MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Wed, Apr 2, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Pa. Senator’s efforts to protect choice correct; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Environmental groups sue NY DEC over failure to launch cap-and-invest; Concerns over tariffs have Vermonters worried about natural gas bills; NATIONAL: EPA Administrator announces closure of $4M Biden-EPA “museum”; US natural gas prices brace for impact from tariff crossfire; U.S. LPG exports down again in January 2025; How natural gas fuels national power and global stability; US to axe Biden-era 7-year deadline on exports from new LNG projects; INTERNATIONAL: Europe is placing wind turbines under the ocean; Shell completes acquisition of Singapore’s LNG trader Pavilion Energy; A fifth of EU gas imports in Q4 came from Russia; Canada’s propane exports to Asia grow, making up more than 40% of exports in 2024; Big Oil morphs into Big Gas in China as EVs slash fuel demand.

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION

Pa. Senator’s efforts to protect choice correct
Williamsport (PA) Sun-Gazette
The Williamsport Sun-Gazette editorial praises state Senator Gene Yaw of Loyalsock Township for his efforts to protect Americans’ freedom to choose their home heating and power sources, emphasizing the importance of affordable energy for regional and national prosperity. It highlights natural gas as a critical bridge fuel that reduces emissions and pollution, crediting its development with significant environmental benefits and economic growth, including job creation. The piece argues that Yaw’s defense of choice and free market principles strengthens society, countering policies that limit energy options. It acknowledges the environmental advantages of responsibly developed natural gas, positioning it as a practical solution over more restrictive green initiatives. The editorial concludes by expressing hope that Yaw’s legislative colleagues will support his stance, reinforcing the dual economic and ecological benefits of his approach to energy policy. [MDN: It’s nice to see a major newspaper support Republican efforts to protect energy choice, meaning the right to use natural gas. The Sun-Gazette is one of the few mainstream publications worth reading, in our humble opinion.]

OTHER U.S. REGIONS

Environmental groups sue NY DEC over failure to launch cap-and-invest
Spectrum News
On April 1, 2025, environmental groups in New York filed a lawsuit against the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for failing to implement the “Cap-and-Invest” program, a key climate initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program, mandated under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, was intended to cap emissions and allow businesses to trade allowances, with a planned launch by January 2025. However, the DEC missed this deadline, prompting accusations of negligence from organizations like Earthjustice and the New York Public Interest Research Group. They argue that the delay undermines the state’s goal of cutting emissions by 40% by 2030. The DEC cited the need for further economic analysis and public input as reasons for the delay, but critics, including affected communities, assert that this inaction exacerbates environmental injustice and stalls critical climate action. The lawsuit seeks to compel immediate implementation. [MDN: NY politicians now realize the so-called Climate Act is a disaster and will push NY into an economic abyss. So they are delaying. Meanwhile, radicalized Communists (i.e., Earthjustice and NYPIRG) are suing to force the state to commit energy suicide. Welcome to NY.]

Concerns over tariffs have Vermonters worried about natural gas bills
Burlington (VT) WPTZ-TV
Residents are growing anxious about potential increases in utility bills due to ongoing tariff concerns, with Vermont Gas Systems actively addressing the issue. The company, fully reliant on Canadian natural gas, has been transparent, sending letters and posting online updates since January to keep customers informed about tariff developments and their potential impact on rates. CEO Neale Lunderville emphasized collaboration with experts to provide accurate information, noting a March estimate suggesting a $6-7 million cost increase for customers. Colchester homeowner Stevie Paquette voiced her unease about rising costs affecting her ability to maintain her home, urging utilities to help homeowners plan ahead. Lunderville reassured customers that Vermont Gas is working with regulators to minimize rate hikes, aiming for low or no tariffs, and has provided a QR code in letters linking to updates, encouraging direct contact for those without web access. [MDN: There’s an easy solution: build a 200-mile pipeline from Vermont to the PA Marcellus.]

NATIONAL

EPA Administrator announces closure of $4M Biden-EPA “museum”
Environmental Protection Agency
On March 31, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the closure of a $4 million museum established by the Biden Administration at the EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., saving taxpayers over $600,000 annually. The 1,595-square-foot facility, which opened in May 2024, attracted fewer than 2,000 external visitors by February 2025, costing approximately $315 per external visitor due to low attendance and high operational expenses, including $123,000 for cleaning and landscaping, $207,000 for security, and $54,000 for artifact storage. Zeldin criticized the museum as a wasteful expenditure, arguing it prioritized “environmental justice” over the EPA’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment. This decision aligns with his ongoing efforts to eliminate inefficient spending, having already canceled over $22 billion in grants and contracts. The closure reflects a commitment to redirect funds toward addressing pressing environmental issues in underserved communities. [MDN: Lee Zeldin continues to impress as head of the EPA. Can you imagine? The Bidenistas blew $4 million for a one-room “museum.” Which, of course, it was not. It’s just another corrupt scheme to funnel money to Democrats. That is what this “museum” amounted to. Zeldin took care of that.]

US natural gas prices brace for impact from tariff crossfire
Reuters
U.S. natural gas prices, already up 80% from last year, face further pressure from new trade tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, according to a Reuters article dated April 2, 2025. These tariffs, targeting goods from major trading partners, could disrupt the U.S. gas market, particularly through their impact on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. In 2024, the U.S. solidified its position as the top LNG exporter, shipping nearly 12 billion cubic feet daily and generating over $30 billion, with key markets including the Netherlands, France, Japan, South Korea, and China. As trade deficits with these nations prompt tariff threats from the Trump administration, countries may increase U.S. LNG purchases to offset imbalances, potentially driving prices higher. However, retaliatory measures from affected nations could complicate export dynamics, adding uncertainty to an already volatile market as global trade tensions escalate. [MDN: The key to the tariffs, largely ignored by lamestream media including (surprisingly) Reuters, is that these are reciprocal tariffs. Meaning we are imposing the same level of tariffs these other countries already impose on us! It’s called being fair. Here’s an example of how this will work: Israel announced that it is lifting ALL tariffs on imported goods from the U.S. So, we will lift all tariffs on Israel. Fair trade. That’s how it should work. Currently, friends and foes alike are SCREWING the U.S. with tariffs. That MUST stop. Trump will stop it. People who benefit (make a killing $$) will scream bloody murder. Let them.]

U.S. LPG exports down again in January 2025
RBN Energy
U.S. LPG exports, as reported by the EIA, declined for the second consecutive month in January 2025 to 2.3 MMb/d from a record high of 2.5 MMb/d in November 2024, following a two-month drop where propane exports fell 9.2% and normal butane exports decreased by 8.7%, though isobutane exports rose slightly from 3 Mb/d to 7 Mb/d. The average export level from January 2024 to January 2025 showed exports below average from March to July 2024, but above average from August 2024 to January 2025. RBN’s NGL Voyager data indicates a slight decline in February 2025 exports, followed by a rise in March, though still below November 2024 peaks. With export terminal capacity nearly maxed out, exports are expected to remain stable early in 2025, but new capacity, like Energy Transfer’s Nederland terminal starting in July 2025, should boost exports later in the year. [MDN: LPG is liquefied petroleum gas, otherwise known as propane (and maybe some butane). Some M-U LPG is exported via the Marcus Hook terminal near Philadelphia.]

How natural gas fuels national power and global stability
Washington (DC) Times
An op-ed highlighting how America’s rise as the world’s leading exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) strengthens both national security and global influence. It argues that energy security is vital for maintaining U.S. sovereignty, with LNG exports serving as a strategic asset amid global uncertainties like wars and trade disputes. A 2024 study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies refutes claims that exports harm American consumers, showing robust domestic supply keeps prices competitive. The piece emphasizes LNG’s role in supporting allies, notably during Europe’s energy crisis in 2022 when U.S. supplies countered Russia’s cutoff to Germany. Expanding domestic production is portrayed as a shield against external shocks, enhancing America’s resilience and geopolitical leverage. The article frames this energy dominance as a triumph, reinforcing the nation’s economic and strategic position worldwide. [MDN: An op-ed written by Joe Buccino, a retired U.S. Army colonel with five combat deployments to the Middle East, a research analyst at the Defense Innovation Board, and a former communications director at U.S. Central Command. If anyone has a clear view of how and why LNG exports are crucial for the U.S., it’s this guy.]

US to axe Biden-era 7-year deadline on exports from new LNG projects
Reuters
On April 1, 2025, Reuters reported that the U.S. plans to eliminate a Biden-era policy mandating that liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects begin exports within seven years of receiving regulatory approval. Set to be rescinded on April 2, this change responds to pressure from the LNG industry, which argued that the deadline, established in April 2023 by the Department of Energy (DOE), hindered projects needing more time for completion, particularly those targeting major markets in Europe and Asia. The new policy will allow the DOE to review extension requests case-by-case, reverting to pre-2023 practices. Industry leaders, like Fred Hutchison of LNG Allies, praised the shift as a return to practicality, citing past difficulties faced by projects like Energy Transfer’s Lake Charles LNG facility. The DOE aims to balance flexibility with energy export goals, though it did not immediately comment on the decision. [MDN: Yet another Biden-era regulation aimed at destroying shale energy falls. Are you tired of winning yet? No, we aren’t either!]

INTERNATIONAL

Europe is placing wind turbines under the ocean
Ecoportal
Europe is pioneering renewable energy by installing wind turbines underwater, with France leading through its Normandie Hydroliennes (NH1) tidal project in the Mediterranean Sea. This 250 MW floating offshore wind initiative features four turbines designed to harness powerful sea currents, like those in the Raz Blanchard Channel, capable of generating 15-18 terawatt hours annually—enough to power 8 million people. Despite initial concerns about marine ecosystem impacts and turbine durability in water, experts have confirmed the turbines’ efficiency and minimal environmental harm, with marine life even returning to the sites. Projects like Scotland’s MeyGen further demonstrate this success, though long-term effects such as noise and vibrations remain under study. This innovative approach not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also inspires global interest in sustainable energy solutions, particularly in coastal regions, marking a significant step toward a greener future. [MDN: Who knew the wind blows underwater, too? Of course, it doesn’t. Climate change insanity has metastasized in Europe. It’s driven them completely mad. Now they will destroy the underwater environment and excuse it as “minimal environmental harm”—all in the name of denying their citizens the right to use fossil energy. There’s no fixing stupid.]

Shell completes acquisition of Singapore’s LNG trader Pavilion Energy
Shell plc
On April 1, 2025, Shell Eastern Trading Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Shell plc, finalized its acquisition of Pavilion Energy Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based global LNG trading company, securing 100% of its shares from Carne Investments Pte. Ltd., a Temasek subsidiary. This deal, first announced in June 2024, bolsters Shell’s leadership in the LNG market by integrating Pavilion’s portfolio, which includes approximately 6.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG offtake and supply contracts, regasification capacity in the UK, Singapore, and Spain, and an LNG bunkering business. Excluded from the acquisition are Pavilion’s pipeline gas business in Singapore and its 20% stake in Tanzania’s Blocks 1 and 4. The acquisition aligns with Shell’s goal to grow LNG sales by 4-5% annually through 2030, with integration into Shell’s global LNG portfolio starting immediately, all within its existing cash capital expenditure framework. [MDN: Shell is aggressively expanding its natural gas and LNG business worldwide. Good move on Shell’s part.]

A fifth of EU gas imports in Q4 came from Russia
Rigzone
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the European Union relied on Russia for approximately one-fifth of its gas imports, totaling 13.4 billion cubic meters (473.22 billion cubic feet), despite the impending end of the Russia-Ukraine natural gas transit deal, according to the European Commission’s quarterly gas market report. This accounted for 19% of the EU’s gas imports, making Russia the second-largest pipeline gas supplier alongside North Africa, while Norway led with a 50% share. The EU consumed 103 billion cubic meters of gas in Q4, an 8% increase year-on-year, driven by typical winter demand. Meanwhile, EU domestic gas production rose to 8.3 billion cubic meters, up 7% from the previous quarter. The report highlights the EU’s ongoing dependence on Russian gas, even as geopolitical tensions persist, with the transit deal’s expiration marking a significant shift in energy dynamics up to its final days. [MDN: The EU insists that it is “transitioning” away from fossil energy. It also insists it is against Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine (and the killing of hundreds of thousands of people). Yet The EU continues to fund that war by buying Russian natural gas. HYPOCRITES.]

Canada’s propane exports to Asia grow, making up more than 40% of exports in 2024
U.S. Energy Information Administration – Today in Energy
Canada’s propane exports hit record highs in 2024, driven by new marine terminals on British Columbia’s coast, boosting shipments to Asia, particularly Japan and South Korea, while U.S. imports remained steady. Exports grew 10% from 2023, with 58% still heading to the U.S., mainly for heating, and most of the rest to Asia for petrochemical use. The Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET), operational since 2019 with a capacity now at 92,000 barrels per day (b/d), and the Prince Rupert Terminal (25,000 b/d) since 2021, have enabled faster Pacific crossings compared to U.S. Gulf Coast routes. Competitive pricing from Edmonton underpins demand, with a new 55,000 b/d terminal planned by 2026 to further target Asia. Rail dominates U.S. exports (81% in 2024), with pipelines at 8%, down from 30% pre-2014. Rising global demand and production signal continued export growth, especially to the Pacific Basin. [MDN: Interesting (and hypocritical) that our European-like cousins to the north keep saying they are transitioning away from fossil energy, yet they keep producing more and more fossil energy each year. Canada’s theme is “Do as I say, not as I do.”]

Big Oil morphs into Big Gas in China as EVs slash fuel demand
Bloomberg
China’s energy giants—PetroChina, Cnooc, and Sinopec—are shifting focus to natural gas as oil demand slows due to the electric vehicle boom and global trade tensions highlight risks of import reliance. This year, gas production is set to exceed crude oil, with companies targeting unconventional shale and deep-water reserves to meet rising demand. Initially driven by efforts to reduce coal-related smog, the transition has gained urgency as gas becomes the only upstream growth market. Cnooc’s president noted strong buyer interest, but increased domestic output—covering 60% of consumption—may add to a global supply surge from new LNG plants in Qatar and the US, alongside pipeline imports from Russia and Central Asia. Despite economic challenges and weaker domestic gas prices, firms are investing in shale, LNG terminals, and pipelines. This shift offsets declining oil profits, particularly for Sinopec, as refining struggles amid a 1.2% drop in oil use versus a 7.3% rise in gas demand. [MDN: The Chinese may be our #1 enemy in the world, but they’re also smart. Watch what they do and learn from them. China is moving toward more natural gas.]