MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, Jul 17, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Energy Innovation Center Institute training program could go national; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: California’s climate superfund bills fail again; Let’s hope Kathy Hochul took notes as investors poured $100B into Pa. for AI projects; NATIONAL: What’s the state of oil hiring in the USA?; U.S. proved reserves fell in 2023 from 2022 record; Gen Z is getting realistic about energy; Pumping the brakes on alternative energy; INTERNATIONAL: Oil rebounds after weak start; Market underestimating chance of Russian gas flow disruption; The oil boom no one wants to talk about.
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION
Energy Innovation Center Institute training program could go national
Pittsburgh (PA) Business Times/Paul Gough
At the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, over $90 billion in natural gas, nuclear, and high-tech projects were announced, with a focus on expanding the Energy Innovation Center Institute’s (EICI) Infrastructure Academy to train workers for energy and AI/data center jobs. The academy, set to become a national model, plans to train up to 7,000 workers in its $135 million first phase, with potential expansion to 15 centers nationwide, costing $2.1 billion. Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, the facility will feature labs, a working microgrid, and a data center powered by diverse energy sources. The EICI also introduced the Resiliency Institute to enhance distributed energy systems’ reliability. Supported by 21 partners, including Peoples Natural Gas, the academy has already trained 4,790 workers with an 86% job placement rate. This initiative aims to bolster the workforce in Pittsburgh, Appalachia, and beyond for high-demand energy and AI careers. [MDN: Once again, Tuesday’s big energy event in Pittsburgh continues to reverberate. Pittsburgh (southwestern PA) is rapidly becoming the AI capital of the U.S. Now, training for AI and data centers (and energy) will be headquartered in Pittsburgh, via the EICI. It’s an exciting time to be alive!]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
California’s climate superfund bills fail again
Energy in Depth – Climate & Environment/Kyle Kohli
California’s ambitious climate legislation, Senate Bill 684 and Assembly Bill 1243, known as the “Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act,” aimed to impose retroactive fees on major fossil fuel producers for alleged climate liabilities but has been stalled in the legislature until 2026 due to rising energy costs and potential legal challenges. Introduced in February 2025 following devastating wildfires, the bills initially gained traction but lost momentum, failing to reach a floor vote as sponsors Sen. Caroline Menjivar and Rep. Dawn Addis postponed hearings amid weak support. California’s high energy prices, already 80% above the national average in 2024, and warnings from the California Chamber of Commerce about increased costs and regulatory uncertainty contributed to the bills’ shelving. The U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuits against similar laws in Vermont and New York, citing constitutional issues, further complicate the outlook. With economic concerns like affordability and GDP impacts taking precedence, California’s climate superfund efforts remain in limbo. [MDN: Cali’s attempt to steal money from Big Oil & Gas companies is crashing and burning, as is the entire state’s economy (as droves of people move out). The Dems have ruined Cali, and it’s becoming evident for everyone to see.]
Let’s hope Kathy Hochul took notes as investors poured $100B into Pa. for AI projects
New York (NY) Post/Editorial Board
At the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, President Donald Trump highlighted the link between energy, economic growth, and AI development, as investors pour $100 billion into AI initiatives, favoring states like Pennsylvania with reliable energy from natural gas fracking. In contrast, New York, under Governor Kathy Hochul, faces economic stagnation due to anti-business policies, including a fracking ban since 2015 that has cost the Southern Tier thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity. Hochul’s support for high taxes, restrictive regulations, and measures like the 2024 “Polluters Pay” law, which fines energy companies $3 billion annually, further discourages business. While Pennsylvania thrives, New York’s high energy costs and poor business climate—ranked second-to-worst by the Tax Foundation—hinder growth, leaving residents with lower incomes and fewer opportunities compared to their neighbors, a gap that could be closed by reversing the fracking ban and easing regulations. [MDN: NY, where we live, is so screwed. We want to have hope that it could turn around, but it’s hard to have that hope. This was an editorial slap across Hochul’s face to make her pay attention to the astonishing things that happened in PA two days ago. Nearly one-tenth of a trillion dollars, all of it private money (capitalism!) was committed to PA over the next 10 years for data centers, gas-fired power plants, and (yes), even renewables. NY is so screwed!]
NATIONAL
What’s the state of oil hiring in the USA?
Rigzone/Andreas Exarheas
In the first half of 2025, oil hiring in the United States has been slower than anticipated, particularly in the upstream sector, according to Brian Binke, President and CEO of the Birmingham Group. Binke noted that while there has been steady activity in maintenance, optimization, and selective build-outs, operators are maintaining discipline due to declining rig counts and soft oil prices, leading to cautious hiring focused on specific roles. Despite a modest outlook, Binke expressed optimism for a potential uptick in the second half of 2025, driven by supportive policies from the Trump administration and possible improvements in market confidence, project timelines, and margins. Data from the Texas Workforce Commission and TIPRO’s 2024 report indicate slight job growth in the oil and gas sector, with Texas leading in employment. However, the U.S. rig count dropped by 47 compared to the previous year, reflecting a cautious industry approach. [MDN: Oil drillers are still trying to read the tea leaves with Trump in charge. They don’t want to overcommit, afraid the economy will tank. We think the economy will soon roar and oil drillers will be scrambling to catch up.]
U.S. proved reserves fell in 2023 from 2022 record
U.S. Energy Information Administration – Today in Energy
In 2023, U.S. proved reserves of crude oil and lease condensate dropped by 4% to 46 billion barrels, while natural gas reserves fell 13% to 604 trillion cubic feet, marking the first annual decline for both since 2020, according to the U.S. Crude Oil and Natural Gas Proved Reserves, Year-End 2023 report. These reductions were driven by falling prices, with West Texas Intermediate crude oil and Henry Hub natural gas prices declining 18% and 61%, respectively, from 2022 highs, prompting operators to revise estimates downward. North Dakota saw the largest oil reserve drop at 12% (611 million barrels), followed by Alaska at 11% (384 million barrels), while New Mexico’s reserves rose by 380 million barrels. For natural gas, Alaska experienced the largest decline at 23% (28 trillion cubic feet), followed by Texas at 13% (21 trillion cubic feet), with Montana reporting the largest increase at 11% (70 billion cubic feet). [MDN: Proved reserves are the oil and gas that companies are reasonably sure they can extract and sell at a profit, using current technology and prices. The numbers go up and down depending on the price for oil and natural gas.]
Gen Z is getting realistic about energy
RealClearEnergy/Sam Raus
The article “Gen Z Is Getting Realistic About Energy” from RealClearEnergy, published on July 16, 2025, discusses how Generation Z is shifting away from idealistic climate activism toward a more pragmatic approach to energy policy. Once fervent supporters of aggressive climate measures like school walkouts and renewable energy advocacy, many Gen Zers are now recognizing the practical challenges of transitioning to green energy without compromising economic stability and energy reliability. The piece highlights their growing skepticism about the feasibility of rapid decarbonization, driven by real-world issues like rising energy costs and grid reliability concerns. It notes that Gen Z is increasingly open to balanced energy solutions, including nuclear and natural gas, as they prioritize affordability and practicality over ideological purity. This shift reflects a broader trend among younger generations to demand realistic policies that address both environmental goals and the economic realities of energy production. [MDN: The simple truth is that Gen Zers are growing up and growing brains. No more idolization of anti-Semites like Greta Thunberg. There was a distinct shift among Gen Z men (18-29) towards Trump in the last election, with 56% favoring him in 2024, compared to 41% in 2020. While the majority of Gen Z women still favored Harris, their support decreased from 65% in 2020 to 58% in 2024. This is good news for our country.]
Pumping the brakes on alternative energy
RealClearEnergy/Gary Abernathy
The article “Pumping the Brakes on Alternative Energy” by Daniel Turner, published on July 16, 2025, on RealClearEnergy, argues for a reevaluation of the rapid push toward alternative energy sources in the U.S. Turner highlights the unreliability of wind and solar power, citing their failure during the 2025 Polar Vortex, when coal provided critical energy stability. He critiques the Biden administration’s energy policies, including the Inflation Reduction Act, for prioritizing costly renewables over dependable fossil fuels, which he claims burdens taxpayers and increases energy costs. Turner praises the Trump administration’s focus on deregulation and energy independence, emphasizing the need for reliable, affordable energy to support economic growth and national security. He warns against over-relying on intermittent renewables, advocating for a balanced approach that maintains coal and natural gas as essential components of the energy mix to avoid economic and infrastructural vulnerabilities. [MDN: Clear thinking is breaking out everywhere! The country continues to expel the woke/leftist/failed policies of President Autopen and his administration. Especially rejected are Biden’s energy policies. It’s a new day.]
INTERNATIONAL
Oil rebounds after weak start
Bloomberg/Catherine Cartier, Julia Fanzeres
Oil prices slightly declined, with West Texas Intermediate futures dropping 0.2% to settle above $66 per barrel, marking a three-day losing streak, driven by signs of a softening crude market despite strength in broader risk assets. The downturn was influenced by government data indicating falling distillate demand and rising inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, though prices partially recovered after President Trump dismissed rumors of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Analysts, including Frank Monkam from Buffalo Bayou Commodities, noted a range-bound market with limited upside due to easing geopolitical risks and anticipated oversupply as global demand cools and OPEC+ resumes halted supplies. Despite recent inventory builds, particularly in the Pacific, the Brent futures curve remains in backwardation, signaling tight near-term supplies in the Atlantic market. Goldman Sachs raised its Brent forecast for this period but remains cautious for 2026, while key market indicators like the premium on immediate US crude contracts suggest robust short-term demand. [MDN: WTI for August delivery slipped 0.2% to settle at $66.38 a barrel. Brent for September settlement slid 0.3% to $68.52 a barrel. Still in perfect territory.]
Market underestimating chance of Russian gas flow disruption
Rigzone/Andreas Exarheas
Analysts at Standard Chartered Bank, led by Paul Horsnell, believe the market is underestimating the potential disruption to Russian gas flows due to proposed U.S. legislation, according to a report sent to Rigzone. The “Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025,” introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal with 85 Senate co-sponsors, aims to impose up to 500 percent tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas if a peace agreement is not reached within 50 days. Despite a muted market reaction, possibly due to skepticism from past delays in similar actions, the analysts suggest that disrupting Russian gas flows could boost U.S. LNG exports and prices. The report notes that Russian pipeline gas and LNG accounted for 18.6 percent of EU net imports in early July, with EU inventories rising amid weak demand. However, the analysts warn that prices may not fully reflect the risk of further restrictions on Russian gas. [MDN: The EU will need to get real serious real fast if Congress passes this bill and Trump signs it (which we think is likely). Perhaps the spineless Euro weenies will finally get off the pot!]
The oil boom no one wants to talk about
OilPrice.com/Tsvetana Paraskova
Despite global net-zero ambitions, several major oil-producing countries, including the UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Guyana, Namibia, and Norway, are significantly expanding their oil production, as detailed in an article from OilPrice.com. The UAE aims to increase its capacity to 5 million barrels per day by 2027, potentially reaching 6 million if needed. Brazil is investing heavily through Petrobras, allocating $77 billion for exploration and production by 2029, while Guyana, a new oil player, expects to produce 1.3 million barrels daily by 2030. Namibia is offering incentives to attract oil majors like Shell and TotalEnergies for offshore projects. Norway plans to maintain high output until 2035 to support its economy and Europe’s energy needs. These nations are prioritizing economic growth and energy security, challenging the narrative of a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, despite global climate goals. [MDN: Looks like Trump has made oil great again! Gone are the days of “peak oil” nonsense.]