Episodes

  • Trump wants more nuclear power. He’s also dividing the industry.

    Trump wants more nuclear power. He’s also dividing the industry.
    Aug 22 2025
    President Donald Trump’s effort to fast-track small nuclear reactors favors Silicon Valley startups over established nuclear companies, raising questions about safety, trust, and the future of U.S. nuclear power. Francisco “A.J.” Camacho from POLITICO’s E&E news breaks down how that split in the industry could complicate Trump’s larger nuclear goals. Plus, the Commerce Department said Thursday it has opened a national security investigation into imports of wind turbines. Francisco "A.J." Camacho is a reporter for POLITICO’s E&E News. Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional 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-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 Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • How one nuclear plant changed New York’s energy future

    How one nuclear plant changed New York’s energy future
    Aug 21 2025
    Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s shutdown of the Indian Point nuclear plant years ago was seen as a safety win, but it’s driven up emissions, raised electricity costs, and complicated New York’s climate goals. Now, as Cuomo pursues a political comeback, critics say the closure left the grid dirtier and consumers paying more. POLITICO’s Marie French breaks down what it means for New York’s energy future and the Democratic debate over nuclear power. Plus, President Donald Trump pledged in a social media post Wednesday that the U.S. won’t approve solar or wind projects that he says harm farmland. Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York. 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 Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    7 mins
  • Why a Biden EPA official is pushing back against DOE’s climate report

    Why a Biden EPA official is pushing back against DOE’s climate report
    Aug 20 2025
    A former Biden administration official is pushing back against a Department of Energy report that could undermine the federal government’s authority to regulate carbon emissions. Jean Chemnick from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down why the report matters, how it ties into the Trump administration’s broader strategy to overturn the “endangerment finding,” and what’s at stake for future climate rules. Plus, a coalition of U.S. manufacturers that build the equipment used to make batteries is urging the Trump administration to end a tariff exemption for Chinese battery machines. Jean Chemnick covers climate change at EPA and other agencies for 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 Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • What DOE Secretary Wright thinks about your rising power bill

    What DOE Secretary Wright thinks about your rising power bill
    Aug 19 2025
    Energy Secretary Chris Wright exclusively told POLITICO recently that he’s worried about rising electricity prices, and he thinks Republicans could suffer political pain in the midterm elections because of them. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down why Wright is concerned and who he really thinks voters should blame for rising prices. Plus, 19 states and the District of Columbia sued the Energy Department over the agency’s move to limit the use of its grant funding for “indirect costs” such as buildings, equipment and personnel. James Bikales is a reporter 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 Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • Trump’s Forest Service cuts haven’t sparked disaster — yet

    Trump’s Forest Service cuts haven’t sparked disaster — yet
    Aug 18 2025
    So far, President Donald Trump’s steep cuts to the U.S. Forest Service haven’t fueled the wildfire disaster Democrats and state officials feared. But experts warn the risks remain, with future cuts threatening prevention and response efforts. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman breaks down why Trump's cuts haven't fueled wildfire catastrophe and how America isn’t out of the woods yet. Plus, the Trump administration announced a policy on Friday that will make it even harder for wind and solar projects to take advantage of federal tax credits. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Jordan Wolman is a sustainability 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 Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    8 mins
  • The reality behind DOGE’s exaggerated savings claims

    The reality behind DOGE’s exaggerated savings claims
    Aug 15 2025
    A new POLITICO analysis finds the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has only saved $1.4 billion in verifiable cuts — far less than the $50 billion it claims. And none of it will reduce the federal deficit. POLITICO’s Jessie Blaeser breaks down DOGE’s inflated savings and the impact on federal energy agencies. Plus, the Energy Department is making available nearly $1 billion dollars in funding for critical minerals projects. James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO. Jessie Blaeser is a digital journalist at 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 Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • Inside the Sierra Club’s leadership chaos

    Inside the Sierra Club’s leadership chaos
    Aug 14 2025
    The Sierra Club fired its executive director this week, and he’s vowing to fight his termination. POLITICO’s Zack Colman unpacks the internal turmoil atop one of the nation’s most influential environmental groups, and what it reveals about the broader struggles of green groups under the second Trump administration. 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 Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    8 mins
  • How Republicans are rewiring federal EV policy

    How Republicans are rewiring federal EV policy
    Aug 13 2025
    The Trump administration is overhauling the guidance for the national EV charging network, while congressional Republicans are pushing for the first-ever nationwide fee on electric vehicle owners. POLITICO’s Chris Marquette breaks down how both moves could reshape federal EV policy and the political battles ahead. Plus, the Department of Energy launched a pilot program Tuesday to work with 11 advanced nuclear reactor projects. Chris Marquette is a transportation 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-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 Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins