
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

Nov 29, 2021 • 7min
Biden’s oil royalty hike
On Friday, the Interior Department recommended hiking the fees that companies pay for oil and gas produced on federal lands. It’s part of the Biden administration's long-awaited review of the process that determines how the country leases out public land for energy production. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre reports. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Nov 24, 2021 • 8min
Biden pulls the trigger on oil release
On Tuesday, the Biden Administration ordered 50 million barrels of oil to be released from America’s strategic reserve to help bring down fuel costs. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains the move and why it’s happening now. Ben Lefebvre covers the energy industry for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Nov 23, 2021 • 7min
The Manchin family business
The collision between Sen. Joe Manchin’s personal business and Democrats’ social spending package raises questions about conflict of interest and ethics. E&E News reporter Scott Waldman explains. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Scott Waldman is the White House reporter for E&E News focused on climate change. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Nov 22, 2021 • 6min
The pipeline war between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Enbridge
Enbridge, a Canadian energy giant, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are fighting over the controversial cross-border Line 5 pipeline. Now, with Whitmer up for reelection in 2022, Enbridge is trying to tilt the scales in its direction. POLITICO’s Zi-Ann Lum reports. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Zi-Ann Lum covers Canadian federal politics and energy and environmental policy for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Nov 19, 2021 • 10min
Biden EPA gives biofuel blenders a little more time
On Thursday, the EPA proposed a new rule giving oil refiners more time to meet renewable fuels blending requirements for 2020 and 2021. The agency signaled that the plan is designed to reduce uncertainty around the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard. But, biofuel advocates are not too pleased. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explains the Biden administration’s latest move and the politics behind it. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Kelsey Tamborrino covers clean energy for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Nov 18, 2021 • 10min
Will FERC shutdown a major Missouri pipeline?
While legal experts say FERC is unlikely to shut down the Spire STL Pipeline this winter, questions facing the commission remain about the pipeline’s status in the long-run. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter focused on the electric power sector for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Nov 17, 2021 • 9min
Is limiting energy exports a solution to rising fuel prices?
Republicans have been pummeling the Biden administration over high energy prices. But on Tuesday, Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Sen. Angus King (I-Vt.) questioned whether limiting natural gas exports might take the heat off the rise in that fuel’s prices. POLITICO’S Ben Lefebvre breaks down whether that solution could actually work and the political strategy behind it. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Ben Lefebvre has covered energy industry and policy issues for POLITICO.Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Nov 16, 2021 • 10min
SCOTUS takes up major energy cases
The Supreme Court’s new term began in October, and it wasn’t supposed to be especially momentous for energy issues. But, it looks like conventional wisdom may have been wrong because of two cases: one about gas emissions from power plants and one about the Volkswagen emissions scandal. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén reports. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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Nov 15, 2021 • 9min
Breaking down COP26
The COP26 climate conference finished up on Saturday with a deal that many countries described as imperfect and unsatisfying. Still, the conference was seen as a step forward in limiting global warming. POLITICO’s Zack Colman, who was at the conference for the last two weeks, breaks down the good and bad of that final deal. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Zack Colman is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department. Intro Music: Spacedman by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comOutro Music: Breakmaster Cylinder
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Nov 12, 2021 • 8min
BIF’s transmission powers to test federal-state relationships
The bipartisan infrastructure bill grants new transmission powers to federal regulators. While that will likely help the Biden administration’s clean energy strategy, it could also prove to be politically unpopular with state officials. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse explains. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro and is the host of POLITICO Energy. Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is the host-producer of the Playbook Daily Briefing and a senior editor for POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO’s audio department.
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