POLITICO Energy

Last year was the hottest ever around the world, and if the trend continues, it could spell trouble for politicians as around 4 billion voters head to ballot boxes in 2024. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down what to expect from the global temperature data that's set to be released this week and how it could impact international politics. Plus, the Supreme Court said it will not hear Alaska’s reque...

Rep. John Curtis of Utah, who’s been a consistent green voice on the right, is making climate change a core part of his campaign to replace Mitt Romney in the Senate. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down Curtis’ strategy, the complicated party dynamics he must navigate, and how his campaign could represent a test case for Republicans on climate change. Plus, federal officials say automakers sold mor...

Corporate environmental, social and governance policies will be back in the spotlight in 2024, with both parties gearing up for fights on Capitol Hill, in statehouses across the country and in the courts. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down how the conflict over ESG policies may play out in 2024. Plus, Shell has joined BP in complaining to federal regulators that Venture Global LNG is failing to...

The Biden administration’s updated rules for the electric vehicle tax credit took effect on Monday, slashing the number of the EVs that can qualify but giving consumers a chance to access the subsidy right when they purchase the vehicle. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down how these new regulations impact consumers, EV manufacturers, and President Joe Biden’s EV adoption efforts. Plus, the develo...

A federal judge ruled over the weekend that a landmark climate change lawsuit brought by children and young adults against the federal government could move forward, a victory for climate activists after eight years of legal tug-of-war. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the latest ruling and what’s next for the case. Plus, the developers of the embattled Mountain Valley Pipeline plan to dramatic...

It’s officially 2024, and the POLITICO Energy team is keeping a close eye on permitting reform, the Biden administration’s regulatory agenda, and the rollout of clean energy incentives – all with the November elections looming. POLITICO’s James Bikales previews what to expect in energy policy in 2024.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsle...

Energy and climate policies experienced numerous shifts in 2023, but fossil fuels continued to rise while extreme weather events became more frequent. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down the biggest events and trends in energy and climate policies this past year at home and abroad and how that will impact 2024.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free eveni...

Seven Western states are trying to hash out a long-term deal to share water supplies from the dwindling Colorado River once their current agreement expires in 2026. But opening negotiations aren’t going well after last week’s Colorado River users conference in Las Vegas. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down why the states are scrambling and how this issue could become the Biden administration’s pro...

Earlier this month, Michigan regulators approved a key permit to build a tunnel under the Great Lakes to house the controversial Line 5 oil pipeline, prompting pushback from environmental advocates. POLITICO’s Adam Aton breaks down the latest Line 5 news and how President Joe Biden now must navigate tricky pipeline politics in a swing-state during an election year. Plus, FERC on Tuesday launched a...

President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection pitch “Bidenomics,” which includes Inflation Reduction Act incentives for more domestic manufacturing, is falling flat with American voters. But leaders across the world can’t get enough of it. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why Bidenomics is working abroad despite flailing at home and why that matters for the climate. Plus, the United Kingdom will impose...

The United States has a monumental challenge ahead after it agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in the coming decades under last week’s COP28 climate deal. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén and Catherine Morehouse discuss that questions around decarbonizing the economy and the political, legal and technical challenges the US will face. Plus, the Biden administration issued initial parameters for a t...

U.S. green groups are warning the Biden administration that its approval of domestic fossil fuel projects in light of this year’s historic COP28 climate deal could impact President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down how US green groups are reacting after COP28 and what it means for the 2024 elections. Plus, the Biden administration issued guidance for a new t...

Nearly 200 countries finalized a last-minute, historic agreement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to transition away from fossil fuels. But some say the deal falls short of what needs to be done to slow down climate change. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Sara Schonhardt break down the final COP28 deal, what’s missing, and where international climate talks go from here. Plus, a new repor...

At the young age of 27, JB Hamby of California​​ is perhaps the most powerful negotiator in deliberations among seven states about how to share water from the rapidly shrinking Colorado River. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down Hamby’s rapid rise to one of the most powerful seats in the West and the huge responsibilities that come with it in determining the fate of the river that 40 million peopl...

GOP lawmakers arrived at the U.N. climate summit promoting U.S. fossil fuels and nuclear energy while also acknowledging the need to cut or capture carbon emissions. But they’re not talking about what will happen to their climate agenda if Donald Trump wins the presidency in 2024. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Republicans are trying to carve out their own climate agenda at COP28. Plus, th...

On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom released his version of a decade-long effort to transport more water from Northern California to the southern part of the state. It’s the most significant action he’s taken on the issue, but it faces potential challenges from environmentalists and local politicians. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down Newsom’s plan and its potential pitfalls. Plus,...

Saudi Arabia believes that emissions from renewable energy are a growing threat to the Earth’s climate. It’s a controversial stance from the world’s biggest oil player that could complicate the United Nations climate talks in Dubai. Corbin Hiar from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down the Saudi government’s stance and how it may impact COP28 negotiations. Plus, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told the P...

The race to become Puerto Rico’s next governor in November 2024 is heating up, and the territory’s ongoing energy issues are at the center of the campaign. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down the controversial energy plan from Jennifer González-Colón, the territory’s congressional representative who is running to unseat current Gov. Pedro Pierlusi Urrutia. Plus, the Supreme Court is denying an...

Electric vehicle sales just passed a significant milestone in the United States, and they’re expected to set records later this year globally. But the news isn’t all rosy just as upcoming elections in the United States and Europe are throwing the future of EVs into uncertainty. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the industry’s murky outlook. Plus, the Federal Trade Commission is investigating Ex...

Over the weekend, the Biden administration launched a major climate regulation that aims to cut methane emissions from the U.S. oil and gas industry by 80 percent through 2038. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details of the sweeping rule and the potential pushback. Plus, President Joe Biden’s climate envoy John Kerry and two major philanthropies announced a framework to assist countries th...

The Biden administration released long-awaited guidance on Friday for the electric vehicle tax credit that aims to clamp down on Chinese imports, but it also likely reduces the number of cars that can qualify. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the new rules and how they pose a potential risk to Biden’s EV adoption goals. Plus, the mood at the United Nations climate summit darkened significantly...

Countries kicked off this year’s United Nations climate summit with an agreement to create a loss and damage fund, which would help developing nations recover and rebuild from the impacts of climate change. But a separate deal to phase out fossil fuels is in trouble. POLITICO’s Sara Schonhardt breaks down what is and isn’t going well so far at COP28. Plus, the Biden administration is proposing to...

The United Nations' 28th climate COP begins today, with nearly 200 governments coming together to haggle over how the world can fight climate change in a year marked by record-high temperatures and a wave of climate-related disasters. This year’s conference is hosted by the United Arab Emirates, which has been mired in controversy because of its role as a major oil producer. POLITICO’s Zack Colman...

The Biden administration’s $7.5 billion federal program to build out the nation’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure hasn’t brought a single charger online in two years. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the sluggish rollout and how it will affect the administration’s EV goals. Plus, a new analysis from the Energy Department says California’s Salton Sea could help the United States meet i...

Companies are starting to keep quiet about their climate and sustainability goals and commitments — a trend known as greenhushing. It’s a dramatic shift from how companies in previous years would tout their environmental credentials. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the politics behind greenhushing and the polarization of sustainability in corporate America. Plus, leaked documents show that the...