White House brings in Democratic adviser John Podesta to oversee climate spending

The Biden administration this week brought in long-time Democratic adviser and campaign manager John Podesta to act as climate spending czar and oversee the financial aspects of the new climate legislation passed in Congress last month.

Podesta is no stranger to the White House, having served as former president Barack Obama’s top climate aide, former president Clinton’s chief of staff, as well as his long resume of climate work at the top levels of Democratic politics in DC and his role as Hilary Clinton’s 2016 campaign manager. 

“We are fortunate that John Podesta will lead our continued innovation and implementation,” said Biden on Friday. “His deep roots in climate and clean energy policy and his experience at senior levels of government mean we can truly hit the ground running to take advantage of the massive clean energy opportunity in front of us.”

Podesta’s official title will be Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation, and his primary duty will be to manage the approximately $370 billion dollar climate funding package that was approved as part of the Inflation Reduction Act in August. 

At the same time he announced Podesta’s new position, Biden also revealed he will be bringing on Ali Zaidi as Assistant to the President & National Climate Advisor with current advisor Gina McCarthy vacating the position. Zaidi had, until now, been working as McCarthy’s assistant. 

“Under Gina McCarthy and Ali Zaidi’s leadership, my administration has taken the most aggressive action ever, from historic legislation to bold executive actions, to confront the climate crisis head-on,” said President Biden.