Biden’s last-minute shot at offshore drilling

OIL & GAS: President Biden reportedly plans to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in large areas of federal waters using a provision of a 1953 law that would make the ban hard to revoke. (New York Times)

HYDROGEN: The U.S. Treasury Department releases long-awaited rules for issuing clean hydrogen tax credits, emphasizing fuel made with renewable power while also making space for using carbon capture and nuclear. (E&E News)

SOLAR:

• Analysts say the solar industry can weather the coming challenges of the Trump administration amid growing power demand, shrinking costs, and an increase in domestic panel manufacturing. (E&E News)
• Solar manufacturer Qcells closes on a $1.45 billion federal loan guarantee to support its Georgia factory, which has already launched production and will begin full-scale operations next year. (Utility Dive)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• The Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits will cost around $656 billion but deliver as much as $2.7 trillion in net benefits over the next decade, a report commissioned by a clean power group finds. (Utility Dive)
• President Biden plans to designate two new national monuments and ban new solar, wind or geothermal development on 844,000 acres of federal land in California. (Los Angeles Times)

EFFICIENCY: While federal tax rebates for residential heat pumps may go away under the Trump administration, both red and blue states could continue incentive programs based on their popularity, experts say. (MPR News)

NUCLEAR: Maryland-based Constellation Energy signs a $1 billion deal to provide nuclear power and energy efficiency services to 13 federal agencies, marking the first time the U.S. has used a major energy purchase to support nuclear power as a clean energy source. (Reuters)

GRID: The North American Electric Reliability Corp. calls on power producers and grid operators to ​“take all appropriate actions” to prepare for a major winter storm expected to soon sweep much of the eastern U.S. (Utility Dive)

POLITICS:

• Climate advocates are confident their lawsuits against fossil fuel companies still ​“have a clear path forward no matter who is in the White House.” (The Guardian)
• Climate scientists and policy experts fear the next National Climate Assessment, set to be released under President-elect Trump, will elevate climate denialism and weaken the report’s usual scientific rigor. (E&E News)
• Many U.S. EPA employees are reportedly looking to leave as Trump prepares to take office, with some who served through the first Trump administration unwilling to do so again. (Politico)
• The Trump administration’s efforts to slash government spending and employees could take a toll on environmental regulations, but advocates suggest fossil fuel industry subsidies could be on the chopping block as well. (Grist)
• West Virginia U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin winds down his term after using his centrist positions and status as a swing vote to heavily influence climate legislation the last few years. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Tesla’s vehicle sales dropped last year for the first time since 2011, although sales rose 2.3% in the final quarter. (Associated Press)

NUCLEAR: Utah and Texas file a lawsuit accusing federal regulators of hindering small modular nuclear reactor development with overly stringent, costly and time-consuming licensing requirements. (Washington Examiner)