POLITICO Energy

The Trump administration is pressing the newly whole Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to speed up how quickly data centers can connect to the U.S. power grid. POLITICO’s Isa Domínguez breaks down the ambitious DOE proposal, the reaction from FERC watchers, and what to expect next. Plus, Exxon Mobil is suing California over its first-in-the-nation climate disclosure laws. Isa Domínguez is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. 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 deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hannah Northey, a reporter for POLITICO's E&E News, dives into the U.S. strategy to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals. She discusses how Trump's administration is forging deals with Australia and African nations to bolster domestic supply. Northey highlights China's recent export restrictions, America's investment fund targeting $5 billion, and the challenges in shifting the mineral market dynamics. With FERC's new leadership, the discussion touches on the regulatory impacts on energy infrastructure as well.

Ben Lefebvre, Deputy Energy Editor at POLITICO, unpacks the Trump administration's controversial proposal to open the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for oil drilling. He discusses the anticipated bipartisan backlash, particularly for California Governor Gavin Newsom, who faces a political dilemma balancing energy needs with environmental concerns. Lefebvre also reveals insights into the industry's lukewarm interest in this move and highlights concurrent decisions to open Alaska's wilderness for drilling and mining, raising further environmental alarms.

Ben Lefebvre, deputy energy editor at POLITICO and expert in energy policy, discusses the strategic alliance between the Trump administration and Qatar against EU climate regulations. They argue that these laws could lead to higher energy prices, particularly in the liquefied natural gas sector. Lefebvre reveals how the LNG industry views the sustainability directive as costly and impractical. The conversation explores the implications of this pressure on Europe's climate policies and the broader U.S. strategy to dominate fossil fuel exports.

Jean Chemnick, a climate change reporter for E&E News, delves into the aftermath of a powerful typhoon that ravaged the Alaskan village of Kipnuk, coinciding with the cancellation of a crucial $20 million EPA grant. She discusses the village's vulnerabilities and the legal battle now unfolding over the rescinded funding. Chemnick elaborates on the political ramifications, including responses from Alaska lawmakers, and the broader implications for federal climate resilience initiatives. She also touches on changes in leadership within the solar industry.

Alex Guillén, an energy reporter for POLITICO, delves into the chaos caused by the ongoing government shutdown, revealing how federal climate and energy agencies are sidelined in unusual ways. He discusses the use of piecemeal furloughs, contrasting current operations with past shutdowns. Guillén highlights the uneven impact on staffing and operations, as well as the legal battle over reductions in force. The conversation also touches on a significant agreement between the U.S. and Australia to collaborate on critical minerals amid global supply chain concerns.

POLITICO is exclusively reporting that Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s relationship with the White House is strained because of a series of political missteps and policy disputes, according to 10 people familiar with the dynamic. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why there’s tension and if Wright’s job is in jeopardy. Plus, the Trump administration is preparing to allow oil and gas leasing across the entire Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. 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 deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration is relaunching and rebranding the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office starting with a $1.6 billion loan guarantee to rebuild thousands of miles of electric transmission lines. The move comes after months of Republican criticism that had called the future of the office into question. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down how Trump is revamping the Loan Programs Office and why this announcement is notable. Plus, a new report from the World Meteorological Organization says that global carbon pollution hit a record high last year.  Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. 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 deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission finally has a full slate of commissioners for the first time in six months, and the agency faces a packed agenda. POLITICO’s Isa Domínguez breaks down what’s ahead for the commission, how the White House is influencing its agenda, and why these decisions matter for consumers and the tech industry alike. Plus, President Donald Trump’s trade war just cost Canada’s auto industry in a big way. Isa Domínguez is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. 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 deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has dealt another blow to renewable energy. Last week, the Bureau of Land Management sent back to the drawing board the country’s biggest proposed solar project, known as the Esmerelda Seven in Nevada. But even though President Donald Trump’s administration was behind the move, not all Republicans are taking it lightly, especially as energy demand is set to surge to feed the global AI boom. POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel speaks with POLITICO reporter James Bikales about why BLM changed course on this project, how industry is responding given Trump’s icy relationship with renewables, and what it means politically going forward. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy.  ⁠James Bikales ⁠is a reporter for POLITICO.   Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.   Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.   Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.  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 deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy  Our theme music is by Pran Bandi.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices