POLITICO Energy

As Congress returns from its August recess, POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and James Bikales discuss what lawmakers on the Hill and the Biden administration aim to accomplish in terms of energy and climate policy for the rest of the year, along with the tricky politics behind those issues.  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. James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy.Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday's Republican presidential debate revealed that energy and climate change are going to be front and center in the 2024 election cycle, with attacks from the GOP field ranging from criticisms of clean energy subsidies to denial that climate change is real. POLITICO’s Matt Daily and Alex Guillén break down the takeaways from the debate and how energy and climate change will play a role in the GOP presidential race moving forward. Plus, a new watchdog report found that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission needs to make structural changes to prepare for an anticipated influx of work related to licensing small advanced nuclear reactors. 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. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United Arab Emirates is considering creating one of the largest ever state-sponsored financial funds to spur clean energy projects, and the wealthy oil nation plans to unveil the fund at this year’s U.N. Climate Change Conference in Dubai. It’s a notable effort since the UAE is drawing backlash for its role as host of the global climate talks while also being one of the world's largest contributors of greenhouse gases. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the details of the fund, why it might relieve political pressure for the UAE, and the concerns from less wealthy nations. Plus, the Biden administration is scrapping its plans to reconsider a Trump-era decision not to strengthen the national standard for ground-level ozone.  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 Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Zack Colman covers climate change 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a more than year-long investigation, the Biden administration made a final determination that Chinese companies are funneling solar products through four Southeast Asian countries to avoid tariffs. The ruling will set up new duties on the solar industry in 2024 and likely reshuffle the supply chains for renewable energy equipment coming into the United States. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the ruling and how it could threaten the US solar industry and President Joe Biden’s clean energy goals. Plus, the European Union’s reserves of natural gas hit a historic high recently as the bloc continues its dash away from Russian energy dependence. 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 Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy.Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California is planning to build dozens of massive floating wind turbines in coastal waters off one of the state’s poorer, most remote areas at a scale and depth never before attempted in the world. It’s an important project to both the Biden administration and the Newsom administration’s climate goals, but it faces major financial, logistical, and community challenges. POLITICO’s Wes Venteicher breaks down the project’s significance, community impact, and the roadblocks. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency says about 8 percent of U.S. drinking water systems detected unsafe levels of a pair of highly toxic "forever chemicals" in the first half of this 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 Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Wes Venteicher covers climate and energy energy news in California for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Louis DeJoy, who leads the United States Postal Service, has unexpectedly transitioned from one of Democrats’ biggest enemies during the Trump administration to a key player in President Joe Biden’s environmental agenda. POLITICO’s Hailey Fuchs breaks down DeJoy’s partnership with the White House and his green ambitions for the United States Postal Service. Plus, Former Trump Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette will be the next president and CEO of the Edison Electric Institute.  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 Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Hailey Fuchs is a reporter at 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday, a group of young people in Montana won a historic lawsuit when a judge ruled that the state’s pro-fossil fuel laws and policies violated the state constitution. Climate advocates say it’s the first time a court has found a constitutional violation related to fossil fuels, but the ruling may be less seismic than it first appears. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details, implications, and limitations of this ruling. Plus, EPA’s inspector general found that as Congress was negotiating a massive influx in funding for the nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, the agency incorrectly told states they didn't need to look at the financial audits of the utilities those dollars would go to.  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 Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The powerful United Auto Workers union is threatening to strike soon if its concerns about America’s transition to electric vehicles aren’t addressed. That leaves the Biden administration in a difficult position between balancing its aggressive climate goals and 2024 political ambitions. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down what autoworkers are asking for and why a potential strike could have major political implications. Plus, the Treasury Department will not issue any guidance on the Inflation Reduction Act's clean hydrogen tax credit by this week's deadline.  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

For months, 2024 Republican presidential nominees criticized corporations for integrating climate and social goals into their business plans and tied those practices to anti-woke sentiment. But now, many GOP politicians are abandoning it as a campaign issue that can help them reach the White House. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why sustainable investing is no longer a GOP campaign talking point and the reaction from the private sector. Plus, the Treasury Department issued final regulations for the bonus tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act intended to expand renewable energy investments to low-income communities. 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 Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Jordan Wolman is a sustainability reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. electric power sector is warning the Environmental Protection Agency that its proposed climate rule for power plants – a central piece of the Biden administration's climate agenda – is potentially unlawful and requires significant changes. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the sector’s concerns and the likely legal attacks against the rule. Plus, President Joe Biden said he has already “practically” declared a climate emergency, but he has yet to actually make a declaration. 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 Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices