OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden administration moves to reverse Trump endangered species rollbacks | Putin says Nord Stream 2 pipeline nearing completion | Climate a sticking point after Biden-Capito infrastructure talk

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Today we’re looking at a Biden administration plan taking aim at Trump-era endangered species rollbacks, Nord Stream 2 getting closer and the latest round of infrastructure talks.

REVERSE, REVERSE: Biden administration moves to cancel Trump’s endangered species rollbacks

The Biden administration is taking aim at Trump-era rollbacks to endangered species protections.

In a statement on Friday, federal agencies said they would “initiate rulemaking in the coming months” to either rescind or revise Trump-era rules that lessened protections for these species, or reinstate pre-Trump language that provided additional protections for endangered animals and plants.

Environmentalists praised the decision to reverse course, but some also expressed concern about how long the process could take since it would mean leaving the Trump rules in effect in the meantime. 

The specifics: The Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries services said that the administration will propose: 

• Rescinding regulations that changed the definition of a habitat and allowed for excluding certain areas.
• Reinstating language that affirmed that decisions to protect species are made “without reference to possible economic or other impacts of such determination.” 
• Revising changes made on interagency cooperation.
• Reinstating a previously withdrawn rule that automatically extended protections to threatened species. 

Read more about the administration’s plan on endangered species here.

MORE LIKE LIVE STREAM: Putin says Nord Stream 2 pipeline nearing completion

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that finishing touches on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline are imminent, an announcement that comes soon after the U.S. announced it will waive some sanctions on the company.

Putin said the company, which is set to deliver gas to Germany, has completed laying pipes for its first line and that the second line will be completed over the next two months, Reuters reported.

“I think it should be completed especially given that the new U.S. administration speaks of its intention to build up good relations with its key partners in Europe,” Putin said at a St. Petersburg forum, according to the news service. “How can you build good relations with your partners and neglect their interests? This is a nonsense.”

The story so far: Putin added that pipeline company Gazprom is set to begin filling the pipeline’s first line once the German government signs off.

The Biden administration confirmed it would waive certain sanctions on Gazprom in May, reportedly after officials determined it was not possible to prevent its completion without imposing sanctions on German entities.

“It’s almost completely finished,” Biden told reporters last month. “To go ahead and impose sanctions now, I think is counterproductive in terms of our European relations.”

Read more about Putin’s comments here.

NO DEAL: Biden-Capito infrastructure talks drag on, with climate a sticking point

In a statement following the latest round of infrastructure talks on Friday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki listed climate among the areas where lawmakers still cannot agree.

She noted that while Republican negotiator Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.) upped her offer by $50 billion, Biden “indicated that the current offer did not meet his objectives to grow the economy, tackle the climate crisis, and create new jobs.”

The two sides will speak again on Monday.

Meanwhile, there’s pressure from the left: The Sunrise Movement staged a protest outside the White House in an attempt to persuade President Biden to rethink his bipartisan negotiation strategy. 

And speaking of infrastructure: House Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are proposing $547 billion in a new transit bill, including $4 billion for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and $95 billion for rail. 

Read more about the latest round of talks here.

ON TAP NEXT WEEK:

On Monday:

• The House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a hearing on “defining a national ‘oceanshot.’” NOAA Acting Chief Scientist Craig McLean is slated to appear. 

On Tuesday:

• Bill Nye the Science Guy will testify at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on climate change
• The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on DDT dumping off California’s Southern Coast
• The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on public lands recreation bills

On Wednesday:

• Colonial Pipeline CEO Joseph Blount will testify at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on cybersecurity and infrastructure  
• The Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will hold hearings on the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Reclamation’s fiscal 2022 budget requests. EPA Administrator Michael Regan is slated to appear at his agency’s hearing
• The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on PFAS’ effects on citizens and states
• The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a hearing to examine the nomination of Bryan Todd Newland to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior

On Friday:

• The House Climate Crisis Committee will hold a hearing on building resilient communities 

WHAT WE’RE READING:

Oil prices are surging. Why isn’t drilling? E&E News reports

LEAK: EU’s carbon border tariff to target steel, cement, power, EURACTIV reports

The far right is weaponizing climate change to argue against immigration, Vox reports

Poland downplays Denmark’s withdrawal of environmental permit for gas link, Reuters reports

“A National Conservation Area is no place for a highway”: Environmental group files suit over highway project, St. George Spectrum & Daily News reports

ICYMI: Stories from Friday…

Putin says Nord Stream 2 pipeline nearing completion

Biden administration moves to reverse Trump endangered species rollbacks

Climate progressives launch first action against Biden amid growing frustration

House Democrats propose $547B boost for highways, transit amid infrastructure talks

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