POLITICO Energy

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.

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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
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Years of drought and climate change are shrinking the Colorado River, which supplies water and electricity to 40 million people in the western United States. With the seven states that share that water deadlocked, the Trump administration is preparing to take matters into its own hands, setting off a scramble among the states to cut a side deal. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the latest in the Colorado River crisis and what comes next. Plus, Energy Secretary Chris Wright says the U.S. isn’t considering a crude oil export ban, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats may eye protections for consumers as data center power costs rise.

Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. 

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     

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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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POLITICO Energy host Manuel Quiñones sits down for an extended interview with Pete Maysmith, the president of the League of Conservation Voters, an advocacy group that works to elect pro-environment candidates. They discuss the state of the environmental movement ahead of the November midterms in the wake of recent electoral results that suggest climate issues may not be top-of-mind for voters and the Trump administration's regulatory rollbacks.

Manuel Quiñones is the congress editor for POLITICO’s E&E News. 

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     

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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
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The war between the United States and Iran is close to entering its third month, and the impact on global energy markets is worsening. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and James Bikales break down the energy fallout, how the Trump administration has subtly shifted its messaging, and why there’s growing uncertainty among Republican strategists ahead of the November midterm elections.

Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO.

James Bikales is an oil and gas 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-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 energy regulators are preparing a major proposal that could reshape how energy-hungry data centers connect to America’s power grid. POLITICO’s AJ Camacho breaks down what to know about FERC’s proposal and how that decision -- expected in coming weeks -- could reshape America’s AI rollout and power system. Plus, President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to strengthen federal funding for a host of energy projects.

Francisco "A.J." Camacho is a reporter for POLITICO’s E&E News.

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-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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