Sen. Tom Carper leaves Congress with a message for colleagues: "Bipartisan solutions are lasting solutions."

Why it matters: Carper, the Environment and Public Works Committee chair, is departing after three decades at a time of rising gridlock and one-party reconciliation packages, Daniel writes.

• President-elect Trump's win and GOP control of Congress have raised concerns that much of Democrats' energy and climate agenda will be rolled back in legislation and executive orders.

The big picture: Carper — a moderate who likes to disarm with humor and a wink — doesn't seem concerned about long-term repercussions.

• He compared the IRA's widespread benefits embedded in communities to those of Obama's Affordable Care Act, which ultimately survived GOP rollback pledges.
• Even though Kamala Harris unsuccessfully campaigned for president on the IRA's appeal, "all politics is local," he told Daniel in his office.
• IRA provisions "are really fostering economic growth, and not just in Democratic states or Democratic districts, but in, frankly, in a lot of Republican districts."

Zoom in: Carper worked with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, EPW's ranking member, to pass nuclear legislation this year aimed at smoothing the regulatory path for advanced reactors.

• Carper now sees nuclear growth as a zero-carbon civilian power source that can create high-paying jobs.
• He's also bullish on hydrogen as a way to decarbonize heavy industry, with Delaware spearheading a $750 million Mid-Atlantic regional hub that DOE hasn't finalized yet.
• He's pressing President Biden to finish it: "You're like, on the 10-yard line. Let's get the ball in the end zone."

Carper is also still at the center of unfinished business on reaching a permitting deal before the end of the year.

• He's having talks about what Republican-proposed NEPA changes he could support as part of a bipartisan deal.

What's next: Carper lavished praise on Capito, the incoming EPW chair.

• "She's a very big part of finding a way to 'yes' on huge issues," including recycling legislation that Carper hopes will pass before year's end.

Carper plans to take it slow after leaving office. But he said he has his eye on opportunities that involve "saving the planet."

The sprint is on to get must-pass bills across the lame duck finish line.

Here's what we're watching …

⚔️ 1. Signing an NDAA: The House Rules Committee meets this afternoon to set up a floor vote on the final NDAA after negotiators struck a deal over the weekend.

• The conference agreement dropped many of the energy-related bills that were in the mix for inclusion but does contain provisions on supply chains and minerals.

🗳️ 2. Good Sam's last parable: The Good Samaritan mine cleanup bill is scheduled for a House vote this week, potentially sending it to the president's desk after years of clashes in the conservation community.

• House lawmakers are also set to take up the final Water Resources Development Act, which includes a reauthorization for the Economic Development Administration.

🗣️ 3. Congress by committee: Both parties are set to begin deciding this week on House committee leadership for the next Congress.

• The big ones: Energy and Commerce chair for the GOP and Natural Resources ranking member for the Dems (more on that below).

💸 4. Putting the CR back in Christmas: Negotiations continue on a stopgap spending bill that would likely kick government funding into March.

• This is the likely vehicle for a permitting deal. But we're still hearing a lot of happy talk — without firm resolution — on outstanding questions about NEPA and transmission.
• It could also carry a farm bill extension and a variety of other priorities.

👀 1. Dais drama: Rep. Raúl Grijalva, longtime top Democrat on Natural Resources, backed Rep. Melanie Stansbury for ranking member late last week, setting up a fight for the role with Rep. Jared Huffman.

• Huffman, meanwhile, got some public support today in a letter from 24 Democrats (some of whom won't be back in Congress next year) arguing that he is "uniquely equipped to lead this committee."

🛢️ 2. Drilling decision: The Biden administration today unveiled a final record of decision for a second oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, as required in the 2017 tax cut law.

• Environmental groups pledged to continue trying to prevent drilling in the refuge.

🧑‍⚖️ 3. SCOTUS watch: The Supreme Court hears oral arguments tomorrow in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, a potentially landmark NEPA case.