POLITICO Energy

Construction on part of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline has temporarily stopped because of a federal court ruling, and the project’s developer now says it's considering taking the case to the Supreme Court. It's the latest twist in the legal saga surrounding the proposed 303-mile pipeline, which would transport natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s legal troubles and the reaction to the federal court’s decision. Plus, U.S. natural gas prices will rise in the second half of the year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 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 Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Republicans are kicking off “ESG month,” including votes and holding hearings to scrutinize how corporations integrate climate and social goals into their business plans. POLITICO’s Zach Warmbrodt breaks down what the GOP is trying to achieve and why criticizing ESG investing is actually a delicate policy issue for House Republicans. Plus, last week was the hottest in recorded world history, according to an U.N. agency. Zach Warmbrodt covers financial services for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at 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 developers of New York’s offshore wind projects are asking for increased subsidies from the state’s taxpayers, arguing that their work may not move forward without additional funding. But their requests raise questions about the viability of those projects, which in turn threaten the state’s ambitious climate targets and efforts to become a hub for the nascent offshore wind industry. POLITICO’s Marie French breaks down why the state’s offshore wind projects are now in doubt. Plus, the Interior Department is drafting language into a new rule that would allow companies holding offshore oil leases to convert them to allow the acreage to be used to store carbon dioxide instead.  Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York. Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at 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 Joe Biden is aiming to build a national network of reliable electric vehicle chargers so that EV owners can travel long-distance without hitting charging deserts. But the Biden administration estimates it only has about a fraction of the funds to reach that goal and must also manage supply chain constraints, pushback from GOP-led states and an evolving private sector. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the Biden administration’s ambitious strategy on EV charging and the challenges. Plus, major truck manufacturers have committed to California’s shift to zero-emission vehicles even if those rules face legal blowback.  James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at 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 European Union is investing billions of dollars into the production of hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel that’s expected to create jobs and help fight climate change. But as of now, the United States is attracting more hydrogen investment and has its sights set on overtaking Europe. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the transatlantic interest in hydrogen, why the US is currently a more attractive investment target, and the potential consequences of this fierce competition between allies. Plus, the Department of Energy is launching a $1 billion effort to spur clean hydrogen demand. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at 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 proposed plan to pull Puerto Rico’s government-owned utility out of bankruptcy and cut its debt is receiving forceful pushback from many residents and environmental groups, which argue it could increase already high electric bills and contribute to the island’s expensive cost of living. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down the efforts behind Puerto Rico’s utility bankruptcy plan and why it has led to protests. Gloria Gonzalez is the Deputy Energy Editor at POLITICO Pro.Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at 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

During California’s state budget negotiations this week, Governor Gavin Newsom fought for last-minute changes to accelerate energy infrastructure permitting, testing the state legislature’s autonomy and sparking policy disagreements. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down the changes to the state’s landmark environmental law, the pushback, and parallels to federal permitting reform efforts. Plus, FERC approved all remaining construction related to the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline. Camille von Kaenel is a Calfironia environmental reporter for POLITICO.Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at 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 push toward electric vehicles in the United States and European Union is actually creating a giant strategic opportunity for China, whose carmakers already dominate global markets for batteries and clean energy technology. And the threat of Beijing taking over the electric vehicle industry across the two continents is shaping debates about jobs, trade and the fight against climate change. E&E News reporter David Ferris breaks down how the US and Europe are responding in different ways to the China EV threat. Plus, EPA is opening up $7 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to states, cities and nonprofit groups to grow residential and community solar projects.  David Ferris covers the intersection of transportation and the electric grid for POLITICO’s E&E News.Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at 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

Climate change is destabilizing the insurance market, with some insurers pulling out of areas heavily impacted by extreme weather. In response, the Treasury Department is calling on insurers and state regulators to ramp up their efforts to evaluate risks posed by climate change. POLITICO’s Jasper Goodman breaks down the department’s new recommendations and the Biden administration’s wider effort to address climate-related financial risk. Plus, one of the top auto standards-making bodies announced it would standardize Tesla’s charging technology.  Jasper Goodman is an editorial intern at POLITICO.Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at 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

Billions of dollars in infrastructure spending could be wasted because the federal government is relying on an outdated weather model, according to a new study from climate research firm First Street Foundation. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how federal dependence on that model presents multiple risks for state and local governments and potentially wastes taxpayer money. Plus, a global panel backed by the G-20 issued new climate and sustainability disclosure standards.  Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at 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