
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 8, 2022 • 9min
Democrats’ lame-duck permitting effort failed. Now what?
For the second time in three months, Democratic leaders tried and failed to pass energy permitting reform, this time in an ill-fated attempt to attach it to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the latest effort than foundered in the face of Republican and progressive opposition to the measure, and what’s next. Plus, the Biden administration’s third offshore wind auction and first-ever off the West Coast raked in over $757 million in bids. 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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Dec 7, 2022 • 7min
Can the U.S. and EU avert an EV trade war?
For months, the United States and European Union have tried to work out a solution over the new electric vehicle tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act that European officials argue threatens their auto industry, which is already struggling with high energy costs and the possibility of a recession. POLITICO’s Doug Palmer breaks down the chances that the European Union and United States can work out the EV dispute by the new year. Plus, the Interior Department has agreed to conduct a new environmental review of a Trump-era oil lease sale in California. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Doug Palmer is a senior trade 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 6, 2022 • 8min
What to know about the EU and G7’s new Russian oil ban and price cap
The European Union, United States and G-7 nations are trying to squeeze Russia’s massive fossil fuel revenue through newly-enacted sanctions to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. The European Union’s ban on the import of seaborne Russian crude oil went into effect on Monday, along with a $60-a-barrel price cap on Russian oil shipped to the rest of the world. POLITICO Europe’s Chief UK Correspondent Charlie Cooper breaks down the latest Russian sanctions, how Moscow is privately and publicly responding, and how these moves could impact the energy markets. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed closing a reporting loophole for PFAS chemicals. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Charlie Cooper is the Chief UK correspondent at 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 5, 2022 • 8min
Commerce names companies evading China solar tariffs
On Friday, the Commerce Department said four Chinese solar companies were routing products through Southeast Asian countries in order to evade tariffs. The investigation has worried solar companies in the U.S. that fear they won’t get the imported panels they need for their projects, but Commerce’s findings included key exceptions that could blunt the short-term impact on the sector. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down Commerce’s decision. Plus, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit sent a transmission case back to FERC in a win for renewables. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy.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 2, 2022 • 9min
Is Richard Glick about to leave FERC?
FERC Chair Richard Glick recused himself from a major clean energy order this week, signaling he may be leaving his position at the regulatory agency. Former commissioners and agency officials have told POLITICO that the recusal could be driven by a desire to avoid conflicts of interest with potential future endeavors. Glick was renominated to FERC by President Joe Biden after his term expired in June, but has not received a Senate hearing amid opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Catherine Morehouse discuss the recusal, the possibility of Manchin changing his mind and how other Democrats are reacting to a potential FERC split. Plus, a New Jersey town received the first grant from a new FEMA program to reduce flood risk. 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 1, 2022 • 13min
What retiring Rep. Fred Upton thinks about the future of energy policy
Retiring Rep. Fred Upton has been a major player in the energy and climate space for years, previously chairing the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee and soon leaving behind a record of bipartisan legislation. The Michigan Republican sat down with POLITICO Energy‘s Josh Siegel to reflect on Upton’s 36-year tenure in the House, what he thinks about the current energy crisis and what a GOP-led House could do on energy policy. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Rep. Fred Upton represents Michigan’s 6th congressional district in Congress.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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Nov 30, 2022 • 9min
Could regenerative agriculture generate a bipartisan Farm Bill breakthrough?
Starting next year, Congress will need to pass the farm bill, a large funding bill renewed every five years that has a major impact on the agriculture industry and farmers' livelihoods. Democrats are fighting to make farming more climate-friendly - a proposition Republicans are likely to reject. A farming practice called regenerative agriculture might satisfy both parties’ interests. POLITICO’s Garrett Downs explains regenerative agriculture and its bipartisan appeal. Plus, the Treasury Department has unveiled labor guidance for companies seeking clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Garrett Downs is a food and agriculture 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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Nov 29, 2022 • 9min
How Tulsa, Oklahoma embodies the U.S. struggle to mitigate climate risk
While billions of new federal tax dollars are earmarked to help people leave climate vulnerable areas, a POLITICO investigation found that those programs often fail because of inconsistencies and bureaucracy. But Washington needs to create a solution soon since the impact of natural disasters on real estate, public infrastructure, and insurance is increasing. POLITICO’s Zack Colman discusses how the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma has tried to mitigate the risk and if the federal government is ready to confront how climate change is impacting housing. Plus, the Interior Department proposed a new rule aimed at reducing the venting and flaring of methane from oil and gas production on federal lands. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Zack Colman covers climate change 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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Nov 28, 2022 • 10min
Crucial deadlines loom for Puerto Rico’s power system
Puerto Rico’s fragile power system, which is still recovering from multiple hurricanes and years of electricity problems, faces important deadlines this week that could determine which entities are responsible for restoring the grid. POLITICO’S Gloria Gonzalez breaks down how the grid operator and Puerto Rico’s government are responding, and why the island’s power grid faces an uncertain future. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy.Gloria Gonzalez is the Deputy Energy Editor at POLITICO Pro.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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Nov 23, 2022 • 9min
How a stalled Minnesota mining project challenges Biden’s clean energy goals
Beneath the northeastern Minnesota woods lie massive deposits of copper, nickel and cobalt that the Twin Metals company wants to mine. Mining those critical minerals would help the clean energy industry grow to meet the Biden administration’s climate change goals. But the administration has rejected plans to build the mine because of risks to the environmentally sensitive site – a decision that has drawn charges of hypocrisy from Republicans. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down the politics behind the stalled Minnesota mining project. Plus, the Biden administration has approved an oil export terminal in the Gulf of Mexico over some local environmental and public health concerns. 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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