Political Climate

With August recess behind us, Washington D.C. is gearing up for a busy fall. For many in the cleantech space – more questions than answers loom ahead. What is the outlook for wind and solar permitting, with renewable energy projects in the political crosshairs? Will Congress avoid a government shutdown before the end of September deadline? If not, what’s at stake? The Trump administration has frozen or cancelled hundreds grants in the climate and energy space and continues to conduct funding reviews. What’s on the chopping block? And how will shakeups at the Department of Energy affect the US technology competitiveness? In this episode, we set the table and discuss what’s on the menu in DC this fall when it comes to climate and energy policy. 03:58 Permit cancellations & prospects for reform 10:00 The electricity affordability crisis 20:42 The looming government shutdown 26:47 Federal funding cuts for clean energy 35:07 DOE program changes with Sydney Bopp 38:21 Changes at LPO & new lending programs 46:45 Impacts of a shutdown on US energy

This week on Political Climate we’re live from Aspen Ideas: Climate in Chicago. We were joined by guest Greg Bertelsen, CEO of the Climate Leadership Council, and former senior director of energy and resources policy at the National Association of Manufacturers, as well as a fantastic live audience. The "energy transition” has been underway for decades. In the United States, this shift has been supported by 20 years of policy aimed at diversifying and securing the American energy system. U.S. emissions dropped by roughly 20% in that time. Now, we're entering a new inning for climate action marked by policy change, technology advancements, and increased global competition. In this episode, we discuss how an "unapologetic focus" on advancing U.S. competitiveness could be the key to continued progress on climate, while advancing U.S. priorities amid rising geopolitical tensions, increased energy demand, decreased affordability, and a fierce AI face. Much of the most important technology for realizing that success does not exist yet, which means it's a ripe area for American ingenuity and leadership. Will we seize the opportunity? To close out the show, we took a few audience questions focused on the winners and losers of this new climate future, and where we can focus our energy on building new infrastructure to ensure the most good and the most gain -- for everyone.

Now that Congress has passed and President Trump has signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we talk about the final language and what it means for the U.S. energy sector on this episode of Political Climate. We discuss short term implications for solar and wind developers, particularly in light of a new executive order calling for new Treasury rules to strictly enforce the repeal of renewable energy tax credits. We also tackle what the OBBB means for American energy competitiveness on a global scale. Plus, a new Department of Energy report warns that blackouts could increase by 100 times in 2030 if the U.S. continues to close baseload power plants and fails to add additional firm capacity. Is the U.S facing a grid reliability crisis without coal and natural gas plants? We weigh in on the DOE report and the growing mismatch between US electricity supply and demand (for a primer, listen to our previous episode with Asim Haque, VP with grid operator PJM Interconnection).

U.S. grid operators braced for a surge in electricity demand and possible power outages this week as scorching temperatures hit the eastern half of the country. Heat waves are just one of the challenges facing increasingly strained electricity systems across the country, amid rapidly growing demand from data centers and a looming shortfall in supply. On this episode of Political Climate we’re joined by Asim Haque, SVP of Governmental and Membership Services for PJM Interconnection. Haque helps us unpack this historic "all hands on deck" moment for the U.S. power grid. Challenges and opportunities lie ahead: from preparing for AI's energy usage and tackling interconnection queues, to managing diverse resource portfolios and price increases that drag grid operators into the political fray. This period of transition is taking place against a historic debate in Congress on the future of energy tax policy, which could have major implications for how grid operators manage the supply crunch and demand spikes they're facing. We kick off the episode with our ongoing coverage of the Big, Beautiful Bill as we dig into the Senate Finance Committee's version of the tax and spending cuts package. We unpack some of the differences between the House and Senate language, next steps ahead of the President's July 4th deadline, and what the reconciliation bill means for the U.S. power system.

Dropping in with a quick update that Political Climate is pushing the release of our next full episode to next week. As our listeners know, the Senate is in the process of revising and releasing their version of the reconciliation bill that the House passed a few weeks ago. Senate Finance Committee text dropped Monday evening and there is a lot to unpack. While there are many things we want to talk about that aren’t directly related to the bill, so much of the energy sector is set to be impacted by the big bill that we wanted to take the time to read it — and to bring in a guest or two who can help us unpack what it all means. So, while we don’t have an episode for you this week, we’ll have another one coming soon. Stay tuned!

President Trump’s return to office has reignited a bold push for energy dominance — a sweeping agenda to supercharge U.S. energy production, slash regulatory red tape, and reestablish America as a powerhouse in global energy markets. In this episode, we dive deep into what that actually means. From a wave of recent executive orders to the high-stakes reconciliation bill moving through Congress, we explore how the administration aims to lower energy costs, secure supply chains, and leverage American energy to bolster both the economy and national security. During President Trump's March address to Congress, he pledged to combat inflation by “rapidly reducing the cost of energy.” His administration is also laser-focused on winning the AI race against China, which requires a massive amount of new energy development. The stakes are high — and in many ways, Congress holds the keys to making the president’s energy dominance agenda a reality. But is the House-passed reconciliation bill aligned with that vision, or does it fall short? Finally, we announce some exciting if bittersweet news, as we welcome a new voice onto the show and bid farewell to another!

If you’re tracking the world of budget reconciliation then you know it’s crunch time as House Speaker Mike Johnson works to pass a party-line megabill by Memorial Day. House Republicans have a lot on their plates as they try to make significant spending reductions while extending tax cuts and raising the debt ceiling. The fate of U.S. energy tax credits also hangs in the balance, as debate continues to rage around the GOP’s so-called big, beautiful bill. In this episode of Political Climate, we’re back from a break to discuss the latest developments on the reconciliation package now that the House has released legislative text. Which clean energy policies and programs remain at risk of repeal? Which ones could the Senate step in to save? Plus, we look at how the energy sector is responding to tariffs and how all of this is shaping up to fulfill President Trump’s Energy Dominance agenda. Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and beyond! Follow us on X at @Poli_Climate or find the show on LinkedIn.

Hey Political Climate listeners, we’re jumping on to let you know that we’re taking a short recess. The show will be back in another couple of weeks, with hosts Julia Pyper, Emily Domenech, and Brandon Hurlbut to help you understand the latest news with perspectives from across the political spectrum. There is no shortage of activity, from tariffs to reconciliation, DOGE program cuts, and so much more. Follow Political Climate wherever you listen, so you don’t miss the latest episode release. Thank you for listening! Back soon.

As “Political Climate” marks the one-year anniversary of its re-launch, the deluge of energy sector news continues. In today’s episode, the hosts dig into a series of recent and contentious moves from the Environmental Protection Agency—from massive power plant deregulations and an intention to undo the 2009 endangerment finding, to the termination of $20 billion in climate grants. Which of these policies could have the most impact, and where can the hosts find some unexpected common ground? Also in this episode—21 House Republicans have issued a letter calling on leaders to preserve some clean energy tax credits in the upcoming Congressional reconciliation bill; they’ve suggested they might vote against the bill if the credits are repealed. But will they really die on that hill? And later, the hosts assess some of the issues that Trump’s tariffs could inflict on the energy sector. The show wraps up with some reflections on the past year. --- Credits: Hosted by Julia Pyper, Emily Domenech, and Brandon Hurlbut. Produced by Max Savage Levenson. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. The energy industry is transforming - are you staying ahead of the curve? As the premier bipartisan strategic advisory firm, Boundary Stone Partners bridges the gap between technology, policy, and finance to drive real-world impact, empowering clients to shape a more sustainable future. Visit BoundaryStone.com to learn more.

In this special episode of “Political Climate,” hosts Brandon Hurlbut and Emily Domenech travel to Big Sky, Montana, to record the podcast live at the Winterfest conference. Now in its twentieth year, Winterfest brings together leaders in clean energy and finance to help move the global energy transition forward; this year the conference focused on finding solutions in a singular and difficult political moment. To help make sense of the political headwinds rocking clean energy and decarbonization efforts, the hosts are joined by two conservative-minded insiders with decades of experience: Rich Powell, the CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers’ Association, and Travis Kavulla, the Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at NRG. In their wide-ranging conversation, the hosts and their guests explore the clean energy projects most likely to make gains during the Trump administration, discuss how skyrocketing energy demand impacts supply, and offer advice for industry leaders unsure of how to move their projects forward amidst compounding political challenges. --- Credits: Hosted by Emily Domenech and Brandon Hurlbut. Produced by Max Savage Levenson. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. The energy industry is transforming - are you staying ahead of the curve? As the premier bipartisan strategic advisory firm, Boundary Stone Partners bridges the gap between technology, policy, and finance to drive real-world impact, empowering clients to shape a more sustainable future. Visit BoundaryStone.com to learn more.

Since President Trump took office on January 20, he has quickly enacted an expansive list of policies with immediate and dramatic impacts on climate and energy. If you feel like you’re struggling to process these rapid-fire actions, you’re not alone. Among other pursuits, the President has vowed to “terminate the Green New Deal” and paused funding for tons of clean energy projects—from offshore wind development to Solar for All and IRA grants. He has signed executive orders designed to maximize fossil fuel extraction and domestic mining, and overseen the launch of an enormous, power-hungry data center called Stargate, which could potentially employ solar as part of its fuel mix. Additionally, Trump instituted a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, and has threatened to implement additional tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods. (Okay, let’s take a breath.) In today’s episode, the hosts dig into some of these pressing issues, debate their impact on the clean energy sector, and find some common ground on the potential upside of trimming the federal government. This episode wraps up with the rapid-fire segment, the Mark-Up. --- Credits: Hosted by Julia Pyper, Emily Domenech, and Brandon Hurlbut. Produced by Max Savage Levenson. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. The energy industry is transforming - are you staying ahead of the curve? As the premier bipartisan strategic advisory firm, Boundary Stone Partners bridges the gap between technology, policy, and finance to drive real-world impact, empowering clients to shape a more sustainable future. Visit BoundaryStone.com to learn more.

As most of the Los Angeles fires begin to calm down and recovery efforts begin, the conversation around mitigation and prevention has accelerated. In today’s episode, the hosts are joined by Anukool Lakhina, the CEO and co-founder of BurnBot. The company produces tank-sized robots that take in biomass, incinerate it, and extinguish it as they move. Prescribed burns are a normal part of forest management, but they typically require specific weather conditions for safety purposes. But BurnBot can operate around the clock, no matter the weather. In the interview, Anukool explains how his robots work and their potential to diminish the strength of fires like those in LA. He also discusses the bills and policies that he believes can make the biggest impact on fire mitigation moving forward. Earlier in the show, the hosts unpack and debate some of the first moves from the new Trump administration on climate and energy, including the President’s “national energy emergency,” the unwinding of President Biden’s tailpipe emissions rules, and the impact of an EPA study on the social cost of carbon. --- Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. The energy industry is transforming - are you staying ahead of the curve? As the premier bipartisan strategic advisory firm, Boundary Stone Partners bridges the gap between technology, policy, and finance to drive real-world impact, empowering clients to shape a more sustainable future. Visit BoundaryStone.com to learn more.

When President Biden departs the White House on January 20th, he will leave behind a nuanced and divisive legacy on climate and energy policy. On one hand, his Administration passed the momentous Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act, which have collectively stimulated massive investment and jobs creation. Yet IRA funds were slow to get out the door. Americans remained unaware of its impact and opportunities. Much of Biden’s work could be undone by President-elect Trump. To some of his supporters’ chagrin, Biden also oversaw record oil and gas extraction during his term. In today’s episode, the hosts discuss Biden’s successes and misses. In particular, they consider some of his Administration's final decisions: doling out huge LPO grants, instituting an offshore drilling ban and more. Later in the show, the hosts dig into a swan song report from Biden’s Department of Energy; it cautions that a further expansion of liquified natural gas could hurt consumers and the environment alike. What will the Trump Administration make of its warning? The episode wraps up with our rapid-fire segment, the Mark-Up. --- Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. Concerned about how the 2024 election might impact the programs, policies, and incentives that matter most to you? Let Boundary Stone Partners' Climate24 service help you navigate the political landscape with their policy navigator tool, resources, and bespoke services. Learn more at BoundaryStone.com/Climate24.

In today’s episode, the hosts are joined by one of the most thoughtful—and occasionally controversial—voices in energy policy today. Neil Chatterjee served on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from 2017 to 2021. During that time, he also served two stints as the chairman of the commission. At FERC, Chatterjee gained a reputation for his candor, as well as his divisive takes. For instance, in 2020, he embraced carbon pricing, a move that drew the ire of his boss and may have cost him the chairmanship. More recently, Chatterjee frustrated his former colleagues shortly after the 2024 election when he publicly offered to give the President-elect advice on how to shrink FERC. As part of a recent media blitz, Chatterjee has celebrated the prospect of American energy dominance in the second Trump administration. In today’s episode, Chatterjee delves into a range of topics: he makes the case for throwing out the playbook on energy politics to meet the demands of AI, digs into the potential of distributed energy resources and explains why he wants to “put the nerds back in charge” of our energy system. Also in today’s episode: Emily explains what may have gone wrong for permitting reform in the lame duck session of Congress, and highlights the scenarios through which reform could get included in a 2025 reconciliation package instead. --- Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. Concerned about how the 2024 election might impact the programs, policies, and incentives that matter most to you? Let Boundary Stone Partners' Climate24 service help you navigate the political landscape with their policy navigator tool, resources, and bespoke services. Learn more at BoundaryStone.com/Climate24.

In honor of the mixed assortment of Thanksgiving leftovers in our fridges, today’s episode features a grab bag of hot topics facing energy and climate policy today. The hosts kick things off with a frank assessment of COP29, which wrapped up in Azerbaijan a few weeks ago. Members agreed to provide $300B in annual support to developing nations, but the lack of a more comprehensive pledge left many attendees concerned about the waning influence of the conference writ large. Then, the hosts consider pathways for permitting reform in both the lame duck session and Congress’ upcoming reconciliation package. Later in the show, they unpack a proposal from California Gov. Gavin Newsom to offer a statewide EV tax credit if President-elect Trump kills the existing federal program. The unexpected catch? It bars Tesla from participating in the program. The hosts wrap up the episode with feedback from our listeners, including questions and comments covering everything from right-shoring and ag policy to the future of offshore wind. Lastly, we apologize for the minor audio issues in this episode! --- Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. Concerned about how the 2024 election might impact the programs, policies, and incentives that matter most to you? Let Boundary Stone Partners' Climate24 service help you navigate the political landscape with their policy navigator tool, resources, and bespoke services. Learn more at BoundaryStone.com/Climate24.

The dust has settled on our national election, and the Republican Party has officially completed a trifecta—winning the White House and Senate, and keeping control of the House. As a result, the GOP will have enormous power to shape energy and climate policy in the next session of Congress. While many of the specifics are still coming into focus, the House Natural Resources Committee will certainly play a central role. In today’s episode, the hosts are joined by the committee’s chairman, Republican Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, to discuss some of the most pressing questions facing the energy sector: from the future of the IRA, to a pathway to permitting reform and the future of domestic mining and geothermal. Also in the show, we take a quick look at a few of President-elect Trump’s choices for Cabinet positions, and their potential—and nuanced—impact on energy and climate. Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. Concerned about how the 2024 election might impact the programs, policies, and incentives that matter most to you? Let Boundary Stone Partners' Climate24 service help you navigate the political landscape with their policy navigator tool, resources, and bespoke services. Learn more at BoundaryStone.com/Climate24.

On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump was reelected in a landslide, becoming the first Republican to win the popular vote since 2004. Republicans also re-took control of the Senate, and will likely keep a majority in the House of Representatives as well. In today’s show — which was recorded the morning after the election — the hosts unpack the results, and consider what they mean for the future of America’s clean energy sector. They focus on a series of questions: how can Democrats better message clean energy policy and energy affordability moving forward? Which Republicans in Congress are poised to be clean energy leaders? Will the Biden Administration seek to expedite IRA funds before their term ends? Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. Concerned about how the 2024 election might impact the programs, policies, and incentives that matter most to you? Let Boundary Stone Partners' Climate24 service help you navigate the political landscape with their policy navigator tool, resources, and bespoke services. Learn more at BoundaryStone.com/Climate24.

The 2024 election has finally arrived. Early ballots have been mailed. The candidates are crossing the country, making their final pitches. Analysts are poring over countless polls, while tension builds. Climate and energy didn’t surface as a central issue of this year’s presidential campaign. But the results of the race — as well as many more down-ballot — will have huge repercussions for the future of U.S. energy policy. In today’s episode, the hosts explore the nuanced role climate played in this election cycle, highlight some down-ballot races to watch, and consider some scenarios and priorities for the lame duck session. Also in the show: what lessons should lawmakers take away from recent catastrophic hurricanes? Could a new approach to FEMA funding and flood insurance lessen the impacts of the next big storm? This episode wraps up with our lightning round segment, the Mark-Up. Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. Concerned about how the 2024 election might impact the programs, policies, and incentives that matter most to you? Let Boundary Stone Partners' Climate24 service help you navigate the political landscape with their policy navigator tool, resources, and bespoke services. Learn more at BoundaryStone.com/Climate24.

With less than four months left in office, President Biden has green-lit another divisive climate-related policy. On October 2, Biden signed the Building Chips in America Act into law. The bill allows the manufacture of microchips—like the ones in smartphones, medical devices, cars and more—to bypass federal environmental review. The bill’s supporters hope it will drive domestic production and maximize the potential of Biden’s 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. But a solid chunk of congressional Democrats oppose the bill, citing the health and environmental risks that chips production facilities pose. In today’s episode, the hosts unpack the nuanced political dynamics behind the bill and debate the impacts it could have on November’s elections. Also in the show—the hosts take a deep dive on the climate rhetoric in the recent vice presidential debate and offer an insider perspective on New York Climate Week. The episode wraps up with the lightning round segment, the Markup. Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. Concerned about how the 2024 election might impact the programs, policies, and incentives that matter most to you? Let Boundary Stone Partners' Climate24 service help you navigate the political landscape with their policy navigator tool, resources, and bespoke services. Learn more at BoundaryStone.com/Climate24.

The team returns back from a mid-season break rested and ready to dig into a new Congressional attempt to fast-track clean energy projects. Earlier this month, GOP Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas introduced draft legislation to overhaul the long-standing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The plan could provide critical momentum to get clean energy (and fossil fuel) projects built faster. Yet it has also caught flak from some Democrats who describe it as extreme, and tie it to the controversial Project 2025. In today’s episode, the hosts consider the obstacles surrounding existing NEPA policy, as well as the impacts of Westerman’s plan and the criticisms surrounding it. Also in this episode: Brandon, Emily, and Julia discuss the energy and climate rhetoric in this month’s presidential debate, as well as a proposal from Harris campaign adviser Brian Deese to loan other countries billions of dollars to buy American clean energy tech. The episode wraps up with the rapid-fire segment, the Mark-Up. Subscribe to Latitude Media’s newsletter to get weekly updates on tech, markets, policy, and deals across clean energy and climate tech. Political Climate is co-produced by Boundary Stone Partners, a leading bipartisan climate change strategic advisory and government affairs firm. Their mission-driven approach combines innovative solutions with expertise in technology, finance, policy, federal funding, and advocacy. Learn more and get in touch today at BoundaryStone.com. Concerned about how the 2024 election might impact the programs, policies, and incentives that matter most to you? Let Boundary Stone Partners' Climate24 service help you navigate the political landscape with their policy navigator tool, resources, and bespoke services. Learn more at BoundaryStone.com/Climate24.