James Bikales
@jamepdx
Energy reporter @POLITICO covering EV and minerals policy. Get in touch: [email protected] or DM for phone/Signal. Oregon native 🌲
Why the U.S. auto industry was so concerned about losing EV incentives in the big, beautiful bill:
The New York Times published my opinion piece today: "This is BYD, the Chinese Car That's Taking Over the World" It's a call to action, an urgent one. Like it or not, China is the new center of the global automotive industry. Its scale, speed, supply chains software and…
NEW: Senate GOP mods beat back crippling blow to wind and solar power. Now, they’re hoping the last-minute compromise will prevent a political and economic backlash. How they did it, and will it matter? w/@kelseytam, @jamepdx politi.co/44H6P0W
Republicans long said government should stay out of the energy market. They slammed Dem & Biden policies favoring clean energy. But the GOP under Trump has learned to stop worrying and love picking winners and losers -- and they're picking fossil fuels. politico.com/news/2025/07/2…
Our scoop now free to read @politico. Solar and wind energy projects on federal lands must now get Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s personal sign-off to receive permits politico.com/news/2025/07/1…
For more on Trump's energy credits phase-out EO, check out my conversation with @SiegelScribe on the Politico Energy podcast this morning, produced by @NirmalMulaikal: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how…
NEW: Mike Lee’s online persona — spreading conspiracy theories, mocking assassination victims — is causing worry in Salt Lake City. On Lee, his church, and the difficulties of “peacemaking” in our current political era:
Kerr County is an example of how many communities are ill-equipped to protect themselves from once-unfathomable extremes. Experts warned Trump cuts will undermine disaster prep as climate-fueled events reset expectations for worst-imagined outcomes. politico.com/news/2025/07/0…
NEWS: President Trump issued an executive order Monday directing Treasury to "strictly enforce" phase-outs of clean energy tax credits. It suggests he may seek to change the "safe harbor" standard for starting construction, as sought by conservatives. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/0…
A warning for wind and solar from House conservatives: Trump promised enforcement crackdown on construction for renewable energy credits from myself and @SiegelScribe: politico.com/live-updates/2…
Latest on how the House is receiving the Senate’s IRA changes w/ @SiegelScribe
New: House mods & conservatives spar over Senate’s clean energy megabill compromise. Swing district Rs are comfortable upper chamber avoided severe wind/solar cuts. But Chip Roy is holding out over 1 year carveout to start construction. W @jamepdx subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/0…
!! Final megabill “wraparound” amendment is expected to tweak language around clean energy credits, @meredithllee and @nicholaswu12 report politico.com/live-updates/2…
ERNST: “I don’t think they’re going to let us” offer the solar and wind amendment Possible that the amendment or part of it could be included in a final wraparound, as @ktullymcmanus reports politico.com/live-updates/2…
Sen. Mike Lee's amendment to return to the stricter House language on the IRA credits (60-day commence construction requirement) was defeated handily, 21-79
Late-night energy action in the Senate: Rs defeated two messaging amendments from Dems to recommit the bill over clean energy provisions. Next up: An amendment from @SenMikeLee to make the IRA cuts even steeper, returning to House language of 60-day commence construction.