POLITICO Energy

Today, after a decade-long fight, the Energy Department has begun to enforce rules meant to accelerate the phaseout of incandescent light bulbs. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the new regulations, Washington’s political and culture war over light bulbs, and how the larger fight over energy efficiency standards is still looming. Plus, the first new U.S. nuclear reactor to be built from sc...

The White House released a draft regulation on Friday that would implement permitting provisions in the June debt ceiling law designed to enable faster building of both fossil fuel and clean energy infrastructure projects. But the rule goes beyond what's specifically required by that legislation and includes climate and equity factors that are sparking pushback from Republicans.  POLITICO’s Josh S...

On Thursday, the Supreme Court cleared a legal pathway for the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline to resume construction, likely ensuring the natural gas project can be built and start operating by the end of the year. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén and Ben Lefebvre discuss the high court’s ruling, why the pipeline may still face legal jeopardy, and the reaction from lawmakers. Plus, President Joe Bi...

Energy companies have struggled to finance their offshore wind power projects, threatening a key part of President Joe Biden’s clean energy transition. The Biden administration is hoping the offshore wind industry will produce at least enough power for 10 million American homes by 2030. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down the industry’s financial woes and why 2023 could be a decisive year. Plus, fede...

President Joe Biden could potentially face multiple labor strikes within a matter of months or even weeks, threatening his long-term clean energy goals, pro-labor union image, and 2024 political ambitions. POLITICO’s Zack Colman takes us inside the president’s rocky relationship with Big Labor and the political and climate stakes. Plus, a federal court has overturned EPA's order requiring the trou...

The Biden administration announced on Monday that it will distribute $350 million this summer for states to tackle methane emissions from oil and gas wells, which is a potentially significant policy for fighting climate change in the near and long-term. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down which states will be receiving the most funding and why methane policy is important for the Biden administrati...

Several major energy industry executives who backed former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election are now donating to his GOP competitors ahead of the 2024 election. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Robin Bravender breaks down the possible reasons behind this trend and how it may impact Trump’s 2024 election hopes. Plus, two House GOP committee chairs are launching a probe into Ford Motor Company...

The carbon offset market has become so clouded by oversight problems, dodgy accounting and scandals that it's losing credibility. POLITICO EU's Federica Di Sario reports on the effort to save the market. Plus, on Thursday, Senate appropriators unanimously approved a more than $58 billion dollar bill to fund the Energy Department, Army Corps of Engineers and Interior water programs. Learn more abou...

The United States and China did not reach any new climate agreements after Special climate envoy John Kerry's trip to Beijing, but officials from the two countries promised to keep talking. POLITICO's Zack Colman goes inside the talks and where they go from here. Plus, the Energy Department denied a decade-old petition from environmental groups to issue a rule on how it reviews applications to exp...

California Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing a plan to share electricity with other Western states. While studies have shown regional energy-sharing could have significant financial, climate and energy benefits, previous proposals failed to pass the California State Legislature. POLITICO’s Wes Venteicher breaks down the details of California’s power-sharing plan and the challenges it faces. Plus, S...

The world has been hit by several milestone climate disasters recently. And while those events are unfolding largely as predicted because of climate change, the speed of their arrival has stunned some experts. POLITICO's Zack Colman breaks down how world governments are reacting to these record-breaking disasters and if it’s too late to take meaningful climate action. Plus, the Supreme Court is di...

Over the past year, proposals to insure communities against economic losses caused by climate change, known as climate risk insurance, have gained traction. But there’s an international debate about those plans: some countries argue there are significant financial, practical and moral concerns, while others say climate risk insurance is an essential element of preparations for a warming world. POL...

After Hurricane Ian hit southwest Florida last fall, many coastal middle- and working-class homeowners whose properties suffered damages moved out because of rules requiring expensive rebuilds. It’s yet another example of how worsening disasters tied to climate change are altering the lives of everyday Americans. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Hurricane Ian affected the beach communities i...

The Mountain Valley Pipeline’s controversial southern extension, known as the Southgate Expansion project, is facing a much more difficult path forward compared to the main pipeline as it navigates significant legal, regulatory and political challenges. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why Southgate is so important to the long-term success of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, the different o...

Construction on part of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline has temporarily stopped because of a federal court ruling, and the project’s developer now says it's considering taking the case to the Supreme Court. It's the latest twist in the legal saga surrounding the proposed 303-mile pipeline, which would transport natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks d...

House Republicans are kicking off “ESG month,” including votes and holding hearings to scrutinize how corporations integrate climate and social goals into their business plans. POLITICO’s Zach Warmbrodt breaks down what the GOP is trying to achieve and why criticizing ESG investing is actually a delicate policy issue for House Republicans. Plus, last week was the hottest in recorded world history,...

The developers of New York’s offshore wind projects are asking for increased subsidies from the state’s taxpayers, arguing that their work may not move forward without additional funding. But their requests raise questions about the viability of those projects, which in turn threaten the state’s ambitious climate targets and efforts to become a hub for the nascent offshore wind industry. POLITICO’...

President Joe Biden is aiming to build a national network of reliable electric vehicle chargers so that EV owners can travel long-distance without hitting charging deserts. But the Biden administration estimates it only has about a fraction of the funds to reach that goal and must also manage supply chain constraints, pushback from GOP-led states and an evolving private sector. POLITICO’s James Bi...

The European Union is investing billions of dollars into the production of hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel that’s expected to create jobs and help fight climate change. But as of now, the United States is attracting more hydrogen investment and has its sights set on overtaking Europe. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the transatlantic interest in hydrogen, why the US is currently a more attracti...

The proposed plan to pull Puerto Rico’s government-owned utility out of bankruptcy and cut its debt is receiving forceful pushback from many residents and environmental groups, which argue it could increase already high electric bills and contribute to the island’s expensive cost of living. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down the efforts behind Puerto Rico’s utility bankruptcy plan and why it h...

During California’s state budget negotiations this week, Governor Gavin Newsom fought for last-minute changes to accelerate energy infrastructure permitting, testing the state legislature’s autonomy and sparking policy disagreements. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down the changes to the state’s landmark environmental law, the pushback, and parallels to federal permitting reform efforts. Plu...

The push toward electric vehicles in the United States and European Union is actually creating a giant strategic opportunity for China, whose carmakers already dominate global markets for batteries and clean energy technology. And the threat of Beijing taking over the electric vehicle industry across the two continents is shaping debates about jobs, trade and the fight against climate change. E&E...

Climate change is destabilizing the insurance market, with some insurers pulling out of areas heavily impacted by extreme weather. In response, the Treasury Department is calling on insurers and state regulators to ramp up their efforts to evaluate risks posed by climate change. POLITICO’s Jasper Goodman breaks down the department’s new recommendations and the Biden administration’s wider effort t...

Billions of dollars in infrastructure spending could be wasted because the federal government is relying on an outdated weather model, according to a new study from climate research firm First Street Foundation. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how federal dependence on that model presents multiple risks for state and local governments and potentially wastes taxpayer money. Plus, a global panel...

Several cities and neighborhoods in the United States are experiencing climate gentrification – the process in which wealthier people move to areas less impacted by climate change. Often as a result, disadvantaged residents are priced out of their neighborhoods due to rising property values, taxes, rents, and other economic factors. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down what’s driving this trend...