
POLITICO Energy
The latest news in energy and environmental politics & policy — must-know stories and candid insights from POLITICO’s energy team and journalists across our newsroom. All in just five minutes each morning.
Latest episodes

Jan 2, 2024 • 8min
What to expect in energy policy in 2024
It’s officially 2024, and the POLITICO Energy team is keeping a close eye on permitting reform, the Biden administration’s regulatory agenda, and the rollout of clean energy incentives – all with the November elections looming. POLITICO’s James Bikales previews what to expect in energy policy in 2024. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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Dec 22, 2023 • 9min
How energy and climate policies changed in 2023
Energy and climate policies experienced numerous shifts in 2023, but fossil fuels continued to rise while extreme weather events became more frequent. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down the biggest events and trends in energy and climate policies this past year at home and abroad and how that will impact 2024. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.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.
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Dec 21, 2023 • 8min
Why the Colorado River fight could spill into the 2024 election
Seven Western states are trying to hash out a long-term deal to share water supplies from the dwindling Colorado River once their current agreement expires in 2026. But opening negotiations aren’t going well after last week’s Colorado River users conference in Las Vegas. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down why the states are scrambling and how this issue could become the Biden administration’s problem during the 2024 election season. Plus, the Interior Department's Gulf of Mexico oil lease sale brought in more than $382 million on Wednesday, the largest yield in eight years from an offshore auction. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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Dec 20, 2023 • 9min
Biden faces tricky Line 5 pipeline politics in Michigan
Earlier this month, Michigan regulators approved a key permit to build a tunnel under the Great Lakes to house the controversial Line 5 oil pipeline, prompting pushback from environmental advocates. POLITICO’s Adam Aton breaks down the latest Line 5 news and how President Joe Biden now must navigate tricky pipeline politics in a swing-state during an election year. Plus, FERC on Tuesday launched an investigation into whether it should exercise more oversight over large investment companies’ stakes in public utilities. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Adam Aton covers the politics of climate change for POLITICO’s E&E News.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.
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Dec 19, 2023 • 7min
Why Bidenomics is working better abroad than at home
President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection pitch “Bidenomics,” which includes Inflation Reduction Act incentives for more domestic manufacturing, is falling flat with American voters. But leaders across the world can’t get enough of it. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why Bidenomics is working abroad despite flailing at home and why that matters for the climate. Plus, the United Kingdom will impose a tax on imports with large carbon footprints. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.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.
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Dec 15, 2023 • 7min
Why greens are worried about Biden’s COP28 promise
U.S. green groups are warning the Biden administration that its approval of domestic fossil fuel projects in light of this year’s historic COP28 climate deal could impact President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down how US green groups are reacting after COP28 and what it means for the 2024 elections. Plus, the Biden administration issued guidance for a new tax incentive under the Inflation Reduction Act meant to onshore the production of key clean energy components and critical minerals. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter 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.
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Dec 14, 2023 • 7min
Why COP28’s historic fossil fuel deal may be too late
Nearly 200 countries finalized a last-minute, historic agreement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to transition away from fossil fuels. But some say the deal falls short of what needs to be done to slow down climate change. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Sara Schonhardt break down the final COP28 deal, what’s missing, and where international climate talks go from here. Plus, a new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation warned that the United States could face potential energy shortfalls in the next decade. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Sara Schonhardt is an international climate reporter for E&E News.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.
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Dec 13, 2023 • 9min
Meet the 27-year-old tasked with saving the Colorado River
At the young age of 27, JB Hamby of California is perhaps the most powerful negotiator in deliberations among seven states about how to share water from the rapidly shrinking Colorado River. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down Hamby’s rapid rise to one of the most powerful seats in the West and the huge responsibilities that come with it in determining the fate of the river that 40 million people rely on. Plus, the Interior Department announced it plans to hold an offshore wind auction off the Atlantic Coast next year. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. 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.
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Dec 12, 2023 • 8min
Why Republicans aren’t talking about Trump at COP28
GOP lawmakers arrived at the U.N. climate summit promoting U.S. fossil fuels and nuclear energy while also acknowledging the need to cut or capture carbon emissions. But they’re not talking about what will happen to their climate agenda if Donald Trump wins the presidency in 2024. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Republicans are trying to carve out their own climate agenda at COP28. Plus, the prospect of a global deal to end fossil fuels faded on Monday after organizers of the U.N. climate summit released a draft proposal that only suggested reducing them. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.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.
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Dec 11, 2023 • 7min
Newsom wants NorCal to send water south. Here’s how.
On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom released his version of a decade-long effort to transport more water from Northern California to the southern part of the state. It’s the most significant action he’s taken on the issue, but it faces potential challenges from environmentalists and local politicians. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down Newsom’s plan and its potential pitfalls. Plus, Bulgaria has withdrawn its bid to host next year’s global climate summit, clearing the way for the conference to take place in oil-rich Azerbaijan. 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 Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Camille von Kaenel is a Calfironia environmental reporter 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.
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