Political Climate

This week on Political Climate we’re live from Aspen Ideas: Climate in Chicago. We were joined by guest Greg Bertelsen, CEO of the Climate Leadership Council, and former senior director of energy and resources policy at the National Association of Manufacturers, as well as a fantastic live audience.  The "energy transition” has been underway for decades. In the United States, this shift has been supported by 20 years of policy aimed at diversifying and securing the American energy system. U.S. emissions dropped by roughly 20% in that time. Now, we're entering a new inning for climate action marked by policy change, technology advancements, and increased global competition. In this episode, we discuss how an "unapologetic focus" on advancing U.S. competitiveness could be the key to continued progress on climate, while advancing U.S. priorities amid rising geopolitical tensions, increased energy demand, decreased affordability, and a fierce AI face. Much of the most important technology for realizing that success does not exist yet, which means it's a ripe area for American ingenuity and leadership. Will we seize the opportunity? To close out the show, we took a few audience questions focused on the winners and losers of this new climate future, and where we can focus our energy on building new infrastructure to ensure the most good and the most gain -- for everyone.

Now that Congress has passed and President Trump has signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we talk about the final language and what it means for the U.S. energy sector on this episode of Political Climate.  We discuss short term implications for solar and wind developers, particularly in light of a new executive order calling for new Treasury rules to strictly enforce the repeal of renewable energy tax credits. We also tackle what the OBBB means for American energy competitiveness on a global scale. Plus, a new Department of Energy report warns that blackouts could increase by 100 times in 2030 if the U.S. continues to close baseload power plants and fails to add additional firm capacity. Is the U.S facing a grid reliability crisis without coal and natural gas plants? We weigh in on the DOE report and the growing mismatch between US electricity supply and demand (for a primer, listen to our previous episode with Asim Haque, VP with grid operator PJM Interconnection).

Asim Haque, Senior VP of Governmental and Membership Services for PJM Interconnection, discusses the pressing issues facing the U.S. power grid amid soaring electricity demand and climate challenges. He highlights the urgent 'all hands on deck' moment for grid operators, addressing the implications of AI usage, supply shortfalls, and political tensions surrounding energy tax policy. Haque explores complexities in energy forecasting, infrastructure development, and the evolving dynamics of energy demand shaped by emerging technologies, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions amidst rising pressures.

Dropping in with a quick update that Political Climate is pushing the release of our next full episode to next week. As our listeners know, the Senate is in the process of revising and releasing their version of the reconciliation bill that the House passed a few weeks ago. Senate Finance Committee text dropped Monday evening and there is a lot to unpack. While there are many things we want to talk about that aren’t directly related to the bill, so much of the energy sector is set to be impacted by the big bill that we wanted to take the time to read it — and to bring in a guest or two who can help us unpack what it all means.  So, while we don’t have an episode for you this week, we’ll have another one coming soon. Stay tuned!

The discussion dives into Trump's renewed energy dominance agenda, aiming to boost U.S. energy production and cut red tape. Highlights include the implications of recent executive orders and a critical reconciliation bill. The urgency of addressing clean energy tax credits and their potential impact on jobs, especially in North Carolina, is explored. The hosts reflect on the need for adaptive tax policies to support American manufacturing and the balancing act between fossil fuels and renewable energy sources, all while navigating legislative challenges.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is racing against time to pass a major budget reconciliation bill, impacting spending cuts and tax extensions. The discussion digs deep into the fate of U.S. energy tax credits and which clean energy policies might be at risk. The contrasting energy strategies of Democrats and Republicans showcase challenges surrounding nuclear and geothermal energy. Current tariffs are affecting the clean energy sector, raising questions about investment and regulatory authority. Political maneuvering becomes critical as reconciliation bills shape the future.

Hey Political Climate listeners, we’re jumping on to let you know that we’re taking a short recess. The show will be back in another couple of weeks, with hosts Julia Pyper, Emily Domenech, and Brandon Hurlbut to help you understand the latest news with perspectives from across the political spectrum. There is no shortage of activity, from tariffs to reconciliation, DOGE program cuts, and so much more. Follow Political Climate wherever you listen, so you don’t miss the latest episode release.Thank you for listening! Back soon.

The hosts dive into the EPA's controversial new energy regulations and the potential consequences of deregulating power plants. They discuss the future of clean energy tax credits and the surprising bipartisan support among some House Republicans. The impact of Trump's tariffs on the energy sector is also examined, alongside the challenges of using NGOs for grant distribution. As they celebrate a year of relaunching, they reflect on the evolving energy policy landscape and its implications for both the environment and local economies.

In this special episode of “Political Climate,” hosts Brandon Hurlbut and Emily Domenech travel to Big Sky, Montana, to record the podcast live at the Winterfest conference. Now in its twentieth year, Winterfest brings together leaders in clean energy and finance to help move the global energy transition forward. This year the conference focused on finding solutions in a singular and difficult political moment.To help make sense of the political headwinds rocking clean energy and decarbonization efforts, the hosts are joined by two conservative-minded insiders with decades of experience: Rich Powell, CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers’ Association, and Travis Kavulla, vice president of regulatory affairs at NRG. In their wide-ranging conversation, the hosts and their guests explore the clean energy projects most likely to make gains during the Trump administration, discuss how skyrocketing energy demand impacts supply, and offer advice for industry leaders unsure of how to move their projects forward amidst compounding political challenges.---Credits: Hosted by Emily Domenech and Brandon Hurlbut. Produced by Max Savage Levenson. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor.Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com.The energy industry is transforming - are you staying ahead of the curve? As the premier bipartisan strategic advisory firm, Boundary Stone Partners bridges the gap between technology, policy, and finance to drive real-world impact, empowering clients to shape a more sustainable future. Visit BoundaryStone.com to learn more.

The discussion kicks off with a lighthearted Super Bowl chat before diving into the serious implications of President Trump's rapid policy shifts on clean energy. The hosts analyze the funding freeze on renewable projects and the push towards fossil fuels. They explore the challenging landscape for job creation in the clean energy sector and the negative impacts of governmental decisions. The conversation also addresses the future of solar energy, its challenges with tariffs, and the importance of adapting to changing regulations for a sustainable energy landscape.