POLITICO Energy

Last week, California’s air quality regulation agency laid out steps for the state to reach carbon neutrality by 2045 that lean on clean energy, driving, carbon capture, and forestry. However, state officials have acknowledged that some of those goals are potentially unreachable, and environmental groups have argued that the plan isn't doing enough. POLITICO’s Camille von Kaenel breaks down the takeaways from California's new climate plan and what greens are asking for. Plus, EPA has floated a significant increase to the contested social cost of carbon.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Camille von Kaenel is a Calfironia environmental 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United Nations climate change conference, COP27, finished Sunday with a historic deal to create a global loss and damage fund. That new pool of money would be collected from richer nations that have historically contributed to climate change and distributed to countries that have already suffered irreversible climate damage. But, even though the agreement was considered a huge win, climate advocates still weren’t totally pleased since the final text also included a nod to natural gas. POLITICO Europe’s Karl Mathiesen breaks down his main takeaways from COP27, the details of this historic deal, and how climate advocates are reacting. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Thursday that a troubled oil refinery on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which shut down last year after raining oil droplets on the island's majority-Black residents, may take years to meet new permitting requirements to restart operations. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the backstory of the plant, what EPA says needs to be done before it can restart, and the Biden administration’s environmental justice concerns. Plus, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation says that the U.S. power grid faces 'unprecedented' reliability risks this winter.  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.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the climate change talks in Egypt on Wednesday, the European Union signaled openness to discussing the creation of a new loss and damage fund. The fund, which developing nations have been calling for, would create a new pool of money to disburse to poor countries that have suffered irreversible climate damage. After the EU’s new stance, the spotlight is now on the United States, which has been less clear on its position. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the state of negotiations for the loss and damage fund and if the European Union’s new stance shifts the momentum. Plus, EPA’s watchdog has launched two probes into the Jackson water crisis. And, Ukraine has warned its allies that it may not be able to recover from more Russian attacks on the country’s energy systems. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If Republicans win a narrow majority in the House as expected, a select group of GOP lawmakers will wield significant power as committee chairs for the next two years. According to their own words, those House Republicans plan to conduct a lot of oversight of Democrats’ energy and climate spending, the Biden administration’s green policies, and the Cabinet officials implementing them. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down what House GOP committee chairs plan to do and the actual impact on the administration. Plus, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s newest regulator says the U.S. cannot ignore its nuclear waste problem as it looks to build new plants to help solve the climate crisis. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Friday, President Joe Biden boasted how his administration has taken “unprecedented” climate actions at home and abroad during a speech at COP27 in Egypt. But officials from developing countries remain skeptical that the United States will be able to deliver on the president’s pledges, with Biden facing an unsettled political situation at home following last week’s midterm elections. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the president’s climate message to the world, new actions he announced and what skeptics are saying. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to sharply curb methane leaks from the oil and gas sector calls for more inspections and tightened restrictions to reduce flaring of the gas. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair, won’t hold a hearing this year on the nomination of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Richard Glick. Glick can still serve until the end of the year, but Manchin’s decision could deal a potentially major blow to FERC, a regulatory body that’s crucial to President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down Manchin’s decision and its impact on FERC and Biden’s green goals. Plus, Trump Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose tenure was plagued with scandals, will represent Montana in Congress next year. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In order to pass new energy permitting rules, Republicans will need to consider whether to work with Democrats in the lame-duck Congress or push their own plan in the next term if they succeed in taking control of the House. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down the paths forward for permitting legislation and why Republicans may not seek a compromise. Plus, environmental groups are calling on Democrats to press ahead with ambitious climate policies after they outperformed expectations in the midterm elections. 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Far right or populist leaders across the world have co-opted climate change and made it part of their culture wars. They say the ongoing energy crisis was exacerbated by international institutions and green policies being promoted at global climate conferences like COP27. That’s alarmed green advocates, who say populism poses a major threat to addressing global warming. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down the far right’s message and who is buying into it. Plus, it’s still unclear after Tuesday’s midterm elections who will control both the House and Senate.  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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COP27, the 27th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, kicked off on Sunday, and the U.S. appears to be showing a new willingness to pay loss and damage to nations already suffering from the ravages of climate change. But the stance appears to be predicated on one big caveat: China should also contributes, since it’s the leading greenhouse gas emitter and is expected to be so for decades. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why the U.S. is now willing to pay climate reparations and what climate vulnerable countries are demanding. Plus, it’s Election Day and here’s what to expect for energy policy if Republicans take the House back. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices