Timothy Puko

Washington, D.C.

Climate correspondent covering politics and policy

Education: Columbia University, MS in Journalism; Northwestern University, BS in Journalism; McKeesport Area High School

Timothy Puko covers climate policy and politics for The Washington Post. He has been reporting on the energy industry and climate change for more than a decade, covering the fracking boom in Pennsylvania and commodity traders in New York before arriving in Washington during the Trump administration. His scoops have revealed behind-the-scenes maneuvering from the nation’s oil lobby, major changes to greenhouse-gas regulations, and international negotiations over climate change and oil. He arrived at The Post in October 2022 after eight years at the Wall Street Journal. He started his career a
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Latest from Timothy Puko

Millions of homes, schools may have to eliminate lead dust under EPA plan

The only contamination allowed would be the lowest levels of lead dust that current removal efforts couldn’t completely eliminate, the agency said.

July 12, 2023

U.S. truckmakers reach deal to phase out polluting diesel big rigs

The pact with California is aimed at reducing pollution and heading off future litigation.

July 6, 2023

EPA closes civil rights investigation into Louisiana pollution

In court filings, the agency said it will end its probe of state agencies accused of failing to protect Black neighborhoods in the state’s "Cancer Alley."

June 27, 2023

Why these environmentalists are resisting part of Biden’s climate push

White House support for carbon-capture projects is hitting opposition in Louisiana, where locals fear the risks and the influence of fossil fuel industries.

June 25, 2023

‘Terrible public policy’: Why the debt deal infuriates climate activists

The deal does little for the clean energy transition, and expedites a natural gas pipeline. But it keeps intact spending in Biden’s climate bill -- an early target for the GOP.

May 29, 2023

Supreme Court weakens EPA power to enforce Clean Water Act

Justice Samuel A. Alito, writing for the majority in the 5-4 opinion, said the EPA’s interpretation of its powers went too far.

May 25, 2023

How Supreme Court’s EPA ruling will affect U.S. wetlands, clean water

The decision could affect tens of thousands of acres of wetlands, including in the Everglades and the Mississippi River basin.

May 25, 2023

Biden seeks to tighten regulation of toxic power plant coal waste dumps

Dozens of coal waste landfills nationwide, previously exempted from federal oversight, would be regulated under a proposed rule.

May 17, 2023

The U.S. is taking a giant step toward meeting its climate goal

An EPA plan would drive massive emissions cuts from coal and natural gas power plants to help meet the president’s ambitious global climate pledge.

May 11, 2023

This power plant offers a peek into the future

As the EPA prepares to crack down on power plants, Entergy, an energy company, is building a plant that can run on hydrogen to lower climate emissions.

May 1, 2023