MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: PJM issues alert requiring all electric generators to operate at maximum output; Manchin said ‘we cannot get back into another war’; NATIONAL: Climate lawsuits are weakening America and strengthening China; Interior releases major update on oil and gas potential beneath U.S. public lands; INTERNATIONAL: World braces for Iran response to US strikes; Iran’s parliament backs blocking Strait of Hormuz; U.S. radical groups urge EU commissioners to reject Trump’s pressure to purchase LNG; Middle Eastern oil giants go on LNG buying spree.

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION

PJM issues alert requiring all electric generators to operate at maximum output
PA Environment Digest Blog/David Hess
On June 22, 2025, PJM Interconnection, the regional electric grid operator serving 13 states and Washington, D.C., issued a Maximum Generation Alert for June 23 due to a forecasted peak electricity demand of 154,000 MW driven by an intense heat wave with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees. This alert requires all generators to operate at maximum output and is accompanied by a NERC EEA-1 alert, indicating all resources are committed to meet demand and reserve requirements. No customer action is required at this time, as PJM anticipates sufficient reserves. The alert follows a Hot Weather Alert for June 22–25, prompted by expected high humidity and temperatures. PJM’s actions include recalling generators from maintenance to ensure reliability. This comes amid concerns about rising electricity costs and grid reliability, with governors criticizing PJM’s capacity auction rules and slow integration of renewable energy sources. [MDN: Lots of natural gas will get burned today, tommorow, and Wednesday in order to keep the lights on in the PJM region. It will all come from the Marcellus/Utica. Thank God for the miracle of shale gas!]

Manchin said ‘we cannot get back into another war’
Hart Energy
Retired U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, speaking at the Independent Petroleum Association of America’s annual meeting on June 19, urged the U.S. to let Israel handle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and terrorism, emphasizing that America cannot afford another war due to its $36 trillion debt. Manchin, a former Democrat turned Independent, praised Israel’s advanced and lethal military, suggesting U.S. support should be limited to technical aid, air support, and bombs. He highlighted Iran’s role as a major terrorism supporter and its nuclear enrichment potential. Manchin, who represented West Virginia until January 2025, also noted Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian targets, which boosted oil prices. He referenced past U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, unpaid and costly, and recalled a general’s warning that financial troubles, not foreign militaries, pose the greatest threat to the U.S. Manchin remains politically active, aiming to mobilize moderate voters. [MDN: We’re not in another war. We dropped bombs. In this case Manchin is right. We shouldn’t get into a war with Iran, and our debt threatens to topple the country. Too bad Manchin sold his vote on the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act and did more harm to this country and anything else in the last four years. Shame on the IPAA for paying him big bucks to speak. He’s a political pariah.]

NATIONAL

Climate lawsuits are weakening America and strengthening China
Forbes/Dan Eberhart
In his Forbes article, Dan Eberhart argues that climate lawsuits, supported by U.S. nonprofits, are undermining American energy security while bolstering China’s strategic position. He highlights a Senate hearing led by Ted Cruz examining how these lawsuits, often funded by groups like Energy Foundation China, align with Chinese interests by weakening U.S. energy production. Eberhart cites a State Armor report showing China’s dominance in clean energy supply chains, like lithium and solar panels, which benefits from U.S. policies pushing premature fossil fuel reduction. He warns that such litigation increases U.S. reliance on Chinese-controlled technologies, posing a national security risk. Eberhart calls for greater transparency in nonprofit funding and stronger domestic energy production to counter foreign influence, emphasizing that these lawsuits, driven by plaintiff firms like Sher Edling, threaten U.S. energy dominance and economic stability while advancing China’s global energy and manufacturing agenda. [MDN: It’s time to sue Sher Edling out of existence. Eberhart is 100% correct. Many of these lawfare lawsuits are funded by China-backed sources. Trump needs to sick the IRS on these so-called green groups with an eye on revoking tax-exempt status if they are violating the law to stay out of politics.]

Interior releases major update on oil and gas potential beneath U.S. public lands
U.S. Department of Interior
The U.S. Department of the Interior released a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report estimating 29.4 billion barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and 391.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas beneath federally managed public lands, enough to meet U.S. oil needs for 4 years and gas needs for nearly 12 years at current consumption rates. This significant increase from the 1998 USGS estimates (7.86 billion barrels of oil and 201.1 trillion cubic feet of gas) reflects advancements in unconventional resource extraction, like shale and tight oil/gas, enabled by fracking, which were not fully assessed previously. The report, covering lands managed by multiple federal agencies, compiles data from 579 assessment units across 69 geologic provinces, allocating resources based on public land proportions. Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized the report’s role in supporting energy security and economic opportunities, while USGS acting director Sarah Ryker highlighted its utility for land management and energy planning. [MDN: Our country is blessed with abundant, cheap, safe fossil energy. More than we thought.]

INTERNATIONAL

World braces for Iran response to US strikes
Bloomberg/Ramsey Al-Rikabi
The U.S. launched unprecedented airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, using bunker-busting bombs for the first time, escalating tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s surprise attack on June 13. President Trump’s direct military action, involving 125 aircraft and Tomahawk missiles, has raised global geopolitical risks, pushing oil prices up nearly 6% and potentially toward $100 a barrel, while stock futures fell and Bitcoin dropped below $100,000. Iran warned of retaliation, with its armed forces deciding the response’s scale, possibly targeting U.S. regional bases. Trump vowed a forceful counter to any Iranian retaliation, though regime change was not the stated goal. The strikes’ impact on Iran’s nuclear capabilities remains unclear, and fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten global energy markets. Amid global economic fragility, allies like the UK and France distanced themselves, while Iran’s allies, Russia and China, offered only rhetorical support. [MDN: Notice how Bloomberg lefties are pushing to see the price of oil go to $100 per barrel? It’s nonsense. What will Iran do? If they try anything, they will be sorry. The response will be swift and lethal. They have no options. Trump did the right thing. Iran can’t have a nuke, period.]

Iran’s parliament backs blocking Strait of Hormuz
CNBC
Iran’s parliament has approved a measure to potentially close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit chokepoint, in response to U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, though the final decision rests with the Supreme National Security Council. The strait, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, handles about 20% of the world’s oil supply, and its closure could spike global energy prices, with Goldman Sachs predicting Brent crude could hit $110 per barrel. Experts like Vandana Hari from Vanda Insights argue the move is unlikely, as it would alienate Iran’s neighbors and key trade partner China, which relies heavily on Gulf oil. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have urged Beijing to dissuade Tehran, warning that closing the strait would be “economic suicide” for Iran, disrupting its own oil exports. No immediate threats to shipping have been reported, but the risk of escalation remains. [MDN: Also in this story…”Besides oil, natural gas flows could also be ‘severely impacted,’…with Qatar’s gas exports of about 77 million metric tons per year potentially unable to reach key markets in Asia and Europe. Qatar’s LNG exports represent about 20% of global LNG supply.” So yeah, go right ahead, Iran. Close down the Strait of Hormuz and shoot yourselves in the head! We’re all for it.]

U.S. radical groups urge EU commissioners to reject Trump’s pressure to purchase LNG
Oil Change International
On June 23, 2025, 188 so-called U.S. environmental groups and allies sent a letter to EU Commissioners, urging them to resist President Donald Trump’s pressure to increase EU reliance on U.S. LNG and fossil fuel imports, valued at USD 350 billion, to avoid tariffs. Supported by a petition with over 50,000 signatures, the letter argues that replacing Russian gas with U.S. LNG would raise EU household energy prices, worsen health and safety risks for communities near LNG infrastructure, expose the EU to U.S. market volatility, and undermine EU climate commitments. Community leaders like Roishetta Ozane and James Hiatt from Louisiana emphasized the toxic pollution and health crises caused by LNG facilities, while Laurie van der Burg from Oil Change International advocated for a transition to renewables to ensure energy security and economic resilience, aligning with global climate goals. [MDN: This is why nobody is listening to groups like Oil Change International. They are radicals. They are kooks. They are so far outside the mainstream that nobody wants to be affiliated with them. And that’s why you can safely ignore anything they have to say.]

Middle Eastern oil giants go on LNG buying spree
OilPrice.com/Alex Kimani
Middle Eastern oil giants, including Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, and QatarEnergy, are aggressively expanding into the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market, backed by strong government support and substantial financial resources, with plans to nearly double their LNG capacity within a decade. Driven by rising demand for natural gas as a transition fuel and the need to diversify beyond crude oil, these companies are investing heavily in LNG production and trading, capitalizing on high margins and geopolitical opportunities. Despite challenges like project delays and cost overruns, cash-rich Gulf nations are seizing the chance to enhance their energy and trading portfolios, aiming to rival European giants like Shell and BP. Notable deals include ADNOC’s $18.7 billion bid for Australia’s Santos, QatarEnergy’s Golden Pass LNG project in Texas, and Aramco’s stakes in MidOcean Energy. This LNG boom, also involving Southeast Asian players like Malaysia’s Petronas, is expected to boost competition and diversify supply, benefiting global LNG buyers. [MDN: Natural gas is the future of energy. These thug dictators are not stupid. They are going where the future is for energy. Too bad more people in the U.S. and Europe are not as smart as these guys.]