplomats and organizations are quietly preparing a global climate strategy in case Donald Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down this global effort and the Biden administration’s role in it. Plus, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is delaying the implementation of tariff increases on Chinese elect...

If Donald Trump wins the 2024 presidential election, he’s promised to dismantle President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate and clean energy agenda. But how much of that legacy could Trump actually roll back? POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the issue. Plus, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign pledged the likely Democratic presidential nominee would not ban fracking.  For more news on energ...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Catherine Morehouse sits down with former FERC Commissioner Allison Clements, who left the agency in June. They discuss the highlights of her term, how politics can hinder ambitious FERC efforts, what she thinks is ahead for the agency, and more.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico....

Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats’ likely presidential nominee, has an important political and climate choice as her campaign kicks into gear: how hard she should attack the oil industry. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down Harris’ antagonistic history with fossil fuel companies and what sort of factors her campaign must weigh. Plus, FERC Chair Willie Phillips expressed cautious optimism abou...

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is poised to become the Democratic nominee for president, is hoping her long environmental justice record will help her defeat Donald Trump in November. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down Harris' environmental justice resume and why she thinks it will be a winning strategy. Plus, House Republicans sparred with FERC's Democratic chair Wednesday over its sweeping t...

Americans are leasing electric vehicles at record levels because of a federal tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act. But that growth has been driven by what GOP critics call a “loophole” in the law, and they’ve vowed to repeal the incentive if they regain control of both houses of Congress. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the consumer interest in EV leasing, and why the GOP may put a stop...

If Vice President Kamala Harris succeeds in taking President Joe Biden’s place as the Democrats’ 2024 presidential nominee, she may seek to craft a more assertive environmental agenda than her current boss has. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down how Kamala Harris’ climate ambitions could exceed Biden’s. Plus, Senate Energy Chair Joe Manchin and ranking member Sen. John Barrasso struck a deal...

America is the leading exporter of liquified natural gas in the world, but its main customer, Europe, may not be interested in U.S. gas for that much longer. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the EU’s plans to wean itself off LNG and how that impacts American companies and politics. Plus, Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and quickly endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris, potent...

A new $5 billion deal could give the Navajo Nation, one of the country’s largest Native American reservations, better access to safe drinking water. But the agreement needs Congress’ approval, and there are significant obstacles ahead. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down why the deal is so important to the Navajo Nation and how Congress could upend it. Plus, the Energy Department is preparing to p...

Today is the last day of the Republican National Convention, and POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusses his on-the-ground reporting at the RNC and takeaways about how the GOP is approaching energy and climate change. Plus, a U.S. district court in Alaska suspended an oil lease sale awarded in the state’s Cook Inlet back in 2022.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch,...

GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has picked Sen. J.D. Vance to be his vice presidential candidate. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the Ohio Republican’s stances on energy and climate and what he would bring to a second Trump administration. Plus, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Tuesday upheld the Energy Department's decision to allow more LNG exports to non-free tra...

Environmental leaders have been strategizing for months about how to defend climate and clean energy during a second Trump administration. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down those extensive efforts while in Milwaukee covering the Republican National Convention. Plus, Sen. J.D. Vance, Donald Trump’s newly-anointed running mate, has been a strong backer of oil and natural gas drilling in the Midwest...