This week, President Joe Biden approved California’s request for stricter-than-federal vehicle emission standards – a decision that could reshape the trajectory of the American auto industry and will make it harder for President-elect Donald Trump to kill Biden’s electric vehicle transition. Mike Lee from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down the decision along with the political and legal ramifications. Plus, meet Trump's Energy Department landing team.

Mike Lee covers transportation for POLITICO’s E&E News.

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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Many Environmental Protection Agency staffers are considering leaving their jobs because of the incoming Trump administration. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down why these employees are debating whether it's time to exit and how that could affect the agency’s ability to carry out critical functions. Plus, the Biden administration has granted California permission to enforce its nation-leading pollution rules for cars and trucks.

Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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On Tuesday, the Biden administration released its long-anticipated LNG report that could make it harder for the incoming Trump administration to expand U.S. liquefied natural gas exports. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down the big takeaways from the report and the potential impact on America’s energy landscape and the incoming Trump administration. Plus, the Biden administration is poised to provide a record $15 billion loan guarantee to the California utility giant PG&E.

Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.

Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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Today, POLITICO Energy host Alex Guillén sits down for an extended interview with Chris Frey, who led EPA’s research office under President Joe Biden for three years. They discuss how a second Trump administration could impact federal science policy and lessons for the science community from Trump’s first term.

Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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The climate science community is bracing for Donald Trump's second term as they fear censorship, layoffs and funding cuts. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how Trump treated science policy in his first term, the anxious mood among climate scientists right now and how they are preparing themselves. Plus, Europe’s top competition and climate official says America’s rivals are preparing to become bigger players in the clean energy space during the second Trump administration.

Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration released two key climate findings this week: 2024 was the hottest year ever on record, and the Arctic tundra is now a driver of climate change. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how NOAA’s findings could have big implications for the fight against climate change. Plus, the board of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator approved a sweeping $21.8 billion package of transmission projects to stretch across the region’s Midwest footprint.

Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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A bitterly divided federal appeals court upheld a ruling that Exxon Mobil must pay a record $14.25 million in fines for pollution emitted by one of its Texas oil refineries. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the historic decision, the unusual judicial infighting involved in the case and what this ruling means for oil companies like Exxon moving forward. Plus, lawmakers unveiled three bills on Wednesday to strengthen the U.S. critical mineral supply chain and reduce reliance on adversaries such as China.

Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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This week, Supreme Court justices heard arguments in a case that could limit how much federal agencies can consider the climate impacts of new infrastructure projects. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the details of the case and how the eventual ruling could dramatically transform the National Environmental Policy Act. Plus, President-elect Donald Trump is promising that anyone who invests at least $1 billion in the United States will be rewarded with expedited permits and environmental approvals.

Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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Last week, federal judges began debating the legality of the Biden administration’s climate rule regulating emissions from power plants. And while the incoming Trump administration is expected to try to repeal the rule, the legal deliberations could still give us clues about future rulemaking processes and litigation affecting energy policy. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the future of the case, what the judges are thinking, and the policy implications. Plus, Rep. Brett Guthrie of Kentucky is set to become chair of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee next Congress.

Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. 

Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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Congressional Democrats are fighting over a broadly supported bipartisan bill that aims to start to clean up hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines across the country. POLITICO’s Annie Snider breaks down the intraparty fight and what it means for the legislation. Plus, a panel of federal judges on Friday dug into EPA’s decision to base its power plant climate rule on capturing carbon emissions.

Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch

And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy

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