
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

Apr 27, 2023 • 8min
Why Biden’s attempt to ditch fossil fuels is politically risky
President Joe Biden’s latest attempt to cut the nation’s climate pollution could come with serious political consequences. EPA is expected to release two draft rules that target the country’s second-largest source of greenhouse gases: the electric power sector. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why these rules are critical to the president’s climate agenda and how they could influence messaging efforts by Democrats and Republicans ahead of the 2024 elections. Plus, House Republicans passed their plan to raise the debt ceiling on Wednesday, which included repealing several green energy tax incentives established under Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Brook Hayes edited this POLITICO energy podcast.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Apr 26, 2023 • 7min
What to expect from EPA's looming power plant rules
The Biden administration is expected to propose two highly-anticipated new rules to target the greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The power sector is the second-biggest contributor to the these types of emissions in the United States so these new regulations could have a major impact on President Joe Biden’s ability to meet his climate pledges. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down what we know about these proposed rules so far and the legal challenges the administration would need to navigate to enforce them. Plus, the EPA is questioning FERC’s expedited environmental review of a natural gas pipeline project in Alabama. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Brook Hayes edited this POLITICO energy podcast.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Apr 25, 2023 • 8min
Why states see forest offsets as a revenue opportunity
State officials on both sides of the political aisle are considering creating carbon offset programs to monetize their state lands. These initiatives give states a new revenue source by charging companies to protect state forests, in exchange for carbon offsets needed to reach their corporate net-zero commitments. But environmentalists have concerns about whether these programs are actually effective and state legislatures aren’t always on board. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down how states are balancing environmental concerns, industry interests and the need to generate revenue. Plus, President Joe Biden says he will veto a House solar tariff resolution if it reaches his desk. Jordan Wolman is a sustainability reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Brook Hayes edited this POLITICO energy podcast.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Apr 24, 2023 • 8min
Biden is backing another Alaskan fossil fuel project. Environmentalists aren’t happy.
Alaska LNG is a multi-billion dollar natural gas export project planned for the state. Two years ago, it looked dead in the water, but now the project looks to be back on track thanks to support from the Biden administration. It would be the second major fossil fuel project in the state to have stalled under the Trump administration only to be revived under President Joe Biden. That’s alarming Democratic lawmakers and environmentalists. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why the Biden administration is backing the project and how it could impact the president’s green goals. Plus, in an executive order released on Friday, Biden tightened environmental requirements for new projects that would add pollution to communities already suffering health threats from their air and water. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Brook Hayes edited this POLITICO energy podcast.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Apr 21, 2023 • 9min
GOP’s debt-limit plan builds in partisan energy policies
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy released a plan to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion or suspend it until March 31, 2024, whichever occurs first. The proposal includes repealing several green energy tax incentives established under Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act. It would also enact the GOP’s partisan energy bill that passed the House last month. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down why the GOP is linking the debt ceiling fight to energy policy and how their plan could lay the groundwork for serious energy negotiations. Plus, President Joe Biden pledged $1 billion to the United Nations’ Green Climate Fund. The move aims to bolster US credibility after former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans previously zeroed out U.S. contributions for the program. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy.Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Brook Hayes edited this POLITICO energy podcast.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Apr 20, 2023 • 9min
Biden’s solar panel problem is heating up again
House lawmakers from both parties are moving toward reversing the Biden administration’s controversial two-year pause on solar import tariffs from four Southeast Asian countries. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down how those countries have served as conduits for Chinese solar equipment and why the push to undo Biden's policy is dividing the US solar industry. The House resolution also put Democrats in a tough position between siding with President Joe Biden or looking weak on China. Plus, House Republicans unveiled their debt limit plan, which has no chance of passing the Senate but seeks to repeal parts of President Joe Biden’s signature climate law. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy.Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Apr 19, 2023 • 7min
New Jersey’s first-in-nation environmental justice rule tackles pollution
On Monday, New Jersey regulators finalized a first-of-its-kind environmental justice rule that protects over 4 million state residents in low-income areas and communities of color from heavy industrial pollution. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down the extensive public debate surrounding the new rule, along with the details and challenges ahead. Plus, as Senate committees tee up permitting hearings, Senator Joe Manchin plans to reintroduce his energy permitting reform bill that failed to pass late last year. Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Apr 18, 2023 • 7min
Why only 14 electric vehicles qualify for IRA tax credits
Effective today, only 14 electric cars and trucks will qualify for federal tax breaks up to $7,500, according to a new list put out by the Treasury Department on Monday. POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder breaks down why only 14 EVs qualify, which automakers benefitted from Treasury’s list, and if the White House expects more vehicles to qualify in the future. Plus, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy directly ties permitting reform to the congressional debt ceiling fight. Tanya Snyder covers transportation for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Apr 17, 2023 • 8min
The funding obstacle to the World Bank’s green vision
U.S. and European leaders are urging transformation and an increase in lending efforts by the World Bank to fight climate change, but have been unwilling to provide additional funding to the institution. That’s prompting questions about whether the bank can effectively fight climate change alongside its traditional mandate of eradicating poverty, without an increase in funding. POLITICO’S Zack Colman breaks down the proposed transformation of the World Bank and the challenges. Plus, FERC will tackle two embattled Texas LNG projects this week. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Apr 14, 2023 • 9min
Inside Japan’s G-7 LNG push
Japan, the world’s top importer of liquefied natural gas, will be pushing G-7 nations this weekend to endorse LNG’s long-term future. That plan has alarmed environmentalists and has put the Biden administration in another difficult spot as it attempts to balance the fossil fuel industry, environmental groups and a key Pacific ally. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the details of Japan’s LNG push and how the US is responding. Plus, Progressive Democrats are urging the Biden administration to suspend Willow oil project permits. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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