MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, May 29, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Solar and wind power curtailments are increasing in California; Lawfare campaign targeting Big Oil comes to Charleston, SC; NATIONAL: U.S. propane market must delicately balance seasonal demand, steady production; The Biden autopen scandal may be getting worse; Ted Cruz looks to shield key gas projects from activist lawsuits; What happened to the hydrogen economy?; We need a ‘kill switch’ on foreign powers tampering with our electric grid; INTERNATIONAL: Oil rises amid sanctions risk; OPEC+ ratifies group-wide quotas before July output decision; How Germany’s economic might was squandered; Goldman Sachs predicts sub-$60 oil prices in 2026.
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
Solar and wind power curtailments are increasing in California
U.S. Energy Information Administration – Today in Energy
In 2024, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) curtailed 3.4 million megawatthours of utility-scale wind and solar energy, a 29% increase from 2023, driven by rapid renewables growth from 9.7 gigawatts in 2014 to 28.2 gigawatts in 2024. Solar, accounting for 93% of curtailments, was most affected in spring due to high output and low demand from moderate temperatures. Curtailments occur during grid congestion or oversupply, with some solar reduced to maintain natural gas generation for reliability and evening demand spikes. CAISO is addressing this through trading excess power via the Western Energy Imbalance Market, saving 274,000 MWh in 2024, and planning for the Extended Day-Ahead Market by May 2026. Battery storage, up 45% to 11.6 GW in 2024, helps store midday solar for evening use, while hydrogen production and transmission planning aim to further reduce curtailments and enhance grid stability. [MDN: One of the major problems with unreliable renewable energy is that there’s no place to store it. Mythical big batteries don’t yet exist to store the extra energy made when it’s windy or sunny. Relying on only renewables is more than foolish, it’s criminal. It’s time to sue Big Wind and Big Solar for hiding that they know their energy can’t, by itself, meet demand. Let’s put them in jail the way they demand we put fossil energy executives in jail. Sauce for the goose…]
Lawfare campaign targeting Big Oil comes to Charleston, SC
Forbes
A critical hearing in Charleston, South Carolina, starting May 29, 2025, could determine the fate of a nationwide lawfare campaign targeting major oil companies, as outlined in a Forbes article by David Blackmon. The City of Charleston, represented by the San Francisco-based Sher Edling firm, is suing Chevron and other oil giants, alleging billions in damages due to climate change impacts from their products’ emissions. Defendants argue the case violates the U.S. Constitution and the Clean Air Act, which grants federal primacy over air emissions regulation. Most similar lawsuits have been dismissed, reflecting a judicial consensus against such claims. President Trump’s Executive Order 14260 aims to curb these state and local lawsuits, prompting Charleston’s lawyers to assert judicial independence. The hearing before Circuit Judge Roger M. Young, Sr., may clarify whether this campaign, criticized as wasteful, persists or ends in South Carolina. [MDN: How disappointing that the elected leaders of Charleston would do this. They should be voted out of office at the next election.]
NATIONAL
U.S. propane market must delicately balance seasonal demand, steady production
RBN Energy
In 2024, the U.S. propane market delivered over 9 billion gallons to consumers, primarily for residential heating and cooking, with significant volumes supporting commercial, industrial, agricultural, and transportation sectors. The market faces unique challenges due to highly seasonal demand, peaking in winter, contrasted with steady year-round production. Propane, derived from natural gas processing and crude oil refining, follows a complex supply chain involving pipelines, railcars, and trucks, unlike electricity or natural gas. Wholesalers play a critical role in balancing this supply-demand dynamic, managing the winter-to-summer ratio to ensure adequate supply during peak demand. The blog highlights the propane value chain, from wellhead to consumer, detailing the roles of midstreamers, refiners, wholesalers, and retailers. It also notes the impact of exports, which now exceed domestic demand, complicating inventory management. The series promises further exploration of pricing, inventories, and the evolving roles of market players. [MDN: An excellent article exploring the complex way propane makes its way to market.]
The Biden autopen scandal may be getting worse
PJ Media
The Biden administration’s use of an autopen to sign executive orders and pardons has sparked controversy, with Power the Future, a pro-energy watchdog, raising concerns about the legitimacy of several climate-related executive actions, including a 2023 Arctic drilling ban and a 2021 net-zero emissions commitment. The group found no evidence that Biden publicly acknowledged these orders, suggesting they may have been signed without his knowledge, potentially by staff using an autopen. This follows reports of widespread autopen use for clemency warrants, including pardons for January 6 Committee members, raising questions about unauthorized actions. House Speaker Mike Johnson recounted Biden’s apparent unawareness of a significant 2024 executive order, fueling suspicions of a shadow presidency. Power the Future has called for investigations by the DOJ, EPA, and congressional committees to determine who authorized these signatures, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability in Biden’s administration. [MDN: This absolutely MUST be investigated. It appears Biden administration officials were signing orders behind Biden’s back (while he drooled in his morning oatmeal), calling into question whether or not he was the actual president. This can NEVER happen again!]
Ted Cruz looks to shield key gas projects from activist lawsuits
Daily Caller
Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz has introduced the Protect LNG Act of 2025, co-sponsored by Senators John Cornyn, Roger Wicker, and Tim Scott, to shield liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects from lawsuits that threaten their development. The legislation prevents federal courts from vacating previously authorized LNG permits, directs lawsuits to courts in the projects’ jurisdictions, and sets a 90-day window for legal challenges. This responds to environmental groups’ frequent lawsuits and the Biden administration’s January 2024 pause on new LNG export terminal approvals, which critics argue stalled investment and undermined U.S. energy leadership. The bill follows a March 2025 D.C. Circuit Court decision reinstating permits for Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG Brownsville projects. With the U.S. leading global LNG exports, the legislation aims to protect jobs, energy security, and economic benefits, countering what sponsors call politicized attacks by environmental activists. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Wesley Hunt. [MDN: Common sense reforms that prevent Big Green from using our court system against us. Go Ted!]
What happened to the hydrogen economy?
Forbes
In his 2003 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush envisioned a hydrogen-powered future, announcing a $1.2 billion initiative to develop pollution-free hydrogen vehicles. Despite early enthusiasm and investments from automakers like Toyota and Honda, the hydrogen economy has not materialized as anticipated. Key challenges include hydrogen’s low energy density, requiring energy-intensive compression or liquefaction, and the high carbon emissions from “gray hydrogen” production using natural gas. “Green hydrogen,” produced via renewable-powered electrolysis, is two to three times costlier, struggling to compete with gasoline or grid electricity. The lack of a dedicated refueling infrastructure and the impending termination of the 45V tax credit in 2026 further hinder progress. While hydrogen still holds potential for decarbonizing sectors like heavy industry, its widespread adoption faces significant technological, economic, and regulatory hurdles, tempering earlier optimism about its role in transportation. [MDN: Hydrogen replacing natural gas was a boondoggle from the start. We’ve said (for years), where is the demand for all of this new hydrogen supply? It doesn’t exist. Without customers, it makes no sense to produce it. It seems others are finally coming to the same conclusion.]
We need a ‘kill switch’ on foreign powers tampering with our electric grid
The Empowerment Alliance
The article from The Empowerment Alliance emphasizes the urgent need for a “kill switch” to protect the U.S. electric grid from foreign tampering, particularly from adversaries like China. It highlights vulnerabilities in the grid due to reliance on foreign-manufactured components, such as high-voltage transformers, which could be embedded with backdoors for cyberattacks or remote shutdowns. Recent executive actions, including a 2020 order by President Trump and subsequent Biden administration plans, aim to secure the grid by restricting foreign equipment and enhancing cybersecurity. The article cites incidents like the 2015 Ukraine cyberattack and domestic extremist plots to underscore the growing threat to critical infrastructure. It advocates for domestic manufacturing of grid components and stronger cybersecurity measures to ensure energy independence and national security, warning that without swift action, foreign powers could exploit these weaknesses to disrupt the U.S. economy and way of life. [MDN: We agree 100% with this article. We should NEVER allow foreign components in our grid that may leave us vulnerable to a cyberattack. It’s time to shut China and other nefarious foreign actors out of our key markets.]
INTERNATIONAL
Oil rises amid sanctions risk
Bloomberg/Rigzone
Oil prices rose, with West Texas Intermediate climbing 1.6% to $61.84 a barrel and Brent increasing 1.3% to $64.90, driven by concerns over potential U.S. sanctions on Russia and uncertainties in nuclear talks with Iran. President Trump’s comments on Russia’s actions in Ukraine raised fears of further sanctions, following earlier measures that had pushed crude prices above $80. However, news of upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul tempered gains. Meanwhile, Israeli threats to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities added risks to negotiations that could restrict Iranian oil flows. Bearish pressures persisted as OPEC+ confirmed production quotas and considered further output increases, raising oversupply fears. A contango structure in Brent futures signaled ample supply, while broader economic concerns from U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures contributed to a downward trend in oil prices since mid-January, despite some easing of trade tensions. [MDN: The price remains right where it should be, enough for American producers to turn a small profit, not high enough for OPEC+ thugs to have extra money in their budgets for nefarious purposes.]
OPEC+ ratifies group-wide quotas before July output decision
Bloomberg/Rigzone
OPEC+ confirmed its group-wide production quotas for 2025 and 2026 during a video conference, setting the stage for a critical meeting of eight key members, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, to decide on continuing 411,000 barrel-a-day output increases in July. These hikes, initiated with a surprising triple-sized increase on April 3, disrupted markets, pushing crude futures to a four-year low below $60 a barrel, exacerbated by President Trump’s trade war. Brent prices later stabilized near $65 after some tariffs were reversed. The alliance’s broader quotas have become less significant, as the subgroup of eight drives supply adjustments. OPEC+ also agreed to develop a mechanism for 2027 production baselines based on sustainable capacity. The group’s next full ministerial meeting is set for November 30, with its monitoring committee continuing bimonthly reviews to assess market conditions and potentially call for earlier gatherings. [MDN: Make no mistake, weakening oil prices are ALL on the actions of the thug dictators of OPEC+ (namely, Saudi Arabia and Russia). Trump’s tariffs have little, if anything, to do with it. Don’t fall for the mainstream media lie.]
How Germany’s economic might was squandered
PJ Media
Germany, once the unshakable cornerstone of the European economy, is now faltering, with its economic decline casting a shadow over the entire EU. The unemployment rate has surged to 6.3%, affecting nearly 3 million people, a sharp rise not seen since the early 2000s, as reported by Die Welt and Handelsblatt. Angela Merkel’s 2005-2021 chancellorship, marked by caution and delayed reforms, set the stage for this crisis. Her Energiewende policy, phasing out nuclear power without sufficient renewable energy alternatives, led to reliance on Russian gas and soaring electricity costs, pushing companies like BASF and Volkswagen to scale back or relocate. Germany’s export-driven model has crumbled amid global supply chain shifts and rising competition, with GDP contracting in 2023 and 2024. The apprenticeship system fails to deliver jobs, while the Bürgergeld welfare program and uneven migrant integration exacerbate labor market strains. Political gridlock under Chancellor Friedrich Merz further stalls reforms, leaving Germany’s economic future uncertain despite its innovative legacy. [MDN: Germany has become a Third World country because it shut down coal and gas-fired power plants, ended nuclear power, and tried to rely only on unreliable renewable energy. It bombed. And now, Germany is in really deep doo-doo.]
Goldman Sachs predicts sub-$60 oil prices in 2026
Forbes
Goldman Sachs has forecasted a bearish outlook for oil prices, predicting Brent crude to average $56 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) at $52 per barrel in 2026, maintaining 2025 estimates at $60 and $56, respectively. This revision stems from expectations of increased non-OPEC oil production, particularly from the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and Guyana, which could lead to a global oil surplus. The bank anticipates U.S. shale production peaking earlier and lower than expected, potentially around 2027, due to a near-term supply surplus. This aligns with industry predictions, including those from ConocoPhillips and Occidental Petroleum CEOs, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which projects a plateau in U.S. production at 14 million barrels per day by 2027. Goldman Sachs’ bearish stance reflects concerns over rising non-OPEC supply and potential recession risks, which could further depress oil prices, with Brent possibly dropping to the low $60s by 2026. [MDN: We’ll still be here next year to point out how Goldman Sachs was wrong, again. We delight in pointing these things out!]