The Trump administration has dealt another blow to renewable energy. Last week, the Bureau of Land Management sent back to the drawing board the country’s biggest proposed solar project, known as the Esmerelda Seven in Nevada. But even though President Donald Trump’s administration was behind the move, not all Republicans are taking it lightly, especially as energy demand is set to surge to feed the global AI boom. POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel speaks with POLITICO reporter James Bikales about why BLM changed course on this project, how industry is responding given Trump’s icy relationship with renewables, and what it means politically going forward.

Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. 

⁠James Bikales ⁠is a reporter for POLITICO.  

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  

Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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

President Donald Trump is giving energy companies something they’ve wanted for years: a quicker timeline for oil and gas drilling permit approvals. According to a new analysis by POLITICO, Trump’s Bureau of Land Management has issued 4,483 applications for permits to drill on federal and Native American land — more than double the number approved during the first year of his first term. 

POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and James Bikales discuss what’s driving the surge in oil and gas permits under Trump, whether it will be tempered by lower crude oil prices, and how much it actually matters in the race to meet rising power demand. 

Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. 

James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.  

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  

Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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

America’s oil industry is hitting record highs, but the boom may not last as production surges, demand stagnates and storage tanks around the world fill up. That slowdown could deliver a political double-edged sword for President Donald Trump: cheaper fuel for consumers, but trouble for his biggest ally. Ben Storrow from POLITICO’s E&E News explains why America’s oil producers are bracing for a bust and how this could impact the president politically. Plus, EPA began furloughing employees Thursday, according to agency staffers.

Ben Storrow is a reporter for POLITICO’s E&E News.

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. 

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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

Artificial intelligence’s growing thirst for power is putting New York’s energy and climate goals under pressure by straining the state’s power system, driving up costs and threatening its ambitious clean energy targets. POLITICO’s Marie French breaks down how New York is trying to balance AI growth with its environmental goals and what this story means for other states facing similar challenges. Plus, the Ukrainian government is asking the United States to increase shipments of natural gas to stave off what it is calling a potential humanitarian crisis.

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. 

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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

The Trump administration is warning of looming power shortages just as electricity prices rise in the country. But it’s also moving to cancel $8 billion in clean energy funding meant to boost power generation and modernize the grid. POLITICO’s James Bikales, Kelsey Tamborrino and Josh Siegel discuss what these cuts could mean for the country’s energy supply, electricity prices, and how both parties are preparing to message around the issue ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Plus, U.S. oil production hit a record high in July and is increasing quicker than expected in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO. 

Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy 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. 

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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

A new POLITICO analysis shows states that embrace renewable energy are more likely to save money for consumers compared to those relying on fossil fuels or nuclear power. It’s a finding that undermines one of the Trump administration’s main justifications for its aggressive rollback of federal clean energy policies. POLITICO’s Catherine Allen and Matt Daily break down what the data shows and the politics of this issue. Plus, several groups that would have benefited from EPA’s Solar for All program have sued the agency for terminating $7 billion in grants.

Catherine Allen is an energy and environment data reporter at 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. 

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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

The Trump administration has canceled funding for nearly half of the federally backed megaprojects designed to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere — a major blow to the U.S. direct air capture industry that had flourished under former President Joe Biden. Corbin Hiar from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down how these cuts could reshape the future of U.S. carbon removal, why the projects matter for climate goals, and what this decision signals about the administration’s approach to energy innovation. Plus, the Supreme Court on Friday said it will take up an appeal from Exxon Mobil as the energy giant attempts to recoup economic losses caused when its Cuban assets were seized by Fidel Castro's revolution in the early 1960s.

Corbin Hiar is a climate and business reporter for E&E News.

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. 

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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

President Donald Trump is escalating his attacks on clean energy, cutting $8 billion in funding in states that didn’t vote for him in last year’s election – but some GOP districts will take some collateral damage. The decision comes amid a heated partisan blame game over the ongoing government shutdown and builds on Trump’s broader rollback of clean energy policies. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino unpacks the politics of this move, the pushback, and how it ties into the government shutdown. 

James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO. 

Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy. 

Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO. 

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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

The Trump administration is making a new move to secure America’s critical minerals: taking an ownership stake in a Nevada lithium mine alongside its developer. The deal is designed to boost U.S. supplies of lithium, a key component of electric vehicles and renewable energy. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the details and implications of this unusual agreement. Plus, roughly 60 percent of Energy Department staff are without furlough protections if a prolonged government shutdown and budgetary impasse occurs.

James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO. 

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. 

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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

Even though the Trump administration and Republicans have scaled back federal support for electric vehicles, more than 40 red and blue states across the country are moving ahead with  plans to tap into billions in federal funding to build fast-charging EV networks. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down why states are racing to expand EV infrastructure despite mixed signals from Washington and what it means for the future of the national EV market. Plus, the Transportation Department will cancel a “small number” of the thousands of grants approved but never finalized by the Biden administration.

James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO. 

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. 

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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