MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, Apr 17, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Consumers Energy starts work on Four Cities Metro Pipeline; Trump halts NY offshore wind project work amid sector review; NATIONAL: Here’s the ‘green’ fuel the left refuses to celebrate this Earth Day; U.S. LNG developers make progress with big projects; Going fossil-fuel-free – surprise expenses, reams of red tape, higher bills; Lee Zeldin’s national good-neighbor tour; New documents show Joe Biden negotiated O&G deal to benefit Hunter, Burisma; INTERNATIONAL: US inventory drop, OPEC action lift oil prices; OPEC+ efforts at oil quota compensation look flimsy as ever; A U.S.–Japan fossil fuel alliance to counter China; Mexico’s Achilles’ heel as it faces Trump is reliance on natgas; Thailand plans to import more US LNG over next five years; EU shelves idea of sanctions on Russian LNG imports; B.C. loosens net-zero rules for LNG proposals amid hydroelectricity uncertainty.
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
Consumers Energy starts work on Four Cities Metro Pipeline
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy has begun construction on the Four Cities Metro Pipeline in Oakland and Macomb counties, a significant project to enhance the reliability of natural gas delivery in the Detroit region. The initiative involves installing eight miles of new 24-inch pipeline through 2029, with work starting at four key intersections this year. This modernization effort aims to ensure safe, affordable, and reliable natural gas service for over 750,000 homes and businesses in the area. Holly Bowers, vice president of natural gas engineering and supply, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing consistent warmth, while Chris Fultz, vice president of natural gas operations, highlighted the focus on safety and affordability. As Michigan’s largest energy provider, serving 6.8 million residents across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties, Consumers Energy is dedicated to strengthening its infrastructure to meet the region’s energy needs effectively. [MDN: At least some M-U molecules flows to the Detroit region. Consumers Energy, the local utility, wants to ensure natural gas is plentiful and reliable for “years to come.” Amen to that.]
Trump halts NY offshore wind project work amid sector review
Bloomberg
The Trump administration, led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, has paused Equinor ASA’s fully permitted Empire 1 offshore wind farm project off New York, designed to power 500,000 homes by 2027, as part of a broader review of the wind energy sector. The decision, announced via X, follows President Trump’s directive to reassess existing wind energy leases, citing concerns over their aesthetics and environmental impact. Burgum criticized the project’s approval under the Biden administration as rushed, lacking adequate study, prompting a halt until further review. This move, which threatens to deter developers amid Trump’s encouragement of infrastructure growth, has drawn ire from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who vowed to fight the decision to protect jobs and the state’s economic future. The halt, coupled with Trump’s indefinite suspension of new offshore wind lease sales, marks a significant setback for an industry already grappling with economic and political challenges. [MDN: Hey, how does it feel, Hochul? Turnabout is fair play. Under Cuomo and Hochul, numerous natural gas-related projects were canceled or delayed for “further study.” She’s getting a taste of her own medicine. Kind of bitter, eh? The thing is, these gigantic eyesores (windmills in the ocean) are bad for the environment, kill whales, and frustrate shipping. Burgum isn’t saying it’s outright canceled, just paused while it’s “studied” properly. Take that, Kathy.]
NATIONAL
Here’s the ‘green’ fuel the left refuses to celebrate this Earth Day
The Daily Signal
The article from The Daily Signal, published on April 16, 2025, argues that natural gas, a significant contributor to reducing U.S. carbon emissions, is underappreciated by the political left despite its environmental and economic benefits. It highlights that natural gas has enabled the U.S. to lower emissions more effectively than many European nations, while also supporting economic growth and energy independence. The piece criticizes the left for opposing natural gas due to ideological commitments to renewable energy, overlooking its role as a cleaner transitional fuel compared to coal. It cites data showing a decline in U.S. emissions alongside increased natural gas use, contrasting this with the left’s focus on policies like the Green New Deal. The article suggests this resistance stems from a broader agenda, referencing a book by Tyler O’Neil that critiques the left’s influence in government, and calls for a pragmatic embrace of natural gas as a green fuel. [MDN: The PA Marcellus gets a prominent mention in the article. So, too, does the RGGI carbon tax that Wolf and Shapiro are trying to inflict on PA to stifle gas-fired power.]
U.S. LNG developers make progress with big projects
RBN Energy
The article from RBN Energy discusses significant progress in U.S. LNG export projects, highlighting Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG and NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG. Plaquemines LNG began exporting in December 2024, with feedgas volumes reaching 2.9 Bcf/d, supported by the Gator Express pipeline, and is expected to hit full capacity by late 2025. Rio Grande LNG’s first three trains, with a capacity of 17.6 MMtpa (2.3 Bcf/d), are under construction after securing a final investment decision in July 2023, with operations slated for 2027. These developments are part of a broader wave of LNG projects, with over 8 Bcf/d of new export capacity planned for the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast by 2027. The article notes the critical role of pipeline infrastructure, like the Louisiana Energy Gateway, in supporting this growth, amidst complex gas flow dynamics and market shifts. [MDN: The progress rapidly being made is 100% due to the Trump administration. The presidency and who occupies the White House matter. Never forget that, and NEVER vote for a Democrat for president again. PLEASE!]
Going fossil-fuel-free – surprise expenses, reams of red tape, higher bills
The Empowerment Alliance
The article from The Empowerment Alliance critiques the push for fossil fuel-free energy, highlighting the challenges faced by California writer Katherine Ellison after converting her home to all-electric systems. Despite expectations of lower bills and a reduced carbon footprint, Ellison’s utility costs nearly doubled, revealing the high financial and logistical hurdles of such transitions. The piece argues that natural gas, which powers about 43% of U.S. electricity, remains more affordable and reliable than electric alternatives, especially given the grid’s reliance on fossil fuels and rising electricity prices (up 800% in some markets). It also notes California’s frequent blackouts due to strained grids, questioning the feasibility of widespread electrification. The article suggests that while renewable energy goals are noble, the practical and economic realities, including foreign reliance on rare earth materials, make a rapid shift away from fossil fuels risky and potentially unsustainable without significant innovation. [MDN: You know that all this blathering about unreliable renewables means cheaper energy is bullcrapus, right? Renewables equal soaring energy prices, blackouts, and brownouts. That’s the truth about “renewable” energy like solar and wind.]
Lee Zeldin’s national good-neighbor tour
E&E News – Greenwire
Lee Zeldin, the EPA administrator appointed by President Donald Trump, has embarked on a national tour to promote partnerships with states and businesses, visiting 13 states, three Superfund sites, two water treatment plants, and three disaster-stricken areas since January 2025. While Zeldin emphasizes collaboration with local communities, critics question his ability to deliver due to proposed 65% cuts to the EPA’s budget and scientific research office. His visits, including disaster recovery efforts in North Carolina and discussions on natural gas expansion in Pennsylvania, aim to showcase a “back-to-basics” EPA focus, according to former agency official Stan Meiburg. However, former EPA head Christine Todd Whitman and others argue that staffing and funding shortages undermine Zeldin’s promises. Zeldin’s approach contrasts with his aggressive deregulatory stance in Washington, where he seeks to roll back climate policies, raising concerns about the agency’s capacity to address environmental challenges effectively. [MDN: Zeldin is terrific in his role. Expect big things in his future (maybe a run for VP or President?). He’s smart, he’s young, and he is managing the agency well. As for Christine Todd Whitman, she is the very definition of a swamp dweller and one of the reasons why George W. Bush’s administration, where she was EPA Administrator, was a miserable failure. God save us from swampies like Whitman.]
New documents show Joe Biden negotiated O&G deal to benefit Hunter, Burisma
Gateway Pundit
Newly unredacted documents reveal that former Vice President Joe Biden used a private email account under the pseudonym “RobinWare456@gmail.com” to negotiate an oil and gas deal benefiting his son Hunter Biden and the Ukrainian energy company Burisma in 2014, despite publicly advocating for sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Crimea. The emails, obtained by Just the News through an open records lawsuit and by the House Oversight Committee, show Biden facilitated Russia’s agreement to resume natural gas supplies to Ukraine, a deal that publicly credited Germany’s Angela Merkel. The National Archives confirmed over 5,000 pseudonym email messages, raising questions about former Special Counsel Robert Hur’s failure to investigate Biden’s use of private emails, which critics argue may have involved classified information. This scandal, likened to Hillary Clinton’s email controversy, suggests potential oversight or deliberate omission in investigations, prompting calls for further scrutiny of Biden’s actions. [MDN: Wow! This is a MAJOR scandal, yet not a peep in any mainstream news outlet. Biden should probably be doing time in jail for this. But no one will prosecute a guy with dementia who drools into his oatmeal each morning.]
INTERNATIONAL
US inventory drop, OPEC action lift oil prices
Bloomberg/Rigzone
Oil prices rose, with West Texas Intermediate futures gaining 1.9% to around $62.50 a barrel, driven by potential de-escalation in the U.S.-China trade war and stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. China expressed willingness for trade negotiations with the Trump administration, contingent on a consistent U.S. stance and addressing concerns over sanctions and Taiwan. Meanwhile, Iran’s refusal to negotiate on uranium enrichment diminished prospects for relaxed restrictions on its crude exports, compounded by U.S. sanctions on a Chinese refinery for buying Iranian oil. Crude prices rebounded from a four-year low sparked by U.S. tariffs and trade disputes with major partners, including the EU. Iraq’s plan to cut oil exports by 70,000 barrels daily to meet OPEC+ targets and a significant drop in U.S. inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, further supported prices. Brent crude for June also rose 1.8% to $65.85 a barrel. [MDN: Love love love the price of oil in the $60s. It’s perfect.]
OPEC+ efforts at oil quota compensation look flimsy as ever
Bloomberg/Rigzone
OPEC+’s efforts to enforce oil production quotas through a compensation mechanism have faltered, with the group’s latest data revealing a 9% increase in overdue compensation cuts, totaling 139 million barrels. Despite pledges from members like Iraq and Russia to offset prior overproduction, habitual violator Kazakhstan significantly expanded its backlog by over 40%, prompting OPEC+ to unexpectedly raise production to discipline non-compliant members with lower oil prices. This decision, combined with external pressures like President Trump’s trade war, drove Brent crude prices to a four-year low below $60 a barrel, far below the $115 and $92 per barrel needed to sustain government spending in Kazakhstan and Iraq, respectively. However, price drops alone may not curb overproduction, as Kazakhstan’s long-term contracts with foreign firms, like Chevron at the Tengiz field, limit cutback enforcement, and Iraq prioritizes economic rebuilding over quota adherence, highlighting the challenges of enforcing OPEC+ discipline. [MDN: This is why we LOVE low oil prices in the $60s. Because thug dictators in OPEC countries can’t sustain government spending and make mischief around the world. They don’t have enough money. Right now, OPEC’s dictators are treading water at best. Keep the prices right where they are!]
A U.S.–Japan fossil fuel alliance to counter China
RealClearEnergy
The U.S. has introduced a 10% import tariff and a “reciprocal tariff” based on trade imbalances, potentially imposing a 34% tariff on Japan, prompting a 90-day negotiation period. Japan faces pressure to increase agricultural imports or adjust currency policy, but could strategically pivot to energy cooperation with the U.S. Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) initiative, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, relies heavily on Chinese-dominated solar and wind technologies, inadvertently subsidizing China while reducing demand for U.S. fossil fuels. Redirecting ¥150 trillion in GX investments toward U.S. oil, gas, and coal infrastructure, such as Alaskan gas fields, would enhance Japan’s energy security, bolster U.S. trade balances, and align with the Trump administration’s “Energy Dominance” doctrine. This shift requires Japan to abandon its 46% emissions cut by 2030 and Paris Agreement commitments, fostering a stronger U.S.-Japan alliance, countering China’s influence, and revitalizing Japanese industry through Indo-Pacific energy projects. [MDN: It’s a great solution. The question is, will Japan have the spine to go up against the climate crazies and do a deal with the U.S. for more of our LNG?]
Mexico’s Achilles’ heel as it faces Trump is reliance on natgas
New York (NY) Times
Mexico’s heavy reliance on U.S. natural gas, which powers over a quarter of its electricity, has become a potential vulnerability as the Trump administration considers leveraging this dependency in trade negotiations, according to a New York Times article. With imports surging, experts warn that any disruption in gas supply could devastate Mexico’s economy, causing widespread job losses and poverty. This fear has influenced President Claudia Sheinbaum’s accommodating stance toward Trump, who has already imposed 25 percent tariffs on Mexican exports to pressure Mexico on issues like migration and drug trafficking. The article highlights concerns that Trump could further weaponize energy trade, especially as he pushes for fossil fuel dominance and global tariffs, potentially destabilizing Mexico’s energy sector. Meanwhile, Mexico’s efforts to diversify energy sources are limited, and the deep economic ties with the U.S. make it challenging to counter such threats effectively. [MDN: While the leftist berserkers at the NYT think Trump is Satan for using tariffs to stop our “friends” like Mexico from screwing us over, we think it’s brilliant and necessary. Yes, Mexico is between a rock and a hard place. The simple solution is to cut a deal with Trump that corrects the imbalance, stops the illegal invasion of our southern border, and clamps down on the drug cartels. Easy!]
Thailand plans to import more US LNG over next five years
Reuters
Thailand plans to increase imports of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) over the next five years to address trade imbalances and mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced on April 16, 2025. An existing agreement includes importing 1 million metric tons of LNG worth $500 million in 2026, part of a 15-year plan totaling 15 million tons. Additionally, Thailand is negotiating a contract for over 1 million tons of U.S. LNG, valued at $600 million over five years, and plans to import 400,000 tons of U.S. ethane, worth $100 million over four years. These moves aim to reduce Thailand’s trade surplus with the U.S., which faces a 36% tariff that could cut Thailand’s economic growth by 1 percentage point. The government is also promoting Thai investment in the U.S. and cracking down on false origin claims to ease tariff impacts. [MDN: Another fantastic Trump tariff victory! Go Trump!!]
EU shelves idea of sanctions on Russian LNG imports
Reuters
The European Union has abandoned plans to impose sanctions on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports due to resistance from some member states and concerns over securing alternative energy sources, according to Reuters. Instead, the European Commission is developing a roadmap to phase out the EU’s reliance on Russian energy by 2027, with details expected in early May. The decision reflects a strategic choice to maintain negotiating leverage and avoid over-dependence on U.S. gas supplies, especially amid trade uncertainties under U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite earlier proposals to ban Russian LNG in the EU’s 16th sanctions package, opposition from countries like Hungary and Slovakia, coupled with the bloc’s 19% reliance on Russian gas in 2024, has slowed progress. The Commission is now preparing a 17th sanctions package by June, but work is progressing cautiously as the EU balances energy security and geopolitical pressures. [MDN: Oh, gee, the Euro weenies will continue to finance the war on Ukraine by buying Russian LNG. Who could have predicted that? Actually, we did. They are spineless wonders.]
B.C. loosens net-zero rules for LNG proposals amid hydroelectricity uncertainty
Toronto (ON) Globe and Mail
The British Columbia government has relaxed its net-zero emissions requirements for the Ksi Lisims LNG project and other LNG export proposals due to uncertainties in securing new hydroelectricity supplies. Previously, LNG projects under review were mandated to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but now they must only be “net-zero ready.” The Ksi Lisims project, supported by the Nisga’a Nation, plans to use BC Hydro’s hydroelectricity for its liquefaction process but may initially rely on natural gas-fired turbines due to delays in the North Coast transmission project. A B.C. Climate Action Secretariat document requires LNG projects to present a credible net-zero plan by 2030, potentially using carbon offsets. Other projects, like FortisBC’s Tilbury LNG expansion, face similar requirements. Despite environmental concerns from groups like Ecojustice Canada about the strain on clean power, Ksi Lisims maintains its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. [MDN: What losers! These Canadian weenies were all huffy and high and mighty in their requirements for idiotic “net zero” for LNG…until Trump slapped them around with tariffs and made them behave. And now, just like that, no more net zero nonsense. LOSERS.]