The Trump administration is making a new move to secure America’s critical minerals: taking an ownership stake in a Nevada lithium mine alongside its developer. The deal is designed to boost U.S. supplies of lithium, a key component of electric vehicles and renewable energy. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the details and implications of this unusual agreement. Plus, roughly 60 percent of Energy Department staff are without furlough protections if a prolonged government shutdown and budgetary impasse occurs.

James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO. 

Josh Siegel is the host of POLITICO Energy and a congressional energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy. 

Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO. 

Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

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