MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Mon, Sep 15, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]

OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Watching the end game of New York’s climate madness begin to play out; NATIONAL: Trump’s top envoys tell Europe U.S. will double gas exports in 5 years; INTERNATIONAL: Oil holds steady amid Russia sanction uncertainty; The junking of science by the climate cult; Greta Thunberg leads hundreds of activists in massive blockade at major industrial site; EU could quit Russian gas within a year, US energy chief says.

OTHER U.S. REGIONS

Watching the end game of New York’s climate madness begin to play out
Manhattan Contrarian/Francis Menton
The article argues that New York’s “net zero” energy policies, driven by the 2019 Climate Act, are unrealistic and collapsing under political and practical contradictions. Mandates for 70% renewable power by 2030 and 100% “zero emissions” by 2040 have backfired, with nuclear closures reducing clean energy capacity and natural gas pipelines blocked on environmental grounds. Meanwhile, energy demand is rising from new industries, and offshore wind plans were halted by President Trump. A possible deal between Governor Hochul and Trump may revive two natural gas pipelines, sparking backlash from progressive legislators. The author predicts internal Democratic conflicts and potential blackouts. [MDN: Menton is always worth reading for his expert insights. He’s right. NY’s Democrat Party is beginning to collapse under the weight of its own failures. Infighting will follow. It gives Republicans a slim chance.]

NATIONAL

Trump’s top envoys tell Europe U.S. will double gas exports in 5 years
Forbes/Gaurav Sharma
Trump administration envoys Doug Burgum and Chris Wright stated at the Gastech conference that the U.S. plans to double its natural gas exports within the next four to five years. They cast this expansion as central to U.S. energy policy, arguing it will boost energy security for allies, reduce global prices, and support electricity generation tied to AI and industrial growth. The pledge follows an EU commitment to purchase roughly $250-billion/year in U.S. energy (gas, oil, nuclear) for three years, seen as part of a broader shift away from reliance on Russian energy supplies. [MDN: Burgum and Wright are pledging our country to a pretty tall order. Let’s hope we are up to the task of delivering. It should be a fun ride for the next three years!]

INTERNATIONAL

Oil holds steady amid Russia sanction uncertainty
Bloomberg/Alex Longley, Mia Gindis
Oil prices remained rangebound as geopolitical risks clashed with bearish fundamentals. West Texas Intermediate rose 0.5% to $62.69 a barrel while Brent gained 0.9% to $66.99, supported by Ukrainian drone attacks on key Russian export hubs Primorsk and Ust-Luga. Analysts expect more strikes to pressure Russian supply, though U.S. threats of tariffs on Chinese and Indian purchases of Russian crude have yet to materialize, prompting traders to scale back bullish bets. Meanwhile, the IEA projected a record supply surplus in 2026, and OPEC+ is cautiously adding production. Prices have hovered between $62 and $67 since early August. [MDN: You can safely disregard any pronouncements by the corrupt IEA (International Energy Agency). They routinely lie in their projections. The news here is the same day in and day out, week in and week out: Oil prices remain in the $60s.]

The junking of science by the climate cult
Energy Security and Freedom/Tom Shepstone
The article criticizes the rise of “climate lawfare,” arguing that lawsuits against fossil fuel companies are less about winning in court and more about harassment and propaganda to support green energy agendas. It highlights a recent Nature study linking specific companies’ emissions to heatwaves, calling the methodology speculative, politically motivated, and scientifically flawed. By using a historically colder baseline (1850–1900), the study allegedly exaggerates impacts, ignores natural variables like water vapor and solar activity, and unfairly targets fossil fuels. The author concludes the work is designed to generate headlines and provide legal and rhetorical ammunition, not genuine science. [MDN: Once again, our friend Tom Shepstone punctures the lies of the left in this sterling article that exposes a new “study” in Nature titled “Systematic attribution of heatwaves to the emissions of carbon majors,” which produced the headlines like this one: “Heatwaves linked to carbon emissions from specific companies.” No, the left cannot (with a straight face) claim it can tie carbon emissions and global warming to specific companies. It’s a sham. The left’s aim is to use “science” in the service of lawfare. We’re calling the left out on this nonsense. Good one, Tom!]

Greta Thunberg leads hundreds of activists in massive blockade at major industrial site
MDN/The Cool Down
Greta Thunberg joined about 200 Extinction Rebellion activists in Norway in August to block the Mongstad oil refinery, the country’s largest, demanding a phaseout of oil and gas. Protesters blocked roads, while kayaks and sailboats obstructed the harbor, declaring fossil fuels a threat to life. Thunberg accused oil producers of having “blood on their hands,” while Equinor, the state-majority-owned operator, plans steady production through 2035. Norway’s government defends the industry for jobs, skills, and energy security, despite activists’ criticism. Though Norway’s power is nearly all hydropower, oil and gas exports remain central. Protesters vow continued pressure for systemic change. [MDN: Thunberg is, frankly, not very bright. She’s also an anti-Semite. People still “follow” her? They’re not very bright either.]

EU could quit Russian gas within a year, US energy chief says
Reuters/Kate Abnett
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the European Union could phase out Russian gas imports within six to twelve months by replacing it with U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG). This position was communicated to EU officials during recent meetings in Brussels. The EU is negotiating legal proposals to phase out imports of Russian oil and gas by January 2028, with a ban on short-term contracts starting next year. While Wright suggested a faster timeline, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen emphasized the need for the 2028 deadline to avoid energy price surges or shortages. The U.S. is pressuring Europe to cut off energy revenue to Moscow, seeking to end the war in Ukraine. [MDN: We keep pushing, the Euro weenies keep stalling. Typical.]