Political Climate

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.

  1. 4d ago

    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 sacrificing affordability, reliability, or national security? What comes first when the country needs all of them at once? This week, Political Climate sits down with Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy Alex Fitzsimmons to discuss the Trump administration’s energy affordability agenda. He unpacks the strategy to "stabilize, optimize, and grow" the energy system amid the race to add new power capacity and maintain U.S. competitiveness. It’s a wide ranging conversation on everything from power market reforms, to how the DOE is leveraging loans and grants under President Trump, to a new golden age for nuclear, renewable energy economics, and more. We take a closer look at the administration’s energy priorities and why they believe rising energy demand can actually lower prices over time.  Plus, Neil draws on his FERC chair experience to provide an early reaction to the Commission's historic June 18 order on tariff rules governing how data centers, manufacturing facilities, and other large energy users interconnect to the transmission system. Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions. Subscribe to catch all of our latest episodes! Please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others find the show. Political Climate is hosted by Julia Pyper, Neil Chatterjee, and Brandon Hurlbut. This episode was produced by Bruno Falcon.

    53 min

  2. Jun 8

    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 conversation across two and a half centuries of American energy history. From the birth of the oil industry and the rise of the automobile to the shale revolution, AI-driven electricity demand, and the race for critical minerals, Yergin connects the turning points that shaped the modern economy — and the ones unfolding right now. The conversation also explores why the current Strait of Hormuz crisis has been less disruptive than many feared, how the shale boom transformed America’s geopolitical position, and why innovation has consistently been the country’s greatest competitive advantage. Along the way, the team digs into: 4:28 - 250 years of energy: key inflection points 7:41 - Regulation and markets: the shale revolution, peak oil, and climate action 13:52 - America becomes a net gas exporter 18:50 - The biggest misses in energy markets today 23:02 - Crisis in the Persian Gulf 24:16 - Challenges with the energy transition 27:44 - America's innovative mindset 30:19 - AI, affordability, and the coming electricity boom 37:45 - Copper, critical minerals, and the new supply chain race 41:17 - How to win on personnel and policy 46:40 - Middle East conflict: a 1970s redux? If the last 250 years were defined by fossil fuels, energy security, and entrepreneurship, what will define the next 250? Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions. Subscribe to catch all of our latest episodes! Please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others find the show. Visit ⁠politicalclimatepodcast.com⁠ to sign up for our soon returning newsletter. Political Climate is hosted by Julia Pyper, Neil Chatterjee, and Brandon Hurlbut. This episode was produced by Bruno Falcon.

    51 min

  3. May 25

    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 — meaningful permitting reform — and under a year to achieve it. Both Democrats and Republicans acknowledge that America’s infrastructure approval process is too slow and costly, and yet major reform efforts have repeatedly failed. Could this be the year that changes? On this episode, Sen. Armstrong addresses the policy substance behind the politics, including past sticking points and what a workable path forward might actually look like. He joins hosts Julia Pyper, Brandon Hurlbut, and Neil Chatterjee to discuss NEPA reform and judicial review, the fight over pipelines versus transmission lines, and why fossil fuel and clean energy developers are increasingly aligned on what needs to change. Also this episode, energy investor and strategist Steve McBee on his latest venture: Amped, a new initiative focused on rebuilding the political power of the clean energy industry. Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, a leading conservative clean energy advocacy organization working to accelerate American innovation and reduce global energy emissions. This episode was produced by Bruno Falcon. Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Visit www.politicalclimatepodcast.com for more!

    51 min

  4. May 11

    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 markets, accelerating new generation, and pushing data centers to pay their own way. On this episode of Political Climate, we unpack why energy affordability has become one of the hottest political issues heading into the 2026 midterms, what state leaders are doing about it, and whether or not their strategies will work. Hosts Julia Pyper, Brandon Hurlbut, and Neil Chatterjee break down: 11:44 - Energy affordability in the California governor's debate 17:42 - PA Gov. Shapiro rails against the “broken” utility business model 26:14 - States demand PJM market reforms 31:53 - Virginia's energy affordability package 34:05 - A mix of strategies from Connecticut to Kentucky to Arizona and beyond 42:30 - AI data center cost drivers and state responses 52:13 - Energy affordability and the 2026 election Plus: the team kicks off with a discussion on the geopolitical fallout from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and what it means for energy and cleantech. Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions. Subscribe to catch all of our latest episodes! And head on over to ⁠politicalclimatepodcast.com⁠ to sign up for our soon returning newsletter.

    58 min

  5. Apr 27

    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). With Ian Magruder (founder and executive director of the Utilize Coalition) and guest co-host Hillary O’Brien (managing director of clean power at ClearPath) we explore how solutions such as advanced transmission technologies and virtual power plants can unlock hundreds of gigawatts and deliver $100+ billion in savings — plus the policy changes needed to scale them. At a moment of surging demand, is there really a debate between building more or finally using what we already have better? Episode highlights: 1:38 - Roundup: SF Climate Week, cybersecurity & Chinese EVs on TikTok 9:12 - The case for grid utilization 14:47 - Companies to watch in the utilization space 17:18 - The "build" versus "use" debate 25:25 - Speed to power with DOE's $1.9 billion SPARK program 28:38 - Policy action to accelerate grid innovation & VA case study 39:20 - Better grid use transcends political divides Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions. Subscribe to catch all of our latest episodes! And head on over to ⁠politicalclimatepodcast.com⁠ to sign up for our soon returning newsletter.

    43 min

  6. Apr 13

    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 history is repeating itself, only with new stakes. Avery Ash, CEO of Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE), joins the show to discuss how geopolitics, consumer behavior, and technological advancements are colliding at a pivotal moment. Does the U.S. need a more strategic, policy-driven approach to energy security in an era of rising conflict and global competition? Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions. Subscribe to catch all of our latest episodes! And head on over to ⁠politicalclimatepodcast.com⁠ to sign up for our soon returning newsletter.

    56 min

  7. Mar 31

    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 thing or two about performing under pressure. Now, he’s bringing that playbook to cleantech. In this episode of Political Climate, we sit down with Shane to talk about what March Madness can teach us beyond the court. Then, we shift gears to break down some of the latest developments across the energy landscape, including: 21:45 - Key takeaways from CERA Week 30:40 - Powering AI: contrasting projects from Google and SB Energy  33:11 - New efforts to boost grid utilization— not just build out 38:02 - A surprising coal comeback in Alaska an beyond 43:14 - vWhy the U.S. is paying TotalEnergies $1 billion to abandon offshore wind plans 48:24 - A Democratic bid to lower costs by restoring tax clean energy tax credits  From the Final Four to the future of the grid—this episode covers the strategies, setbacks, and big bets shaping energy today. Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions. Subscribe to catch all of our latest episodes! And head on over to ⁠politicalclimatepodcast.com⁠ to sign up for our soon returning newsletter.

    56 min

  8. Mar 12

    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 Pyper, Brandon Hurlbut, and Neil Chatterjee sit down with Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) and former Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA) at the Winterfest conference to discuss:  How conflict in the Middle East is rattling energy markets and American consumers — and whether it could strengthen the case for clean energy.  How to protect ratepayers as AI data centers push up electricity demand and power prices — and who will own the affordability debate.  Why some conservatives are warming to solar — and whether clean energy companies are getting more politically savvy.  Plus, some podcast news! Political Climate has partnered with ClearPath, a leading conservative clean energy advocacy organization focused on advancing American energy innovation while reducing global emissions. To kick things off, Julia speaks with ClearPath CEO Jeremy Harrell. Subscribe for smart conversations at the intersection of energy, climate, markets, and politics.

    58 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Political Climate
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    207
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Political Climate
  • Show Website
    Political Climate

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