
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

Jul 22, 2022 • 10min
How ‘major questions’ could freeze Biden's regulatory agenda
Last month, the Supreme Court imposed sharp limits on the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate greenhouse gases. And that decision has created legal uncertainty for executive actions beyond climate, including energy, abortion, immigration and even amateur auto racing. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down how opponents of the White House are challenging executive actions and how the Biden administration is responding. 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.Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Jul 21, 2022 • 10min
Biden holds off on declaring a climate emergency – for now
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced new executive actions aimed at combating climate change. However, the moves fall short of pleas from progressive activists and some Democratic lawmakers to declare a climate emergency. That unilateral action would give Biden broad powers to halt fossil fuel exports, marshal clean energy production and redirect spending to bolster climate defenses. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the latest climate actions from the White House and why Biden has so far decided not to declare a climate emergency. 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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Jul 20, 2022 • 9min
Biden’s quiet climate diplomacy targeting Saudi Arabia
Even before President Joe Biden visited Saudi Arabia last week, his administration has quietly been working with the country’s Middle Eastern neighbors on climate change — in part to pressure the kingdom to act to slow planetary warming. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains the Biden administration’s strategy and why Saudi Arabia is so important when it comes to climate change. 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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Jul 18, 2022 • 9min
Democrats slam their ‘Lucy’ over climate
Joe Manchin on Thursday rejected Senate Democrats’ proposed energy and climate investments, delivering a devastating blow to his party’s efforts to enact a social safety net, climate and tax package. But the West Virginia senator denied Friday he was closing the door completely on climate and energy spending. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino discuss what Manchin’s stance means and what Democrats, many of whom are angry with their colleague, can accomplish on energy and climate before the midterms. 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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Jul 15, 2022 • 9min
How natural gas is shedding its climate pariah status
The Russian war in Ukraine has forced global leaders to rethink their anti-natural gas stances. But that shift could cause richer countries to subvert the clean energy transition they’re targeting while also stoking tensions with developing countries over access to the fuel. 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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Jul 14, 2022 • 8min
Biden’s oil policy tightrope in Saudi Arabia
President Joe Biden is visiting Saudi Arabia on Friday, and he is expected to discuss everything from bolstering security in the region to reorienting policy with the kingdom. Everything except the one thing he really needs but can't get: more oil. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains why a hard push by the president would probably fail to get Saudi leaders to pump new crude supplies into the world oil market. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter 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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Jul 13, 2022 • 10min
How a New Jersey city is stalling the state’s offshore wind rollout
Construction on New Jersey’s first offshore wind project is set to begin next year, with developers looking to install nearly 100 wind turbines 15 miles off the coast of Ocean City. But the city doesn’t like the plan, potentially derailing the ambitious climate and clean energy goals put forward by President Joe Biden and state Gov. Phil Murphy. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down the fight for offshore wind along New Jersey and how it could impact other local communities and clean energy projects across the country. Ry Rivard is an environmental reporter for POLITICO New Jersey.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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Jul 12, 2022 • 8min
Will Biden advance controversial Alaska oil project?
The Biden administration took a key step in approving the Willow oil project in Alaska. But, the White House is giving itself some wiggle room as it struggles to balance climate promises with the painfully high fuel prices driving inflation. POLITICO’S Ben Lefebvre explains. Ben Lefebvre 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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Jul 11, 2022 • 8min
SCOTUS tied EPA’s hands on climate regulation. Will FERC be next?
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering new rules that would allow it to take a harder look at new pipelines or liquefied natural gas projects. But not so fast! Critics, including one of the agency’s own commissioners, are now arguing that the Supreme Court’s recent EPA ruling could place limits on FERC too. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse reports.Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy.Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO.Kara Tabor is an audio producer 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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Jul 8, 2022 • 9min
Seven states have to divide the Colorado River. Fast.
The federal Bureau of Reclamation has given seven states an ultimatum: come up with a plan to drastically reduce your Colorado River water usage, or we will. The lives and livelihoods of millions of people depend on the river’s water, so ceding access will be no easy feat. Climate change and the current drought only complicate the problem. So how might the states’ compromise over water rights shake out? POLITICO’s Lara Korte reports.Lara Korte covers state politics and is a co-author of POLITICO California Playbook.Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy.Kara Tabor is an audio producer 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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