Zack Colman, a climate change reporter for POLITICO, discusses a significant shift in clean energy advocacy as two major lobbying groups strengthen ties with the Republican party. He explores why this change is crucial now, highlighting increased GOP donations and efforts to promote bipartisan support for clean energy. Colman also dives into a Department of Energy report predicting a surge in energy demand from AI-driven data centers, raising urgent questions about future energy policies and their implications.

This week, President Joe Biden approved California’s request for stricter-than-federal vehicle emission standards – a decision that could reshape the trajectory of the American auto industry and will make it harder for President-elect Donald Trump to kill Biden’s electric vehicle transition. Mike Lee from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down the decision along with the political and legal ramifications. Plus, meet Trump's Energy Department landing team.Mike Lee covers transportation for POLITICO’s E&E News.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

Many Environmental Protection Agency staffers are considering leaving their jobs because of the incoming Trump administration. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down why these employees are debating whether it's time to exit and how that could affect the agency’s ability to carry out critical functions. Plus, the Biden administration has granted California permission to enforce its nation-leading pollution rules for cars and trucks.Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. 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

On Tuesday, the Biden administration released its long-anticipated LNG report that could make it harder for the incoming Trump administration to expand U.S. liquefied natural gas exports. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the big takeaways from the report and the potential impact on America’s energy landscape and the incoming Trump administration. Plus, the Biden administration is poised to provide a record $15 billion loan guarantee to the California utility giant PG&E.Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.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

Today, POLITICO Energy host Alex Guillén sits down for an extended interview with Chris Frey, who led EPA’s research office under President Joe Biden for three years. They discuss how a second Trump administration could impact federal science policy and lessons for the science community from Trump’s first term.Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. 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 climate science community is bracing for Donald Trump's second term as they fear censorship, layoffs and funding cuts. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Trump treated science policy in his first term, the anxious mood among climate scientists right now and how they are preparing themselves. Plus, Europe’s top competition and climate official says America’s rivals are preparing to become bigger players in the clean energy space during the second Trump administration.Zack Colman covers climate change 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

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration released two key climate findings this week: 2024 was the hottest year ever on record, and the Arctic tundra is now a driver of climate change. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how NOAA’s findings could have big implications for the fight against climate change. Plus, the board of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator approved a sweeping $21.8 billion package of transmission projects to stretch across the region’s Midwest footprint.Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 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

In this insightful discussion, Alex Guillén, an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro, unpacks the recent federal appeals court ruling that mandates ExxonMobil to pay a hefty $14.25 million fine for pollution from its Texas refinery. He explores the intricacies of the judicial battles among a rare 17-judge panel and the mixed opinions that emerged. Guillén also highlights the broader implications for environmental accountability in the oil industry, along with new legislative efforts aimed at securing the U.S. critical mineral supply chain, particularly amid rising tensions with China.

Alex Guillén, an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro, discusses a pivotal Supreme Court case that may limit federal agencies' ability to assess climate impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act. He highlights tensions between environmental concerns and infrastructure development, particularly around a crude oil railway in Utah. The conversation also covers how differing ideological views among justices could reshape the energy project approval process, potentially leading to expedited permits for major investors promised by President-elect Trump.

Federal judges are weighing the legality of the Biden administration's climate rule on power plant emissions. As the Trump administration looms, its potential repeal could reshape legal outcomes and future energy policies. The discussions focus on carbon capture technology and its critical role in judicial arguments. Additionally, the impact of new political dynamics is explored through Representative Brett Guthrie's upcoming chair position in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, setting the stage for future energy debates.