Big tech companies are investing in nuclear energy to power their artificial intelligence and other data center operations. But that trend could drive up utility bills for customers and could undermine the reliability of the nation's power system. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why tech’s nuclear bet could have energy consequences. Plus, President Joe Biden’s controversial pause on new permits for liquified natural gas exports is expected to end around March 2025, according to an...

The Interior Department is preparing to reject a controversial mining road in the remote Alaskan wilderness – a decision that highlights how the administration is trying to balance its clean energy and conservation goals while not harming tribal communities. POLITICO contributor Adam Federman breaks down why the administration might reject the project and the stakes for the energy sector. Plus, the Biden administration is moving to reimpose oil sanctions on Venezuela. For more news on energy...

The World Bank, which begins its spring meetings today in Washington, is expected to play a key role in helping world governments fight climate change by giving them financing. But their efforts are facing geopolitical battles and key funding questions. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the bank’s obstacles and the climate stakes. Plus, the U.S. grid could support nearly 100 gigawatts of new power through relatively simple technology upgrades according to a new report released by the...

Iran’s attack on Israel over the weekend has heightened tensions yet again in the Middle East, putting the global oil market on edge. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down how the Israel-Iran conflict could increase world oil prices. Plus, the Biden administration has rejected industry arguments that called for a weakened air pollution rule. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even...

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued new rules that would force hundreds of chemical plants across the country to reduce the cancer-linked chemicals they emit into the air – an important part of the Biden administration’s environmental justice agenda. But pushback from industry and legal challenges are expected. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the public health and climate benefits of the rule and the likely opposition. Plus, the Interior Department released a final rule...

The Biden administration approved another massive oil project in Texas, drawing criticism from environmental groups and highlighting the administration’s tricky balancing act on fossil fuel production. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down Biden’s ongoing oil conundrum. Plus, the Biden administration is urging a federal court to reconsider its Line 5 shutdown order. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter:...

The Biden administration has finalized the first national standard to limit dangerous “forever chemicals” in the nation’s drinking water – the most significant upgrade to the system in over three decades. But the regulation will come with a hefty price tag and potential legal challenges. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the details, importance and steep cost of this rule. Plus, the backlog of clean energy resources trying to connect to the power grid jumped again in 2023. Annie Snider...

Former President Donald Trump's potential return to the White House hangs over the upcoming United Nations negotiations aimed at securing a global plastics treaty agreement by the end of the year. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the importance of reaching a deal and how Trump is influencing the talks. Plus, U.S. coal exports are projected to decrease this year due to the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe...

The Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office has only spent a fraction of the $200 billion pot it could use to fund ambitious new energy projects. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down why DOE’s LPO is moving slowly and what would happen to the remaining money under a second potential Donald Trump presidency. Plus, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says the Port of Baltimore could be fully functional by the end of May. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free...

The U.S. power grid is facing growing domestic and international threats, and U.S. regulators say the risks are likely to climb as the 2024 election season ramps up. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the latest warning from the nation's grid reliability authority. Plus, the 4.8 magnitude earthquake that hit parts of the East Coast on Friday seemingly did not damage any major power grid infrastructure. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free...

The Energy Department is dramatically walking back new energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers – a move that highlights how the Biden administration is trying to balance its climate agenda and concerns from lawmakers, industry groups, and pro-union allies in an election year. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why DOE is scaling down the rule and how Biden’s climate agenda is walking a tightrope. Plus, the European Union says carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and...

The Environmental Protection Agency announced this morning it will distribute $20 billion to eight groups through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a major climate initiative under the Inflation Reduction Act that aims to spur clean energy in places long overlooked across the country at a time when the U.S. is struggling to meet President Joe Biden’s climate goals. POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusses the details of the announcement and the fund’s overall goals with Jahi Wise, the acting...

The Export-Import Bank of the United States is considering pouring billions of dollars into two massive foreign gas projects, which could put the independent federal agency at odds with the Biden administration’s climate agenda and pledge to transition off fossil fuels. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Biden officials are responding and the awkward reality they face with independent federal agencies. Plus, a second federal judge has ruled that the Transportation Department overstepped...

The Biden administration is pushing to revive a shuttered nuclear power plant in Michigan, but environmental justice and anti-nuclear activists are rejecting the president’s pitch. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse and Kelsey Tamborrino break down the tricky politics of restarting the Palisades nuclear plant. Plus, the Biden administration is handing out $4 billion to help spur domestic manufacturing of clean energy components and cut industrial emissions. For more news on energy and the...

Electricity demand in the United States is projected to skyrocket over the next decade, partly because of the rising power needs of data centers and electric vehicles. That poses big challenges for the power grid. Today, host Catherine Morehouse sits down with Rob Gramlich, founder and president of consulting firm Grid Strategies, to discuss whether the grid can handle this surge in power demand — and what happens if it can’t. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power...

The Biden administration issued a final rule this week that aims to curb methane leaks from oil and gas drilling on federal and tribal lands. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details, impact and pushback to this rule. Plus, China says an expansive list of U.S. subsidies for clean energy production under the Inflation Reduction Act is a violation of World Trade Organization rules. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter:...

Congressional lawmakers are once again negotiating a permitting deal, but time is running out before key negotiators depart from Congress or their respective committees at the end of 2024. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the latest in the permitting talks and the challenges that remain. Plus, the Biden administration plans to issue a loan guarantee of up to $1.52 billion to restart a shuttered U.S. nuclear plant for the first time. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to...

The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge is disrupting coal exports and will likely have a significant impact on the auto sector. POLITICO’s James Bikales and Alex Guillén break down the major energy impacts of the bridge collapse. Plus, the Interior Department approved the seventh commercial-scale offshore wind project under President Joe Biden. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter:...

Oil and gas executives don’t like President Joe Biden’s regulatory efforts to rein in fossil fuels, but they’re also not eager for a second Trump administration. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre details what industry executives told him at CERAWeek about Biden and Trump heading into the 2024 election. Plus, House Speaker Mike Johnson has selected Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican, to serve as the next chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. For more news on energy...

Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down with Rep. Garret Graves (R-La), one of the most influential lawmakers on energy and climate issues in the Republican party. They discuss GOP views on climate, the role of Donald Trump as party leader, Republican attacks on the Inflation Reduction Act, and what Graves would do in permitting negotiations with Democrats. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter:...

President Joe Biden’s three FERC nominees appear to face a relatively smooth path through the Senate following their highly anticipated confirmation hearing on Thursday. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the biggest takeaways. Plus, as the confirmation hearing was underway, FERC had an open meeting where it upheld critical components of its landmark transmission rule and launched a probe into controversial pipeline company practices.

The EPA released a major new rule Wednesday designed to ratchet down tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks, one of President Biden’s most ambitious actions to combat climate change. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down what's in the rule and the potential political and legal fallout. Plus, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told House lawmakers that the Energy Department's study on whether new liquefied natural gas exports are in the national interest will likely drop at the end of the year.

Venezuela is threatening to annex territory in neighboring Guyana, which is posing a geopolitical and energy challenge to the Biden administration as it already navigates other conflicts abroad. POLITICO’s Eric Bazail-Eimil breaks down the American energy stakes of the Guyana-Venezuela conflict. Plus, new data released by the Treasury Department shows surging interest in tax credits created by the Democrats' climate law. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power...

President Joe Biden has embraced an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy – a concept that politicians have touted for decades that calls for America to have an abundant and diverse energy mix. But the strategy has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down the pushback to Biden’s energy approach. Plus, the Biden administration urged lawmakers to vote against a series of measures scheduled for consideration on the House floor this week as part of...