Episodes
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
Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview with Ohio GOP Rep. Bob Latta, who is running for the top Republican position on the powerful House Energy and Commerce committee next Congress. The race could have a big impact on the future of President Joe Biden’s climate agenda, and the interview comes a month after Siegel spoke with Latta’s competitor, Kentucky GOP Rep. Brett Guthrie. Siegel and Latta discuss the Ohio Republican’s energy stances, his vision for...
Published 09/30/24
While corporate leaders from across the world were praising President Joe Biden’s climate and clean energy accomplishments at New York Climate Week, they were hesitant to talk about what a new Trump or Harris administration might mean for their businesses. POLITICO’s Zack Colman takes the temperature of the corporate energy world ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Plus, the Energy Department announced this week that it’s awarding Cleveland-Cliffs $9.5 million to begin the first...
Published 09/27/24
President Joe Biden touted his administration’s climate and energy legacy at this week’s New York Climate Week and the United Nations General Assembly – his last major opportunity to publicly address an international audience about his ambitious agenda before the November election. Sara Schonhardt from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down Biden’s swan song on climate and how he addressed Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Plus, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a trio of oil and gas bills that...
Published 09/26/24
The ongoing controversy over who should be permitting carbon capture projects escalated recently after the news of a leak at the nation’s first carbon injection plant. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and Annie Snider break down how the fight over permitting CCS is playing out in states like Texas and why that’s a big deal for President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. Plus, a senior Interior Department official violated ethics standards by not disclosing ownership of shares in conglomerate Berkshire...
Published 09/25/24
The US-China clean energy trade war took a significant turn this week, with the World Trade Organization approving China’s request for a panel to determine whether the Inflation Reduction Act violates global trade rules. POLITICO’s Doug Palmer breaks down the dispute and the potential implications for both countries. Plus, President Joe Biden will tout his climate change achievements to an international audience in New York City this week.
Doug Palmer is a senior trade reporter for...
Published 09/24/24
Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview at the White House with President Joe Biden’s top climate adviser Ali Zaidi. They discuss what the Biden administration aims to accomplish during the rest of its term, the political and policy challenges they face, how Vice President Kamala Harris has played a role in the administration’s climate efforts, and why the next few months are massively important for climate and energy.
Josh Siegel is an energy reporter...
Published 09/23/24
Although President Joe Biden made domestic manufacturing a core part of his reelection campaign in the Rust Belt, Vice President Kamala Harris has shifted away from that messaging. POLITICO’s Gavin Bade breaks down why the Harris campaign made that pivot and how some Democrats are concerned it could cost her voters in the highly coveted Blue Wall states. Plus, FERC Chair Willie Phillips said he’s open to revisiting the agency's pipeline policy as the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals repeatedly...
Published 09/20/24
The nation’s largest power market, PJM Interconnection, is proposing to stop payments for energy efficiency initiatives, which are meant to encourage households and businesses to use less power. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down PJM’s proposal, how FERC is involved, and why clean energy advocates aren’t thrilled. Plus, the Treasury Department is proposing a rule implementing a potentially lucrative tax credit that could cover nearly a third of the cost for businesses and individuals...
Published 09/19/24
The Biden administration is eyeing the use of carbon markets to help generate billions of dollars in promised international climate aid. But critics are concerned about the use of the markets and say they might not deliver. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down this effort from the Biden administration and why it’s coming now. Plus, Gene Karpinski, the president of the League of Conservation Voters, will step down from the influential green group he led for the last 18 years.
Zack Colman...
Published 09/18/24
A leading U.S. steelmaker exclusively told POLITICO that it’s considering forgoing a $500 million grant from the Biden administration to produce steel with fewer carbon emissions, also known as green steel. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why the company is potentially abandoning the federal money and how it could be a major setback for President Joe Biden’s efforts to make American manufacturing climate friendly. Plus, the Biden administration will hold the first offshore wind lease sale...
Published 09/17/24
Politico scooped last week that the Environmental Protection Agency has launched an enforcement action against the country’s first underground carbon sequestration facility in Decatur, Illinois…after a leak at a monitoring well was discovered earlier this year. The Biden administration has made carbon capture a key piece of its effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Politico's Annie Snider breaks it all down. Plus, a federal judge in North Dakota blocked the Interior Department from...
Published 09/16/24