As E&E News’ White House correspondent, Waldman specializes in dissecting how administrative decisions impact climate science and environmental regulation. His recent investigative work has focused on:
Waldman’s career began in the trenches of local journalism, where he honed his skills at the Albany Times Union and Baltimore Sun. His early coverage of education and criminal justice laid the foundation for his meticulous approach to complex systems. The transition to energy reporting at Politico New York marked a turning point, as he began dissecting Governor Cuomo’s renewable energy push and pipeline battles.
Joining E&E News in 2016 catapulted Waldman into the heart of federal environmental reporting. His work during the Trump administration revealed a knack for unpacking bureaucratic maneuvers, particularly his groundbreaking 2018 coverage of attempts to suppress the National Climate Assessment. This period cemented his reputation as a journalist who could translate dense regulatory changes into compelling narratives.
Waldman’s April 2025 exposé revealed detailed plans to dismantle NOAA’s climate research infrastructure through budget cuts and mission restructuring. The article exposed how the administration planned to:
Former NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad called the blueprint “calamitous,” while environmental law experts warned it would cripple America’s ability to monitor climate impacts. Waldman’s sourcing from internal OMB documents and agency whistleblowers created immediate congressional backlash.
Waldman prioritizes stories showing how policy changes ripple through multiple agencies. His March 2025 piece about Stuart Levenbach’s return to OMB demonstrates this approach, tracing how one official’s history of climate report interference could impact future assessments. Pitches should map connections between personnel moves, budget adjustments, and scientific outcomes.
With NOAA’s proposed restructuring aiming to shift responsibilities to states, sources who can speak to gaps in local climate monitoring capacity will find receptive ears. Waldman’s coverage of the Sea Grant program elimination emphasized how coastal states would lose critical research funding.
Associated Press Award for Iraq War Reporting (2006)
Waldman’s early career distinction for battlefield reporting demonstrated his ability to handle high-stakes environments—a skill that later translated to covering political clashes over climate science.
