A White House official confirmed to Callie this morning that the Department of War cleared its “first tranche of wind projects” that were still under review. If you forgot, the administration’s efforts to stall wind projects were a key reason why Democratic negotiators withheld support for the permitting reform bill for months.

Specifically, the Pentagon gave the green light for wind projects in Maine and South Dakota, marking the first projects to receive military approval since reviews were stalled in April.

These reviews have long been considered routine and are conducted to determine that new turbines do not interfere with military operations, local radar, or flight paths. In August, a federal judge ruled in favor of a group of renewable energy groups that claimed the department was unlawfully delaying dozens of wind projects, costing states $47 billion by freezing reviews of onshore wind projects.

Advancing these projects could be seen as a sign of good faith from the administration that it will fairly implement permitting reform for renewable energy as well as fossil fuel projects (although it is worth noting that doing so was ordered by the courts).

Shortly after the news broke this morning, key Democratic negotiator Sheldon Whitehouse called the approvals a “start,” but said lawmakers will need to see “a lot more from the administration on wind & solar.”

The administration, however, believes it has already shown enough for the permitting bill to pass with bipartisan support.

“The Trump Administration is removing all barriers clearing the way for the Senate’s permitting reform bill to pass,” a White House official said, adding that hundreds of private sector companies and trade associations across all energy sectors support the legislation.

The official texted that there is “NOTHING” left to do but for Congress to vote, adding that “the Administration has done EVERTHING it has promised to do.”

If the legislation fails to move forward, the official said Democrats would be at fault due to their “own internal fights and finger-pointing.”

Read more from Callie here.

All the rest:

SOLAR AND STORAGE DRIVES DOWN SUMMER ELECTRICITY PRICES: In a new analysis, the Solar Energy Industries Association found that solar and energy storage drove down wholesale electricity prices in Texas by 42% and in California by 51% from 2021 to summer 2026.

Tim Pawlenty, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, told Daily on Energy via email that California and Texas are two “very different market structures for energy.”

“These results provide an example of how solar and storage can help hold down wholesale energy prices in different markets. Red and blue states are deploying more solar and storage, and we’re seeing downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices as a result,” Pawlenty said.

According to the analysis, electricity demand grew in both states over the same five-year period.

Electricity used in California increased 2.5%, with the average wholesale prices dropping from $77.54 per megawatt-hour to $38.32. In Texas, electricity demand grew 30% and the average prices fell from $54.87 per megawatt-hour to $31.77.

SEIA noted that, from June through August 2026, solar and storage saved Texans about $3.55 billion and Californians around $2.5 billion compared to the same period in 2021.

Pawlenty said SEIA expects to see solar and storage decrease wholesale electricity prices in the two states this winter.

TOP SENATE FINANCE DEMOCRAT WOULD REVIVE CLEAN ENERGY TAX CREDITS:  Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, has his sights set on reintroducing tax credits for the clean energy industry, which were slashed by the One Big Beautiful Bill last summer.

“When Democrats have a trifecta of power, reinstating the wind and solar tax credits and bolstering the Direct Pay Program will be a top priority to help bring an end to Trump’s energy crisis,” Wyden said, according to Politico.

He previously told the outlet that when Democrats have the majority, he would be introducing a bill to restore clean energy tax credits “right away.”

His plan is contingent on Democrats regaining the majority in both the House and Senate. And with Trump in power for another two years, it could prove extremely difficult to get the Republican to sign a bill reinstating tax credits that he campaigned on ending.

In an interview with Callie earlier this month, Rep. Jared Huffman of California – who would likely chair the Natural Resources Committee if Democrats flip the House – said he would “love to see” the subsidies revisited, particularly those for electric vehicles.

“Electric vehicles are a priority for me because it’s a huge part of, you know, how we give folks cleaner and better transportation alternatives, and also how we lower our greenhouse gas emissions,” Huffman said, adding that he knows it would be a difficult battle to win.

“I’m interested in doing whatever I can, but I also know who’s in the White House for the next two years…I’m pretty clear-eyed about that,” he said.

Stay tuned for more reporting from Callie around the midterm elections about what other energy policy issues Democrats hope to focus on during the lame duck and next Congress.

LATEST ON THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ: Iran says it hit several tankers carrying oil overnight in the Strait of Hormuz as tension rises in the region.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’s (IRGC) navy claimed it hit four oil tankers and the other three ships hit naval mines, The Hill reported. IRGC also threatened strikes on U.S. bases in the region if the U.S. keeps helping to guide vessels through the strait.

There have been reports that the U.S. and Israel could be planning attacks on Iran after the midterms. Meanwhile, the U.S. has recently withdrawn staff from its embassy in Saudi Arabia due to possible further Houthi attacks.

Where do oil prices stand? As of this afternoon, West Texas Intermediate crude has increased by 2.5% to $99.64 per barrel. Brent crude has gone up 3.9% to $113.16 per barrel.

HESITANCY AROUND VENEZUELA: Venezuelan officials claim that the South American country has more than 300 billion barrels of proven oil reserves – a number that caught the attention of the Trump administration, which is now seeking to take control of some of these reserves.

However, the Associated Press is now reporting that the actual amount of oil that can be extracted and shipped out of the country is just about one-third of that extraordinary estimate. Former Venezuelan energy officials, ex-oil and gas executives, and other Venezuelan energy experts reportedly told the outlet that they believe only about 60 to 120 billion barrels can be extracted.

Some suggested that the 303 billion barrel estimate was a number “cooked” and inflated by former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his energy minister, helping Venezuela claim the title of the world’s largest holder of proven oil reserves.

If the expert estimate is accurate, it likely would mean that the amount of reserves the U.S. plans to control may also be less than expected. The administration has repeatedly said the U.S. will control about 65 billion barrels of oil reserves.

Luisa Palacios, former chairwoman of Citgo, told the Associated Press that she suspects that figure refers to the total amount of oil underground, not proven reserves that can be recovered. She estimated that proven reserves likely could be just 10-12% of the 65 billion.

Plus…many oil majors aren’t lobbying on Venezuela: The Washington Sun also reported this week that several of the largest oil and gas companies in the U.S. are not listing Venezuela as one of their lobbying issues. This includes Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and Occidental Petroleum.

This could complicate the Trump administration’s promise to have the U.S. oil industry invest at least $100 billion in Venezuelan production.

Chevron was the largest oil company to list Venezuelan in its third-quarter lobbying disclosures, according to the report, followed by oilfield services company Baker Hughes and manufacturing firm Honeywell.

However, smaller and more midsized companies have made Venezuela a top priority, with more than a dozen of those firms reportedly spending more than $2 million on lobbying the government regarding Venezuelan issues.

LITHIUM INDUSTRY NEEDS 134 NEW MINES TO MEET DEMAND: The lithium industry needs at least 134 new mines to keep pace with growing demand through 2050.

In a report, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence forecast that global demand for lithium will reach 7 million tonnes in 2050, with 76% driven by electric vehicles.

Batteries accounted for 92% of lithium demand this year, up from 70% in 2020. EVs account for 55% of lithium demand and are expected to grow 76% by 2050.

Benchmark noted that Australia is set to become the largest producer of lithium this year, accounting for 29% of mined supply. That share is likely to fall by 20% in 2050. Meanwhile, North America’s mined supply is set to increase from 1.7% this year to 13% by 2050.

It noted that recycling could be the biggest factor in reducing the number of mines needed to meet demand. Benchmark said recycling will account for nearly half of lithium supply by 2050.

CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM COULD DISAPPEAR BY 2075: Almost all of the world’s coral reefs are at risk in the next 50 years due to warming oceans and heat waves.

The Associated Press reported that the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s assessment found that 96% of shallow-water reefs are critically endangered and could disappear by 2075.

Famous reefs like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Coral Triangle in the Western Pacific Ocean are among those critically endangered, which is the highest level of threat. A coral reef is an essential and diverse ecosystem for a range of species like tiny invertebrates and reef fish.

ICYMI – IRS WAIVES RED DIESEL RECORDING REQUIREMENTS: The Internal Revenue Service announced yesterday temporary relief from reporting and recordkeeping requirements related to taxable uses of dyed diesel on or after Oct. 1 and before Jan. 1, 2027.

The move could help farmers and truckers take advantage of Trump’s efforts to allow greater access to dyed diesel in an effort to curb prices.

RUNDOWN

The Associated Press Facing pushback on data centers, tech giants are promising hosts more money and fewer secrets

Grist The hidden history of how Big Oil invented the American Dream

Washington Post Meet the couple dedicated to saving raccoons — hundreds of them