POLITICO Energy

California state leaders are trying to come to an agreement on a new state policy that would prevent property insurance companies from pulling back in disaster-prone areas - and attempting to avoid Florida’s fate, where residents pay three times the national average rate for coverage. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down the push from California lawmakers, the criticisms, and where negotiatio...

The Treasury Department is hoping to define how new electric vehicles can qualify for a lucrative tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act by the end of this year. But Ford’s agreement to license Chinese battery technology is putting the Biden administration in a difficult spot between looking tough on Beijing while also reaching the president’s ambitious EV adoption goals. POLITICO’s James Bi...

Several Democratic-led states across the country are hoping to move off fossil fuels toward a clean energy transition. But their plans carry practical and political risks – including increases in utility bills – that could hurt Democrats heading into the 2024 elections. POLITICO’s Marie French examines this trend, how it’s playing out in New York, and the lessons Democrats can learn. Plus, the Tre...

The Biden administration’s decision on Wednesday to cancel Trump-era oil leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is fueling criticism from both sides of the aisle and comes at a complicated political moment for President Joe Biden. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the strategy behind the decision, if it impacts America’s oil production, and how environmentalists and the administratio...

Recent polls show that the public, including many Republican primary voters, aren’t interested in GOP politicians attacking corporations for integrating climate and social goals into their business plans. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why voters may be feeling this way and how Republican politicians are responding as the 2024 elections heat up. Plus, the Interior Department canceled oil dri...

The Community Alliance for Direct Air Capture is using a non-traditional, community-first approach to potentially build a direct air capture hub in California’s Central Valley – a fossil fuel hotspot with some of the nation’s worst air quality. The alliance’s strategy could become a model for other infrastructure projects critical to reaching the Biden administration’s climate goals. POLITICO’s Za...

As Congress returns from its August recess, POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and James Bikales discuss what lawmakers on the Hill and the Biden administration aim to accomplish in terms of energy and climate policy for the rest of the year, along with the tricky politics behind those issues.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https:/...

Wednesday's Republican presidential debate revealed that energy and climate change are going to be front and center in the 2024 election cycle, with attacks from the GOP field ranging from criticisms of clean energy subsidies to denial that climate change is real. POLITICO’s Matt Daily and Alex Guillén break down the takeaways from the debate and how energy and climate change will play a role in t...

Republicans are blaming the late-summer surge in gasoline prices on President Joe Biden’s green agenda, even though U.S. oil production is on track to set a new record this year. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why prices are continuing to rise at the pump and how this trend could factor into the 2024 election. Plus, a new study found climate change was a major driver behind the wildfires that...

California's largest agricultural water district is making controversial plans to conserve water and invest in solar panels. It’s a Biden-esque policy move prompted by the projected impacts of climate change and shifting political winds. But that strategy is prompting a power struggle within the district that could determine how water fights unfold across the state. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks dow...

The United Arab Emirates is considering creating one of the largest ever state-sponsored financial funds to spur clean energy projects, and the wealthy oil nation plans to unveil the fund at this year’s U.N. Climate Change Conference in Dubai. It’s a notable effort since the UAE is drawing backlash for its role as host of the global climate talks while also being one of the world's largest contrib...

After a more than year-long investigation, the Biden administration made a final determination that Chinese companies are funneling solar products through four Southeast Asian countries to avoid tariffs. The ruling will set up new duties on the solar industry in 2024 and likely reshuffle the supply chains for renewable energy equipment coming into the United States. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino br...

California is planning to build dozens of massive floating wind turbines in coastal waters off one of the state’s poorer, most remote areas at a scale and depth never before attempted in the world. It’s an important project to both the Biden administration and the Newsom administration’s climate goals, but it faces major financial, logistical, and community challenges. POLITICO’s Wes Venteicher br...

Louis DeJoy, who leads the United States Postal Service, has unexpectedly transitioned from one of Democrats’ biggest enemies during the Trump administration to a key player in President Joe Biden’s environmental agenda. POLITICO’s Hailey Fuchs breaks down DeJoy’s partnership with the White House and his green ambitions for the United States Postal Service. Plus, Former Trump Energy Secretary Dan...

On Monday, a group of young people in Montana won a historic lawsuit when a judge ruled that the state’s pro-fossil fuel laws and policies violated the state constitution. Climate advocates say it’s the first time a court has found a constitutional violation related to fossil fuels, but the ruling may be less seismic than it first appears. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details, implicati...

As the Inflation Reduction Act hits its first anniversary tomorrow, POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino break down how the law sparked a flood of clean energy spending in almost every state while simultaneously splitting conservatives across rural America in places like Michigan, Oklahoma, and New York.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free ev...

The powerful United Auto Workers union is threatening to strike soon if its concerns about America’s transition to electric vehicles aren’t addressed. That leaves the Biden administration in a difficult position between balancing its aggressive climate goals and 2024 political ambitions. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down what autoworkers are asking for and why a potential strike could have majo...

For months, 2024 Republican presidential nominees criticized corporations for integrating climate and social goals into their business plans and tied those practices to anti-woke sentiment. But now, many GOP politicians are abandoning it as a campaign issue that can help them reach the White House. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why sustainable investing is no longer a GOP campaign talking p...

The U.S. electric power sector is warning the Environmental Protection Agency that its proposed climate rule for power plants – a central piece of the Biden administration's climate agenda – is potentially unlawful and requires significant changes. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the sector’s concerns and the likely legal attacks against the rule. Plus, President Joe Biden said he has already...

The Agriculture Department is pouring $3 billion into a program that pays farmers to test out climate-friendly practices instead of forcing them to pay for excessive carbon emissions. The initiative has gained widespread support within the conservative farming industry, but some climate advocates aren’t convinced it will help. POLITICO’s Garrett Downs details why the program is popular with farmer...

The Biden administration is backtracking on its promise to end U.S. financial support for international fossil fuel projects, sparking an internal policy debate among top officials as they seek to balance climate goals, energy security, and diplomatic alliances. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down this controversial policy pivot, the tense dynamics within the Biden administration, and the climate a...

Across the country, there’s an increasingly coordinated network of activists and organizations that have succeeded in energizing political opposition to offshore wind projects, which is a major part of President Joe Biden’s clean energy strategy. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Benjamin Storrow traces the coalition’s growth and influence, along with how scientists and environmentalists are reacting....

Gas prices are on the rise nationwide due to oil production cuts, the extreme heat and strong fuel demand. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre digs deeper into whether this trend might continue and how the Biden administration is responding. Plus, EPA proposed rejecting the state of Alabama's program to oversee the closure of coal ash ponds, landfills and other waste sites.    For more news on energy and the...

The White House unveiled new guidance on Tuesday directing federal agencies to fully account for how their decisions impact the ecosystems the public depends on. It’s one of several efforts the Biden administration has underway to better assess the environmental benefits throughout the rulemaking process. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Jean Chemnick breaks down the impact of the new guidance. Plus,...

This year, the United States has been stepping up its efforts to secure the critical minerals that are needed for clean energy projects from countries like Mongolia, which is resource-rich and wedged between China and Russia. But making pacts to deliver these critical minerals to the U.S. isn't easy, and the stakes are high since the Biden administration’s climate goals are at risk. POLITICO’s E&E...