In this episode of Atlas Live, Nick Nigro welcomes back Angela Barranco, Executive Director for North America at Climate Group, for a preview of Climate Week NYC 2026. This event returns at a critical moment for climate and energy policy, with affordability concerns, political shifts, and a busy election cycle shaping the national conversation. We'll hear from Angela about how the events will bring together policymakers, advocates, businesses, and other leaders to advance the next phase of climate action.

Energy bills are rising across the country, putting new pressure on households, utilities, and state policymakers. In this episode of Atlas Live, Nick Nigro sits down with Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, Commissioner at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and Josephus Allmond, Chief Energy Officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia. We’ll discuss what’s driving higher electricity costs and how state leaders are responding. We’ll also explore what tools states have to improve affordability while maintaining reliable service, achieving sustainability goals, and continuing to invest in the grid.

Across the country, state energy efficiency programs are facing new scrutiny as policymakers look for ways to address rising energy bills. But will cutting or pausing these programs actually make energy more affordable, and who benefits when program budgets are reduced? In this episode of Atlas Live, Atlas’s Stephen Naimoli sits down with Mark Kresowik of ACEEE and Bryan Howard of Montgomery County, Maryland, to discuss the politics and impacts of energy efficiency program cuts, what these changes mean for households and utilities, and what other options states have to improve affordability while continuing to support long-term efficiency and resilience.

Over the past five years, state DOTs have moved from playing little role in EV charging deployment to leading multimillion-dollar investments in a national network of high-speed chargers through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. What comes next after NEVI? In this episode, Atlas’s Rachael Nealer and Tina Hodges talk with Josh Rodriguez of AASHTO about their project examining how state and local transportation agencies are deploying EV charging infrastructure today—and recommendations to guide future efforts.

Our research shows China is leading the way on clean manufacturing investment—how is this shaping broader competition between the U.S. and China? Atlas Live is coming at you with the second episode in a series on global clean energy supply chains. In this episode, Atlas’s Nick Nigro sits down with Avery Ash of SAFE and Kate Logan of Asia Society to dive into how China has gotten to this point, what it will take for the United States to compete, and how policymakers can balance deployment, affordability, and supply change resilience as clean technologies become central to broader economic and geopolitical competition.

In this episode, Atlas’s Nick Nigro sits down with Jasper Jung of GM and Jeff Werner of Panasonic to explore what the global race for clean energy leadership means for U.S. industry and competitiveness today. Drawing on Atlas Public Policy’s new report, we’ll dive into the details of the nearly $1.1 trillion in announced global clean energy manufacturing investments from 2019 to 2025. Batteries play a central role, and gap between China’s manufacturing dominance and the rest of the world is widening. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion about the opportunities and risks facing companies investing in domestic supply chains, advanced manufacturing, and the next phase of the clean energy economy.

In this episode, Atlas’s Nick Nigro will sit down with Monica Lee, Clean Transportation Campaign Director, and Britta Gross from EPRI to unpack how the recent shock to the oil market is causing consumers to give EVs another look. Since the start of the U.S.–Israel war with Iran in February, global oil prices have surged more than 50%, driving U.S. gasoline prices above $4 per gallon. How do prolonged high oil prices impact EV affordability and discussions at home, in fleets, and in legislatures? Tune in to hear a grounded discussion of near‑term solutions and the practical steps that can make EVs a more accessible option during this tumultuous period.

On this episode of Atlas Live, Nick Nigro will talk with two leading journalists—Evan Halper of the Washington Post and Jennifer Hiller of the Wall Street Journal—on all things energy and AI. They’ll explore public discourse on data centers, real and perceived impacts on energy affordability, and what impact we might see on upcoming elections.