POLITICO Energy

Domestic solar manufacturers are asking the Biden administration to investigate a record influx of cheap Chinese-linked solar panel components flowing into the United States – once again testing the president’s ability to balance his clean energy ambitions and trade goals. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down why domestic solar companies are taking this action and the administration’s response...

For years now, coal’s role in power production has been dramatically declining, but the industry’s short-term outlook is also about to get worse. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the different political and regulatory challenges facing the coal industry and whether it has the political might to recover. Plus, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission just took a critical step aimed at bringing new nucl...

The cancellation of three offshore wind farms in New York is threatening the state’s clean energy goals along with President Joe Biden’s national climate agenda. POLITICO’s Marie French and Ry Rivard break down why the projects were canceled and how it’s a big deal for the state and the country. Plus, the Biden administration announced new details about the American Climate Corps and the Environme...

POLITICO Energy host Annie Snider sits down with Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) to talk about how the United States is at a critical juncture when it comes to accessing clean, safe and affordable water. Padilla, who is the leading voice on water issues in the chamber, discusses the Biden administration’s latest regulations, low-income assistance, and the Colorado River water crisis.    For more news...

Big tech companies are investing in nuclear energy to power their artificial intelligence and other data center operations. But that trend could drive up utility bills for customers and could undermine the reliability of the nation's power system. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why tech’s nuclear bet could have energy consequences. Plus, President Joe Biden’s controversial pause on new...

The Interior Department is preparing to reject a controversial mining road in the remote Alaskan wilderness – a decision that highlights how the administration is trying to balance its clean energy and conservation goals while not harming tribal communities. POLITICO contributor Adam Federman breaks down why the administration might reject the project and the stakes for the energy sector. Plus, th...

The World Bank, which begins its spring meetings today in Washington, is expected to play a key role in helping world governments fight climate change by giving them financing. But their efforts are facing geopolitical battles and key funding questions. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the bank’s obstacles and the climate stakes. Plus, the U.S. grid could support nearly 100 gigawatts of new powe...

Iran’s attack on Israel over the weekend has heightened tensions yet again in the Middle East, putting the global oil market on edge. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down how the Israel-Iran conflict could increase world oil prices. Plus, the Biden administration has rejected industry arguments that called for a weakened air pollution rule.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to...

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued new rules that would force hundreds of chemical plants across the country to reduce the cancer-linked chemicals they emit into the air – an important part of the Biden administration’s environmental justice agenda. But pushback from industry and legal challenges are expected. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the public health and climate benefits o...

The Biden administration approved another massive oil project in Texas, drawing criticism from environmental groups and highlighting the administration’s tricky balancing act on fossil fuel production. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down Biden’s ongoing oil conundrum. Plus, the Biden administration is urging a federal court to reconsider its Line 5 shutdown order.   For more news on energy and th...

The Biden administration has finalized the first national standard to limit dangerous “forever chemicals” in the nation’s drinking water – the most significant upgrade to the system in over three decades. But the regulation will come with a hefty price tag and potential legal challenges. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the details, importance and steep cost of this rule. Plus, the backlog of c...

Former President Donald Trump's potential return to the White House hangs over the upcoming United Nations negotiations aimed at securing a global plastics treaty agreement by the end of the year. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the importance of reaching a deal and how Trump is influencing the talks. Plus, U.S. coal exports are projected to decrease this year due to the deadly collapse of th...

The Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office has only spent a fraction of the $200 billion pot it could use to fund ambitious new energy projects. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down why DOE’s LPO is moving slowly and what would happen to the remaining money under a second potential Donald Trump presidency. Plus, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says the Port of Baltimore could be fully functional by...

The U.S. power grid is facing growing domestic and international threats, and U.S. regulators say the risks are likely to climb as the 2024 election season ramps up. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the latest warning from the nation's grid reliability authority. Plus, the 4.8 magnitude earthquake that hit parts of the East Coast on Friday seemingly did not damage any major power grid in...

The Energy Department is dramatically walking back new energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers – a move that highlights how the Biden administration is trying to balance its climate agenda and concerns from lawmakers, industry groups, and pro-union allies in an election year. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why DOE is scaling down the rule and how Biden’s climate agenda is w...

The Environmental Protection Agency announced this morning it will distribute $20 billion to eight groups through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a major climate initiative under the Inflation Reduction Act that aims to spur clean energy in places long overlooked across the country at a time when the U.S. is struggling to meet President Joe Biden’s climate goals. POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusse...

The Export-Import Bank of the United States is considering pouring billions of dollars into two massive foreign gas projects, which could put the independent federal agency at odds with the Biden administration’s climate agenda and pledge to transition off fossil fuels. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Biden officials are responding and the awkward reality they face with independent federal...

The Biden administration is pushing to revive a shuttered nuclear power plant in Michigan, but environmental justice and anti-nuclear activists are rejecting the president’s pitch. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse and Kelsey Tamborrino break down the tricky politics of restarting the Palisades nuclear plant. Plus, the Biden administration is handing out $4 billion to help spur domestic manufacturing...

Electricity demand in the United States is projected to skyrocket over the next decade, partly because of the rising power needs of data centers and electric vehicles. That poses big challenges for the power grid. Today, host Catherine Morehouse sits down with Rob Gramlich, founder and president of consulting firm Grid Strategies, to discuss whether the grid can handle this surge in power demand —...

The Biden administration issued a final rule this week that aims to curb methane leaks from oil and gas drilling on federal and tribal lands. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details, impact and pushback to this rule. Plus, China says an expansive list of U.S. subsidies for clean energy production under the Inflation Reduction Act is a violation of World Trade Organization rules.    For mor...

Congressional lawmakers are once again negotiating a permitting deal, but time is running out before key negotiators depart from Congress or their respective committees at the end of 2024. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the latest in the permitting talks and the challenges that remain. Plus, the Biden administration plans to issue a loan guarantee of up to $1.52 billion to restart a shuttered...

The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge is disrupting coal exports and will likely have a significant impact on the auto sector. POLITICO’s James Bikales and Alex Guillén break down the major energy impacts of the bridge collapse. Plus, the Interior Department approved the seventh commercial-scale offshore wind project under President Joe Biden.   For more news on energy and the envir...

Oil and gas executives don’t like President Joe Biden’s regulatory efforts to rein in fossil fuels, but they’re also not eager for a second Trump administration. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre details what industry executives told him at CERAWeek about Biden and Trump heading into the 2024 election. Plus, House Speaker Mike Johnson has selected Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican, to serve as the...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down with Rep. Garret Graves (R-La), one of the most influential lawmakers on energy and climate issues in the Republican party. They discuss GOP views on climate, the role of Donald Trump as party leader, Republican attacks on the Inflation Reduction Act, and what Graves would do in permitting negotiations with Democrats.   For more news on energy and...

President Joe Biden’s three FERC nominees appear to face a relatively smooth path through the Senate following their highly anticipated confirmation hearing on Thursday. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the biggest takeaways. Plus, as the confirmation hearing was underway, FERC had an open meeting where it upheld critical components of its landmark transmission rule and launched a probe...