US-China climate relations are in a transitional period as the countries install new top climate diplomats. California officials say they’re ready to step up if geopolitical disputes send ties spiraling again. POLITICO’s Blanca Begert breaks down how California aims to help. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency says it’s moving toward issuing its first draft permit for a project that involves using the world’s oceans to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.   For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro:  https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Blanca Begert is a California climate reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is a senior audio producer-host at POLITICO.  Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices