POLITICO Energy

Far right or populist leaders across the world have co-opted climate change and made it part of their culture wars. They say the ongoing energy crisis was exacerbated by international institutions and green policies being promoted at global climate conferences like COP27. That’s alarmed green advocates, who say populism poses a major threat to addressing global warming. POLITICO’s Matt Daily break...

COP27, the 27th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, kicked off on Sunday, and the U.S. appears to be showing a new willingness to pay loss and damage to nations already suffering from the ravages of climate change. But the stance appears to be predicated on one big caveat: China should also contributes, since it’s the leading greenhouse gas emitter and is expected to be so for decades...

Consumers across the country are footing the bill for billions of dollars in transmission upgrades. And yet, many state regulators have little insight into how that money is actually being spent, particularly regarding local and small transmission projects. That’s leading FERC and utilities to clash about how much oversight there should be. POLITICO’S Catherine Morehouse breaks down why regulators...

COP27 kicks off Sunday in Egypt, where countries will dig into climate finance, reparations and impactful green commitments at the annual UN summit. POLITICO’s Zack Colman recaps where things stand after last year's climate conference and the major upcoming themes to expect in this year’s negotiations. Plus, a new report from the Government Accountability Office rebuked EPA and DOE over its small...

New Jersey environmental regulators released a flood rule last week that shows the state is trying to balance construction interests and environmental concerns. It aims to beef up building standards to protect communities and better prepare for extreme weather. But it also includes an exemption for the state’s Department of Transportation, New Jersey’s largest builder. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks...

Republicans have blamed President Joe Biden for the jump in gasoline prices that have plagued drivers this year. But a POLITICO review of federal data shows that compared to the early months of the Trump administration, Biden’s Interior Department has approved new oil and gas wells at a far faster clip produced more crude oil over the same period. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down that data. Plu...

As the November midterm elections approach, Republicans are predicted to take back the House and potentially the Senate. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel discusses what House GOP lawmakers might prioritize in terms of energy policy and the broader limits the party faces. Plus, President Joe Biden urged Congress on Monday to hike taxes on oil and gas companies' record profits but did not endorse a specific p...

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are rattled because of a recent energy trend: Chinese energy companies snapping up American natural gas exports, purchasing nearly half the cargoes that U.S. companies agreed to ship in the last year. And some of those companies are actually working against U.S. interests. POLITICO’s Gavin Bade breaks down why lawmakers are growing more concerned, what they are...

Biden administration officials are holding several meetings over next several days with European energy officials to discuss two major topics: how to keep energy flowing to Europe and how to ease growing tensions about the United States’ role as the continent’s leading gas supplier. While Europe has turned to the U.S. to help with its energy needs after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the continent...

Senate Democrats have privately urged SEC chairman Gary Gensler to consider additional feedback on a variety of regulations that are making Wall Street nervous. That includes the commission’s climate risk rule, which would require companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and be held accountable for their climate promises. POLITICO’s Declan Harty breaks down why moderate Democrats are p...

A group of congressional Democrats is calling on JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo to stop working with the conservative State Financial Officers Foundation, which Democratic lawmakers say spreads misinformation about sustainable and green investing. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman discusses why this issue is attracting attention from Democrats, how influential the foundation has been across the country and...

The trade relationship between the United States and South Korea is under new pressure as the Biden administration implements its tax credits for electric vehicles from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. POLITICO’s Steven Overly discusses how the domestic production and content portions of those credits is angering South Korea and how the Biden administration is responding. Plus, the Fed...

Americans should brace for steep winter power bills as demand for natural gas has spiked globally, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why the Biden administration has limited options to lower those bills. Plus, the state of Missouri loses its challenge to President Joe Biden’s social cost of carbon.   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter...

Democrats on the campaign trail are blasting oil companies for high gasoline prices and accusing Republicans of being too cozy with Big Oil. But that messaging strategy is overshadowing Democrats’ major legislative achievement this Congress: the $369 billion climate bill that President Joe Biden signed into law just two months ago. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the reasons for that strategy,...

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that its continuing to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in an effort to bring down gas prices before the November midterm elections. But the administration is holding back on more dramatic and riskier actions while also facing criticism over gas prices from Republicans. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the White House’s latest move...

Minnesota’s grid regulator and the state utility, Xcel Energy, are at odds over a $197 million proposal to build out hundreds of electric vehicle charging stations across the state. This battle is seen as the first big test case for whether EV charging stations should be in public or private hands. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse talks about why regulators put the brakes on the proposal and the bro...

The recent controversial remarks from the World Bank’s president David Malpass, in which he repeatedly dodged questions about climate science, may have given climate advocates and several western countries an opening to force the institution to adopt stronger green policies. But some countries, particularly in Africa, are skeptical of those changes. POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusses issues raised b...

Last month, when Hurricanes Ian and Fiona made landfall, they knocked out power for 2.7 million people in Florida along with the entire island of Puerto Rico. But residents who relied specifically on solar power during the storms say their systems performed well and were critical to keeping the lights on. That success could help solar supporters dealing with regulatory and legislative battles arou...

It’s been almost a decade since Hurricane Sandy devastated several Northeastern states, causing nearly $82 billion in damages and over 100 deaths. And according to a new report, New York City, which was one of the hardest hit places, has only spent nearly a quarter of the $15 billion it received in emergency relief. POLITICO’s Danielle Muoio Dunn breaks down why the recovery efforts in New York ar...

Former Trump Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who departed the administration under a cloud of ethics scandals, has struggled to pull away in a three-way Montana race for a House seat. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre discusses why this congressional race is unique, what’s working in Zinke’s favor, and how his challengers have brought his record into the spotlight. Plus, the Interior Department has launched...

Gas prices have climbed sharply in California, with Gov. Gavin Newsom calling a special session of the state legislature to consider a windfall profit tax on oil companies in response. POLITICO’s California Playbook author Lara Korte breaks down why prices are increasing in California and the likelihood of a windfall profit tax. Plus, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sparked controversy on Tuesday by...

Last week, California offered to voluntarily cut its use of Colorado River water in exchange for federal money. California is the largest user of the river so the move could potentially reenergize negotiations among the seven states that rely on its water. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the impact of California’s proposed cuts, if the plan could actually help set the stage for a deal, and how...

After nearly 100 days of declining prices at the pump, domestic gas prices are rising due to refinery outages and damage from Hurricane Ian. And that trend might continue because of OPEC’s decision to cut oil production starting in November. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down how a potential rise in gas prices could impact the political strategy for Democrats and Republicans heading into the midte...

On Wednesday, OPEC announced one of the biggest cuts to oil production since the start of the pandemic: a 2 million-barrel per day cut to its target starting in November. The move threatens to push gasoline prices higher and disrupt the positive momentum Democrats and the Biden administration had enjoyed over the last couple months related to prices at the pump. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down...

The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided billions of dollars to invest in the controversial carbon capture industry. And now, the industry is pouring money into hiring lobbyists. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down what the industry hopes to accomplish by staffing up, the well-connected insiders being hired, and the unsettled politics behind carbon capture itself. Plu...