{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story  Ex-Trump officials among top candidates to lead federal agencies Several former Trump administration officials are among the contenders for jobs at environmental agencies, including two who appear to have helped Trump during his campaign. © Evan Vucci, Associated PressHere's a closer look at some people who could take top jobs in the next administration:  Andrew Wheeler Wheeler served at the helm of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after the departure of predecessor Scott Pruitt.  In that role, Wheeler led the rollback of significant environmental protections, including issuing less-stringent climate standards for power plants and cars, as well as looser water pollution regulations.   Prior to joining the EPA, Wheeler was a lawyer and lobbyist for firms including coal company Murray Energy.   He appears to remain in Trump's orbit, with a post on Trump's Truth Social account indicating Wheeler sent the then-candidate talking points ahead of his debate with President Biden. David Bernhardt  Bernhardt led the Interior Department in the prior Trump administration after the departure of Ryan Zinke.   Under his tenure, the department expanded opportunities for oil and gas drilling on public lands. A former oil lobbyist, he was known for carrying a list of his potential conflicts of interest.   He also appears to have remained part of the Trump world: Over the summer, he took part in a Trump campaign and Republican National Committee (RNC) press conference on energy policy. Dan Brouillette  Brouillette led the Energy Department under Trump following the departure of his predecessor Rick Perry.   Brouillette had previously worked for financial services firm USAA and Ford Motor Company, as well as the George W. Bush administration.  In 2023,  he joined the Edison Electric Institute, a lobbying group representing power companies, but announced late last month that he would leave that post this year in order to spend time “engaging directly with world business and policy leaders.”  Doug Burgum  Burgum is the outgoing governor of North Dakota and was considered a top contender to be Trump’s vice president before Trump ultimately settled on Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).  Burgum told CNN after he wasn’t selected as Trump's running mate that the former president called him “Mr. Secretary.”  Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told The Hill in July that “over a year ago, Donald Trump asked me if I thought Doug Burgum would be a good energy secretary.”  Cramer said at the time that he thinks Burgum should instead be an overarching energy czar that coordinates government energy policy across the board.   Read more when the full story runs this weekend 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:  Biden expected to soon issue anticipated study on proposed Alaska road’s environmental impactsThe Biden administration is soon expected to take the next steps over a contentious lands issue in Alaska.   Full Story  Hurricanes, storms cost US $500 billion this year: AnalysisHurricanes and tropical storms have caused economic losses of nearly $500 billion as they have ravaged the country this year, according to analysis by AccuWeather.   Full Story  Biden administration tightens sage grouse protections ahead of second Trump termThe Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Friday issued updates aimed at strengthening its proposed protections for the greater sage grouse — an iconic bird that inhabits public lands across the U.S. West.  Full Story   In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Extreme weather contributing to migration between US, Mexico: Research Extreme weather is a factor in driving both illegal border crossings from Mexico into the U.S. and whether migrants return to Mexico, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Full Story   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Hochul moves to revive Manhattan toll plan after Trump win (Politico)  ‘A total waste of time’: why Papua New Guinea pulled out of Cop29 and why climate advocates are worried (The Guardian) Head of Florida environmental agency to step down (The Tampa Bay Times) NC oyster farms face backlash as leases multiply near coastal towns (E&E News)   On Our Radar  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching:Next week the COP29 global climate summit kicks off in Azerbaijan The House could vote on bills including one that reduces permitting requirements for geothermal energy production and a bill that would expand the definition of "critical minerals" under law Wednesday  The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will vote on  the nominations of Matthew James Marzano to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Matthew Kaplan as federal cochair of the Great Lakes Authority and 43 General Services Administration resolutions.    What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: GOP inches closer to retaining House majority Control of the House has yet to be determined, as a number of critical races remain too close to call, leaving lawmakers — and voters — waiting to see which party will hold the majority next year. Read more Jon Stewart: Trump’s 2024 win ‘feels different’  “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart said President-elect Trump’s win this week feels different than when he won in 2016, during his latest podcast episode of “The Weekly Show.”  Read more  Opinions in The Hill  Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: The post-Trump climate crisis: Our last stand for a livable future  You're all caught up. See you next week!  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