Why accurate flood forecasts didn’t prevent tragedy in Texas

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

New analyses from four research firms showed the GOP megabill could spike U.S. emissions for years to come, which could in turn hurt global climate goals and America’s green credibility. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how the megabill could rewrite America’s climate future. Plus, oil production contracted in the second quarter, according to survey results the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas published this week. 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-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

Senate Republicans narrowly passed their version of President Donald Trump’s party-line reconciliation package on Tuesday, bringing the party closer to executing a key part of the president’s domestic agenda and transforming America’s energy policy. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel, James Bikales and Kelsey Tamborrino break down how the Senate finally passed its version of the bill, the impact on the clean energy industry, and what’s next in the reconciliation process. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy 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

A record-breaking heat wave strained the U.S. power grid last week, highlighting the risks of rising electricity demand and extreme weather. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how the grid held up and the Trump administration’s plans for future heat waves. Plus, the Energy Department and FERC proposed slashing current environmental analysis procedures based off of the current National Environmental Policy Act on Monday and replacing them with new, more limited procedures. 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

The Trump administration is giving seven Western states until November to agree on how to share the Colorado River — or face federal intervention. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the administration’s ultimatum, why the states that share the river haven’t solved this issue, and what’s next in this saga. Plus, the Department of Energy didn't ensure enough staff or risk controls were in place to handle a high-profile $8 billion hydrogen program, the agency's inspector general office said in a new report. Annie Snider covers water issues 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-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

The Trump administration is proposing steep cuts to the Department of Energy’s network of national research laboratories, which have powered U.S. scientific and technological breakthroughs for decades. POLITICO’s Brian Dabbs breaks down how President Trump wants to reshape the system andwhat it means for the future of U.S. science and energy innovation. Also, the Trump administration has given the seven Western states that share the Colorado River less than five months to reach a deal on how to split its drought-shriveled flows — or Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will impose unilateral cuts. Brian Dabbs covers the Energy Department and White House for POLITICO’s E&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

Experts are warning that some of President Donald Trump’s executive actions could undermine his goal of getting wildfires in the United States under control. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why wildfires are getting worse in the country, Trump’s wildfire prevention strategy, and the pushback. Plus, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Mike Lee is not backing down from his effort to sell public lands in the GOP megabill, according to new draft text obtained by POLITICO. 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-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

Hill Republicans are eager to get their reconciliation mega bill to President Donald Trump’s desk by July 4th. But the Senate parliamentarian has deemed large sections of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s portion of the bill in violation of reconciliation budget rules. POLITICO’s James Bikales digs into the measures deemed prohibited, what comes next and what this setback means for the GOP’s “energy dominance” plans. Plus, an EPA staff union has filed a Hatch Act complaint claiming that Administrator Lee Zeldin’s weekly newsletter may be unlawful partisan activity. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel⁠⁠⁠ is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO.  ⁠⁠⁠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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States’ attack on Iranian nuclear facilities late Saturday caused a global oil price spike — but it hasn’t lasted. Prices have tumbled after Iran’s strikes on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains these price fluctuations and what it all means for President Donald Trump’s low energy cost promises. Plus, New York governor Kathy Hochul is directing the state’s power authority to build a new nuclear power plant stat, giving NY more renewable energy options. Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel⁠⁠ is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO.  ⁠⁠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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices