How Memphis became a climate battleground with Elon Musk

When the House Natural Resources Committee approved its portion of Republicans’ reconciliation package earlier this week, it also pushed through a controversial, last-minute amendment that could threaten party support for the sweeping measure. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and James Bikales break down the behind-the-scenes of what happened and why it could upend Republicans’ reconciliation efforts. Plus, a dozen House Republicans in an 11th hour request are calling for colleagues to spare key clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act from the chopping block. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company has been spewing pollution into South Memphis without federal permits for several months, triggering public outcry and questions about the development of AI infrastructure across the country. Ariel Wittenberg from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down the controversy along with the climate, public health and tech implications. Plus, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he expects to finish evaluating whether to proceed with funding hundreds of large Biden-approved projects in DOE’s pipeline by the end of the summer. Ariel Wittenberg is a public health reporter for POLITICO’s E&E News. Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A coalition of nearly 20 Democratic states sued the Trump administration this week over its moves to block onshore and offshore wind energy projects. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the details of the case, the impact on the industry and what’s next in this fight. Plus, the Senate on Tuesday approved a Congressional Review Act measure targeting a recent EPA update to pollution rules for rubber tire manufacturers. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration made two moves recently to sharply shrink EPA and potentially decimate some of the nation’s most critical environmental work. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the administration’s latest efforts targeting EPA and the potential backlash. Plus, a coalition of nearly 20 Democratic attorneys general sued the Trump administration to overturn its executive order blocking federal approvals of wind energy projects. Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro.  Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congressional Republicans are struggling to agree on how deeply they should cut the clean energy tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act, and their internal battle is complicating the party’s effort to pass President Donald Trump’s main legislative priority: a mega budget reconciliation bill. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel, Kelsey Tamborrino and James Bikales break down what this internal squabble is really about, what might happen next and the stakes. Plus, listen to POLITICO’s energy takeaways from President Donald Trump’s 2026 spending proposal.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the House voted to undo three federal waivers that let California set strict vehicle pollution standards, setting up a fight in the Senate that could restrict California’s nation-leading climate authority and the auto industry at large. POLITICO’s Alex Nieves breaks down why Republicans are targeting these waivers, the uncertain outcome in the Senate, and the potential implications on multiple states and the car industry. Plus, a coalition of nearly 40 House Republicans called for the full repeal of all of the energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act as part of the party's budget reconciliation effort. Alex Nieves is the California transportation reporter at POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration is considering creating a sovereign risk insurance program for energy projects, along with a sovereign wealth fund. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the administration’s thinking on the topics, how it compares to other policies around the world, and the potential challenges ahead. Plus, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced the nominations of two nominees for the Energy Department, as well as bipartisan legislation that aims to speed the development of minerals resources. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has dismissed all of the scientists working on the newest version of the National Climate Assessment, the most important climate science report issued by the federal government. Scott Waldman from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why these firings happened, how they might impact the report’s future and the Trump administration’s broader plans. Plus, Interior Department staff were told to upload their resumes by midday Tuesday to help officials determine which employees will be fired as part of the DOGE-driven reduction-in-force effort. Scott Waldman is the White House reporter for E&E News focused on climate change.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican lawmakers are considering making major changes to the clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act as part of their party-line budget reconciliation package. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel, James Bikales and Kelsey Tamborrino break down the three ways Republicans could modify the credits. Plus, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin laid out his plans for addressing the country's sprawling PFAS problem Monday, but remained silent on whether the agency will back the first-ever drinking water limits for the chemicals that were issued by the Biden administration. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawyers for the Trump administration knew they faced significant legal risks when they froze $20 billion in Biden-era climate grants, according to internal government emails exclusively obtained by POLITICO. Alex Guillén breaks down how the administration had internal legal qualms about its public push to regain control of the already-distributed funding. Plus, POLITICO scooped that former FERC Commissioner Willie Phillips was asked to step down from the agency last week by the White House.  Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices