Iran War Disrupting Global Gas Markets
The International Energy Agency warns that the war in Iran has triggered a sharp supply shock in the global natural‑gas market. Production disruptions and transport bottlenecks are pushing spot prices higher and eroding the momentum of a planned surge in liquefied natural‑gas (LNG) capacity. The IEA’s latest quarterly report projects that the conflict will delay the entry of new LNG projects by at least one year, tightening global supply‑demand balances. Analysts see the fallout reverberating across Europe, Asia and North America as utilities scramble for alternative sources.
What Are OPEC and OPEC +, and Why Has UAE Quit?
The United Arab Emirates announced on April 29, 2026 that it is leaving both OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance, citing national interests. The Gulf nation produces roughly 4.8 million barrels per day and has room to expand output further. Its...
Has Gas Replaced Oil?
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is rapidly gaining geopolitical weight in the Middle East, challenging oil’s decades‑long dominance. Recent wars and supply‑chain realignments have accelerated LNG’s role as a strategic lever for both producers and consumers. Major exporters such as Qatar...
Live Updates: Oil Prices Rise
Iran has signaled willingness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping if the United States ends its military blockade of Iranian ports and vessels. The proposal offers no concessions on Tehran’s nuclear program, which President Trump insists must...
Tax Power Is Not Designed to Control Behavior
The Fifth Circuit ruled that the federal excise tax on home‑distilled spirits is meant solely to raise revenue, not to regulate personal behavior. The court emphasized that Congress cannot use tax power as a regulatory weapon, setting a precedent that...
Electricity Price Increases Hit Different in Virginia
Virginia’s wholesale electricity market saw its steepest price surge in a decade, with the PJM‑controlled region reporting a 15% year‑over‑year increase in Q1 2026. The rise stems from tighter supply margins, higher natural‑gas costs, and new carbon‑offset mandates. While coastal...
The Money Behind LNG
Global energy demand is accelerating, driven by population growth, industrial expansion, and electrification. In the United States, the surge is amplified by power‑intensive sectors such as data centers, artificial intelligence, and a resurgence in domestic manufacturing. This heightened demand is...
Data Centers Half of Power Demand Growth in 2025
The International Energy Agency reported that global electricity demand grew 3% in 2025, driven largely by data centers and electric vehicles. Data centers alone accounted for roughly half of the power demand increase, even though they represent a smaller share...
AI Surge Gives Carbon Capture a New Push
Deep‑pocketed tech firms are funding carbon‑capture projects at natural‑gas power plants that supply data centers, leveraging the AI boom to offset high costs. At least five U.S. projects are under review, aiming to scrub CO₂ from electricity used for AI...
We Can't Reindustrialize on Chinese Batteries
The article warns that the United States cannot rebuild its industrial base on Chinese‑made batteries, citing national‑security risks similar to those seen with Huawei telecom gear and Chinese drones. Advanced batteries are becoming critical to the U.S. electric grid, data‑center...
The Bjorn Lomborg Conundrum: Sceptic But Not Quite
Bjørn Lomborg, writing in the Financial Post, argues that Net Zero policies are losing political traction as governments confront rising energy costs and limited climate returns. He claims voters in the US, UK, Germany and Australia are growing weary of...
Data Centers Could Help Local Communities
Engineering research published on April 27, 2026 argues that data centers need not be energy burdens. When built with careful design, they can feed surplus electricity back into local grids and capture waste heat for reuse. The study highlights that such practices...
Leftists Fake Tears About High Energy Prices
The article argues that progressive politicians are feigning concern over rising fuel and electricity costs while overlooking a wave of more than 600 lawsuits filed by green‑activist groups aimed at curbing U.S. oil and gas production. It claims many of...
AI Data Centers Could Lower Power Prices — Not Up Them
AI‑driven data centers are expanding rapidly, sparking fears that they will push up residential electricity bills. However, experts argue that the real cost driver is how utilities scale capacity and balance supply, not the presence of the facilities themselves. By...
Iran War and Jet Fuel: Lufthansa Cuts 20,000 Flights
Lufthansa announced it will cancel 20,000 short‑haul flights across its network by October 2026, aiming to save more than 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel. The airline says jet fuel costs have doubled since the Iran conflict erupted, pressuring margins...
You Can't Regulate Your Way to More Electricity
Electricity demand from data centers is accelerating, prompting bipartisan calls for tighter oversight. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley urged the Energy Information Administration to launch a mandatory nationwide survey, citing gaps in voluntary reporting. The EIA has already piloted...
Europe Needs U.S. Gas. Washington Keeps Hesitating.
In the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Europe faced a looming gas shortfall that was quickly mitigated by a surge in U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. American LNG exports to the EU rose from 18.9 bcm in 2021...
LNG Shock, Coal Myths, & the Real Winners
The recent Strait of Hormuz LNG disruption sparked predictions that coal would surge as gas supplies tightened. However, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air’s March 2026 real‑time electricity analysis shows global fossil generation fell 1% year‑on‑year, with...
Trump's Jones Act Waiver Is a Fossil Fuel Handout
The Trump administration issued a 60‑day waiver of the Jones Act in April 2026, citing an immediate national‑defense need. The waiver temporarily suspends the century‑old requirement that domestic maritime shipments use U.S.-built, flagged, and crewed vessels. Critics argue the move...
Gas Prices Are Still High. The Midterm Clock Is Ticking.
Gas prices remain above $4 per gallon, keeping energy costs high for American consumers. The White House is tapping its strategic petroleum reserve and pursuing regulatory measures to lower pump prices. Meanwhile, Republican campaign veterans warn that sustained high fuel...
On Energy, Our Supply Chains NOT Keeping Up
U.S. energy production reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with crude oil output climbing to 13.6 million barrels per day and natural‑gas output hitting nearly 109 billion cubic feet per day. These figures make the United States the world’s largest energy producer by...
How Much CO2 Do Oil Tankers Emit?
A new analysis highlights the carbon footprint of oil tankers supplying California, where 484 million barrels were consumed in 2025 but only 111 million barrels were produced domestically. The war in the Middle East has forced longer shipping routes, increasing bunker fuel...
Iran Is Running Out of Time and Options
The U.S. Navy began a naval blockade of Iran’s ports and coastal waters on April 13, targeting any vessel flying the Iranian flag or trading with Tehran. The operation seeks to prevent ships from transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a...
Trump Extends Ceasefire With Iran Indefinitely
President Donald Trump announced on April 22, 2026 that the U.S. is extending the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, pending the conclusion of direct talks. The extension comes at Pakistan’s request, which the president said is needed to prevent further regional instability. Trump...
Edison: Qatar to Extend Gas Force Majeure, U.S. LNG Filling Gap
Italian utility Edison warned that Qatar may keep its LNG force majeure in place beyond mid‑June, after the Gulf supplier cancelled ten cargoes totaling 1.4 billion cubic metres. To bridge the shortfall, Edison secured seven cargoes from U.S. exporters, effectively substituting...
U.S. Gas Exports Will Boom Again in 2027
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Short‑Term Energy Outlook projects a resurgence in U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports as five new LNG projects come online by the end of 2027. Net natural‑gas exports are expected to climb 18 % to 18.7 billion...
India Snaps Up Cheaper Spot LNG Cargoes
India has resumed buying spot LNG cargoes as Asian benchmark prices slipped to the lowest level in a month, driven by demand destruction and optimism about a Middle East conflict resolution. Major importers including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Gail India...
Iran War Exposes California's 'Green' Foreign Oil
Recent hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz have spiked global oil prices, exposing California’s heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels despite its aggressive clean‑energy agenda. The state imports roughly 80% of its gasoline and faces higher electricity rates due to...
Trump Renews Power Plant Threat Against Iran
President Donald Trump reiterated a stark warning to Iran, saying he would target the country’s bridges and power plants if a pending agreement is not finalized. The threat was made during a Fox News interview, where Trump framed the stance...
Iran War Helps New BP Leader
BP has installed a new chief executive who is reshaping the company’s strategy after years of strategic drift and the Deepwater Horizon fallout. The ongoing war in Iran has lifted global oil and gas prices, giving BP a timely earnings...
End of Endangerment Finding Bigger Than Iran War
On February 12, 2026 the EPA under the Trump administration repealed the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a cornerstone of U.S. climate policy. The finding had justified the Clean Power Plan, vehicle emissions standards, and the broader Green New Deal framework. Its removal...
Why Coal Is Surging
Coal is experiencing a notable resurgence, driven by renewed demand across multiple regions. The article highlights coal’s historic role in powering industrialization and electrification, then points to a contemporary uptick in production and consumption. Recent data show global output climbing...
Curbing Federal Overreach Means Prosperity
The Fifth Circuit in McNutt v. U.S. Department of Justice struck down an 1868 federal ban on home‑alcohol distilling, ruling the law exceeds Congress’ authority under the Taxing and Necessary & Proper Clauses. The court deliberately avoided a Commerce Clause analysis,...
Heartland Climate Conference: "What Is the Proof?"
Physicist John Clauser addressed the Heartland Climate Conference on April 9, focusing first on extreme‑weather events and then on Earth’s Energy Imbalance (EEI). In the EEI segment, Clauser highlighted recent satellite and oceanic measurements that show the planet is retaining more...
Still Waiting for Fracking's Fizzle
U.S. crude oil production rose 3% in 2025, adding 350,000 barrels per day and setting a new annual record. At the same time, marketed natural gas output grew 5.3 Bcf/d to an average of 118.5 Bcf/d, also a historic high. Both increases...
Trump to Break Ground on NYC Gas Pipeline
The Trump administration will break ground on the Northeast Supply Enhancement natural‑gas pipeline off New York City’s coast. President Trump secured a permit from Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul despite strong opposition from environmental groups. The project is billed as a...
Chevron CEO: People Should Drive Less Amid High Gas Prices
Chevron CEO Andy Walz warned that gas prices are climbing sharply as the conflict with Iran tightens global oil supplies. He urged Americans to curb discretionary driving and adopt energy‑saving habits to offset higher pump costs. Walz’s comments reflect Chevron’s...
What Coal Did Today
The RealClearEnergy piece recounts coal’s pivotal role in shaping modern industry, from powering the British Industrial Revolution to fueling the Tennessee Valley Authority’s early electricity generation. It highlights coal’s contribution to the Transcontinental Railroad and global steamship fleets, underscoring its...
Will the Next Great Alaska Pipeline Happen?
Alaska is evaluating an 800‑mile natural‑gas pipeline that could move up to 200 trillion cubic feet of North Slope gas for LNG export. The proposal aims to tap rising global demand, lower energy costs for Alaskans, and generate billions in state...
Welcome RFS Rule Will Boost Iowa's Economy
President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin unveiled the 2026‑2027 Final Renewable Fuel Standard rule during the White House Great American Agriculture Celebration. The rule raises the biodiesel mandate to 2.5 billion gallons, a significant increase from the previous year. Iowa’s...
Mark Mills: Strait of Hormuz and Global Trade
War between the United States‑Israel coalition and Iran has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint between Oman and Iran. The strait handles roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil each day, along with sizable volumes...
Is America on the Verge of a Nuclear Renaissance?
The Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, signed in 2019, finally saw the NRC issue its implementing rule in 2026 after a seven‑year delay, stalling many proposed reactors. The lag has eroded utility confidence and allowed competing clean‑energy sources to...
Chinese Tanker Crosses Strait of Hormuz, Testing Trump
A Chinese-flagged tanker sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, directly challenging President Donald Trump’s newly announced maritime blockade aimed at curbing Iranian oil shipments. The vessel, listed under U.S. sanctions, completed the transit into the Gulf of Oman...
Oil Prices Coming Down, But for a Worrisome Reason
The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that "demand destruction" is now unfolding as oil prices soar to record levels. The recent partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of global oil shipments, has tightened supply and...
Environmental Disaster Looming From Renewables
The article argues that the 25‑year, $10 trillion push for wind and solar power represents a strategic misstep. It claims that despite massive public and private spending, the outcomes have been politically divisive and economically disappointing. The piece frames renewables as...
High Gas Prices Tempting Americans Back to EVs
Rising gasoline prices, now averaging around $4.50 per gallon, are prompting a wave of new electric‑vehicle (EV) purchases. The WSJ profile of Eric Janney, an IT worker in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, illustrates how consumers are swapping lightly used EVs like the...
Data Centers Spiking Temps for Miles Around Them?
Researchers have found that AI‑driven data centers are creating localized heat islands, pushing ambient temperatures up to 16 °F higher than surrounding areas. The temperature spikes extend for several miles around the facilities, a side effect of the massive power draw...
Energy: Alternatives Finding Their Way
Conservatives and free‑market advocates are renewing criticism of the subsidies, tax credits and favorable regulations that have buoyed the U.S. renewable‑energy sector. They argue that solar, wind and other clean technologies should be viable without government support. Despite the pushback,...
War Has Sanctioned Russian LNG Booming
Russia’s Novatek has begun offering cargoes from its Arctic LNG 2 project to buyers in South Asia, despite the facility being subject to U.S., EU and UK sanctions. The shipments are priced at discounts of up to 40 % versus current spot‑market...
Trump, Iran, and the Shadow of Suez
Israel swiftly initiated a pre‑emptive military campaign against a weaker regional neighbor, framing it as a security necessity. Western allies, echoing Trump‑era policy cues, joined the airstrikes, turning the operation into a broader coalition effort. The targeted regime retaliated by...