The Federal Trade Commission is allowing ExxonMobil to buy Pioneer Natural Resources, the biggest crude producer in the Permian Basin, on the condition that Pioneer’s founder does not serve on Exxon’s board because of his alleged contact with OPEC. POLITICO’s Matt Daily breaks down the significance of these allegations and how it raises questions about Big Oil. Plus, the Biden administration announced the next $3 billion tranche of funding to help remove lead pipes from drinking water systems.

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Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

The Biden administration is expected to release a final EV tax credit rule tomorrow that gives automakers a temporary grace period to keep buying graphite, a key battery component, from Chinese companies. The anticipated regulation highlights the difficult balancing act for President Joe Biden as he looks to achieve his EV adoption goals and counter China. POLITICO’s James Bikales breaks down the impact of this rule and the broader political dynamics. Plus, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ordered a lower court judge to end a climate change lawsuit filed against the federal government by young people for the second time.

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James Bikales is the host of Morning Energy and a reporter for POLITICO. 

Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

The Biden administration released new permitting rules this week that aim to speed up the building of energy infrastructure while also giving communities more input. But the regulations are already facing pushback and larger permitting priorities remain unaddressed by Congress. POLITICO’s Zack Colman breaks down how big of an impact Biden’s permitting regulations could have and the issues that remain. Plus, the Interior Department is taking another step toward auctioning offshore wind leases off the coast of Oregon and in the Gulf of Maine.

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Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. 

Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Global leaders met in Ottawa, Canada, this past week for U.N. talks aimed at significantly curtailing the world’s plastic pollution. POLITICO’s Jordan Wolman sat down with California Democrat Rep. Jared Huffman on the sidelines of the Ottawa talks to discuss the importance of reaching an ambitious deal, the deep domestic divisions and tricky global dynamics complicating the negotiations and why he isn't on board with the Biden administration's approach. 

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Jordan Wolman is a sustainability reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

The U.S. solar industry is divided, and the split could significantly impact President Joe Biden’s climate agenda and America’s ongoing trade war with China. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down the domestic solar standoff and the president’s tricky balancing act as he races toward the 2024 election. Plus, the United Nations is drawing up new guidelines to help governments and companies access critical minerals in an environmentally and economically friendly way. 

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Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO.

Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

The Biden administration finalized a highly-anticipated suite of regulations aimed at cracking down on pollution from coal-fired and new natural gas power plants – a major move in the president’s efforts to fight climate change. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the importance of the latest climate rules along with the expected political and legal challenges. Plus, the Energy Department finalized a new program that’s expected to nearly halve the average time for federal permitting of new power lines. 

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Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. 

Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Domestic solar manufacturers are asking the Biden administration to investigate a record influx of cheap Chinese-linked solar panel components flowing into the United States – once again testing the president’s ability to balance his clean energy ambitions and trade goals. POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down why domestic solar companies are taking this action and the administration’s response. Plus, the Interior Department took another step on Wednesday to help prop up the struggling offshore wind industry.

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

Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO.

Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

For years now, coal’s role in power production has been dramatically declining, but the industry’s short-term outlook is also about to get worse. POLITICO’s Alex Guillén breaks down the different political and regulatory challenges facing the coal industry and whether it has the political might to recover. Plus, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission just took a critical step aimed at bringing new nuclear technologies to market faster. 

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Alex Guillén is an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. 

Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

The cancellation of three offshore wind farms in New York is threatening the state’s clean energy goals along with President Joe Biden’s national climate agenda. POLITICO’s Marie French and Ry Rivard break down why the projects were canceled and how it’s a big deal for the state and the country. Plus, the Biden administration announced new details about the American Climate Corps and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All program.

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

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Marie J. French covers energy and the environment for POLITICO New York. 

Ry Rivard covers energy, the environment and transportation in New Jersey for POLITICO. 

Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

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.

POLITICO Energy host Annie Snider sits down with Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) to talk about how the United States is at a critical juncture when it comes to accessing clean, safe and affordable water. Padilla, who is the leading voice on water issues in the chamber, discusses the Biden administration’s latest regulations, low-income assistance, and the Colorado River water crisis. 

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

Annie Snider covers water issues for POLITICO Pro. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

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.

Big tech companies are investing in nuclear energy to power their artificial intelligence and other data center operations. But that trend could drive up utility bills for customers and could undermine the reliability of the nation's power system. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why tech’s nuclear bet could have energy consequences. Plus, President Joe Biden’s controversial pause on new permits for liquified natural gas exports is expected to end around March 2025, according to an Energy Department official. 

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

Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. 

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. 

Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO. 

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.