There has been—appropriately—much attention given to the election and the impact it will have on control of the U.S. Senate. Given the possibility of a Republican-controlled Senate, we have also seen a flurry of analysis of what impact that change will have on various issues. But, in the energy and environment arena, there is an upcoming shift that will have a profound impact on the direction of public policy that is getting little attention: personnel changes at the White House.

John Podesta, senior counselor to the president, arrived at the White House in December 2013 with a broad portfolio that includes climate change policy. He has been a strong and well-respected voice inside the building for green policies and strong environmental regulation. But Podesta said when he came to the administration that he would only stay a year. That year is almost up and by all accounts he is planning to depart in the coming months—perhaps to head up the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign.