POLITICO Energy

34 episodes scanned. 35% of ad slots promote the show's own products.

Recent Episodes

1. Fervo Energy CEO Latimer on geothermal’s promise and challenges

   Nov 2, 2026

   Fervo Energy CEO Tim Latimer discusses geothermal's potential to supply around-the-clock carbon-free power in the U.S., including the commercial start of the 33-megawatt first phase of Project Cape in Utah, which is tied to a large Google power agreement. The conversation covers federal funding for geothermal, the cost and technical progress of enhanced geothermal systems, and the company's stock decline since its recent IPO. Latimer also responds to short-seller claims about reservoir heat decline, water retention at the site, and grid interconnection constraints.

2. The oil-state Democrat is nearly extinct. Could that change next week?

   Oct 30, 2026

   POLITICO congressional energy reporter Pavan Acharya joins the Politico Energy podcast ahead of the 2026 midterms to discuss the oil-state Democrat, a type of senator from fossil-fuel states who has become rare. The conversation covers why crossover representation has declined, how Texas Senate candidate James Talarico and Alaska's Mary Peltola fit the archetype, and where they might diverge from Democratic energy policy. They also discuss how energy affordability and the "all of the above" message could shape the party's energy strategy.

3. Democrats may win the House. But what’s their energy and climate plan?

   Oct 28, 2026

   POLITICO congressional energy reporters Pavan Acharya and Amelia Davidson discuss what a Democratic-controlled House could realistically accomplish on energy and climate in 2027 while President Trump remains in office. They cover likely Democratic oversight priorities, which Biden-era clean energy tax credits Democrats may seek to restore (wind and solar more than electric vehicle credits), and the risk that several Republican climate allies will lose their seats. The episode also covers a Democratic policy proposal group's ideas that could pass under divided government.

4. Arizona AG Mayes on the West’s water crisis, data centers and rising power bills

   Oct 26, 2026

   Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat running for reelection in November, discusses her office's role in utility rate cases, data center regulation, and groundwater enforcement. She also covers the Colorado River shortage, the possibility of a lawsuit against upper basin states, and her criticism of Trump administration energy policy. The conversation centers on whether Arizona can pursue tech growth without more data centers, given its water constraints.

5. Inside the Michigan race that could shape energy policy nationwide

   Oct 23, 2026

   POLITICO deputy editor-in-chief Joe Schatz joins the Politico Energy podcast to preview the Michigan attorney general race to replace Dana Nessel, which he says could shape national debates over energy, utilities, and data centers. He describes Nessel's record of challenging utility rate increases, opposing federal efforts to keep the J.H. Campbell coal plant running, and scrutinizing data center proposals. He also compares Democratic candidate Ellie Savit and Republican candidate Doug Lloyd, both local prosecutors, and discusses the tight polling and party spending. The conversation closes with why state attorneys general have gained influence on energy and tech policy.

6. Trump wants data centers on public lands. Some Republicans are uneasy.

   Oct 21, 2026

   POLITICO reporter Ian Stevenson joins host Nirmal Mulaikal to discuss the Trump administration's push to build AI data centers on federal public lands and the resulting tension among Western Republicans ahead of the midterms. They cover the administration's permitting steps, the one approved project in Nevada, and local opposition in Idaho, including Senator Jim Risch's skepticism and concerns over water, electricity rates, and property tax revenue. The episode closes with a look at what comes next for the Idaho proposal and the Western states to watch.

7. Electricity demand is soaring. Todd Snitchler is trying to get ahead of it.

   Oct 19, 2026

   Todd Snitchler, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, discusses how power producers and grid operators are responding to surging electricity demand from data centers and manufacturing. The conversation covers how utilities forecast load and screen speculative data center requests, the capacity shortfall and market reforms at PJM, federal regulatory responses such as curtailment proposals, and the role of natural gas, nuclear, and state permitting in climate and reliability planning.

8. Why a Democrat could win a spot as a Texas oil regulator

   Oct 16, 2026

   POLITICO Texas energy reporter Mike Lee discusses the race for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, the state's oil and gas regulator, where Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal is competing against Republican Bo French. The conversation covers the commission's role in regulating about 40% of U.S. oil production, Rosenthal's industry-focused campaign, French's controversial online posts, and polling. Lee also explains how a Democratic win could affect environmental regulation in the energy sector and Democratic campaigns in Texas.

9. Google’s energy and sustainability chief on AI power needs and its  climate goals

   Oct 14, 2026

   Google's head of energy and sustainability policy, Marsden Hanna, discusses how the company plans to power its AI data centers, including nuclear uprates, natural gas, geothermal, and carbon capture deals. The conversation covers Google's 2030 net-zero goal despite an 18% rise in its emissions, the bipartisan Senate permitting bill, and how Google would respond to possible Democratic oversight of its energy use. Hanna also addresses data center community engagement, grid congestion, and behind-the-meter power.

10. A leading Democratic pollster on energy, climate and the 2026 midterms

    Oct 9, 2026

    Nirmal Mulaikal interviews Geoff Garin, president of Hart Research, a Democratic polling and strategic messaging firm, about how voters weigh energy and climate issues ahead of the 2026 midterms. The conversation covers voter concern about energy costs, trust in the parties on climate and energy bills, and how data centers, gasoline prices, and home heating costs factor into the campaign. They also discuss Democratic and Republican messaging and what voters want Democrats to do on energy if they regain Congress.