MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Democrat-led northeast now has highest electricity prices in nation; NATIONAL: Kelcy Warren’s dual impact of building energy infrastructure while championing philanthropy; What the media still won’t tell you about the energy transition; Natgas prices sink on the outlook for cooler us temps and higher gas production; INTERNATIONAL: Oil slides amid demand concerns; EU lifts sanctions against three LNG tankers formerly working for Russia; Spain’s gas demand soars as power plants burn more since blackout.
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
Democrat-led northeast now has highest electricity prices in nation
Zero Hedge/Tyler Durden
The article from ZeroHedge, published on July 20, 2025, highlights the severe consequences of aggressive green energy policies in Democrat-led Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, where electricity prices have surged to the highest in the nation due to the retirement of reliable fossil fuel power in favor of unreliable solar and wind energy. This shift, driven by the “energy trilemma” prioritizing environmental sustainability over affordability and reliability, has led to a crisis disproportionately affecting working-poor households, with nearly 20% of central Maryland households behind on utility payments. The article cites the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook, noting that summer wholesale power prices across the PJM, NYISO, and ISO-NE grids are the highest nationwide. Democrats are now scrambling to address voter dissent over skyrocketing electricity bills, as the green agenda backfires, exacerbating financial strain and highlighting the failure of policies that neglect practical energy needs. [MDN: Yet the people most affected by high energy costs in places like NY and New England keep electing these Democrat jerks into office! There’s no fixing stupid.]
NATIONAL
Kelcy Warren’s dual impact of building energy infrastructure while championing philanthropy
New York (NY) Markets Herald
Kelcy Warren, the visionary behind Energy Transfer, has significantly shaped the U.S. energy sector while making substantial philanthropic contributions. Starting with a modest natural gas pipeline operation in 1996, Warren transformed Energy Transfer into a powerhouse managing 125,000 miles of pipelines, transporting 30% of the nation’s natural gas and crude oil, including 5% of global oil supply. His strategic acquisitions, like Sunoco and Crestwood Equity Partners, capitalized on market shifts, such as the Enron collapse, and adapted to changing energy demands. Beyond business, Warren’s philanthropy includes a $10 million donation for Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, followed by $20 million for its expansion, and a record-breaking $12 million gift to the University of Texas at Arlington for energy engineering. His support extends to healthcare and youth initiatives, earning him accolades from industry bodies like Hart Energy and the Texas Oil & Gas Association, cementing his dual legacy in energy and community development. [MDN: Nice to see mainstream media recognize those in the O&G industry for their philanthropy. It happens a lot, but you don’t know about it because reporting on O&G philanthropy doesn’t fit the left’s narrative that O&G is evil.]
What the media still won’t tell you about the energy transition
Robert Bryce Substack
Robert Bryce argues that the global energy transition to renewables is a myth perpetuated by the media and climate-focused entities, despite data from the 2025 Statistical Review of World Energy showing hydrocarbons still dominate, accounting for 87% of the energy mix. He highlights that while wind and solar have grown, their contribution remains marginal compared to the continued reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas, with alt-energy’s share overstated due to methodological changes in the Review. Bryce points to land-use conflicts, with over 1,000 rejections of renewable projects globally, and insufficient transmission infrastructure as major barriers to renewable expansion. He criticizes the “NGO-corporate-industrial-climate-media complex” for promoting an unrealistic narrative, asserting that the numbers reveal the energy transition’s failure to displace hydrocarbons, which continue to underpin global energy systems despite billions spent on renewables. [MDN: As usual, Bryce is spot on with his analysis. The so-called energy transition is a myth. Natural gas is the destination, not a bridge.]
Natgas prices sink on the outlook for cooler us temps and higher gas production
Barchart/Rich Asplund
August Nymex natural gas (NGQ25) prices dropped 6.73% on Monday, hitting a 1-week low due to forecasts of cooler U.S. temperatures, which are expected to reduce demand for natural gas from electricity providers for air-conditioning. Vaisala predicted cooler weather in the West from July 26-30, with potential cooling in the Midwest and Northeast by early August. Increased U.S. natural gas production also pressured prices, as Baker Hughes reported a rise in active drilling rigs to a 17-month high of 117. On Monday, Lower-48 state dry gas production was up 4.8% year-over-year at 107.4 bcf/day, while demand rose 1.6% to 77.7 bcf/day. LNG export flows fell 4.9% week-over-week. Despite a 1.1% increase in U.S. electricity output, a bearish EIA report showed natural gas inventories rising more than expected, up 46 bcf for the week ending July 11, though still 4.9% below last year’s levels but 6.2% above the 5-year average. [MDN: Cooler temps and more production are causing the price to go down.]
INTERNATIONAL
Oil slides amid demand concerns
Bloomberg/Alex Longley, Catherine Cartier
Oil prices continued their decline, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settling slightly lower at around $67 per barrel, extending last week’s 1.6% drop, driven by ongoing concerns about crude demand amid stalled U.S. trade talks and ineffective European Union sanctions on Russian energy exports. The EU is preparing for a potential no-deal scenario with U.S. President Donald Trump as trade tensions escalate before an August 1 deadline, while new sanctions, including a lower price cap on Russian crude and a ban on a major Indian refinery, have yet to significantly impact Moscow’s diesel exports, with full restrictions delayed until January. Trading volumes remained low as WTI’s August contract neared its Tuesday expiration. Despite a yearly decline, oil prices have risen since May, influenced by Middle East developments and sanctions on Russia and Iran, though a lack of new catalysts may push prices lower, according to analysts. Diesel profitability in Europe also hit a high not seen since early 2024. [MDN: WTI for August delivery, which expires Tuesday, edged 14 cents lower to settle at $67.20 a barrel in New York. The more active September contract for WTI settled at $65.95 a barrel. Brent for September settlement slid 7 cents to settle at $69.21 a barrel.]
EU lifts sanctions against three LNG tankers formerly working for Russia
Reuters
The European Union has lifted sanctions on three liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers—North Moon, North Ocean, and North Light—managed by Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, as announced by the European Commission on July 22, 2025. These tankers, previously involved in transporting Russia-sourced LNG from the Yamal LNG plant and conducting ship-to-ship operations near Murmansk, were sanctioned under the EU’s 18th package against Russia due to its actions in Ukraine. The decision to delist the vessels followed firm commitments from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines that the tankers would no longer transport Russian energy from the Yamal and Arctic 2 projects. The EU’s move demonstrates the effectiveness of its vessel designation strategy, allowing the tankers to resume service after assurances of compliance. This action reflects the EU’s ongoing efforts to curb Russia’s energy revenues while managing its own energy supply dynamics. [MDN: An interesting development. Three Japanese ships got off the EU poopy list after getting caught shipping Russian LNG. We certainly hope the EU keeps a close eye on them for compliance that they won’t do it again.]
Spain’s gas demand soars as power plants burn more since blackout
Reuters/Pietro Lombardi
Spain’s gas demand surged by 5.6% in the first half of 2025, driven by a 41.2% increase in gas used for electricity generation, as power plants relied more on conventional gas-fired facilities following a major blackout on April 28, according to gas grid operator Enagas. The blackout prompted a shift to gas-fired combined cycle plants, which provide greater stability to the grid’s voltage compared to renewable sources like wind and solar. This increased reliance on gas highlights its role in ensuring energy security during Spain’s energy transition. Additionally, gas exports, particularly to France for underground storage, rose during this period, despite Spain not producing natural gas and relying on imports from countries like the United States, Qatar, and Russia. Spain’s underground gas storage facilities are over 75% full, exceeding the European Commission’s 64% minimum requirement for July 2025. [MDN: Wow! Euro weenies are capable of learning. Who knew? Spain had a major blackout due to an over-reliance on unreliable solar and wind power. Now that they’ve learned, they’re using (far more) natural gas for power.]