POLITICO Energy

The Trump administration is warning of looming power shortages just as electricity prices rise in the country. But it’s also moving to cancel $8 billion in clean energy funding meant to boost power generation and modernize the grid. POLITICO’s James Bikales, Kelsey Tamborrino and Josh Siegel discuss what these cuts could mean for the country’s energy supply, electricity prices, and how both parties are preparing to message around the issue ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Plus, U.S. oil production hit a record high in July and is increasing quicker than expected in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.  James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  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

A new POLITICO analysis shows states that embrace renewable energy are more likely to save money for consumers compared to those relying on fossil fuels or nuclear power. It’s a finding that undermines one of the Trump administration’s main justifications for its aggressive rollback of federal clean energy policies. POLITICO’s Catherine Allen and Matt Daily break down what the data shows and the politics of this issue. Plus, several groups that would have benefited from EPA’s Solar for All program have sued the agency for terminating $7 billion in grants. Catherine Allen is an energy and environment data reporter at 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 canceled funding for nearly half of the federally backed megaprojects designed to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere — a major blow to the U.S. direct air capture industry that had flourished under former President Joe Biden. Corbin Hiar from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down how these cuts could reshape the future of U.S. carbon removal, why the projects matter for climate goals, and what this decision signals about the administration’s approach to energy innovation. Plus, the Supreme Court on Friday said it will take up an appeal from Exxon Mobil as the energy giant attempts to recoup economic losses caused when its Cuban assets were seized by Fidel Castro's revolution in the early 1960s. Corbin Hiar is a climate and business reporter for E&E News. 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

President Donald Trump is escalating his attacks on clean energy, cutting $8 billion in funding in states that didn’t vote for him in last year’s election – but some GOP districts will take some collateral damage. The decision comes amid a heated partisan blame game over the ongoing government shutdown and builds on Trump’s broader rollback of clean energy policies. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino unpacks the politics of this move, the pushback, and how it ties into the government shutdown.  James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy 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

The Trump administration is making a new move to secure America’s critical minerals: taking an ownership stake in a Nevada lithium mine alongside its developer. The deal is designed to boost U.S. supplies of lithium, a key component of electric vehicles and renewable energy. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the details and implications of this unusual agreement. Plus, roughly 60 percent of Energy Department staff are without furlough protections if a prolonged government shutdown and budgetary impasse occurs. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy 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

Even though the Trump administration and Republicans have scaled back federal support for electric vehicles, more than 40 red and blue states across the country are moving ahead with  plans to tap into billions in federal funding to build fast-charging EV networks. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why states are racing to expand EV infrastructure despite mixed signals from Washington and what it means for the future of the national EV market. Plus, the Transportation Department will cancel a “small number” of the thousands of grants approved but never finalized by the Biden administration. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy 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

The Trump administration announced its latest major push this week to revive the U.S. coal industry including new funding, land leases and looser regulatory rules. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the details and impact of the move for the industry, along with what it means for rising electricity prices. Plus, the Energy Department has added “climate change,” “green” and “decarbonization” to its growing “list of words to avoid” at its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy 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

The Trump administration is considering using weapons-grade plutonium to help fuel a new wave of nuclear reactors. But these plans are already concerning Democratic lawmakers and some Department of Energy officials, who worry that allowing commercial nuclear producers to have the material could pose defense and safety issues. POLITICO’s Zack Colman cracks open the details of how this nuclear fuel plan will work and the effects it could have on national security. Also, New York’s state energy agency is pushing for new solar and wind project bids before President Trump’s energy project credit cuts go into effect. Josh Siegel⁠ is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy.  ⁠⁠Zack Colman⁠⁠ covers climate change for POLITICO.   ⁠Nirmal Mulaikal⁠ is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.   Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO. ⁠Ben Lefebvre⁠ is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO.  ⁠Matt Daily⁠ is the energy editor for POLITICO.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump hasn’t been a big fan of renewable energy. And on the international stage, he’s used some unusual diplomacy to get his point across. These two themes collided earlier this week in New York City, where heads of state gathered for the UN General Assembly. In a nearly hour-long speech, Trump eviscerated his peers for falling for what he called the “the green energy scam.” Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Chris Wright made the rounds promoting a contrarian climate science report that has drawn a lot of criticism. Zack Colman joins host Josh Siegel to talk about how all of this landed at the UN, how China sought to contrast itself with the U.S., and Trump’s influence over the trajectory of global climate policy. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy.  ⁠Zack Colman⁠ covers climate change 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

EPA’s power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions might get switched off sooner than expected. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin intends to sign off next week on the final policy and legal justifications for repealing the so-called endangerment finding and Biden-era climate rules for cars and trucks, according to a scoop from E&E’s Jean Chemnick. But Zeldin and the EPA may come to regret this accelerated timetable. Also, oil drilling in Texas, northern Louisiana and southern New Mexico slows down, according to new data.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy.  Jean Chemnick covers climate change at EPA and other agencies for E&E News.   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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices