

POLITICO Energy
POLITICO
Each week, hosts Nirmal Mulaikal and Josh Siegel break down the stories and power players shaping energy politics and policy in the United States and around the world by featuring original interviews with key power players, alongside in-depth reporting and analysis from the largest energy policy newsroom in the world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 28, 2023 • 7min
Inside America’s new energy diplomacy effort in Africa
The Biden administration has been meeting with officials and companies in Africa to shore up the United States’ supply of the critical minerals needed for the clean energy transition while simultaneously diminishing China’s mining dominance in the region. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why the administration is focusing on Africa along with the pushback from Republicans and advocates for U.S. mining. Plus, Republican committee chairs are threatening Ford with a congressional subpoena over its partnership to license Chinese battery technology. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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Sep 27, 2023 • 9min
‘Union Joe’ pickets with UAW while Ford pauses EV battery plant
Ford Motor Company paused construction on a controversial $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan that’s been caught between the United Auto Workers’ ongoing strike, President Joe Biden’s historic visit to the picket lines, and the GOP’s anti-China rhetoric. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down how Ford’s announcement and Biden’s visit may impact the UAW strike negotiations and the complicated politics of electric vehicle manufacturing in America. Plus, coastal lawmakers are pushing Congress to pass a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program in case of a government shutdown. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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Sep 26, 2023 • 9min
Why a three-member FERC could get things done
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could be short two members by the end of the year in part because of the looming government shutdown, but some FERC watchers say that could benefit the regulator as it tackles an ambitious portfolio of issues. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down how the potential government shutdown could reshape FERC and what a three-person commission can accomplish. Plus, electric vehicles sales grew to 9 percent of the car market in the second quarter of this year, according to new data released by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy.Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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Sep 25, 2023 • 7min
Why New York’s clean energy goals face a pricey dilemma
Regulators in charge of New York’s ambitious clean energy goals have recently grappled with a difficult pattern: companies developing green projects are requesting more public aid on top of the funding New York already agreed to provide. POLITICO’s Marie French explains why this is happening, along with the reaction from state regulators and ratepayer advocates. Plus, thousands of employees at Detroit’s Big Three automakers across 20 states walked off the job Friday to join the initial three-plant strike by the United Auto Workers. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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Sep 22, 2023 • 8min
Why CO2 pipelines are dividing Republicans
The Republican party is divided over pipelines carrying carbon dioxide to disposal sites across the country – a key element of President Joe Biden’s plans to fight climate change. POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Mike Soraghan breaks down the internal tension within the party and how the fight has intensified in recent months. Plus, President Joe Biden is expanding the federal government’s use of the social cost of greenhouse gases, a metric that assigns dollar values to climate pollution. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Mike Soraghan is a reporter for POLITICO’s E&E News. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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Sep 21, 2023 • 9min
The controversial plan to erase Puerto Rico utility’s debt
An effort to erase billions of dollars of debt owed by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which runs the territory’s rickety power system, is facing pushback. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down the details of the plan that could bring the utility out of bankruptcy, as well as the criticisms, and why restructuring the utility’s debt is so important to the island’s long-term grid stability. Plus, President Joe Biden is taking executive action to establish a Climate Corps. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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Sep 20, 2023 • 8min
LEED building standards fail to consider major flood risk
An analysis by POLITICO’s E&E News and First Street revealed issues in the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system that could spell flood danger for hundreds of structures. E&E News’s Corbin Hiar dissects the LEED certification gaps that are putting the newest generation of climate-friendly buildings in jeopardy. Plus, the EPA lost a lawsuit arguing that the agency wrongly approved a Colorado air permitting program that allowed the state to ignore ozone-forming emissions from oil and gas wells.For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro:https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energyCatherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.Corbin Hiar is a climate and business reporter for E&E News.Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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Sep 19, 2023 • 8min
As the UAW strikes, Biden and Tesla may have to make nice
The Biden Administration has been working hard with the Big Three automakers — Ford, GM and Stellantis — to vastly expand the production of electric vehicles, even as it gave a cold shoulder to Tesla. But the UAW’s latest strike may force it to rethink that strategy. POLITICO’s James Bikales explains how this strike may force the White House to build some bridges with Tesla to keep its EV goals on track. Plus, the European Commission announced that it will promote hydrogen standards to bolster worldwide adoption of the energy tech.For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter:https://www.politico.com/power-switchAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro:https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energyCatherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO.Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.
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5 snips
Sep 18, 2023 • 8min
Grid attacks are surging, and power regulators are often left in the dark
The surge in attacks on the US power grid is leaving regulators and government officials in the dark. Communication challenges between law enforcement and grid regulators, discrepancies in reporting incidents, and the need for stronger collaboration and communication between utilities and law enforcement officials are discussed.

Sep 15, 2023 • 8min
How red states are pumping the brakes on EVs
Red states are opposing EV adoption through taxes and fees. The rationale behind the resistance is discussed, along with the impact on EV adoption and climate goals.


