Episodes
Tech companies are increasingly considering putting their new data centers in “excess energy regions” – areas that are typically less populated and have more power supplies than demand – as a way to take pressure off the U.S. power grid. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the pros and cons of this strategy and why it has big implications for America’s power system. Plus, one of Europe’s most powerful business lobby groups is worried a second Trump presidency will punish the EU’s...
Published 11/04/24
Dan Brouillette, Donald Trump’s former Energy secretary, abruptly exited from his role as the CEO of the powerful Edison Electric Institute after less than a year. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Catherine Morehouse break down Brouillette’s tense exit and fallout for him and EEI. Plus, a major renewable energy developer has canceled its plans to develop three solar projects with Hawaiian Electric, the largest utility in the state.
Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO.
Zack...
Published 11/01/24
A new POLITICO analysis found that the Biden administration has yet to distribute the majority of its allocated $33.6 billion to make the nation more resilient against hurricanes, droughts, wildfires and other disasters. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Jessie Blaeser break down why progress has been slow, how the White House is defending itself, and what happens to the funding once the presidential election concludes. Plus, Elon Musk's electric car company is endorsing a climate policy that his...
Published 10/31/24
The Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats’ landmark climate law, is playing a big role in some of this year’s most competitive congressional races, which could decide control of the House. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Jordan Wolman discuss how Democrats’ clean energy and climate achievements are resonating with voters in New Mexico’s 2nd District and Michigan’s 7th District. Plus, the latest offshore wind lease sale under the Biden administration earned just $21.9 million in winning bids...
Published 10/30/24
A new POLITICO-Morning Consult poll out this week shows that Democrats are struggling to sell voters on their massive energy and climate legislative achievements. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the latest polling and how it’s a mixed bag for Democrats heading into the final days of the election. Plus, Dan Brouillette, president and CEO of the Edison Electric Institute, announced he is stepping down amid speculation he would join a second Trump administration.
Zack Colman covers climate...
Published 10/29/24
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have spent many of the final days of their presidential campaigns in Pennsylvania and Michigan, two competitive swing states with prominent energy policy issues. Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel investigates whether their energy policy pitches are moving the needle in those states with two researchers: Chris Borick, a political science professor at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, and Barry Rabe, a professor of public...
Published 10/28/24
A new investigation by POLITICO and the nonprofit journalism group SourceMaterial reveals that Russian President Vladimir Putin is dispatching a so-called shadow fleet across the world. It’s a collection of covert ships defying Western sanctions and spreading environmental harm without consequences. POLITICO’s Victor Jack breaks down the origins of Putin's shadow fleet and how it’s spilling oil all over the world. Plus, the Biden administration finalized a long-awaited rule for a new tax...
Published 10/25/24
The Environmental Protection Agency misdirected hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for removing lead from drinking water systems, according to a new report from the agency’s inspector general. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down EPA’s missteps and how it’s a blow to the Biden administration’s climate and public health efforts. Plus, the Energy Department announced it will deploy $428 million to grow clean energy manufacturing in communities affected by coal mine or power plant...
Published 10/24/24
Montana Senator Jon Tester, one of the most vulnerable Democrats this election cycle, is trying to avoid political blame after a mine company announced it was laying off hundreds of union workers last month. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why Tester is being blamed for the layoffs and how it’s impacting his race. Plus, the next major move in the battle over the West’s most important river will be decided by the next president.
James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter...
Published 10/23/24
The rise of artificial intelligence could help unlock new technologies to curb greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector – but its massive energy needs of its data centers are threatening to drive an expansion of fossil fuels. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down how AI could be both a blessing and a curse to the power grid. Plus, the Supreme Court says it will decide when certain EPA rules should be challenged in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals versus the regional...
Published 10/22/24
Vice President Kamala Harris is calling for creating a national stockpile of critical minerals in an effort to bolster America’s economic and national security. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down what a national critical minerals reserve would look like and why some experts are skeptical. Plus, the Energy Department announced it has awarded another $2 billion toward hardening the nation’s power grid.
James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO.
Josh Siegel is...
Published 10/21/24
This week, the Supreme Court declined to block President Joe Biden’s controversial climate rule for power plants, letting the regulation take effect. However, the future of the rule is still in question from a political and legal perspective. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the high court’s ruling and the regulation’s path forward. Plus, FERC issued a new rule stopping utilities from charging for “reactive power” in their rates in an effort to cut costs to consumers.
Josh Siegel is an...
Published 10/18/24
Camila Thorndike joined Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign last month as its climate engagement director. Today, POLITICO’s Josh Siegel discusses his recent conversation with Thorndike, her new role and background, and how Harris is mobilizing voters with only a couple weeks left before the election. Plus, the Energy Department is opening up $900 million in funding to deploy small modular reactors across the U.S.
Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.
Nirmal Mulaikal is a...
Published 10/17/24
Congress has poured billions of dollars into programs to help people relocate after devastating natural disasters. But not many people in North Carolina are expected to tap into that federal funding. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why people aren’t taking advantage of that money. Plus, an international energy agency delivered a stark warning recently: Reaching the world’s renewable energy targets will remain a distant dream without significantly more funding.
Zack Colman covers climate...
Published 10/16/24
Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview with Energy Deputy Secretary David Turk, who has led the agency’s permitting efforts and implementation of the Biden administration’s historic clean energy investments. They discuss the path forward for permitting reform in the next couple of months and why the administration won’t be able to meet its climate goals without more substantial reform from Congress.
Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for...
Published 10/15/24
Hurricanes Helene and Milton are heightening concerns about the role and financial stability of state-backed insurers as the country faces increasingly devastating and frequent climate disasters. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why worries are rising about these so-called insurers of last resort and how climate change is upending the insurance market. Plus, FERC Commissioner David Rosner hopes the agency can reach a consensus on its landmark transmission rule aimed at ushering in a new...
Published 10/11/24
President Joe Biden is offering polluting industries billions of dollars to use new carbon capture technology, but that effort might be at risk due to a steel corrosion problem revealed by a recent leak at a plant in Illinois. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down what went wrong at this plant and how it impacts Biden’s climate agenda and the carbon capture industry at large. Plus, Elon Musk is using his social media network to spread conspiracy theories about U.S. natural disasters, which is...
Published 10/10/24
The Biden administration has billions of dollars in congressional funding to install hundreds of thousands of electric vehicle chargers along America’s highways. But after three years of work, only 19 federal EV chargers have become operational. David Ferris from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down the program’s slow roll out and why the officials behind the program are still optimistic. Plus, the Biden administration is finalizing a regulation aimed at eradicating lead pipes from drinking...
Published 10/09/24
Republicans are making a big effort to use electric vehicles as a way to attack Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats in Michigan, a crucial swing state at the center of American car culture. POLITICO’s Gavin Bade breaks down the Republican attack strategy, Democrats’ response, and how the messaging fight is resonating with voters. Plus, the Supreme Court is asking the Biden administration to weigh in on an interstate climate fight.
Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for...
Published 10/08/24
For decades, conflicts in the Middle East have frequently spooked energy markets and disrupted the global economy. So far though, Iran’s latest clash with Israel is causing more shrugs than drastic price spikes. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why the energy markets aren’t panicking but how they could be tested if the conflict escalates. Plus, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's power to authorize temporary nuclear waste storage facilities will soon face Supreme Court scrutiny.
Ben...
Published 10/07/24
This week, the Biden administration announced over a billion dollars in new spending aimed at expanding America’s transmission infrastructure, which experts say is needed to meet the country’s growing energy needs. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the impact of the funding and the current state of the country’s transmission system. Plus, the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office also announced a $1.05 billion conditional loan guarantee to expand the nation's electric vehicle...
Published 10/04/24
According to dozens of interviews and conversations at last week’s United Nations General Assembly and New York Climate Week, the international climate movement doesn’t have a concrete strategy if Donald Trump returns to the White House. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why the climate world doesn’t have a plan for Trump 2.0. Plus, Archer Daniels Midland has temporarily paused carbon sequestration at its first-in-the-nation injection site in Illinois after discovering a leak at a second...
Published 10/03/24
Thousands of unionized dockworkers began striking across the country earlier this week, and it’s putting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in a difficult political position just weeks before the November elections. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down how the strike could scramble this election season and the US economy. Plus, the Treasury Department is planning to finalize rules for the production of clean hydrogen by the end of the year.
Ry Rivard covers energy, the...
Published 10/02/24
The nuclear industry is on a hot streak, with the federal government backing the restart of one shuttered plant, Palisades Nuclear Generating Station, and another, the Three Mile Island plant, also slated to fire up again. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the latest nuclear news, the Biden administration’s involvement, and what’s driving the industry’s revival. Plus, a new Congressional Budget Office analysis shows that every dollar spent on federal projects to help communities...
Published 10/01/24