POLITICO Energy

Today, Democratic New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill sits down for an extended interview with POLITICO Energy host Arianna Skibell. Sherill lays out her reasons for freezing utility rates, how she's regulating data centers and why she's holding out hope that New Jersey and the federal government can cooperate on new nuclear power. She also dished on her relationship with Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who released a data center framework Friday afternoon.

A group of House Democrats unveiled a policy menu this week on what they’d like to achieve in the next Congress to reduce emissions and lower energy costs. It’s their first look at how they would tackle energy policy should they regain power in Congress next year after the election. And it comes as Republicans struggled this week to advance bills to reduce pump prices and address voter concerns about data centers.

The Trump administration rescinded marquee Biden-era standards targeting carbon emissions from fossil fuel power generation — and proposed blocking any future power plant carbon regulations. Is the final nail in the coffin for power plant emissions rules, or just the beginning of a new chapter in a long-running fight? POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the blockbuster announcement and what lies ahead.

General Motors is offering a slate of electric vehicles with what the carmaker hopes will be an appealing feature: bidirectional power. That means if a customer’s power goes out, they can use their car to help energized their home, Aseem Kapur, GM Energy’s chief revenue officer, tells the POLITICO Energy podcast. That type of flexibility – which could also eventually weave in demand response programs to cut utility bills – has long been touted for EVs, but few have had the capability, until now.

Energy prices are rising throughout the country partially because of the war in the Middle East, and that’s putting Republicans and President Donald Trump on the defensive just weeks before the 2026 midterm elections. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre explains how higher prices are affecting consumers and the broader economy, which states and races could feel the political impact, and whether the Trump administration can bring prices down before the midterm elections. Plus, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved new standards to boost the physical security of grid infrastructure, and EPA paid staffers roughly $200 million to not work last year.

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at 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.

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