{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story  Biden blocks new coal mining at federal hubThe Biden administration is blocking new coal mining on public lands at a major center for the fossil fuel. In recent days, the Biden administration has released two decisions on the future of mining in the Powder River Basin.   The basin, which includes portions of Wyoming and Montana, produces 43 percent of the nation’s coal.  The administration said it would not allow new leasing to take place in the area, citing climate change impacts. Ongoing mining operations, which are expected to last through 2041, would not be affected.  In environmental studies earlier this year, federal officials found that barring new coal leasing in the area would prevent a significant quantity of planet-warming emissions.  Stopping new leases in the Wyoming portion of the basin is projected to prevent nearly 283 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the Earth’s atmosphere between the years 2041 and 2048.   That’s the equivalent of taking 61 million gas-powered cars off the road for a year.  However, the incoming Trump administration is likely to reverse the decisions and open the area up for new coal leasing again.  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.  Programming note: This newsletter will not publish on Thursday or Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. We'll be back Monday, Dec. 2.  Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:   Johnson to host Musk, Ramaswamy at Capitol ahead of DOGE work House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will host Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the co-leads of the newly established “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), at the Capitol on Dec. 5, he announced Wednesday.  Full Story   Maine sues oil giants over climate changeMaine Attorney General Aaron Frey (D) this week announced a lawsuit against major oil companies and their top lobbying group, alleging they knowingly concealed the role of fossil fuels in climate change for decades.  Full Story   In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Trump nominees targeted in series of threats, spokesperson says Lee Zeldin, who was nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said in a statement Wednesday his family’s home was targeted with a pipe bomb threat containing a “pro-Palestinian themed message.” Full Story   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Renewable Energy Has a Swing Voter Problem (Heatmap)  Why cranberry country is turning into wetlands (The Washington Post) What Trump’s Treasury pick means for clean energy tax credits (E&E News)  On Tap  News themes and events we're watching next week: Wednesday: The House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on the Biden administration's liquified natural gas (LNG) policy.  Energy Department official Brad Crabtree is slated to appear. Thursday: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the public health impacts of PFAS exposure.    What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Musk accuses Trump whistleblower Vindman of ‘treason,’ says ‘he will pay’ Elon Musk on Wednesday suggested retired Army Lt. Col Alexander Vindman “committed treason” and “will pay” after the former Trump impeachment witness accused the tech billionaire and close Trump ally of being unwittingly used by Russia. Read more GOP Rep. Steel concedes in California House race Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) has conceded defeat in her reelection bid against Democrat Derek Tran to represent California’s 45th Congressional District.  Read more  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