Click for the latest from The Hill{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story  Congress pushing for disaster aid dealLawmakers are navigating partisan divides as they seek to pass a bipartisan disaster aid bill by the end of the year. © AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey Republicans and Democrats appear to agree on the main issue at hand: The need to replenish funds for communities recovering from disasters.  But they disagree on whether to allocate funds toward certain programs at agencies like the Department of Education — creating hurdles for what would otherwise be easily agreed-upon legislation.   “It needs to be a very robust package. We understand that. We agree with that,” House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told reporters last week.   “Where we have some disagreement at this point is some of the programmatic … adds the administration wants and there’s some things we think they left out that they ought to consider,” he said.  Asked what he would like to see in the package, Cole said “more infrastructure, less programmatic money.”  However, he added that he hopes lawmakers will be able to come up with bill text by the first week in December, with a package passing by the end of the year.  “I think it would be a good way to end this year — is to get out of here with … a disaster relief bill attached to a CR,” he said, referring to a continuing resolution (CR), a stopgap funding measure that would prevent a government shutdown.  Major storms in recent months, including hurricanes Helene and Milton, have depleted the nation’s Disaster Relief Fund, which pays for response to and recovery from major disasters.   Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell told lawmakers this week that the fund has dwindled to less than $5 billion. That’s down from $11 billion in October.   If the fund runs out entirely, the U.S. will still be able to respond to immediate emergencies, but it will not be able to pay for longer-term recovery projects.  This would hurt efforts to rebuild infrastructure in places like Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas in the wake of the recent hurricanes, as well as Hawaii, which is still recovering from last year’s wildfires.   This week, the White House put forward a $98 billion proposal to replenish the nation’s disaster aid — jump-starting negotiations on Capitol Hill.  “It’s very clear that we need to have a disaster relief package. Whether $98 billion is the right number or not I don’t know. There’s some provisions that I have questions about,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee.  But the GOP took issue with the specifics.  “I think we need to scrub it and make sure we don’t have extraneous things in there for education. … I think some of it will fall out,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), top Republican on the Senate subcommittee that crafts annual funding for the Education Department. Meanwhile, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said he would want to add tax cuts to the legislation.  Read more at TheHill.com.  Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — 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:   Nations reach agreement on $300 billion climate deal for developing countriesThe United Nations reached a $300 billion climate agreement for developing countries as they grapple with the significant effects of climate change.  Full Story   Newsom says California will intervene if Trump kills $7,500 EV tax creditCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Monday the state of California will intervene if President-elect Trump eliminates the electric vehicle tax credit passed under President Biden.  Full Story  ‘Elections don’t add water to the river’: Colorado River negotiations forge ahead amid Trump transition The policymakers responsible for steering the Colorado River’s future say they will forge ahead with ongoing negotiations regardless of shifts in federal leadership, as a deadline to determine long-term conservation strategies looms near.  Full Story   Top Florida health official advises against fluoride in drinking water Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Friday announced a recommendation against community water fluoridation.  Full Story  In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Trump picks Project 2025 author Russell Vought to lead budget office President-elect Donald Trump tapped Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought to serve as the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees federal regulations among other areas, during his second administration. Full Story   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Exclusive: Trump prepares wide-ranging energy plan to boost gas exports, oil drilling, sources say (Reuters) PFAS and microplastics become more toxic when combined, research shows (The Guardian)Pentagon seeking to incinerate 'forever chemicals' at plant on Ohio River (WTAE)  What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now:Microsoft investigating outages affecting Outlook, Teams Microsoft said Monday it was investigating outages impacting its Microsoft 365 service, with thousands of users reporting issues with their Outlook, Exchange or Teams features. Read moreRepublicans grapple with controversial Trump recess appointment scheme Republicans are grappling with the idea that President-elect Trump could test the limits of his constitutional authority by appointing controversial picks to his Cabinet with recess appointments. Read more   Opinions in The Hill  Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill:The Energy Permitting Reform Act is dangerous A planet in crisis: How can we solve our plastics problem?   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage.Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 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