Why the GOP is attacking a top Biden energy official over ethics

Republican lawmakers are accusing Jigar Shah, the head of the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office, of ethical lapses given his ties to the private sector. Shah, leader of an office that is crucial to President Joe Biden’s clean energy agenda, denied any wrongdoing. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down why lawmakers are targeting Shah, how he’s defending himself, and the broader GOP pushback against the Biden administration's climate and energy spending. Plus, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a slate of new natural gas projects on Thursday.    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   Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy 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.