Ben Lefebvre
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benlefebvre.bsky.social
Ben Lefebvre
@benlefebvre.bsky.social
POLITICO energy reporter. Native Detroiter. Former WSJ Houston, ICIS Tokyo.
Interior Secretary Burgum, who killed a major offshore wind project, is floating the idea of forcing the government to pay energyproject developers for any fossil fuel project the feds kill (I.e. KXL).
April 30, 2025 at 4:11 PM
At a mic check for this Export-Import Bank conference, the person on stage reads out - "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the country."
April 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Heading the "let's lift sanctions" push: Steve "I've developed a friendship with Putin" Witkoff.
April 24, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Just got this text from an auto dealership:
April 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I'd like to thank the Atlantic for providing the means to write a few lines of good-old-fashioned scandal coverage for this morning's Politico energy newsletter:
April 7, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Oh hi there, sub-$60 WTI.
April 6, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Shorter Bessent on Fox: We had to burn the economy to save it.
April 2, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Meanwhile, Dallas Fed Reserve Bank publishes its latest survey of 130 oil industry execs.

The vibes ain't good!
March 27, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Watch this space: The World Health Organization officially classifies gasoline as a carcinogen. The Lancet carried a summary of findings, expects the full study to be releaed in 2026.

Lawyers, get your billiable hours ready:
March 27, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Part of the reasons DOE is going after these projects - and other programs meant to foster clean energy production or energy efficiency - is that White House and GOP Congressional leaders need to find more money they can claw back for tax cuts:
March 26, 2025 at 12:44 AM
March 26, 2025 at 12:43 AM
March 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
An initial list of projects to cut pretty much would have cut not only renewables but also projects favored by the oil industry -
March 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
"Another Italian to watch"....
March 16, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Shout out to the "senior Vatican official" in today's WaPo who actually made me laugh out loud:
March 16, 2025 at 12:43 PM
March 12, 2025 at 10:39 PM
U.S. energy officials throughout history: "We don't want to pick winners and losers."

DOE officials at a Japanese governemnt event in Houst last night: Please invest in Alaska LNG.

Also I'm waiting for my Pulitzer on the hed on this Politico Energy newsletter item:
March 12, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Barber shop in Falls Church offering free haircuts to fired federal workers at the end of the month.
March 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Support the workers at Le Dip and other DC restaurants forming unions. The workers cooking and delivering your food are some of the most smashed upon workers around.
March 7, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Egg ration at local TJs. Can't get them at any price!
February 8, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Time to bring out the celebratory donuts and dress in the proper attire.
February 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
February 6, 2025 at 1:12 PM
But don't expect too much more.
February 4, 2025 at 11:09 PM
This move did provoke a peep from the lobbyists...
February 4, 2025 at 11:08 PM
February 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM