POLITICO Energy

The Senate voted this week to advance a bipartisan permitting reform bill, clearing an important hurdle on the package’s path to passage. But the bill still faces critical political and policy hurdles ahead. POLITICO’s Nico Portuondo explains what happened this week, what could still derail the bill and what comes next. Plus, the Trump administration closed a $480 million Louisiana energy loan, and House Natural Resources ranking member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) told 27 companies and nine federal agencies to preserve records ahead of Democrats taking control of the committee. Nico Portuondo is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO’s E&E News. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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

POLITICO guest host Sara Schonhardt sits down for an extended interview with Chris Bowen, Australia’s minister for climate change and energy and the president of negotiations at this year’s United Nations climate conference that starts today. They discuss what the summit can accomplish, the geopolitics surrounding the negotiations, how countries can meet rising electricity demand from AI and data centers, and Australia’s unique role at the climate talks. Sara Schonhardt is an international climate reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Yi-Jo Shen is a freelance video producer for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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

This week, Democrats won key state and congressional races by, in part, promising to slow or pause data center development. POLITICO’s Ben Storrow explains how those pledges could affect America's AI buildout, why state governments have so much influence over where data centers get built, and the potential impact on the American economy. Plus, the race for committee leadership positions on the Hill for next Congress is already starting to take some shape. Ben Storrow is an energy and climate reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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

Democrats flipped the House and Senate last night in sweeping victories across the country, delivering a strong rebuke to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Pavan Acharya break down how energy shaped the Democratic wave and what it means for both parties, Congress and the White House over the next two years. Plus, POLITICO’s Mark Matthews examines how energy played a role in key state and local races, along with ballot initiatives. Mark Matthews is POLITICO’s states’ energy editor. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO.  Pavan Acharya is a congressional energy reporter at POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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

Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended conversation with Tim Latimer, CEO of Fervo Energy, one of the leading geothermal companies in the United States. They discuss geothermal’s potential as a source of around-the-clock power in the U.S., its first-of-its-kind Utah plant tied to Google, and the challenges stemming from its stock market debut earlier this year. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Yi-Jo Shen is a freelance video producer for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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

Next week’s midterm elections could bring a rare kind of Democrat back to the Senate: the oil-state Democrat. POLITICO’s Pavan Acharya explains why the oil-state Democrats have become less common, how James Talarico of Texas and Mary Peltola of Alaska fit the mold, and what their potential wins could mean for the party’s energy politics. Plus, the EPA proposed easing Biden-era limits on methane emissions from oil and gas operations, and the Trump administration finalized a $5.1 billion loan to strengthen grid reliability in Iowa and Wisconsin. Pavan Acharya is a congressional energy reporter at POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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

Democrats could win control of the House in the upcoming midterm elections, but they’re divided over their potential energy and climate priorities. POLITICO’s Pavan Acharya and Amelia Davidson break down what a Democratic-led House could realistically accomplish, along with how the party’s internal divisions and the possible loss of Republican allies could shape its agenda. Plus, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is urging state regulators to strengthen a proposal to protect ratepayers from data center costs. Amelia Davidson is a congressional energy reporter with POLITICO. Pavan Acharya is a congressional energy reporter at POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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

Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat seeking reelection in November. They discuss if Arizona can pursue its tech ambitions amid a water crisis, and her argument that the state can attract tech investment without more data centers. They also explore the Colorado River crisis, the Trump administration’s impact on the West, keeping utility bills affordable and the growing influence of state attorneys general on energy and climate policy. Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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

The race to replace Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel may be getting less attention than the state’s highly anticipated Senate contest between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers, but it could have major consequences for national debates over energy, utilities and data centers. POLITICO Deputy editor-in-chief Joe Schatz breaks down the close race, why the Michigan AG’s office has become influential in energy and climate policy, and what the contest says about the growing power of state attorneys general. Plus, two wind projects clear a Pentagon review that’s been a sticking point in permitting talks, and the GAO plans to examine the Trump administration’s mining deals. Joe Schatz is the deputy editor-in-chief of POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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

The Trump administration wants tech companies to start building AI data centers on America’s public lands. But that push is creating political tension in the western United States, putting some Republicans at odds with the Trump administration just weeks before the midterm elections. POLITICO’s Ian Stevenson explains why President Donald Trump is pushing to build data centers on public lands, the political and local pushback, and what’s next. Plus, FEMA's chief tells states to prepare to handle disasters largely on their own, and a rare earths company plans a major new plant in upstate New York. Ian Stevenson covers energy as well as public lands and the Interior Department for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy.  Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO. Veronica Tejera is the deputy head of Audio/Video at POLITICO. Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Follow the show on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and Instagram. Follow POLITICO here:    ➤ X: https://x.com/politico/ ➤ Instagram:  / politico      ➤ Facebook:  / politico   For more reporting 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