
Hosted by POLITICO · EN

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 move doesn't thrill U.S. manufacturers. Plus, the Interior Department said it generated more than $4 billion in revenue in a major oil and gas lease sale, and a landmark United Nations resolution on whether countries are obligated to address climate change was adopted despite muscular opposition from the United States. Jean Chemnick covers climate change at EPA and other agencies for E&E News. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. KJ Cline is the video producer for 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

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. Plus, the Trump administration will extend a waiver allowing the sale of Russian crude already loaded on tankers, and a new report from the Government Accountability Office said the Energy Department office charged with nuclear waste cleanup is plagued by vacancies. 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. KJ Cline is the video producer for 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

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 political and policy scrutiny. Manuel Quiñones is the congress editor for POLITICO’s E&E News. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. KJ Cline is the video producer for 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-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

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 groups want the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate whether Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito violated ethics rules in an oil and gas case, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says it could cost up to 1 trillion Canadian dollars to double Canada’s electricity capacity by 2050. Sara Schonhardt is an international climate reporter for POLITICO’s E&E News. Scott Waldman is the White House reporter for E&E News focused on climate change. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. KJ Cline is the video producer for 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

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 raised its forecast for next year’s oil and gasoline prices, and EPA proposed allowing developers of data centers, power plants and other industrial facilities to start some construction before obtaining federal air permits. Amelia Davidson is a Congress reporter with POLITICO’s E&E News. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. KJ Cline is the video producer for 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

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 the Iran conflict, the politics of high power prices at home and more. Sophia Cai is a White House reporter at POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. KJ Cline is the video producer for 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

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 whether the industry can sustain its growth. Plus, the European Commission is considering giving fossil fuel companies leeway to avoid penalties under new rules governing the emissions of methane. Pavan Acharya covers clean energy for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. KJ Cline is the video producer for 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

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 geothermal is ready to help meet America’s growing energy demand. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. KJ Cline is the video producer for 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

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 2026 midterm elections. 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-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

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 State Department official said this week that the administration has signed 27 critical mineral deals with allied countries since February. Alex Guillén is an energy 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-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