Episodes

  • Inside the Michigan race that could shape energy policy nationwide

    Inside the Michigan race that could shape energy policy nationwide
    Oct 23 2026
    The race to replace Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel may be getting less attention than the state’s highly anticipated Senate contest between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers, but it could have major consequences for national debates over energy, utilities and data centers. POLITICO Deputy editor-in-chief Joe Schatz breaks down the close race, why the Michigan AG’s office has become influential in energy and climate policy, and what the contest says about the growing power of state attorneys general. Plus, two wind projects clear a Pentagon review that’s been a sticking point in permitting talks, and the GAO plans to examine the Trump administration’s mining deals. Joe Schatz is the deputy editor-in-chief of POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. 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
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    11 mins
  • Trump wants data centers on public lands. Some Republicans are uneasy.

    Trump wants data centers on public lands. Some Republicans are uneasy.
    Oct 21 2026
    The Trump administration wants tech companies to start building AI data centers on America’s public lands. But that push is creating political tension in the western United States, putting some Republicans at odds with the Trump administration just weeks before the midterm elections. POLITICO’s Ian Stevenson explains why President Donald Trump is pushing to build data centers on public lands, the political and local pushback, and what’s next. Plus, FEMA's chief tells states to prepare to handle disasters largely on their own, and a rare earths company plans a major new plant in upstate New York. 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. Tolu Oluwadiya is a video producer at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. 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
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    12 mins
  • Electricity demand is soaring. Todd Snitchler is trying to get ahead of it.

    Electricity demand is soaring. Todd Snitchler is trying to get ahead of it.
    Oct 19 2026
    Today, POLITICO Energy co-host Arianna Skibell sits down for an extended interview with Todd Snitchler, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association. They discuss how power companies and grid operators are addressing surging energy demand driven by data centers and manufacturing, how utilities are trying to assess how much of the demand is real or speculative, and how utilities and federal energy regulators are planning to manage data centers' impact on the grid.
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    23 mins
  • Why a Democrat could win a spot as a Texas oil regulator

    Why a Democrat could win a spot as a Texas oil regulator
    Oct 16 2026
    The race for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, the state’s powerful oil and gas regulator, has turned into an unexpected nail-biter. Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal is touting his industry credentials and commonsense policy proposals as he battles controversial Republican candidate Bo French. POLITICO’s Mike Lee breaks down Rosenthal’s pitch to voters and the potential national implications if he pulls off the upset.
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    10 mins
  • Google’s energy and sustainability chief on AI power needs and its climate goals

    Google’s energy and sustainability chief on AI power needs and its climate goals
    Oct 14 2026
    Today, POLITICO Energy co-host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with Marsden Hanna, the head of energy and sustainability policy at Google. They discuss how the tech giant plans to power its AI data centers and the company’s 2030 net-zero climate goal, the need for the bipartisan Senate permitting bill and the potential for new scrutiny from Democrats on the hill over its energy use and climate commitments.
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    27 mins
  • A leading Democratic pollster on energy, climate and the 2026 midterms

    A leading Democratic pollster on energy, climate and the 2026 midterms
    Oct 9 2026
    How much do voters care about energy and climate heading into the 2026 midterms? POLITICO Energy co-host Nirmal Mulaikal sits down for an extended interview with Geoff Garin, president of Hart Research, a leading Democratic public opinion research and strategic messaging firm. They explore how voters are weighing energy and climate issues ahead of the elections, how Democrats and Republicans are messaging on those topics, and what voters may want Democrats to do about energy if they regain control of Congress. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Yi-Jo Shen is a freelance video producer for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. 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
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    23 mins
  • Inside the fight over Congress’ bipartisan energy permitting deal

    Inside the fight over Congress’ bipartisan energy permitting deal
    Oct 7 2026
    Senate negotiators reached a bipartisan deal on a package to overhaul energy permitting rules in a bid to speed up the federal approvals and allow projects to be built faster by developers. But its political path forward may be difficult. POLITICO’s Nico Portuondo breaks down what's in the bill and the obstacles that lie ahead for one the most highly anticipated congressional energy bills in years. Plus, happy birthday to the POLITICO Energy podcast! Nico Portuondo is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Yi-Jo Shen is a freelance video producer for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. 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
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    14 mins
  • Supreme Court weighs the future of climate lawsuits against Big Oil

    Supreme Court weighs the future of climate lawsuits against Big Oil
    Oct 5 2026
    Today, the Supreme Court will begin to hear arguments in a case that could shape whether local governments can use state law to make oil companies pay for climate damages. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén and Lesley Clark explain the arguments on both sides, what the justices could decide and why the case could change the future of climate lawsuits and the oil and gas industry. Alex Guillén is an energy and climate reporter for POLITICO. Lesley Clark is a reporter at POLITICO covering climate change and energy litigation. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. Yi-Jo Shen is a freelance video producer for POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. 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
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    17 mins