Episodes

  • How Big Oil is feeling about Trump’s Iran war

    How Big Oil is feeling about Trump’s Iran war
    Apr 17 2026
    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 breaks down the White House’s strategy, how oil companies are feeling right now, and the broader economic and political implications of the Iran war. Plus, the largest renewable energy project in U.S. history has begun generating electricity, and the Trump administration has completed its review of Biden-era projects, keeping about 80 percent. Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO’s E&E News. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • How Trump is pressuring the IMF and World Bank on energy

    How Trump is pressuring the IMF and World Bank on energy
    Apr 15 2026
    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 economic policy in the years ahead. Sara Schonhardt is an international climate reporter for POLITICO’s E&E News. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO’s E&E News. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • The data center boom is running into local resistance

    The data center boom is running into local resistance
    Apr 13 2026
    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 environmental costs. POLITICO’s Tyler Katzenberger breaks down the lessons from this recent Wisconsin election and what these efforts could mean for the future of the U.S. power grid and AI expansion. Tyler Katzenberger is a Sacramento technology reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO’s E&E News. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    15 mins
  • Big Oil to Trump: Don't let Iran control Hormuz

    Big Oil to Trump: Don't let Iran control Hormuz
    Apr 10 2026
    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. Plus, a new POLITICO survey found that Europeans want more renewable energy even if it temporarily increases their bills, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration said energy consumption in the United States will remain flat through 2050. Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO’s E&E News. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • A major change is coming to U.S. offshore oil and gas

    A major change is coming to U.S. offshore oil and gas
    Apr 8 2026
    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 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. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO’s E&E News. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • Colorado Gov. Polis on Trump, energy prices and Dems’ 2026 strategy

    Colorado Gov. Polis on Trump, energy prices and Dems’ 2026 strategy
    Apr 6 2026
    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 POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO’s E&E News. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
  • The Iran war’s energy impacts are just beginning

    The Iran war’s energy impacts are just beginning
    Apr 3 2026
    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 declared that all oil and gas activity on federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico is exempt from Endangered Species Act protections, and federal regulators said a natural gas export plant in Texas is free to export liquefied natural gas that’s produced during its commissioning phase. Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO. James Bikales is an oil and gas reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO’s E&E News. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 mins
  • The new Democratic energy playbook: affordability first, climate second

    The new Democratic energy playbook: affordability first, climate second
    Apr 1 2026
    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. Adam Aton covers the politics of climate change for POLITICO’s E&E News. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Stefan Todorovic is the video producer of POLITICO Energy. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO’s E&E News. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins