POLITICO Energy

Sara Schonhardt, an international climate reporter for E&E News, dives into how China has positioned itself as a leading force in global climate diplomacy. She discusses China's influential role at the recent UN Climate Change Conference, especially as U.S. leadership diminishes. Schonhardt highlights China's investments in clean energy and collaborations with developing nations, exploring how these efforts could reshape global climate initiatives. The potential challenges to U.S. policies are also examined, revealing a complex interplay in climate leadership.

Ben Lefebvre, an energy reporter for POLITICO, dives into President-elect Trump's plan to revive the Keystone XL pipeline on day one of his presidency. He explores the controversial history of the pipeline and its fading relevance amid a shift towards electric vehicles and changing oil demand. The discussion also touches on a new bipartisan transmission rule and the setbacks faced during global climate talks, painting a complex picture of fossil fuel politics in today's climate-conscious world.

The Biden administration is racing to finalize $25 billion in pending loans to businesses that have vowed to build major clean energy projects across the country. It’s an effort that could cement President Joe Biden’s climate legacy months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and Jessie Blaeser break down why a key part of Biden’s climate agenda is on the clock. Plus, Trump is looking to revive the Keystone XL oil pipeline on his first day back in the White House, and U.S. diplomats face a tricky dilemma at the UN climate conference.Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO.Jessie Blaeser is a digital journalist at POLITICO.Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for 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-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast dives into the hurdles Trump would face in trying to dismantle Biden's EV charging program, highlighting bipartisan support and hefty investments from the infrastructure law. It also discusses the potential rollback of these initiatives amid political shifts, focusing on financial and legal protections. Additionally, the conversation touches on climate negotiations in Baku, revealing the frustration of developing countries over insufficient financial commitments to tackle their climate crises.

Trump's recent energy appointments signal a pivot towards loyalists with ties to the fossil fuel industry. Chris Wright's leadership at the Department of Energy raises questions about the future of climate policy. Concerns from the LNG sector over methane emissions are also highlighted. As Congress navigates disaster aid requests, the complexities of climate financing at COP29 add another layer to the conversation. The discussion centers on how these choices may reshape U.S. energy policy amidst increasing climate challenges.

President-elect Donald Trump selected North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior and the newly created National Energy Council. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Ben Lefebvre break down Burgum’s dual energy roles and what he means for the incoming Trump administration. Plus, Trump named oil industry CEO Chris Wright to lead the Energy Department, installing a vocal critic of government efforts to fight climate change as the head of the agency at the forefront of the Biden administration’s clean energy push.Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for 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-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessie Blaeser, a digital journalist at POLITICO specializing in data analysis, discusses the implications of Biden's Inflation Reduction Act and what it means for the incoming Trump administration. She highlights how much funding is vulnerable to repeal, emphasizing the complexities of tracking these allocations. The conversation also touches on a serious winter forecast by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, raising concerns about potential power shortfalls across various regions. Political strategy and international cooperation are examined in this critical climate dialogue.

Oil and gas companies will have to pay a fee for releasing methane into the atmosphere under a new regulation from the Biden administration out this week. But the rule is likely to be clawed back when Donald Trump returns to power and with Republicans likely controlling both chambers of Congress. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the complicated process to repeal Biden’s methane fee. Plus, AI will be used at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant and the United States will likely pledge a new target to cut pollution at the United Nations’ climate talks despite Trump’s return.Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for 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-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump has picked former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down Zeldin’s history on energy and climate issues, why his selection was a surprise, and what EPA might do under his leadership. Plus, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality cannot issue binding regulations governing federal agencies’ environmental reviews.Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for 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-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trina Solar, one of China’s largest solar panel manufacturers, just sold its new Texas factory to Georgia-based battery maker Freyr. Trina said Donald Trump’s presidential victory wasn’t related to the sale, but the company was poised to receive nearly $2 billion in tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. POLITICO’s Benjamin Storrow and Kelsey Tamborrino explain the significance of this move and what may happen with the solar industry under the Trump administration. Plus, President-elect Trump has selected former Rep. Lee Zeldin for EPA administrator, a pick that bucked expectations for the return of Trump’s former EPA head Andrew Wheeler.Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Benjamin Storrow is a reporter for E&E News.Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO.Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for 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-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices