{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story  Biden administration gives geothermal energy a boostThe administration proposed this week to speed up approvals for geothermal energy projects by exempting them from early stage environmental reviews. © Adobe Stock If the Bureau of Land Management finalizes its proposal, geothermal energy projects on public lands will no longer have to undergo environmental impact analysis for early stage confirmation that an area is suitable for geothermal activity.  Companies will still have to undergo environmental review to actually harness geothermal energy.   Geothermal power is produced from heat deep within the Earth. It is a climate-friendly energy source.   The Biden administration’s press release noted the proposal could bolster production in Nevada, a key swing state in the presidential race and home to some of the largest geothermal potential in the U.S. In addition to the proposal, the administration has also approved a major geothermal energy project, Fervo Energy's Cape Geothermal Power Project in Utah. This project could generate enough energy to power up to more than 2 million homes.  Read more at TheHill.com.  Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:  Amazon region environmental crime probes often fail to ‘follow the money’: Report Countries in the Amazon region are failing to “follow the money” in their investigations of environmental crimes, the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency Coalition said in a new report this week.  Full Story   Biden administration announces $2 billion in funds to strengthen electric gridThe Biden administration on Friday announced $2 billion in funding for projects to strengthen the resilience of the U.S. grid against extreme weather, an increasing concern following two consecutive major hurricanes in the Atlantic.  Full Story   DeSantis suspends election deadlines to ensure flexibility after hurricanes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has suspended some election deadlines and rules in Florida to ensure flexibility for voters and election workers in areas affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton.  Full Story  In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Senate Republicans raise questions after funds for disaster loans exhausted A group of GOP senators are pressing the Small Business Administration (SBA) for answers after officials said its disaster loan program exhausted its funds earlier this week in the aftermath of a pair of major hurricanes.  Full Story   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Salmon return to Klamath Basin in Oregon after more than a century (Oregon Public Broadcasting)  Young People Are Worried About Climate Change—and That’s Affecting Their Future Plans (The Wall Street Journal) EPA ‘in a really tough spot’ after landmark fluoride ruling (E&E News)  What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Kamala Harris continues to underperform in critical states Kamala Harris is continuing to underperform across the polling spectrum.   Read more How Matt Drudge turned on Trump   “American Psycho,” screamed the banner headline on the Drudge Report this week underneath a photo of former President Trump swaying back and forth listening to music at a town hall in Pennsylvania, an episode that was widely panned by his critics.   Read more  Opinions in The Hill  Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: Cutting emissions isn’t enough: Counteract global warming with geoengineering  You're all caught up. See you Monday!  Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Energy and Environment newsletter Subscribe