Politico purchases E&E News

Politico is acquiring the energy and environment-focused outlet E&E News. 

In a statement on Tuesday, Politico said that it plans to “keep the well-established E&E News brand and its esteemed journalism in place.”

The political news magazine also said it will invest in expanding E&E’s audience and explore how it can enhance Politico’s other products. 

Politico spokesperson Melissa Cooke said in an email that there will be no layoffs at either publication as a result of the acquisition. 

E&E News is a subscription-based news outlet whose readers include government agencies and offices, energy companies, environmental groups and think tanks. 

It has more than 65 reporters and editors based in Washington, D.C., and bureaus across the country. 

“We are doubling down on our policy coverage by investing in journalism and growing our product offerings in the energy and environmental policy space, which touches all aspects of the economy and government,” said Robert Allbritton, Politico’s publisher and executive chairman, in a statement. 

Michael Witt, E&E News’s co-founder and publisher, similarly said in the statement that he’s “excited to join forces” with the Northern Virginia-based outlet. 

“I believe the combination of E&E News’ trusted, independent and comprehensive journalism, and POLITICO’s ambitious reporting, influential audience and innovation, will provide unparalleled and unique coverage of energy and environmental issues that our subscribers and the world need right now,” Witt said.

Politico has several journalists already on staff who cover energy and environment issues. 

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

This is not Allbritton’s first venture into policy-specific outlets, having already launched the technology-focused Protocol. 

According to The Wall Street Journal, Protocol laid off about half of its 25 staffers a few months after it started, though it has since hired six people and seeks to hire more. 

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in layoffs and other cost-cutting measures at news organizations across the country.

Politico was founded in 2007. It has 600 employees in North America, more than half of whom are on its editorial side, as well as almost 200 employees who work for its European edition.