Axios

New federal data makes it abundantly clear that 2017 will be among the warmest years in the modern temperature record that dates back to the late 1800s.

The Trump administration is taking a preliminary step toward regulating carbon emissions from America's power plants, according to a document obtained by Axios.

Why it matters: The move, which has been expected from the Environmental Protection Agency, comes after the administration began the process earlier this year to repeal former President Obama's more sweeping rule cutting power-plant carbon emissions.

A firefighter takes a cellphone picture Saturday during a wildfire in Montecito, Calif. The Thomas Fire is now the third-largest in California history. L.A. Times: "Although an epic firefight Saturday was largely a success, preventing the mammoth Thomas fire from sweeping into whole neighborhoods in Montecito and Santa Barbara, some expensive homes were lost in this affluent coastal community known for its celebrity residents."

What to watch: "Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority estimated that firefighters won't have full containment of the blaze until Jan 7."

Congress is doubling down on the least efficient and most expensive way to advance energy and climate policy: through a multi-billion dollar maze of tax subsidies.

Why it matters: The massive tax bill Congress is set to approve this week does little to simplify complicated tax laws that impact the energy industry, keeping intact most energy subsidies totaling tens of billions of dollars. The prospect of a tax on carbon emissions, which would both raise revenue for the federal government and help level the playing field between polluting and non-polluting energy resources, never had a chance.