POLITICO Energy

The Treasury Department is hoping to define how new electric vehicles can qualify for a lucrative tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act by the end of this year. But Ford’s agreement to license Chinese battery technology is putting the Biden administration in a difficult spot between looking tough on Beijing while also reaching the president’s ambitious EV adoption goals. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the dilemma the Treasury Department faces as it works to define the IRA’s “foreign entities of concern” provision and the political stakes. Plus, new data from the Department of Energy shows attacks on the U.S. power grid rose in the first six months of the year.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And 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.  James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  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.

Several Democratic-led states across the country are hoping to move off fossil fuels toward a clean energy transition. But their plans carry practical and political risks – including increases in utility bills – that could hurt Democrats heading into the 2024 elections. POLITICO’s Marie French examines this trend, how it’s playing out in New York, and the lessons Democrats can learn. Plus, the Treasury Department provided an update on Friday about when to expect guidance for several clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And 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.  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.

The Biden administration’s decision on Wednesday to cancel Trump-era oil leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is fueling criticism from both sides of the aisle and comes at a complicated political moment for President Joe Biden. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the strategy behind the decision, if it impacts America’s oil production, and how environmentalists and the administration’s opponents are reacting. Plus, the Biden administration's new rule vastly curtailing the scope of federal clean water protections is set to take effect today.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And 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.  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.

Recent polls show that the public, including many Republican primary voters, aren’t interested in GOP politicians attacking corporations for integrating climate and social goals into their business plans. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why voters may be feeling this way and how Republican politicians are responding as the 2024 elections heat up. Plus, the Interior Department canceled oil drilling leases on Wednesday that the Trump administration sold in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And 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.  Jordan Wolman is a sustainability 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.

The Community Alliance for Direct Air Capture is using a non-traditional, community-first approach to potentially build a direct air capture hub in California’s Central Valley – a fossil fuel hotspot with some of the nation’s worst air quality. The alliance’s strategy could become a model for other infrastructure projects critical to reaching the Biden administration’s climate goals. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the alliance’s outreach efforts and the concerns from community members. Plus, the European Union is internally at odds over the topline greenhouse gas reduction target in its climate action plan ahead of this year’s UN climate summit.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And 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.  Zack Colman covers climate change 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.

As Congress returns from its August recess, POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and James Bikales discuss what lawmakers on the Hill and the Biden administration aim to accomplish in terms of energy and climate policy for the rest of the year, along with the tricky politics behind those issues.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And 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.  James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO.  Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO.  Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Wednesday's Republican presidential debate revealed that energy and climate change are going to be front and center in the 2024 election cycle, with attacks from the GOP field ranging from criticisms of clean energy subsidies to denial that climate change is real. POLITICO’s Matt Daily and Alex Guillén break down the takeaways from the debate and how energy and climate change will play a role in the GOP presidential race moving forward. Plus, a new watchdog report found that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission needs to make structural changes to prepare for an anticipated influx of work related to licensing small advanced nuclear reactors.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And 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.  Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO.  Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Republicans are blaming the late-summer surge in gasoline prices on President Joe Biden’s green agenda, even though U.S. oil production is on track to set a new record this year. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why prices are continuing to rise at the pump and how this trend could factor into the 2024 election. Plus, a new study found climate change was a major driver behind the wildfires that ripped across Quebec and blanketed toxic smoke over U.S. states earlier this summer.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  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.

California's largest agricultural water district is making controversial plans to conserve water and invest in solar panels. It’s a Biden-esque policy move prompted by the projected impacts of climate change and shifting political winds. But that strategy is prompting a power struggle within the district that could determine how water fights unfold across the state. POLITICO’s Ry Rivard breaks down how the district is going through a political transformation, its approach to climate change, and what it means for California at large. Plus, the Biden administration finalized tighter offshore drilling safety rules on Tuesday.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO.  Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

The United Arab Emirates is considering creating one of the largest ever state-sponsored financial funds to spur clean energy projects, and the wealthy oil nation plans to unveil the fund at this year’s U.N. Climate Change Conference in Dubai. It’s a notable effort since the UAE is drawing backlash for its role as host of the global climate talks while also being one of the world's largest contributors of greenhouse gases. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down the details of the fund, why it might relieve political pressure for the UAE, and the concerns from less wealthy nations. Plus, the Biden administration is scrapping its plans to reconsider a Trump-era decision not to strengthen the national standard for ground-level ozone.    For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  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.