
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

Dec 22, 2022 • 8min
What to know about New York’s new climate plan
On Monday, an influential New York panel adopted a road map of climate and clean energy measures designed tohelp the state meet its ambitious green goals. But several concerns remain about the implementation of New York’s plan. POLITICO’s Marie French breaks down the state’s new climate effort and unanswered questions. Plus, environmental groups are suing the Interior Department to stop the planned Cook Inlet oil lease sale. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York. 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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Dec 21, 2022 • 8min
Why California and the oil industry are on a climate collision course
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s aggressive policies to transition off fossil fuels are posing a growing threat to the state’s oil industry – and a new tax on refining is the latest front in the battle. But the industry says it isn’t giving up without a fight. POLITICO’s Wes Venteicher breaks down why Newsom and the oil industry are on a major collision course. Plus, inside the energy and climate toplines in the $1.7 trillion year-end omnibus spending package released by senior lawmakers early Tuesday. 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.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Dec 20, 2022 • 8min
The transatlantic rift over the Inflation Reduction Act
European officials have been critical of the clean energy subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act. But that criticism has raised eyebrows in Washington, where officials say the law does exactly what Europe has long pressed the United States to do: get serious about fighting climate change. POLITICO’s Karl Mathiesen breaks down the European outrage over the IRA, America’s response, and how the legislation could actually influence European decarbonization policies. Plus, a new proposal from the Department of Energy aims to strengthen efficiency standards for lightbulbs. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Karl Mathiesen is the senior climate correspondent for POLITICO Europe. 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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Dec 19, 2022 • 9min
Why the oil industry and green groups are fighting over chemical recycling
Oil and chemical companies are investing in chemical recycling, aided by favorable laws passed primarily by GOP-controlled state legislatures. These companies say the technology can help address the country’s plastics crisis by increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste dumped into landfills and polluting the world’s waterways. But environmental groups argue that the pollutants released by the process could be dangerous enough to negate any potential benefits. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down the pros and cons of chemical recycling. Plus, the Biden administration is set to start refilling Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Jordan Wolman is a sustainability 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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Dec 16, 2022 • 8min
What Glick’s exit means for FERC and Biden’s climate goals
On Thursday, FERC Chair Richard Glick said he will depart the agency at the end of the year when the Senate adjourns. Glick’s long-anticipated exit will leave behind a 2-2 deadlock on the commission, which could delay progress on the agency’s ambitious transmission agenda and impact consideration of environmental justice and climate change factors in the permitting process. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why Glick is leaving and how it impacts FERC. Plus, Senator Joe Manchin's permitting push suffered a final defeat in a Senate vote Thursday. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Catherine Morehouse 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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Dec 15, 2022 • 7min
Why East Coast states want to show the fishing industry the money
Nine east coast states on Monday released a plan to create a fund that would compensate fishing interests for losses related to offshore wind development. These fishing interests are worried that the wind farms will hurt their profitability and create more competition. But some states like New York and New Jersey — along with the Biden administration — are hoping to use the clean energy generated from these wind farms as part of their ambitious plans to combat climate change. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down the plan and what’s at stake if it falls apart. Plus, California is poised to cut incentives for rooftop solar today. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey 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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Dec 14, 2022 • 8min
The nuclear fusion breakthrough that could change clean energy
After decades of research, US scientists can now create a nuclear fusion reaction that produces more energy than the reaction requires. The breakthrough means that decades from now, nuclear fusion could become a source of clean, inexpensive energy that doesn’t create long-lived radioactive waste or worsen global warming. However, the technology still faces many obstacles to commercial use, namely money. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and Josh Siegel break down what to know about DOE’s experiment and how lawmakers are reacting. Plus, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vows to vote on a permitting proposal as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Ben Lefebvre 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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Dec 13, 2022 • 7min
Why greens see New York’s partial crypto mining ban as a model
Last month, New York passed the first partial ban on cryptocurrency mining in the nation, which is sending ripple effects throughout the digital currency industry and also encouraging environmentalists to push for similar measures across the nation. POLITICO’s Marie French breaks down the ban and what it means for New York, environmentalists and the industry overall. Plus, a new report from EPA says the average fuel economy of 2021 model vehicles sold in the U.S. remained flat as purchases of less efficient vehicles have ramped up. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York. 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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Dec 12, 2022 • 9min
Why Democrats won’t change EV tax credits despite allies’ anger
European and Asian allies are furious at the Biden administration for being cut out of the lucrative U.S. tax credits for electric vehicles. While President Joe Biden has promised to address the situation, he’s pretty limited in what he can do. And congressional Democrats say they have no regrets. POLITICO’s Steven Overly breaks down why Democrats are unrepentant as US trading partners fume over the EV credits. Plus, the House Oversight Committee has accused oil companies of ‘lying’ about climate actions. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Steven Overly is a global trade and economics 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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Dec 9, 2022 • 9min
The big sticking point in permitting talks? Transmission.
After Democrats failed for a second time to pass permitting reforms, finger pointing on the Hill is in full swing. Democrats blame the GOP for the latest collapse and argue that they offered significant compromises to broker a deal. But, those compromises weren’t enough for Republicans, especially regarding transmission. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why transmission was a sticking point in permitting negotiations for Democrats and Republicans. Plus, Special Climate Envoy John Kerry said people are “exploiting” the war in Ukraine and the surge in energy prices this year to push for more fossil fuel use. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Catherine Morehouse 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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