POLITICO Energy

Bummer alert: it’s probably too late for 1.5. On Monday, the UN’s top climate panel released a milestone report on the status of climate change, and according to scientists, it’s very unlikely the world will meet the most ambitious target of limiting global climate change rising 1.5 degrees Celsius. But POLITICO’s Zack Colman says things could still get much worse if bold action isn’t taken. Zack...

Some jobs are riskier than others. But in an era where temperature records are constantly broken, heat-related risks are on the rise. Yet despite the worsening hazards, relief from life-threatening heat still largely relies on the good will of employers, with few protections guaranteed by the government. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman and E&E News’ Ariel Wittenberg explain the increased risks, and...

While senators vote on amendments for the massive infrastructure bill, many groups are already eyeing the fight over what makes it into the upcoming reconciliation bill. And on that front, conservationists are fighting to ensure that natural resources and climate preparedness programs get the funding they believe is necessary. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna has details on the fight already shap...

If there’s one thing Joe Biden loves more than ice cream, it may be his vintage Corvette Stingray. But the long-time ally of the auto industry during his time in the Senate now wants to become the president behind the wheel during America’s shift to electric vehicles. Today, POLITICO’s Alex Guillen explains the president’s lane change, and the road ahead for the White House’s push for electric veh...

In the White House’s original infrastructure proposal, the administration had set out a $45 billion plan to remove all lead pipes and provide clean, safe water to all Americans. And while the bipartisan infrastructure bill making its way through the Senate offers substantial funding for this initiative, the ambitions fall short of what the Biden administration had promised. Today, POLITICO’s Annie...

Late on Sunday, the Senate finally released the text of the big infrastructure bill, a historic and bipartisan $1.2 trillion package. Today, POLITICO’s Sam Mintz walks along the path to getting this deal, and the path ahead. Plus, POLITICO’s Zack Colman, Ben Lefebvre, and Kelsey Tamborrino have the key takeaways on energy and the environment. Sam Mintz is also a transportation reporter for POLITIC...

Many people tried to get the United Nations to take action on the fight against climate change, but Secretary General Ban Ki-moon got the organization to actually put its diplomatic muscle behind the issue. Today, POLITICO’s Lorraine Woellert talks to the former UN chief about the agency’s climate action during his tenure, and the areas where the world needs to act now. Lorraine Woellert is POLITI...

This week, the Senate finally released some details on the infrastructure bill that is expected to come through over the next few weeks. And, while the package doesn’t address climate change as aggressively as the reconciliation bill is expected to, the bipartisan bill does have big plans for water, carbon capture programs, and helping communities transition into the clean energy economy. POLITICO...

The Trump administration spent years fighting to keep a Russian pipeline from reaching Germany. Now, it seems like the Biden administration is giving up on fighting the inevitable fate of Nord Stream 2, and is instead looking for a deal to protect the Western bloc’s interests. Today, POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre, on the German-US deal over the pipeline. Ben Lefebvre covers energy for POLITICO.Carlos Pr...

In the past year, dozens of states have passed voting laws that many expect will hurt turnout for communities of color. And POLITICO’s Deputy Energy Editor Gloria Gonzalez says this in turn could hurt climate policy on the local and federal level. Today, she has more details on this fight. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy. Gloria Gonzalez is POLITICO's energy depu...

If the Democrats’ reconciliation package passes, it will become the largest piece of climate policy in American history. But even at $3.5 trillion dollars, the framework is being criticized by some progressive green groups as too small. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna, on the risk of climate hawks overplaying their hand and how much of Biden’s climate agenda may actually come through. Anthony Ad...

The Wildland firefighters are a special unit that battle fires on federal lands and can assist states fighting blazes within their borders. But extremely low wages and ever-increasing working demands are pushing many of these crews out of the job and into other departments. Today, POLITICO’s Ximena Bustillo explains the Biden administration’s plan to keep its firefighters. Ximena Bustillo covers a...

There was a time when rural Guatemalans never left home. But back-to-back hurricanes, failed crops and extreme poverty are driving them to make the dangerous trek north. Today, POLITICO’s Sabrina Rodriguez, on how climate change and natural disasters are contributing to the decision of thousands to flee to the US. Sabrina Rodriguez is an immigration correspondent for POLITICO.Anthony Adragna is an...

Last weekend, heavy rains led to massive floods across Western Europe, killing hundreds and causing millions of dollars in damages. And while uncontrollable, the floods were predictable. Today, POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen reports that governments are looking at what could have been done to prevent the loss of life, and whether the continent’s climate policies are prepared to deal with damage...

Fighting climate change is not just about ending fossil fuels: a low-emissions future will also require higher use of electricity obtained from clean sources. But if the US is counting on electricity to take over for oil in transportation and heating, it is going to need a strong and ambitious Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deploy more clean energy. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna talks...

Getting rid of the nation’s network of lead drinking water pipes is tremendously politically popular — but also estimated to cost tens of billions. President Joe Biden promised a bipartisan infrastructure framework would get the job done, but senior Democrats say it almost certainly won’t. Today, POLITICO’s Annie Snider and Anthony Adragna on how far Democrats may go on removing lead from America’...

President Biden’s push for green energy development is putting pressure on an energy grid that is currently unprepared to move significant amounts of renewable energy across the country. But the chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has a goal for a new rulemaking that will help ensure the grid can catch up. Today, POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez, on Rich Glick’s ambitious timeline. Anthony...

On Wednesday, Senate Democrats announced the framework of their massive — but still unwritten — reconciliation bill. The package, which more than triples the bipartisan infrastructure framework in cost, is meant to establish and fund a big chunk of President Biden’s agenda, including a massive effort to fight climate change. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna has details on what’s in the frameworkf...

Yesterday, the European Union unveiled its detailed plan to drastically cut emissions by half over the next decade. But the EU’s quest to implement a tariff on products originating from countries without similar carbon reducing policies could spell trouble for its relationships with its biggest trade partners, including the U.S. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusses the possibility of an all-out...

For a long time, leaders in Texas were content to have the state produce, transport, and consume its own electricity. But recent extreme weather events have exposed critical flaws in the system, and yesterday, the state’s Electric Reliability Council unveiled its plan to attempt and make its Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Eric Wolff is an energy rep...

Since the smog crisis in the 60s, California has led the way in fighting for cleaner air and pushing the auto industry for ambitious innovation. Now, they’re using some of their special powers to switch the truck fleet in the state to electric. Today, POLITICO’s Ry Rivard, on how New Jersey is the first state to join California’s push, but on the plenty of obstacles it faces in doing so. Ry Rivard...

 In late May, a small investor group managed to win a quarter of the board seats in one of America’s largest oil companies. Across the board, Engine 1’s win at ExxonMobil is widely seen as a watershed moment for energy, sustainability, and governance movements, and POLITICO’s Lorraine Woellert says the momentum that helped them win is also affecting the traditional relationships between directors...

or years, Republicans have largely refused to even acknowledge the reality of climate change, let alone engage on solutions. But now, with legislative and executive action seemingly inevitable, GOP members on the Hill are banding together to discuss rhetoric — and possible solutions. Today, POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna talks to the new chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, Rep. John Curtis. Anth...

Every summer, gas prices tend to go up as millions of Americans go on their long-planned road trips. But this year, drivers are paying prices they haven’t seen in years. Today, POLITICO’s Matthew Choi explains why prices are soaring. Matthew Choi is an energy reporter and author of POLITICO's Morning Energy. Anthony Adragna is an energy reporter for POLITICO and host of POLITICO Energy. Carlos Pri...

2021 is expected to be the worst year yet for wildfires across the West. And Latino communities are set to suffer a disproportionate amount of the damages – and their risks are growing worse. Today, POLITICO’s Zack Colman, on the underlying inequities facing Latinos and the public policy complexity in trying to solve them. Zack Colman is an energy reporter for POLITICO.Anthony Adragna is an energy...