POLITICO Energy

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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President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have attacked solar power and rolled back key industry tax credits. But now, in conservative Georgia, Republicans are embracing the green technology, exposing a growing divide within the party. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains why some Georgia Republicans are warming up to solar and what that could say about the future of clean energy for Republicans around the country. Plus, the Energy Department announced recently that it finalized a $1.9 billion loan to help restart a shuttered nuclear power plant in Iowa.

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/

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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 deputy editor-in-chief Joe Schatz sits down for an extended conversation with Nick Brown, the Democratic attorney general of Washington. They discuss the Trump administration’s legal battles with Washington over wind power and coal, how Brown and other Democratic-led states are responding, why state attorneys general across the country are becoming increasingly important players in energy and climate policy, and if Brown will run for governor in the future.

Joe Schatz is the deputy editor-in-chief of 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

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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

Big Ag has long dominated Iowa politics, but in this year’s governor’s race, both parties are challenging the industry’s political power in part because of concerns over farm pollution. POLITICO’s Ellie Borst breaks down why Big Ag is on the defensive, how the issue is reshaping both parties’ strategies and what it means for winning Midwestern voters ahead of the midterm elections. Plus, a federal judge has dealt a blow to New York’s efforts to force polluters to pay for the effects of climate change.

Ellie Borst is an environment 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

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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 guest host James Bikales sits down for an extended interview with Toby Rice, the president and CEO of EQT, one of the country’s largest natural gas producers and a major potential supplier to data centers. They discuss whether America’s energy industry can meet the growing power demand from artificial intelligence, the political backlash facing data centers, Congress’ failure to pass legislation that would unlock new energy infrastructure, and what the midterm elections could mean for the industry.

James Bikales is an oil and gas 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