POLITICO Energy

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s tenure has been marked by staff departures, secrecy and internal turmoil, according to multiple former officials and other sources close to the department. POLITICO’s Ian Stevenson breaks down what’s happening inside the Interior Department, how the agency and White House are responding, and what it could mean for Burgum’s future as one of President Donald Trump’s top energy officials. Plus, two senators unveiled legislation that would hold utility executives accountable when consumers' electricity bills spike, and the front-runner to become California’s next governor said he wants to give free electricity for part of the day to families struggling to cover their costs.

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.

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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President Donald Trump is betting billions of federal dollars on rebuilding America’s mining industry and boosting U.S. supplies of critical minerals. But will it work? And what obstacles are ahead? POLITICO’s Hannah Northey breaks down where the money is going, why mining has become a major energy and national security priority, and the challenges that could stand in the administration’s way. Plus, the Trump administration said it would extend by 90 days its Jones Act waiver, and a new POLITICO poll found that a plurality of Americans now oppose a data center being built near where they live.

Hannah Northey covers the nexus of mining, environmental policy and politics for POLITICO’s E&E News.

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

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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

Today, POLITICO Energy host Zack Colman sits down for an extended interview with Calvin Butler, president and CEO of Exelon Corporation, the nation's largest regulated electric utility company serving nearly 11 million customers across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. They discuss why utility bills keep rising, the growing strain on America’s power grid, and how utilities are responding to growing public frustration over affordability.

Zack Colman covers climate change 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

For decades, nuclear waste was considered one of the biggest political liabilities in American energy policy. Now, Republican-led states are competing to host projects that could eventually bring more nuclear waste home. POLITICO's Nico Portuondo explains why states are embracing what was once politically untouchable and what it all says about the changing politics of nuclear power in America. Plus, Senate negotiators have pushed back their permitting reform deal deadline, and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will formally intervene in NextEra Energy's proposed $67 billion takeover of Dominion Energy.

Nico Portuondo is a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO’s E&E News.

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

California has long been viewed as America's climate leader, but its likely next governor, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Xavier Becerra, may be pulling back on its aggressive policies. POLITICO's Alex Nieves explains why Becerra is considering changes to California's climate approach, the political pressures behind that shift, and how it could affect governments and major industries around the world. Plus, Gov. Greg Abbott is hitting pause on new data centers in Texas, and President Donald Trump is expected to meet with mining executives on Friday.

Alex Nieves is the California transportation reporter 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.

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