Episodes
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...
Published 04/01/24
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:...
Published 03/29/24
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...
Published 03/28/24
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:...
Published 03/27/24
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...
Published 03/26/24
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:...
Published 03/25/24
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.
Published 03/22/24
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.
Published 03/21/24
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...
Published 03/20/24
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...
Published 03/19/24
CERAWeek, the biggest annual energy conference in the world, kicks off today in Houston. Thousands of global industry leaders are expected to attend and discuss the future of energy and climate. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre chats with Daniel Yergin, conference co-chairman and Pulitzer Prize winning author, about the biggest energy themes, stories and questions heading into this year’s conference. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter:...
Published 03/18/24
President Joe is on a mission to lock in a Democratic majority at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission -- and the first test comes next week as his three nominees face Senate committee confirmation hearings. It’s an election-year battle with massive stakes for Biden’s energy transition and the energy industry at large. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the upcoming FERC fight and how the clock is ticking. Plus, the first major offshore wind project in the United States has...
Published 03/15/24
Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down with Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), a vocal climate hawk, who is warning that President Joe Biden’s climate record is 'insufficient' to win young voters – highlighting a tension point within the Democratic party about how far he should go in trying to curb the oil and gas industry. They discuss Biden’s pause on new natural gas exports, his climate agenda, permitting efforts, and complicated intra-party dynamics heading into the 2024...
Published 03/14/24
California’s pursuit of offshore wind hasn’t suffered the same setbacks seen in some East Coast states, but potential hiccups are emerging. POLITICO’s Wes Veintecher breaks down the offshore wind snags out West and how it fits into broader concerns within the industry. Plus, the chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission painted an optimistic picture of the industry's future during the agency’s annual conference on Tuesday. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power...
Published 03/13/24
After years of setbacks and little policy progress, there’s new congressional legislation and rules from the Biden administration looking to reignite the nuclear power industry, which is an area of bipartisan interest. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the recent legislation supporting the nuclear industry. Plus, President Joe Biden signaled a continued focus on climate and environmental issues in his annual budget request to Capitol Hill on Monday. For more news on energy and the...
Published 03/12/24
A little-known program under the Inflation Reduction Act is bringing climate planning to almost every state in the country, including in places where Republicans have shown little interest in decarbonization. Adam Aton from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down the details of the program. Plus, the United States just experienced the warmest winter on record according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power...
Published 03/11/24
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved a long-awaited rule that will require public companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks. Even though the commission weakened the regulation from its original proposal, it’s still historic and set to face litigation. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the significance and pushback to the rule. Plus, companies installed a record amount of clean energy power across the United States last year, breaking the previous...
Published 03/08/24
Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down with President Joe Biden’s National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi ahead of tonight’s State of the Union address. They discuss the president’s energy and climate record, what a second Biden administration would like to accomplish, the internal tension within the party on those policy issues, and more. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for...
Published 03/07/24
The Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to split up its upcoming power plant rule into two separate rulemakings came after the agency faced pushback from the White House. The move reflects months of simmering tension between EPA and the White House about rules central to President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the internal administration tension and how it impacted the rollout of the rule. Plus, the Biden administration finalized regulations for direct...
Published 03/06/24
John Kerry will be exiting his position as President Joe Biden’s top climate diplomat on Wednesday. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down Kerry’s climate legacy and previews what to expect from his replacement. Plus, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission unveiled a long-awaited proposal aimed at speeding up licensing for advanced reactors that are critical to creating a zero-emissions grid. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter:...
Published 03/05/24
In a surprise move, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it was separating and postponing a major piece of its power plant rule last week, and the decision is receiving mixed reaction from greens. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down EPA’s decision and the political and climate risks. Plus, EPA is strengthening its risk management requirements for oil refineries, chemical producers, agricultural distributors and thousands of other industrial sites. For more news on energy and the...
Published 03/04/24
Utility bills have shot up by as much as 127 percent over the last decade in California, and the state’s ambitious climate goals and spending are partially to blame. That trend is putting political pressure on state lawmakers to take legislative action. POLITICO’s Wes Venteicher breaks down the high cost of California’s climate ambitions and why it’s concerning Democratic lawmakers in other states. Plus, the White House named three nominees to fill seats on the Federal Energy Regulatory...
Published 03/01/24
The Biden administration is pouring billions of dollars into seven regional hubs meant to jumpstart and grow the nascent clean hydrogen industry. But the leaders of the hubs are warning the Treasury Department's proposed clean hydrogen tax credit could undercut their projects and President Joe Biden’s climate goals. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down their concerns and the tightrope the Biden administration must navigate with the tax credit. Plus, the White House is close to nominating...
Published 02/29/24
The Biden administration is expected to finalize a new air regulation that’s pitting its environmental justice work, cancer prevention goals, and efforts to ensure the stability of the medical device industry against each other. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down how the administration is trying to balance its public health priorities and the pushback against the rule. Plus, EPA announced that the remaining $1 billion in Superfund money from the bipartisan infrastructure law will go toward...
Published 02/28/24
President Joe Biden’s decision to pause new exports of U.S. natural gas is making his allies nervous in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania heading into the 2024 election. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down why some Democrats are questioning the president’s strategy and the different energy dynamics at play in the state. Plus, West Virginia made another move as part of its ongoing attack on environmental, social and governance policies. For more news on energy and the environment,...
Published 02/27/24