Click for more from The Hill.{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story  Judge halts EPA effort to claw back green bank funds A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has temporarily barred the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from cla wing back billions in grants that finance climate-friendly projects.©AP Photo/Mark SchiefelbeinThe Trump administration sought to end the grants, which are part of a $20 billion climate program, claiming “waste, fraud and abuse.” But Judge Tanya Chutkan, an appointee of former President Obama, found that the agency was unable to provide evidence of wrongdoing.  She said officials offered “no specific information about such investigations, factual support for the decision, or an individualized explanation for each Plaintiff.” “This is insufficient,” the judge added. Chutkan ordered that the EPA’s decision to terminate the grants cannot take effect and that the agency and Citibank, which is holding the funds, can’t transfer them elsewhere.  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: Last decade was Earth’s hottest ever as CO2 levels reach an 800,000-year high, says UN report Last year was the hottest year on record, the top 10 hottest years were all in the past decade and planet-heating carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are at an 800,000-year high, a report Wednesday said.  Full Story   Trump administration approves exports from major LNG projectThe Trump administration is authorizing a major gas facility to export the fuel abroad — clearing a major hurdle in getting the controversial project approved.  Full Story   Trump meeting with oil executives President Trump was set to meet with oil executives Wednesday afternoon, a senior White House official told The Hill, with around 15 executives from oil companies and the American Petroleum Institute, a lobbying group, slated to join.  Full Story   In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Trump proposes US ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear plants President Trump proposed a takeover of Ukrainian power plants as a form of protection, suggesting the U.S. could deter Russian attacks, amid a push for a partial ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow covering energy facilities and infrastructure. Full Story   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Alaska Natives want the US military to clean up its toxic waste (Grist) BYD announces charging tech that’s twice as fast as Tesla’s (The Verge) Florida lawmakers looking to ban fluoride statewide (Tampa Bay Times) What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Murkowski: Republicans quiet out of fear ‘they’re going to be taken down’ Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) says that few Senate Republicans are willing to speak out against actions by the Trump administration and Elon Musk because most fear for their political lives. Read more Social Security requiring in-office visits for millions of recipients, applicants The Social Security Administration (SSA) said Monday it will no longer allow individuals to verify their identity over the phone but instead require online authentication or in-person visits for those seeking benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Read more   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 ...read more read less