The Trump administration’s decision to pause five offshore wind power farms that were already under construction may have indirectly stalled bipartisan permitting negotiations on the Hill. It’s a development that comes as the midterm elections are less than a year away, energy prices are skyrocketing, and congressional permitting reform has support from almost everyone in the U.S. energy industry. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino discuss how Trump’s attack on offshore wind could deal a crippling blow to congressional permitting reform. 

Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy 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.

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The Trump administration announced Monday that it’s immediately pausing all offshore wind leases under construction, citing “national security risks.” The move represents the administration’s most aggressive action yet against the renewable energy sector, and it comes as the White House faces mounting criticism over soaring energy costs. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino explores what the pause actually does, how the wind industry is reacting, and where the political and economic fight goes next. 

Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy 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

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POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre has learned that President Donald Trump’s administration has quietly approached major oil companies about the prospect of returning to Venezuela if Nicolás Maduro falls. Ben joins host Josh Siegel to discuss how the White House is already gaming out a post-Maduro energy landscape — even as companies remain wary of the political and commercial risks. 

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

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO. 

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The House passed a bipartisan permitting reform bill this week aimed at speeding up environmental reviews for energy projects but only after a bruising intra-party fight among Republicans. That clash highlights just how politically fraught permitting reform has become and raises doubts about whether any deal can advance in the Senate. POLITICO’s Josh Siegel breaks down what’s in the House bill and what comes next in permitting reform negotiations. Plus, a coalition of tribal, environmental, local and consumer groups filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's rules making it harder for wind and solar projects to earn federal tax credits.

James Bikales is an oil and gas 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

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President Donald Trump ramped up pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro this week, targeting the backbone of Venezuela’s economy: its oil exports. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down what Trump’s latest escalation means for Venezuela, the United States and global energy markets. Plus, the American Clean Power Association said it’s yanking its support for House Republicans’ permitting bill, which is expected to receive a floor vote today.

James Bikales is an oil and gas 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

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a new report that the Arctic last season was the hottest it’s been in 125 years. That finding has global significance because Arctic warming can drive sea level rise, extreme weather, and energy system instability. POLITICO’s Zack Colman unpacks the report, what it means for climate change, and concerns about political interference from the Trump administration. 

Zack Colman covers climate change 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

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Household electricity prices are increasing nationwide, and some voters are pointing the finger at energy-hungry data centers. That backlash is pushing some Republican lawmakers to break with President Donald Trump, which potentially gives an opening for Democrats as the midterm elections loom. Nico Portuondo from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down how data centers are becoming a political problem for Republicans and if Democrats can step up on the issue. 

Nico Portuondo is a congressional energy 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. 

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

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Federal and state officials are descending on Las Vegas this week for a pivotal conference that could shape the future of the drought-stricken Colorado River. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down what’s at stake in Vegas, how the Trump administration is influencing the talks, and why the fight could ultimately land before the Supreme Court. Plus, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is set to take up a high-profile co-location proceeding at its open meeting this week.

Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. 

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

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The United States this week escalated its pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro’s regime by seizing a sanctioned oil tankers off Venezuela’s coast — a move that underscores President Donald Trump’s willingness to wield energy as a foreign-policy weapon. POLITICO’s James Bikales unpacks what’s behind the dramatic seizure, how it fits into Trump’s broader strategy, and why oil traders are closely watching what the administration does next. Plus, the Republican-led House passed a trio of bills aimed at speeding up permitting for energy projects and bolstering power grid reliability.

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

James Bikales is an oil and gas 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

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A year into his second term, President Donald Trump has moved aggressively to dismantle America’s offshore wind power industry — pulling permits, wiping out tax credits, and launching agency reviews that have rattled developers. Ben Storrow from POLITICO’s E&E News explains how those actions exposed deep internal divisions within the industry and are putting its business future in serious jeopardy. Plus, the Interior Department raised $279 million in the U.S.’s first offshore oil and gas lease sale since 2023, the second-highest total in a decade.

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

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

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