
POLITICO Energy
The POLITICO newsroom breaks down the stories and power players shaping energy politics and policy in the United States and around the world by featuring original interviews, along with in-depth reporting and analysis from the largest energy policy newsroom in the world.
Episodes

Google’s energy and sustainability chief on AI power needs and its climate goals
Today, POLITICO Energy co-host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with Marsden Hanna, the head of energy and sustainability policy at Google. They discuss how the tech giant plans to power its AI data centers and the company’s 2030 net-zero climate goal, the need for the bipartisan Senate permitting bill and the potential for new scrutiny from Democrats on the hill over its energy use

A leading Democratic pollster on energy, climate and the 2026 midterms
How much do voters care about energy and climate heading into the 2026 midterms? POLITICO Energy co-host Nirmal Mulaikal sits down for an extended interview with Geoff Garin, president of Hart Research, a leading Democratic public opinion research and strategic messaging firm. They explore how voters are weighing energy and climate issues ahead of the elections, how Democrats and Republicans are m

Inside the fight over Congress’ bipartisan energy permitting deal
Senate negotiators reached a bipartisan deal on a package to overhaul energy permitting rules in a bid to speed up the federal approvals and allow projects to be built faster by developers. But its political path forward may be difficult. POLITICO’s Nico Portuondo breaks down what's in the bill and the obstacles that lie ahead for one the most highly anticipated congressional energy bills in years

Supreme Court weighs the future of climate lawsuits against Big Oil
Today, the Supreme Court will begin to hear arguments in a case that could shape whether local governments can use state law to make oil companies pay for climate damages. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén and Lesley Clark explain the arguments on both sides, what the justices could decide and why the case could change the future of climate lawsuits and the oil and gas industry.
Alex Guillén is an energ

Trump’s military has a China problem. What will he do?
The Trump administration is caught between U.S. defense contractors and mining companies as a January deadline approaches for the Pentagon to stop buying equipment made with critical minerals and rare earth magnets sourced from China and other U.S. adversaries. POLITICO’s Hannah Northey explains why the industries are at odds, the dilemma facing the White House and what could happen next. Plus, th

The U.S. economy is growing. Will energy drag it down?
Polls show that Americans aren’t happy with President Donald Trump’s economy, even as key economic indicators remain strong. POLITICO’s economics correspondent Victoria Guida breaks down the disconnect, what’s driving America’s economic growth, and how rising energy costs are affecting consumers and could weigh on the economy ahead of the midterms. Plus, Congress may finally be moving toward a bip

California AG Bonta on defending climate leadership against Trump
Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat. They discuss California’s legal battles with the Trump administration, the state’s authority to set nation-leading climate policies, the affordability of clean energy, the regulation of artificial intelligence and more.
Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITI

Climate Week’s big shift: Energy, affordability and a U.S. retreat
Climate Week NYC — the annual gathering of thousands of government officials, business leaders, activists and advocates — is wrapping up today at a consequential moment in the fight against climate change. The United States has stepped back from climate leadership, while other countries and businesses continue to push ahead amid concerns about energy security and affordability. POLITICO’s Sara Sch

Big Ag and Big Oil battle for Trump’s support on diesel
Diesel prices are at record highs across the country right now, and that’s creating a major split inside the Republican party ahead of the November midterm elections. Many farm-state Republicans want President Donald Trump to restrict diesel exports, while America’s oil and gas industry warns that doing so could drive prices even higher. POLITICO’s James Bikales explains what’s driving the spike i

NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill: We’re saving ratepayers $1B a year
Today, Democratic New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill sits down for an extended interview with POLITICO Energy host Arianna Skibell. Sherill lays out her reasons for freezing utility rates, how she's regulating data centers and why she's holding out hope that New Jersey and the federal government can cooperate on new nuclear power. She also dished on her relationship with Virginia Gov. Abig

Dems make their energy affordability pitch
A group of House Democrats unveiled a policy menu this week on what they’d like to achieve in the next Congress to reduce emissions and lower energy costs. It’s their first look at how they would tackle energy policy should they regain power in Congress next year after the election. And it comes as Republicans struggled this week to advance bills to reduce pump prices and address voter concerns ab

What’s next for power plant climate rules?
The Trump administration rescinded marquee Biden-era standards targeting carbon emissions from fossil fuel power generation — and proposed blocking any future power plant carbon regulations. Is the final nail in the coffin for power plant emissions rules, or just the beginning of a new chapter in a long-running fight? POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the blockbuster announcement and what lies a

General Motors wants its cars to help power your home
General Motors is offering a slate of electric vehicles with what the carmaker hopes will be an appealing feature: bidirectional power. That means if a customer’s power goes out, they can use their car to help energized their home, Aseem Kapur, GM Energy’s chief revenue officer, tells the POLITICO Energy podcast. That type of flexibility – which could also eventually weave in demand response progr

Energy prices are closing in on the GOP’s midterm chances
Energy prices are rising throughout the country partially because of the war in the Middle East, and that’s putting Republicans and President Donald Trump on the defensive just weeks before the 2026 midterm elections. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains how higher prices are affecting consumers and the broader economy, which states and races could feel the political impact, and whether the Trump admi

How solar power is winning over Georgia Republicans
President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have attacked solar power and rolled back key industry tax credits. But now, in conservative Georgia, Republicans are embracing the green technology, exposing a growing divide within the party. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains why some Georgia Republicans are warming up to solar and what that could say about the future of clean energy for Republi

Trump picked a fight with Washington. Its AG is pushing back.
Today, POLITICO deputy editor-in-chief Joe Schatz sits down for an extended conversation with Nick Brown, the Democratic attorney general of Washington. They discuss the Trump administration’s legal battles with Washington over wind power and coal, how Brown and other Democratic-led states are responding, why state attorneys general across the country are becoming increasingly important players in

How Big Ag is losing its grip on Iowa’s governor race
Big Ag has long dominated Iowa politics, but in this year’s governor’s race, both parties are challenging the industry’s political power in part because of concerns over farm pollution. POLITICO’s Ellie Borst breaks down why Big Ag is on the defensive, how the issue is reshaping both parties’ strategies and what it means for winning Midwestern voters ahead of the midterm elections. Plus, a federal

EQT CEO Toby Rice on the future of natural gas in the age of AI
Today, POLITICO Energy guest host James Bikales sits down for an extended interview with Toby Rice, the president and CEO of EQT, one of the country’s largest natural gas producers and a major potential supplier to data centers. They discuss whether America’s energy industry can meet the growing power demand from artificial intelligence, the political backlash facing data centers, Congress’ failur

Inside the energy fight shaking up the Texas governor race
Rural voters in Texas are growing increasingly angry over data centers and new power lines in their communities, threatening Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s reelection bid as he faces a surprisingly competitive race against Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa. POLITICO’s Texas-based energy reporter Shelby Webb breaks down the rural backlash, how the candidates are responding and why the fight over e

Biden’s energy legacy is proving hard to kill
President Donald Trump came into office promising to dismantle Joe Biden’s nearly two trillion-dollar climate and clean energy agenda. But a new POLITICO analysis found that major pieces of Biden’s energy legacy are still alive, and the upcoming midterms could help determine what happens to them next. POLITICO’s Jessie Blaeser breaks down what Trump has successfully rolled back, why some Biden-era

Inside America’s coming electricity crunch with the NERC CEO
Today, POLITICO Energy host Arianna Skibell sits down for an extended interview with Jim Robb, the president and CEO of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, which oversees the reliability and security of North America’s bulk power grid. They discuss how the data center boom is testing America’s power grid, what it will take to meet soaring electricity demand, and how policymakers m

The growing turmoil inside Burgum’s Interior Department
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s tenure has been marked by staff departures, secrecy and internal turmoil, according to multiple former officials and other sources close to the department. POLITICO’s Ian Stevenson breaks down what’s happening inside the Interior Department, how the agency and White House are responding, and what it could mean for Burgum’s future as one of President Donald Trump’s

Can billions of federal dollars fix America’s mining industry?
President Donald Trump is betting billions of federal dollars on rebuilding America’s mining industry and boosting U.S. supplies of critical minerals. But will it work? And what obstacles are ahead? POLITICO’s Hannah Northey breaks down where the money is going, why mining has become a major energy and national security priority, and the challenges that could stand in the administration’s way. Plu

One of America's biggest utility CEOs on the electricity bill crisis
Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with Calvin Butler, president and CEO of Exelon Corporation, the nation's largest regulated electric utility company serving nearly 11 million customers across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. They discuss why utility bills keep rising, the growing strain on America’s power grid, and how utilities are responding to growing pu

The surprising race for America’s nuclear waste
For decades, nuclear waste was considered one of the biggest political liabilities in American energy policy. Now, Republican-led states are competing to host projects that could eventually bring more nuclear waste home. POLITICO's Nico Portuondo explains why states are embracing what was once politically untouchable and what it all says about the changing politics of nuclear power in America. Plu

California has led on climate for years. Is that about to change?
California has long been viewed as America's climate leader, but its likely next governor, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Xavier Becerra, may be pulling back on its aggressive policies. POLITICO's Alex Nieves explains why Becerra is considering changes to California's climate approach, the political pressures behind that shift, and how it could affect governments and major industries around the

Sen. Martin Heinrich’s permitting state of play
Sen. Martin Heinrich, the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joins POLITICO Energy's Josh Siegel to discuss the rising cost of energy, permitting reform negotiations, climate policy and the growing power demands of AI data centers. Heinrich predicts midterm gains for Democrats from their messaging on the costs of Republicans' energy policies. He also exclusively pre

Freedom fueled refineries? Trump’s latest bid to lower gas prices
The Trump administration wants to revive idled refineries across the country to make more fuel, its latest push to address higher gasoline prices. White House officials are huddling with potential investors to restart defunct fuel factories, from the Virgin Islands to California. So how far along are discussions? And how close is any of this to becoming reality? POLITICO's James Bikales breaks dow

Nuclear fusion tries to win over Washington
Nuclear fusion holds the promise of almost limitless, carbon-free energy -- but the technology has long been dismissed as always decades away. That may now be changing, though. Real money is pouring into the industry. Pilot projects are planned. An increasing number of lawmakers are warming to the idea. But fusion's supporters said they still need more help from Washington to scale. POLITICO's Joe

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp isn’t giving up on EVs, even as data centers boom
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp only has a few months left in the statehouse before the Republican’s second term comes to an end, and he’s hoping to land a couple more big investments before he departs. Those would be on top of the major electric vehicle manufacturing plants that have sprouted up – and one of the biggest buildouts of data centers in the country. POLITICO’s Arianna Skibell talks to Kemp ab

Dems are prepping a Big Oil onslaught. K Street is ready.
Democrats are champing at the bit to conduct more oversight of the Trump administration’s close ties to the oil and gas sector if the regain power in Congress in November's midterms. What are they planning to home in on? And what are energy lobbyists doing to prepare? POLITICO's James Bikales breaks down what to expect if Democrats take hold of the committee gavels.

How the Trump administration’s Colorado River push could reshape the West
Why is the Colorado River at a breaking point? Part of the answer lies in years of drought, dwindling water supplies and a long fight among Western states over an operating plan for the river. POLITICO's Annie Snider explains why the Trump administration is stepping in to take a larger role in managing the Colorado River, what that means for the 40 million people who rely on it and why the next ch

Meet the new Republican leading America's solar industry
Today, POLITICO Energy host Manuel Quiñones sits down for an extended interview with Tim Pawlenty, the new president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, former Minnesota governor and 2012 Republican presidential candidate. They discuss why the solar industry turned to a longtime Republican to lead it, Pawlenty's strategy and vision, the industry's biggest congressional policy prior

Inside the energy fight splitting Virginia Democrats
Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended conversation with Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas, arguably one of the most powerful lawmakers in the state. They discuss Gov. Abigail Spanberger's recent comments on the show, Virginia's first-in-the-nation approach to taxing data centers' energy use, and what the debate in the data center capital of the world

The SCOTUS ruling behind America’s data center boom
Why are AI data centers getting built so quickly? Part of the answer lies in a Supreme Court decision from 2023. POLITICO's Miranda Willson explains how that ruling — and actions by the Trump administration — have made it easier for many data centers to move through the federal permitting process, and why that has left some communities with fewer opportunities to weigh in on projects being built i

Gov. Hochul on New York’s energy and climate balancing act
Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York. They discuss whether New York can meet its climate goals while keeping energy affordable, the future of nuclear power and offshore wind in the state, and how New York is responding to President Donald Trump's legal and policy attacks on clean energy.
Zack Colman covers cl

The US-Iran ceasefire is over. What does that mean for energy?
President Donald Trump said this week that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is effectively over. What does that mean for the world's energy markets and, by extension, consumers' wallets? Could renewed tensions reshape the political landscape with the midterm elections approaching? POLITICO's James Bikales breaks down the economic and political consequences of the latest escalation.

How Trump's cuts could hurt America's weather forecasts
Experts are warning that federal job cuts imposed by President Donald Trump are starting to have an effect on weather forecasts, raising worries about that communities could be unprepared for extreme conditions. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down why some meteorologists are concerned, the response from the Trump administration, and what it could mean for communities across the country. Plus, scorc

Gov. Spanberger on affordability, data centers, NextEra-Dominion and more
Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview with Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia. They discuss the state's first-of-its-kind data center energy tax, her affordability agenda and the Democratic party's energy and climate messaging ahead of the midterm elections.
Josh Siegel is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO.
Nirmal Mulaikal is the co

This summer’s heat waves are getting political
The United States and Europe are both suffering through dangerous heat waves this summer, but their political leaders are telling very different stories about why and what to do about it. POLITICO’s Chelsea Harvey breaks down how dangerous these heat waves are, the role climate change is playing and why U.S. and E.U. leaders are responding so differently to the same problem. Plus, the World Bank i

Sierra Club chief: The climate vote isn't dead. It’s just evolving.
Today, POLITICO Energy host Manuel Quiñones sits down for an extended interview with Loren Blackford, executive director of the Sierra Club, one of the nation's leading environmental advocacy organizations. They discuss the group’s standing, the challenges facing the environmental movement under President Donald Trump, and the group's strategy heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Nirmal Mu

The Trump-Big Oil alliance is getting complicated
The oil industry received some welcome news this week as the United States and Iran agreed to a temporary ceasefire, raising hopes for greater certainty around shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. But President Donald Trump also directed the Justice Department to investigate major oil companies over alleged price gouging. POLITICO's James Bikales breaks down how the Trump–Big Oil alliance is get

FERC's Swett explains the agency’s historic data center plan
Today, POLITICO Energy reporter Kelsey Tamborrino sits down for an exclusive interview with Laura Swett, the chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, after the agency released a new strategy recently for managing the growing demand data centers are placing on America’s power grid. They discuss why FERC rejected a one-size-fits-all national rule and what this historic decision means for t

NRC chair Nieh on America’s nuclear comeback, safety concerns and more
Today, POLITICO Energy reporter Kelsey Tamborrino sits down for an extended interview with Ho Nieh, the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They discuss how the agency is at the center of America’s nuclear revival, the NRC’s relationship with the Trump administration, ongoing concerns about safety and regulatory independence, and what it will take to bring more nuclear energy online in

FERC Chair Laura Swett: 'Buckle up' for a major data center decision
POLITICO’s deputy editor-in-chief Joe Schatz sits down for an exclusive interview with Laura Swett, the chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. They discuss how FERC might regulate energy-hungry data centers in the near future, rising power demand across the country, the controversy surrounding the nation’s largest grid operator, and what Swett wants to change about energy permitting in

Has America’s clean energy industry outgrown green tax credits?
While Democratic leaders are pledging to restore wind and solar tax credits if they regain control of Congress and the White House, some clean energy developers are questioning whether continuing to pursue those incentives is necessary or even politically wise. POLITICO's Nico Portuondo breaks down why Democrats and parts of the renewable energy industry are increasingly at odds over those credits

North Dakota Gov. Armstrong leads an oil-and-wind state. Is Trump's energy agenda helping or hurting?
Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican who leads a state that relies heavily on both oil and wind power while enjoying some of the nation's lowest electricity prices. They discuss how the Trump administration's energy agenda is affecting the state, including restrictions on new wind and solar projects, rising

The next phase of the Iran energy shock may be near
The oil industry is telling the Trump administration that oil and fuel stockpiles are running dangerously low and that global energy prices could spike in a matter of weeks. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why the warning is coming now, how the Trump administration is responding, and the impact on consumers and the global economy. Plus, President Donald Trump is expected to invoke the Defense

Are we seeing a fossil fuel comeback in New England?
As the Trump administration pushes to expand fossil fuel infrastructure, it may have found some unexpected allies: Democratic governors in New England. POLITICO's Ben Storrow breaks down what's driving that shift in a region long defined by its climate ambitions, how the White House and green groups are responding, and what it could mean for the future of Democratic energy policy. Plus, seven stat

FERC’s big AI rule is coming. Here’s what Commissioner David LaCerte thinks.
Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview with David LaCerte, a Republican commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. They discuss FERC’s highly anticipated proposal on connecting AI data centers to the power grid, the turmoil surrounding America’s largest power grid operator PJM Interconnection, rising electricity costs, permitting reform, whether

Pennsylvania and New Jersey jump into the AI energy fight
The governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey announced plans this week to build guardrails around data center development -- the latest sign that states are taking a more active role in shaping how and where data centers get built amid worries about soaring electricity prices, grid reliability and community impacts. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down what the two Democratic governors are pro

Why North Carolina’s clean energy boom is hitting a political wall
Today, POLITICO Energy host Arianna Skibell sits down with Matt Abele, the executive director of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association who serves on Governor Josh Stein’s Clean Energy Task Force. They discuss why North Carolina, which was one of the South's earliest and biggest adopters on clean energy, is slowing down its climate and green ambitions and what that trend reveals about a

Trump delayed a climate rule to address rising food prices. Will it work?
On Thursday, the Trump administration postponed a regulation requiring grocery stores to buy climate-friendly models when they purchase new refrigeration systems – an effort to tamp down skyrocketing grocery prices that’s opposed by U.S. manufacturers. POLITICO’s Jean Chemnick breaks down why the administration delayed the rule, if it will actually help lower rising food prices -- and why that mov

The biggest power merger in U.S. history is all about data centers
The massive $67 billion merger of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, two of the largest utility companies in the nation, will face a regulatory gauntlet at the state and federal level amid concerns about energy affordability and rising power demand. POLITICO’s Adam Aton breaks down the details of the potential merger, the difficult regulatory process ahead, and the stakes for the utility industry

How the Data Center Coalition is responding to growing backlash
Today, POLITICO Energy host Manuel Quiñones sits down for an extended interview with Josh Levi, the president and CEO of the Data Center Coalition, the primary trade group for major tech companies and data center developers. They discuss concerns about data centers’ energy usage, data center moratoriums, how big an electoral issue data centers could become, and the industry's response to mounting

Trump-Xi talks: Who holds the energy advantage?
President Donald Trump’s meetings this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping come as the Iran war is rattling global energy markets and raising new questions about energy security. POLITICO’s Scott Waldman and Sara Schonhardt break down the energy stakes behind the talks and how the conflict could ultimately help Beijing strengthen its long-term position in the global energy race. Plus, watchdog

A federal gas tax holiday could be coming. Will it matter?
President Donald Trump and some congressional Republicans are pushing to suspend the federal gas tax amid rising pump prices, accelerating inflation, and no end in sight to the Iran war. POLITICO’s Amelia Davidson discusses the political hurdles on Capitol Hill and whether suspending the tax would actually make a meaningful difference for Americans. Plus, the U.S. Energy Information Administration

White House adviser Agen on Venezuela, Iran, high energy prices and more
Today, POLITICO Energy guest host Sophia Cai, a White House reporter, sits down for an extended interview with Jarrod Agen, the executive director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council. They discuss the Trump administration’s effort to drive new investment in Venezuela after Nicholas Maduro’s capture, if there will be Democratic elections in Venezuela soon, the energy fallout from

America’s clean energy industry faces a July crossroads
Clean energy companies across the country are racing ahead of a July deadline to secure federal tax credits and incentives that have helped drive the rapid expansion of wind and solar power. But as those incentives begin to phase out, big questions loom about whether the U.S. clean energy industry will stumble or stand strong. POLITICO’s Pavan Acharya breaks down the scramble, the stakes, and whet

Is geothermal finally ready to move from niche to mainstream?
Fervo Energy, a little-known geothermal company, is targeting up to a $6.5 billion valuation in a U.S. IPO — a sign that the industry that produces electricity from the Earth's heat may be turning a corner, at least in terms of investor confidence. POLITICO’s Christa Marshall breaks down what’s behind the company’s ambitious valuation, where Congress and the Trump administration stand, and whether

A rising Democratic star lays out his energy plan
Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a leading voice of the party on a range of issues and a rumored 2028 presidential candidate. They discuss Gallego's 32-page energy policy plan, rising electricity prices, data centers, climate change, and why energy affordability should be Democrats’ number priority heading into the 20

Lee Zeldin’s week in the hot seat
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin faced three high-stakes, sometimes-combative congressional hearings this week, defending President Donald Trump’s proposal to slash the agency’s budget by more than half and promoting the administration’s push to slash regulations and promote fossil energy development. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén recaps Zeldin’s week on the Hill and what’s ahead for him and EPA. Plus, a St

The West’s most important river is in big trouble
Years of drought and climate change are shrinking the Colorado River, which supplies water and electricity to 40 million people in the western United States. With the seven states that share that water deadlocked, the Trump administration is preparing to take matters into its own hands, setting off a scramble among the states to cut a side deal. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the latest in th

Inside the environmental movement’s midterm strategy
POLITICO Energy host Manuel Quiñones sits down for an extended interview with Pete Maysmith, the president of the League of Conservation Voters, an advocacy group that works to elect pro-environment candidates. They discuss the state of the environmental movement ahead of the November midterms in the wake of recent electoral results that suggest climate issues may not be top-of-mind for voters and

Trump team shifts tone on energy as Iran war nears 60 days
The war between the United States and Iran is close to entering its third month, and the impact on global energy markets is worsening. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and James Bikales break down the energy fallout, how the Trump administration has subtly shifted its messaging, and why there’s growing uncertainty among Republican strategists ahead of the November midterm elections.
Kelsey Tamborri

How an upcoming FERC proposal will reshape America’s AI future
Federal energy regulators are preparing a major proposal that could reshape how energy-hungry data centers connect to America’s power grid. POLITICO’s AJ Camacho breaks down what to know about FERC’s proposal and how that decision -- expected in coming weeks -- could reshape America’s AI rollout and power system. Plus, President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to strengthen federal

Can Sen. Armstrong finally break the permitting reform stalemate?
POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down with newly appointed Sen. Alan Armstrong (R-Okla.), a longtime energy executive entering Congress with a singular goal: passing energy permitting reform. They discuss why Armstrong believes he’s uniquely positioned to get a deal done, whether high energy prices could hurt Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms and the broader energy implications of the Ir

How Big Oil is feeling about Trump’s Iran war
Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum urged top U.S. oil and gas executives on a call Thursday to increase their companies' production in an effort to lower oil prices. The conversation comes as tensions with Iran escalate and high energy costs are putting pressure on consumers and President Donald Trump’s approval ratings ahead of the midterms. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre b

How Trump is pressuring the IMF and World Bank on energy
Global economic leaders are gathering in Washington D.C. this week for the spring meetings hosted by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, and energy strategy is at the top of the agenda. But the Trump administration’s energy agenda and the Iran War are adding a new layer of complexity to those talks. POLITICO’s Sara Schonhardt breaks down how that tension could shape global energy and e

The data center boom is running into local resistance
A Wisconsin town recently passed a first-of-its-kind referendum blocking future data center construction, one of several similar efforts appearing on ballots at the local and state level during this year’s midterm elections. These fights come as data centers, a major part of President Donald Trump’s AI agenda, come under increased scrutiny from voters raising concerns about their energy and enviro

Big Oil to Trump: Don't let Iran control Hormuz
America’s oil industry is privately lobbying top Trump administration officials — including the president himself — to block any permanent peace plan with Iran that would leave Tehran charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains the oil industry’s short-term and long-term concerns, how the White House is responding, and why this waterway could make or break the deal. Pl

A major change is coming to U.S. offshore oil and gas
The Trump administration recently announced plans to restructure how the federal government oversees energy development in federal waters, which accounts for a meaningful chunk of U.S. energy and mineral production and billions of dollars in government revenue. POLITICO’s Ian Stevenson breaks down why the move is controversial and the impact it could have on the future of offshore drilling.
Ian

Colorado Gov. Polis on Trump, energy prices and Dems’ 2026 strategy
Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis for an extended conversation. They discuss what rising energy prices mean for Americans, Democrats’ messaging on energy and climate change ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, and how one of the most prominent blue state governors is navigating the Trump administration.
Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITIC

The Iran war’s energy impacts are just beginning
President Donald Trump’s latest address to the nation on the war with Iran is already sending ripples through global energy markets, as oil prices climb and uncertainty grows around the Strait of Hormuz. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre and James Bikales break down what the administration’s strategy means for energy markets, global supply, and gas prices at home. Plus, senior Trump administration officials

The new Democratic energy playbook: affordability first, climate second
Across the country, many Democratic governors are shifting from ambitious climate policies to prioritizing energy affordability as costs rise and political pressure builds ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. POLITICO’s Adam Aton explains what’s driving the change, the political trade-offs behind it, how it’s affecting the clean energy industry, and whether it signals a lasting shift for the party

CERAWeek takeaways: AI, Iran, and the energy crunch
Today, POLITICO’s James Bikales and Kelsey Tamborrino unpack the biggest takeaways from CERAWeek 2026, one of the world’s most influential energy conferences, as the industry grapples with geopolitical tensions, rising demand from artificial intelligence, and shifting U.S. policy. They also break down POLITICO’s exclusive interviews with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and EPA Administrator Lee Zel

Inside EPA’s regulatory reset with administrator Lee Zeldin
Today, POLITICO's deputy editor-in-chief Joe Schatz sits down for an extended interview with EPA administrator Lee Zeldin. They discuss the agency’s ambitious deregulatory agenda, President Donald Trump’s energy dominance agenda, the war with Iran, chemical safety and Make America Healthy Again.
Joe Schatz is the deputy editor-in-chief of POLITICO.
Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive

Bonus episode: FERC Commissioner Chang on the US power grid, data centers and Trump
Today, POLITICO reporter Francisco “A.J.” Camacho sits down for an extended interview with Judy Chang, a Democratic commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. They discuss the growing strain on America's power grid, rising electricity prices, FERC’s independence under the Trump administration, and the key policy issues on the agency’s docket.
Francisco "A.J." Camacho is a reporte

Interior Secretary Burgum on Iran, Venezuela, and Trump’s energy endgame
Today, POLITICO’s senior politics columnist Jonathan Martin sits down for an extended interview with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the head of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council. They discuss President Donald Trump’s energy agenda including the Iran war, Venezuela, high energy prices at home, congressional regulatory reforms, competing with China and more.
Jonathan Martin i

Inside the Ex-Im chairman’s $12B plan to win the minerals race
Today, POLITICO Energy guest host Hannah Northey sits down for an extended interview with John Jovanovic, the chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. They discuss the Trump administration’s $12 billion initiative to build a domestic stockpile of critical minerals, the complicated geopolitics of this issue, how the bank fits into the Trump administration’s broader ene
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