The head of the Russian utility giant, Gazprom, says gas shipments to Ukraine could resume today meaning Europe could start cranking their heaters again. However, the only way Russia will agree is if the E.U. deploys monitors to observe Ukrainian pipelines. Reportedly, no progress has been made on a new contract between the Ukraine and Russia. Here with all the details is the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse.

In response to a spat with Ukraine, Russia is slowing the flow of its gas to European countries that rely on it to heat their homes. This could be a dark foreshadowing of shortages to come. Carola Hoyos, chief energy correspondent for the Financial Times, joins The Takeaway to explain the current dispute and its long-term implications.

An organic farmer and an environmental advocate discuss the pros and cons of Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as head of the USDA.

President-elect Barack Obama intends to nominate Steven Chu as Energy Secretary. For insight into what the pick illustrates about the Obama administration, The Takeaway talks to New York Times reporter Matt Wald.

Russia agrees to build four nuclear power plants in India.

"We can't ride the bucking bronco of day-to-day oil prices to determine our strategy."
-- Van Jones, author of "The Green Collar Economy"

Guest: Mark Duvall, the program manager for The Electric Power Research Institute. He's in San Jose, Calif., for Plug-In 2008, a conference for advances in technology and policy for hybrid-electric vehicles.