Inside the Trump administration’s latest move to stunt wind and solar projects

POLITICO exclusively obtained an internal memo this week showing that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum must directly sign off on all permits for wind and solar projects on federal lands — a shift that could dramatically slow clean energy development across the country. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Josh Siegel break down how the directive fits into President Donald Trump’s broader push to rein in green energy and why critics see it as a backdoor attempt to kill renewables with red tape. Plus, President Donald Trump has officially nominated David LaCerte to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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

POLITICO exclusively learned this week that President Donald Trump is eyeing White House adviser David LaCerte to fill an open commissioner seat on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. POLITICO’s Isa Domínguez breaks down LaCerte’s energy credentials (or lack thereof) and how his potential nomination is raising new alarms about FERC’s independence under Trump. Plus, one of Europe’s biggest energy companies just inked a major deal to buy American natural gas. Isa Domínguez is an energy reporter and author of Morning Energy for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. 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

House Republicans are kicking off the next government funding process with proposals that take aim at energy and climate programs — setting up a potential showdown with the Senate and another high-stakes government funding fight. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down what’s in the House GOP’s initial proposals, how they diverge from the White House’s vision, and what to watch as negotiations heat up on Capitol Hill. Plus, an environmental group is challenging the Trump administration’s $4.7 billion loan to French energy giant TotalEnergies to help build a liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique.  Alex Guillén 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-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

Republicans’ sweeping new tax law sparked partisan battles over nearly every energy source — except nuclear power. But the so-called nuclear renaissance lawmakers are counting on is still running into the same old problems. POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez breaks down why Congress is betting big on nuclear, and whether the technology can actually deliver. Plus, House Republicans on Monday proposed steep cuts to EPA’s budget, trimming almost a quarter of the agency's spending. 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

Democrats are shifting their energy message ahead of the 2026 midterm elections by focusing less on climate change and more on the prospect of rising electricity bills driven by Republican policies. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains how the Dems’ new energy strategy is taking shape and whether it could resonate with voters in 2026 and beyond.  Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. 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

Republicans put clean energy tax credits on a fast track to phase out in their sweeping tax law. But President Donald Trump’s new executive order this week could make qualifying for the credits even harder — potentially undermining billions in planned wind and solar development. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the politics behind the move, along with the legal and financial risks that follow.  Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy reporter 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

Nuclear power is enjoying a surge of bipartisan support in the U.S., fueled by rising energy demand and state climate goals. But despite the momentum, the industry itself may be nuclear’s biggest obstacle — a challenge that could shape the future of America’s power supply. POLITICO’s Debra Kahn looks at the growing political backing and the stubborn realities holding the sector back. Plus, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration promised to bring staffing levels up to meet the needs of the National Weather Service's local offices. Debra Kahn is the editor of POLITICO's California Climate newsletter and author of Currents, a reported column about the energy, environment and climate debates. 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

Emergency response experts and climate scientists are warning that the devastating Texas floods last week are a warning sign: As climate disasters grow more intense and federal disaster infrastructure shrinks, communities across the country could be left dangerously exposed. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down what the Texas floods signal about the country’s readiness for the next natural disaster. Plus, President Donald Trump just signed an executive order telling the Treasury Department to strictly enforce the phase-out of clean electricity tax credits under his new tax law. Zack Colman covers climate change 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

More than 80 people are dead after catastrophic flooding swept through central Texas last week even though federal forecasters saw it coming. Chelsea Harvey from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why accurate federal forecasts weren’t enough to save lives, and how climate change and shrinking federal disaster infrastructure are raising alarms for what’s ahead. Plus, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is poised to start rulemaking to "sunset" certain regulations, according to a draft "notice of inquiry" obtained by POLITICO's E&E News. Chelsea Harvey covers climate science for POLITICO’s E& News. 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

President Donald Trump signed his “One Big, Beautiful Bill” into law on Friday, achieving a major part of his domestic energy agenda. But the law could potentially put swing-district Republicans at risk in the 2026 midterm elections. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and James Bikales break down why Trump’s new law could politically hurt his party. Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO.  James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  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. 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