POLITICO Energy

After President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law last week, most Democratic allies were celebrating — with the notable exception of advocates for low-income and minority communities. They say that once again the needs of those environmental justice communities have been sacrificed for political compromise. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains why these advocates are unhappy with th...

There are billions of dollars in clean energy tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act that President Joe Biden signed into law on Tuesday – and for the first time they will be accessible to cities, nonprofits, public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives that are usually excluded from using tax credits for clean energy. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains why green energy incen...

Seven Western states are facing a massive water and power crisis as soon as next year as water levels are plummet at Lake Powell, one of two main reservoirs on the Colorado River, due to drought and overuse. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the urgency of the crisis and what states and the federal government are doing to combat it.   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Annie Snider...

Despite protests from Republican governors over the Inflation Reduction Act, climate funding is set to deliver major financial incentives to red states to boost clean energy projects. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains the benefits their states could receive and criticisms from GOP leaders.   Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy. Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for...

Now that the Inflation Reduction Act is set to be signed into law by President Joe Biden, progressives and moderates in the Democratic party may clash about a secondary agreement struck by Senator Joe Manchin and democratic leadership to pass permitting reform legislation. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains.   Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy. Josh Siegel is an energy repor...

Within its borders, the European Union is pursuing a plan that would require large companies to disclose green information with the same strictness as they do for financial disclosures. But while the EU may want to lead the way globally on green disclosures, it’s also finding itself increasingly isolated within the international community. POLITICO Europe’s Hannah Brenton breaks down the EU’s plan...

Since the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, GOP lawmakers have attacked the legislation’s climate and energy components. But as the bill heads to the House of Representatives today and President Joe Biden’s desk in the near future, former GOP lawmakers and Republican allied groups warn the party risks overreaching and alienating key voting groups. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel explains.    Josh...

According to the latest data released from the Consumer Price Index, overall inflation didn’t rise in July for the first time in more than two years, due to lower gas prices. POLITICO’s Victoria Guida breaks down if falling gas prices will continue to be a trend and how the economy might look heading into the midterms.    Victoria Guida is an economics reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an ener...

As Congressional Democrats look to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, environmentalists want California state leaders to pass a strong climate and clean energy package during the final weeks of the state’s legislative session. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel explains what greens are pushing for and the timeline state leaders are working with.   Camille von Kaenel is a Calfironia environmental...

In the reconciliation package passed over the weekend, Senate Democrats crafted an electric vehicle tax credit not a single car on the market would qualify for. To unlock those tax credits, Democrats may need to rely on bureaucracy and creative definitions. POLITICO’s Alex Daughtery explains.   Alex Daugherty is a transportation reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO...

On Sunday, the Senate voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes the largest climate and clean energy investment in U.S. history. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Matt Daily discuss what’s in the package and how important the deal is for Democrats and Republicans heading into the November midterm elections.   Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy r...

Last week, major oil companies reported eye-popping second-quarter profits while consumers suffer under high gasoline costs and inflation. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down what led to these record profits and what the companies are doing with the bulging coffers.   Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO au...

Senate Democrats have been rushing to pass their climate, health and tax bill before their scheduled month-long August recess. But as part of the deal, Senator Joe Manchin also secured a commitment from President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pursue something he’s been demanding for a longtime: permitting reform. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey...

The United States is behind other countries in the race to mine minerals from the sea used to make climate-friendly technology. That’s because, for decades, several presidential administrations and the Senate have refused to ratify the ​​U.N.’s Convention on the Law of the Sea, which governs the use of ocean resources. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman explains why the U.S. has never ratified that treaty a...

Over the last two weeks, executives and leaders from some of the nation’s biggest companies and labor unions pushed Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin to agree to a reconciliation package that includes clean energy and climate provisions. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains.   Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is...

The oil and gas industry isn’t rushing to embrace Democrats’ recently unveiled climate spending package, which would penalize some forms of fossil fuel pollution while making one of the largest investments in clean energy in U.S. history. But the legislation includes provisions that could benefit oil and gas companies, several of which are reporting record profits. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains...

On Wednesday, Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer unveiled the details of a proposed reconciliation package that includes $700 billion-plus in climate, tax and health care provisions. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino discuss why Manchin finally agreed to this deal, break down the proposed clean energy and climate provisions, and if Democrats can get this legisl...

The national average price of a gallon of regular gas has fallen from its peak above $5 a gallon at the beginning of June. And because prices have declined, Republican attacks blaming President Joe Biden are no longer the lethal campaign weapon they once were as the midterm elections approach. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains the price decline, if experts believe that trend will continue and how m...

On Monday, the Midwest power grid operator approved a $10.3 billion proposal to expand power transmission and ease congestion on the grid across nine states, while also clearing away for vast amounts of new clean energy to be built. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the details of the proposal, how Midwest state regulators and utilities are reacting, and what this investment means for the...

On Friday, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that regulations become “final” actions once they are made available for “public inspection” in the Federal Register – not the date of actual publication. That decision could impact future rulemakings from presidents and agencies, and put progressives in the unusual position of agreeing with former President Donald Trump’s regulation czar. POLITIC...

The United States’ capacity for refining oil into gasoline is declining, a trend that appears irreversible. And while more electric vehicles are hitting the road, the nation’s appetite for oil-derived fuels remains high. That’s not only causing political pain for President Joe Biden in the short-term, but it could also hurt future presidents on both sides of the aisle moving forward. POLITICO’s Be...

Last month, the Supreme Court imposed sharp limits on the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate greenhouse gases. And that decision has created legal uncertainty for executive actions beyond climate, including energy, abortion, immigration and even amateur auto racing. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down how opponents of the White House are challenging executive actions and how t...

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced new executive actions aimed at combating climate change. However, the moves fall short of pleas from progressive activists and some Democratic lawmakers to declare a climate emergency. That unilateral action would give Biden broad powers to halt fossil fuel exports, marshal clean energy production and redirect spending to bolster climate defenses. POLITI...

Even before President Joe Biden visited Saudi Arabia last week, his administration has quietly been working with the country’s Middle Eastern neighbors on climate change — in part to pressure the kingdom to act to slow planetary warming. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains the Biden administration’s strategy and why Saudi Arabia is so important when it comes to climate change.    Zack Colman covers cl...

New York has some of the most ambitious climate goals in the nation, and the state's powerful public and private unions are growing their influence over the direction of climate policy. POLITICO’s Marie French explains how much influence unions have over climate policies and how greens are reacting.   Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York.  Josh Siegel is an energ...