PODCAST · business
Political Climate
by Political Climate
Political Climate delivers an insider’s view on the most pressing questions in energy and climate. Through biweekly analysis and debate, the podcast explores the nuances of how policy and politics are shaping the energy transition in the U.S. and around the world. Political Climate goes beyond partisan echo chambers to bring you insider scoops and authentic conversations with voices from across the political spectrum – all with a healthy dose of wit. Tune in every other Monday with hosts Julia Pyper, Neil Chatterjee, and Brandon Hurlbut along with influential and insightful guests.
Episodes
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Grids, Gas, and AI: Can Washington Make a Deal?
Permitting reform could reshape America’s energy future — if it actually becomes law. Will Washington close the deal on landmark bipartisan legislation? Energy project permitting sits at the center of today’s biggest debates: powering the AI boom, lowering electricity bills, competing with China,...
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Is AI the Most Bipartisan Thing in Politics?
AI may be reshaping more than the economy—it could be reshaping American politics. As data centers collide with rising utility bills, community opposition and the midterm elections, Democrats and Republicans are converging is some surprising areas. Julia Pyper, Brandon Hurlbut and Neil Chatterjee...
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The Copper Crunch— and How to Fix It. Checking In With Endolith
Copper prices are soaring, China still dominates the supply chain, and demand is set to explode 50% over the next 15 years thanks to AI, data centers, and electrification. So who's racing to fix America's copper problem? Endolith founder and CEO Liz Dennett returns to Political Climate for a…
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How a Humble Rock Could Transform Industry
Concrete is everywhere—from our homes and bridges to skyscrapers and data centers. But few people realize that the cement used to make concrete is responsible for roughly 8% of global carbon emissions. If cement were a country, it would be the third largest emitter on Earth. And yet, these...
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The Climate Hushing Election
What do a Democratic firefighter running for Congress in Montana and a Republican educator running for Senate in Louisiana have in common? They're both campaigning on climate issues—without ever saying the words "climate change." From wildfires to floods, housing to electricity, communities…
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The Politics of AI and Energy, with Phil Deutch
As AI accelerates and America's energy demands surge, some of the biggest questions aren't just about technology—they're about politics. In part two of our conversation with veteran energy investor Phil Deutch, partner and co-head of energy transition at NGP, we explore where Silicon Valley,...
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The Future of Energy Investing, with Phil Deutch
As America marks its 250th year, a new energy era is beginning. This week, veteran energy investor Phil Deutch, founder of NGP Energy Technology Partners, joins us to look beyond today's headlines and toward the future of energy. We discuss where investment dollars are flowing, what current…
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Inside Trump's Energy Affordability Strategy, with DOE's Alex Fitzsimmons
For years, America’s energy debate was largely about transition — what fuels to move away from and what technologies to build next. Now, a different challenge is taking center stage: can the United States produce enough energy to power AI, advanced manufacturing, and economic growth without...
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Daniel Yergin: How Energy Made America a Superpower
As America marks its 250th anniversary, one question looms large: What made the United States an energy superpower — and what will determine whether it stays one? This week, Political Climate welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning author and S&P Global Vice Chairman Daniel Yergin for a sweeping...
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The Year of Permitting Reform? Sen. Armstrong Makes the Case
Permitting reform has stalled in Congress for years — but a newly appointed senator with three decades of energy industry experience and nothing to prove politically may be in a position to finally help get it done. Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) came to Washington in March with a single priority…
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Governors vs. Rising Power Bills
Electricity prices are rising across America — and governors are scrambling to respond. From California to Pennsylvania to Virginia, states are experimenting with dramatically different approaches to lowering power bills: taking on utility monopolies, freezing rate hikes, reforming electricity...
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Grid Utilization: Unlocking the Cheapest Megawatt in America
What if the fastest, cheapest fix for America’s power grid is hiding in plain sight? On this episode of Political Climate, we dive into grid utilization — and how to unlock the massive untapped potential of a system that operates at just ~50% capacity (as Secretary Wright noted just last month)....
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Will EVs Surge Amid Iran Oil Shocks?
Gas prices are spiking as the Iran war disrupts global oil markets — so will this be the moment that finally supercharges EV adoption in the U.S.? This week on Political Climate, we explore how past energy shocks have driven policy shifts aimed at greater energy diversification — and whether...
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Win or Learn: Shane Battier on Energy’s March Madness Moment
March was defined by blown predictions, resilience, wins, losses, and last-minute turnarounds—and not just in college basketball. In many ways, those same forces are shaping the energy sector today. Shane Battier—NCAA champion at Duke in 2001 and two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat—knows a...
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Energy Shocks: Iran, AI, and the 2026 Midterms
Energy is back at the center of politics. From war in the Middle East disrupting oil and LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz to AI-driven data centers sending U.S. power demand soaring, energy policy is shaping the road to the 2026 midterms. In the first episode back from a break, hosts Julia...
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Unpacking a Volatile Year in Climate and Energy
2025 has been one of the most turbulent years on record for U.S. climate and energy policy. The One Big Beautiful Bill is in; the Inflation Reduction Act is out. Clean energy grants have been canceled, permits delayed, and federal priorities reshuffled. At the same time, electricity demand is...
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Inside the American Energy + AI Initiative
A hyperscaler, an energy developer, and a government official walk into a room. It’s not a joke — it’s the new reality as the U.S. scrambles to lead the global race for AI dominance. As frontier AI companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic push for fast, clean, and reliable energy at...
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America's Critical Minerals Crisis
Critical minerals sit at the heart of modern life—from phones and data centers to EVs, defense systems, and the power grid. Yet the U.S. remains heavily dependent on foreign supply chains for these resources that are dominated by China. In failing to develop holistic and responsible mineral…
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How FERC and Your Home Could Fast-Track AI Power
AI is reshaping the economy — and now it’s reshaping the electric grid. The growth of AI data centers is fueling an unprecedented spike in power needs — and policymakers are scrambling for creative ways to meet it. In this episode of Political Climate, we explore two different approaches to...
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Power Struggles: From DC to Beijing
As the U.S. government enters its fourth week of shutdown, the fallout is spreading far beyond Washington. Billions in clean energy and technology funding have been frozen or slashed — disproportionately in blue states — as the administration uses the budget standoff to push through parts of its...
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US vs China: Who's Winning the Energy Race?
When we think of the U.S.–China rivalry, headlines often focus on trade wars, Taiwan, or Artificial Intelligence. But one of the most consequential battlegrounds is undoubtedly energy, which underpins each economy. Who will invent, build, and export the technologies that power the 21st century?...
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Shutdowns and Shakeups: What's at Stake for US Energy
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...
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What an 'Unapologetic Focus' on US Competitiveness Means for Climate Action
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...
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The Big Bill Got Done. Now What?
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…
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The Grid's 'All Hands on Deck' Moment
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…
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BRB, Processing Senate Text
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…
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Unpacking Trump’s Energy Dominance Agenda
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.…
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Reconciliation Revs Up
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...
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In recess, back soon!
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...
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Unpacking the EPA’s aggressive moves on energy and climate
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...
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Live from Winterfest: Rich Powell and Travis Kavulla talk GOP energy priorities
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...
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High turbulence: What Trump’s first moves mean for clean energy
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…
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Fire-killing robots and executive orders galore
Amid the ongoing fires that have plagued California this month, 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…
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Will Biden’s 11th-hour climate strategy have lasting impact?
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...
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Neil Chatterjee: “Make energy policy boring again!”
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....
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A grab bag of climate conundrums: COP’s waning influence, Gov. Newsom’s Tesla troll, and more
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…
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U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman: What's next for permitting, geothermal, and the IRA?
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...
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Trump won. Now what?
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…
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Election showdown: Down-ballot drama, closing arguments, and more
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.…
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Chips Ahoy: Unpacking the politics of microchip deregulation
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...
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Can Congress pull off a NEPA overhaul?
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)....
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DNC dispatches: Navigating America’s skyrocketing energy demand
In today’s episode, the Political Climate team takes us back behind the scenes of the 2024 Democratic National Convention to chat candidly with lawmakers and leading activists about some of the most pressing issues that Democrats will have to navigate after the election - no matter who occupies…
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DNC dispatches: It’s the climate economy, stupid!
In today’s episode – the first of a two-part dispatch – the Political Climate team takes us behind the scenes of the 2024 Democratic National Convention to chat candidly with lawmakers and leading activists about Democrats’ strategy for pitching climate policies in the lead up to November’s...
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John Podesta Celebrates the IRA for “Catalyzing a Clean Energy Boom”
Exactly two years ago, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. With more than $800 billion devoted to renewables, batteries, transmission, carbon removal, EVs, and the factories to build them, the bill is America’s largest-ever investment in climate solutions. Yet the...
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RNC dispatches: The fate of the IRA
In today’s episode — the second of a two-part dispatch — Political Climate co-host Emily Domenech takes us behind the curtain at the 2024 Republican National Convention to chat with the lawmakers championing clean energy from within the GOP. We’ll hear from members of Congress like Rep. John…
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RNC dispatches: The GOP’s nascent climate pivot
In today’s episode — the first of a two-part dispatch — Political Climate co-host Emily Domenech takes us behind the scenes of the 2024 Republican National Convention to chat candidly with lawmakers. Emily talks with Rep. John Curtis of Utah, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, as well as...
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Rep. Scott Peters on our “old, small and dumb” grid
Among members of Congress, few have approached climate change with the experience and diligence of Democratic California Representative Scott Peters. Peters spent decades as an environmental lawyer and Environmental Protection Agency economist prior to becoming a US Representative. Now in his…
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Making sense of nuclear’s resurgence
The past month proved to be a dramatic one for America’s long-stagnant nuclear sector. First, on June 10, TerraPower – the company co-founded by Bill Gates – broke ground on the Western Hemisphere’s first advanced nuclear facility, in Wyoming. A week later, the Senate passed the ADVANCE Act on a...
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Republican Garret Graves’ data-driven approach to the climate crisis
Among Republicans in Congress, few, if any, have wielded as much influence on climate and clean energy as Louisiana Representative Garret Graves. In the past few years, Graves served as the ranking member on the House Select Committee on Climate and ran the Republican Task Force on Energy…
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The politics of carbon removal heat up
In recent weeks, carbon management has found itself in the spotlight – for reasons both encouraging and concerning for its proponents. On May 28th, the DOE unveiled the semifinalists for a new funding competition for carbon removal and storage companies, as well as a plan to buy over $30 million…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Political Climate delivers an insider’s view on the most pressing questions in energy and climate. Through biweekly analysis and debate, the podcast explores the nuances of how policy and politics are shaping the energy transition in the U.S. and around the world.
Political Climate goes beyond partisan echo chambers to bring you insider scoops and authentic conversations with voices from across the political spectrum – all with a healthy dose of wit. Tune in every other Monday with hosts Julia Pyper, Neil Chatterjee, and Brandon Hurlbut along with influential and insightful guests.
HOSTED BY
Political Climate
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Political Climate currently has 214 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
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Political Climate delivers an insider’s view on the most pressing questions in energy and climate. Through biweekly analysis and debate, the podcast explores the nuances of how policy and politics are shaping the energy transition in the U.S. and around the world. Political Climate goes beyond...
How often does Political Climate release new episodes?
Political Climate publishes regularly with 214 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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