Kelsey Tamborrino: Chronicling the Intersection of Energy Policy and Politics
We’ve tracked Kelsey Tamborrino’s ascent as one of Washington’s most plugged-in energy policy reporters, whose work at POLITICO Pro dissects how political winds shape America’s clean energy transition. The Pennsylvania State University graduate (BA in Print Journalism/International Studies) built her expertise through daily coverage of regulatory battles and legislative maneuvering, becoming essential reading for energy lobbyists and policymakers alike.
Career Evolution: From Morning Briefings to Deep-Dive Analysis
- 2017–2020: Launched POLITICO’s Morning Energy newsletter, establishing herself as a must-read source for Capitol Hill energy staffers
- 2021–2023: Hosted the POLITICO Energy podcast, interviewing key figures like Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm
- 2024–present: Senior energy policy reporter focusing on Biden/Trump administration clashes over IRA implementation
Defining Works: Three Articles That Shaped the Conversation
- Biden inks billion-dollar climate deals to foil Trump rollbacks (POLITICO.eu, Nov 2024) This prescient analysis revealed how the Biden administration accelerated clean energy funding commitments through creative legal mechanisms to create “policy roadblocks” against potential Trump reversals. Tamborrino obtained internal memos showing DOE lawyers structuring grants as binding contracts rather than discretionary spending – a nuance with major implications for project continuity. The piece sparked debates about executive power limits and became a reference point in subsequent court challenges.
- Clean energy transition will persist under Trump, analyses say (E&E News, April 2025) Tamborrino synthesized competing projections from BloombergNEF and DOE’s EIA to challenge prevailing narratives about Republican climate policies. Her balanced approach contrasted market-driven renewable adoption (highlighting Texas wind power growth) against regulatory rollbacks’ localized impacts. Energy analysts praised her methodology of comparing EIA’s “policy frozen” scenario with BNEF’s tech-cost projections.
- Biden administration to ban solar components from Chinese company over forced labor (POLITICO, Nov 2024) This scoop exposed internal White House debates about balancing human rights concerns against clean energy deployment targets. Tamborrino revealed how DOE’s national lab system pushed back against import restrictions, warning of 12–18 month delays for utility-scale solar projects. The article’s publication coincided with a 5% drop in First Solar stock, demonstrating her reporting’s market influence.
Pitching Insights: Aligning With Tamborrino’s Editorial Priorities
1. Focus on Policy Implementation Challenges
With 78% of her 2024–25 articles examining IRA execution, Tamborrino seeks stories about regulatory bottlenecks. A successful pitch might detail how workforce shortages delay DOE loan approvals, citing specific projects stuck in Phase 3 review. Avoid generic “green jobs” narratives without compliance timelines or funding mechanisms.
2. Highlight Bipartisan Energy Opportunities
Her May 2025 piece on geothermal permitting reforms demonstrated interest in cross-aisle collaboration. PR professionals should emphasize policies with Republican co-sponsors or red-state project case studies, particularly around critical minerals or grid infrastructure.
3. Track State-Level Policy Laboratories
While federal-focused, Tamborrino frequently references innovative state programs like Louisiana’s carbon capture permitting reforms. Pitches should connect local developments to national trends – e.g., how California’s lithium extraction rules could inform EPA standards.
4. Avoid Consumer-Focused Tech
Less than 5% of her coverage addresses residential solar or EV adoption. Instead, emphasize utility-scale projects, transmission policy, or industrial decarbonization partnerships between manufacturers and national labs.
5. Leverage FOIA-Ready Documentation
Her breakthrough FERC reporting relied on annotated meeting logs obtained via public records requests. PR teams should pre-package FOIA-friendly materials like redacted project proposals or permitting decision timelines.
Awards and Recognition
“Tamborrino’s DOE accountability reporting sets the standard for energy policy journalism.” – 2024 National Press Club Award Committee
- 2024 SEJ Award for Explanatory Reporting: Recognized for series tracing IRA tax credit implementation delays through six federal agencies
- POLITICO Playbook Power List 2023: Named among top 10 reporters influencing Biden’s climate strategy
- Penn State Alumni Achievement Award 2022: Honored for elevating energy policy discourse in national media
