POLITICO Energy

The United States and China agreed to a surprise climate deal earlier this month that could boost the global climate negotiations starting this week. But the world’s two biggest emitters and economies remain at odds on tough questions, which may hinder how far the talks can go. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Sara Schonhardt break down the climate divide between Washington and Beijing heading into COP2...

Ever since the historic Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015, the oil and gas industry has grown bigger than ever despite countries ramping up efforts to rein in their greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a reality that climate negotiators must face as the United Nations Climate Change Conference begins at the end of this month. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why the industry has grown. Plus,...

Earlier this year, the Biden administration announced a historic deal to use Inflation Reduction Act cash to conserve nearly a billion gallons of water from the shrinking Colorado River through 2026. But a POLITICO investigation found that the federal money is driving up the payments for farmers and tribes to forego some of their water rights – and could make any long-term agreement to save the We...

A global push to make corporations account for their carbon footprints is raising questions about the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which hasn’t finalized its own corporate climate disclosure proposal from almost two years ago. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why the SEC isn’t in the driver seat for the global corporate climate disclosure race. Plus, the Environmental Protection Ag...

Democrats in the swing states of Pennsylvania and Virginia are weighing how much political capital they are willing to spend so their states participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative — a carbon trading program that’s been politically controversial since its inception. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the tricky politics in those states and how it’s a test for both Democrats and the...

The United States and China, the world’s two largest greenhouse gas emitters, reached a surprise climate deal this week. The agreement came together despite broader tensions between the two countries and just weeks before the United Nations Climate Change Conference begins in Dubai. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the details of the agreement, what’s missing, and how it’s a positive sign for th...

Federal officials on Tuesday released the latest comprehensive report on climate change, and it highlights the threat that global warming poses to the United States, particularly to elderly, children and low-income populations. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the report’s takeaways, how climate science has improved in the past four years, and if the Biden administration’s emission reductions go...

The United Arab Emirates, which is set to host the United Nations climate talks at the end of this month, is pushing secretive state-run oil companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, according to documents obtained by POLITICO. But environmentalists aren’t convinced the plan goes far enough, and they don’t trust the UAE to put together a green plan. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why...

West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin will not seek reelection to the Senate in 2024, leaving behind an enormous energy legacy and an empty seat as the top Democrat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino discusses Manchin’s energy legacy, which Democrat might take his committee assignment, and what Manchin might accomplish in his time left in the Senate. Plus, Ukr...

On Tuesday, a rural Michigan town voted to oust five local officials who backed tax breaks for a multi-billion dollar Chinese-affiliated battery plant. It’s a potential warning sign for President Joe Biden and Democrats’ clean energy agenda, and it could offer Republicans a winning political strategy in crucial swing states. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down how a tiny town sent a big messa...

The collapse of New Jersey’s ambitious offshore wind plan has put increasing pressure on New York and other Northeastern states to help President Joe Biden meet his clean energy goals. POLITICO’s Marie French and Ry Rivard break down the pressure on New York to rescue Biden’s wind plans. Plus, Pacific Gas and Electric has officially requested federal permission to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear po...

The Republican movement against environmental, social and governance investing is looking to take its message to the United Kingdom and spark a similar campaign there. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why anti-ESG advocates are targeting the UK and how their message is being received. Plus, U.S. annual solar generation is expected to overtake hydropower for the first time next year.   For more...

International climate negotiators finally reached an agreement this weekend on how to set up a fund that would help developing nations recover and rebuild from the impacts of climate change. But no one’s happy with the compromise agreement. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Sara Schonhardt breaks down the highlights of the deal, why it pleased no one and what it means for the upcoming United Nations cl...

The Treasury Department is expected to roll out long-awaited guidance interpreting a key piece of the Inflation Reduction Act’s electric vehicle tax credit in the coming weeks. And with these rules, the Biden administration must balance its EV adoption goals and congressional pressure to crack down on China. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down Treasury's complicated dilemma, along with the politi...

Starting today, world governments are making a last-ditch effort to save a historic agreement that supports victims of climate disasters. But countries are at odds over key details, which could derail the agreement and the upcoming United Nations climate summit in Dubai. POLITICO’s E&E News Sara Schonhardt breaks down the tense climate negotiations and why getting it done before COP28 is so import...

Orsted announced Tuesday it would cancel two of its largest offshore wind projects in New Jersey, a major setback for President Joe Biden and Democrats’ clean energy ambitions. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down why Orsted pulled out, how it impacts the offshore wind industry, and the political fallout. Plus, the Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office is moving ahead with a revised proposal...

The United Auto Workers union has reached tentative contract agreements with Detroit’s Big Three automakers, marking the end of a difficult chapter for President Joe Biden and a major moment in America’s electric vehicle transition. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down what the union won in the negotiations and the impact on the president’s political and EV goals. Plus, the Biden administration ap...

The Environmental Protection Agency is facing pressure to use a powerful and far-reaching air pollution program to regulate and reduce greenhouse gases. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the latest push, the opposition, and where the Biden administration might stand. Plus, the Department of Energy is sending $1.3 billion to help bolster power infrastructure across six states.   For more news on...

It’s been less than a week since Rep. Mike Johnson (R-L.A) was confirmed as House speaker, but the chamber has actually been quite busy on energy policy. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the latest energy legislation in the House and what it means for the upcoming scramble to keep Congress funded and avert a government shutdown. Plus, the United Arab Emirates will not repeat as the host of...

New House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), a climate change skeptic who hails from a top oil and gas-producing state, has a thin record on energy issues. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre dives into what the Washington energy world thinks about the Louisiana Republican and what his priorities might look like. Plus, some of Europe’s largest renewable energy and clean tech groups are warning that the continent w...

The Department of Energy made a controversial pitch to the fossil fuel industry this week: take our loans and use them to cut your emissions through new technology. So far though, there’s been little interest from the industry, and environmentalists are now upset with DOE’s outreach. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down DOE’s push. Plus, newly minted House Speaker Mike Johnson is already drawing th...

Negotiations among world governments about how to set up a new international climate fund are deadlocked, and it could threaten progress at next month’s United Nations Climate Change Conference. POLITICO’s Zia Weise breaks down the latest sticking points in the tense negotiations and how it could impact COP 28. Plus, General Motors reported Tuesday it’s losing $200 million per week due to the Unit...

Over the last two years, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has sharpened his environmental rhetoric and pushed climate change toward the top of his policy agenda – a notable evolution in political strategy highlighted by his trip to China this week. POLITICO’s Jeremy White breaks down why Newsom is embracing the role of climate champion right now and how his China trip fits into that political strategy...

Orsted, the company that’s planning to build New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm, made a deal with the state recently that shows it’s still financially committed to building the project. But the agreement could also allow Orsted to avoid making a $100 million payment – a third of the money the company owes to the state. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down the financial outlook of New Jersey’s first...

Republican lawmakers are accusing Jigar Shah, the head of the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office, of ethical lapses given his ties to the private sector. Shah, leader of an office that is crucial to President Joe Biden’s clean energy agenda, denied any wrongdoing. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down why lawmakers are targeting Shah, how he’s defending himself, and the broader GOP pushba...