The Mountain Valley Pipeline’s controversial southern extension, known as the Southgate Expansion project, is facing a much more difficult path forward compared to the main pipeline as it navigates significant legal, regulatory and political challenges. POLITICO’s Catherine Morehouse breaks down why Southgate is so important to the long-term success of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, the different obstacles it faces, and how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may weigh in. Plus, the International Energy Agency says the world’s electric vehicle battery manufacturing capacity is now on track to help reach net-zero emissions by 2050.   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   Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is a congressional energy 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