How an EPA backlog could thwart California’s climate agenda

01/11/24 • 6 min

California is trying to implement sweeping climate change policies before a potential second Donald Trump presidency. But the state is running into a growing backlog of federal approvals that are in the hands of President Joe Biden’s EPA, potentially giving Trump an opportunity to weaken California's unique climate authority if he wins again in 2024. POLITICO’s Blanca Begert breaks down why California’s climate policies are on the clock at EPA. Plus, the oil industry is blasting the Biden administration’s decision to review whether it should consider climate impacts when assessing liquefied natural gas export projects.

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Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.

Blanca Begert is a California climate reporter for POLITICO.

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news 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

Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.

Blanca Begert is a California climate reporter for POLITICO.

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Previous Episode

Biden’s team rethinks gas export permits

The Biden administration is reviewing the criteria it uses to approve new liquefied natural gas export projects, according to two people familiar with the plan. It’s a potentially major move that could threaten the United States’ position as the world’s biggest shipper of the fuel. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the climate and geopolitical factors behind this decision along with the reaction. Plus, the Biden administration launched a new effort Tuesday to boost the U.S. supply chain for materials critical to advanced nuclear production.

For more news 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

Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.

Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO.

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.

Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

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Next Episode

The Biden administration’s vision for a China-free EV transition

A top official at the Energy Department told a Senate panel Thursday that the United States can make the transition to electric vehicles without China. It’s a sign that the administration believes its efforts to establish domestic clean energy supply chains are working. But the remarks drew significant skepticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the Biden administration’s EV defense and the pushback from lawmakers. Plus, a three-month campaign by G7 countries, including the United States, is driving Russian oil below world prices.

For more news 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

Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.

James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO.

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.

Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices