MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Fri, Dec 12, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Drew Barrymore joins MSC Cruises to celebrate new LNG-powered ship; Consumers Energy defends customer protections for data centers against challenge from Mich. AG; New York was a leader on climate issues, under Hochul things changed; The Gulf of America is back; NATIONAL: Natural gas prices are down 20% in just a week; Winners from S&P Global Energy’s 27th Annual Platts Global Energy Awards; Voltagrid & Halliburton make 400 MW power commitment re data centers; US gas inventories down by 177 Bcf; One state’s green mandates can become another state’s nightmare; U.S. E&Ps continue to maintain investor support despite commodity price plunge; Supremes have chance to end climate lawfare; INTERNATIONAL: Crude settles at October lows; The Christmas gift that climate Grinches can’t abide.
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
Drew Barrymore joins MSC Cruises to celebrate new LNG-powered ship
MSC Cruises USA
MSC Cruises has opened sales for its newest World Class ship, the MSC World Atlantic, which begins sailing from Port Canaveral in November 2027. Drew Barrymore, already godmother to sister ship MSC World America, celebrated the launch by adopting the title of “god aunt” for this new vessel. The ship features alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, visiting destinations like the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Onboard highlights include the new Viva La Musica Latin venue, a retro-inspired Clubhouse, and signature districts. Barrymore expressed excitement to be the “cool god aunt” for the ship, which blends European style with American comfort. [MDN: The reason we bring you this otherwise total vapid news story is because this ship, like three others MSC has launched in recent years, will be powered by LNG. And we’re pretty sure we know who will be filling ‘er up…see today’s post about LNG at Port Canaveral.]
Consumers Energy defends customer protections for data centers against challenge from Mich. AG
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy is actively defending new customer protections for data centers and large businesses against a legal challenge by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Nessel recently petitioned the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to rehear its November 6 order, which established guidelines ensuring energy-intensive entities, specifically those using at least 100 megawatts, cover their full service costs. Consumers Energy executives argue the Attorney General’s move is meritless and anti-investment, asserting the MPSC’s framework protects existing customers while fostering economic growth, job creation, and tax revenue. The utility maintains that these large customers help offset fixed costs, benefitting all Michigan residents, and plans to release an updated Energy Supply Plan next year to address growing demand. [MDN: The press release is a bit convoluted, but what we take from it is that the Michigan AG is attempting to challenge common-sense regulations established by the MPSC that allow for new data centers while not burdening existing customers. The AG is trying to block data centers instead of “help the little guy,” as he pretends. Consumers is fighting back. Good for them.]
New York was a leader on climate issues, under Hochul things changed
New York (NY) Times
New York’s status as a climate leader has stalled under Governor Kathy Hochul, who is pivoting from the state’s aggressive 2019 climate law to prioritize energy affordability and grid reliability. Citing economic shifts and rising demand from tech sectors, Hochul has delayed key regulations, such as “cap and invest,” and adopted an “all-of-the-above” strategy that utilizes natural gas and nuclear power. While the Governor argues this approach is necessary to keep utility rates low, critics accuse her of undermining environmental goals for political expediency. Consequently, the state is lagging years behind its renewable energy targets while attempting to balance business growth with emission reductions. [MDN: You know when the NYT attacks a Democrat governor, the long knives have come out. They want Hochul gone, to be replaced by a radicalized Commie. That’s what this column is about. The left eats its own.]
The Gulf of America is back
RealClearEnergy
After a two-year hiatus characterized by staffing cuts and regulatory uncertainty, the December 10th federal Gulf of America lease sale marks a critical return to stability for the U.S. offshore energy sector. Mandated by President Trump’s legislation, this event initiates 30 scheduled sales over 15 years, ending a leasing gap that hindered an industry supporting approximately 428,000 jobs. Resuming regular leasing is essential for long-term planning, national energy security, and funding coastal conservation. This predictable framework restores investor confidence, ensuring the Gulf remains a prolific, low-carbon anchor for America’s energy future while providing workforce security. [MDN: There is no comparison between Trump and Biden or Obama when it comes to the oil and gas industry. Trump has been far superior for O&G. Please, no more bellyaching about low oil prices and that Trump is somehow a negative for Big Oil. He is not!]
NATIONAL
Natural gas prices are down 20% in just a week
Wall Street Journal
Natural gas prices have plummeted 20% from a recent three-year high, driven by forecasts predicting warmer weather for the upcoming holiday season. Futures dropped nearly 8% on Thursday to close at $4.231 per million British thermal units, marking the worst daily decline since March. This current price sits below the Energy Information Administration’s recently revised seasonal estimate of $4.30. While recent cold snaps caused significant storage withdrawals and initial price hikes, the shift toward milder weather forecasts has prompted a market sell-off, offering hope that Americans’ winter heating bills may be lower than previously feared. [MDN: It went up really fast, to over $5, and now it’s coming down fast. Hey, as long as we’re in the $4 range, we’re like pigs in slop.]
Winners from S&P Global Energy’s 27th Annual Platts Global Energy Awards
S&P Global Energy
S&P Global Energy honored industry excellence at the 27th Annual Platts Global Energy Awards in New York City on December 11, 2025. Hosted by CNBC’s Brian Sullivan, the gala recognized companies from ten nations for innovation and leadership. Houston-based Cheniere was the evening’s standout, winning Energy Company of the Year, Excellence in Energy – LNG, and Chief Executive of the Year for Jack Fusco. Lifetime Achievement honors went to Zhenguo Li of LONGi and Alan Armstrong of Williams. The event highlighted the sector’s commitment to sustainability, artificial intelligence, and decarbonization, celebrating pivotal contributions to the future of global energy. [MDN: Click the link to view the full list of winners. Congrats to Cheniere Energy and Williams, two companies that have a direct connection to the M-U region.]
Voltagrid & Halliburton make 400 MW power commitment re data centers
Halliburton
Halliburton and VoltaGrid have announced a strategic commitment to manufacture 400 megawatts of modular natural gas power systems for deployment in the Eastern Hemisphere. Scheduled for delivery in 2028, these systems are designed to support the escalating energy demands of hyperscale data centers, driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The collaboration leverages Halliburton’s operational scale and VoltaGrid’s distributed power technology to provide reliable, efficient, and lower-emission alternatives to conventional diesel generation. Executives from both companies emphasized this initiative’s critical role in meeting unprecedented global digital infrastructure requirements and facilitating rapid regional growth. [MDN: Yet more evidence that major OFS companies like Halliburton are rapidly moving into the data center space.]
US gas inventories down by 177 Bcf
Baha Breaking News
Working natural gas in storage across the United States decreased by 177 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in the week ending December 5 compared to the previous seven-day period to reach 3,746 billion cubic feet, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its report published on Thursday. On an annual level, the figure declined by 28 billion cubic feet. Additionally, the stockpiles grew by 103 billion cubic feet above the five-year average of 3,643 billion cubic feet. The total working gas remained within the five-year historical range. [MDN: You would think a decrease in stocks like this would lead to a bump up in the future price, but no. Warm weather outweighed the decrease in inventory.]
One state’s green mandates can become another state’s nightmare
RealClearEnergy
Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) has introduced the Fair Allocation of Interstate Rates (FAIR) Act to prevent states with aggressive clean-energy mandates from shifting the costs of new high-voltage transmission lines onto ratepayers in other states. Arguing that states must fund their own policy goals, Fedorchak—joined by Senators Hoeven and Cramer—seeks to prohibit grid operators like MISO from spreading infrastructure costs to consumers who did not approve or benefit from the underlying policies. Supported by officials in states like Mississippi and Arkansas, the legislation aims to enforce a “user pay” principle, protecting residents and landowners from subsidizing unwanted, expensive renewable energy projects. [MDN: Completely sensible. Why should California’s bizarre regulations cost taxpayers in other states money? It’s not fair. Let’s make it FAIR.]
U.S. E&Ps continue to maintain investor support despite commodity price plunge
RBN Energy
The article discusses the resilience of U.S. Exploration and Production (E&P) companies in the face of market challenges. Over the past three years, these companies have successfully retained investor support despite a significant drop in oil prices. The article attributes this sustained backing to a strategic shift in their business formula: rather than pursuing aggressive growth, these firms have focused on throttling back costs and capital investment. This disciplined approach has allowed them to prioritize and deliver shareholder returns, thereby maintaining investor confidence even amidst the commodity price plunge. [MDN: Drillers got the free cash flow gospel about five years ago and have continued to be faithful followers since that time. Investors have rewarded them for their fiscal discipline.]
Supremes have chance to end climate lawfare
Daily Caller
David Blackmon argues the Supreme Court should grant certiorari in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County to end climate “lawfare” campaigns targeting energy companies. The case involves whether the federal Clean Air Act preempts state nuisance claims regarding global carbon emissions. Blackmon contends that the Supreme Court should follow the Second Circuit’s precedent, which ruled that global warming is a federal issue, not a matter for state tort law. He characterizes these lawsuits as attempts to impose an indirect carbon tax through litigation rather than legislation, asserting that the Court must intervene to stop this abuse of the legal system. [MDN: Let’s hope the Supreme Court does the right thing today.]
INTERNATIONAL
Crude settles at October lows
Bloomberg
Oil prices dropped to their lowest levels since October, with West Texas Intermediate settling below $58 and Brent near $61 a barrel. This decline occurred as weak equity markets and disappointing earnings overshadowed significant geopolitical escalations, including the US seizure of a sanctioned Venezuelan tanker and a Ukrainian strike on a Russian oil field in the Caspian Sea. Despite these potential supply disruptions, market sentiment remains bearish due to forecasted oversupply from OPEC+ and the Americas outpacing tepid demand growth. Analysts anticipate continued stock builds into 2026, maintaining downward pressure on global crude benchmarks despite minor relief in oversupply estimates. [MDN: WTI for January delivery fell 1.47% to settle at $57.60 a barrel. Brent for February settlement fell 1.49% to settle at $61.28 a barrel.]
The Christmas gift that climate Grinches can’t abide
CO2 Coalition
Vijay Jayaraj argues that rising atmospheric CO? is a beneficial phenomenon often ignored by the media. Citing NASA data, he highlights a “greening of Earth” where increased carbon dioxide acts as fertilizer, boosting photosynthesis and water efficiency. This enhances global food security by increasing crop yields, contrasting sharply with the famines of the colder Little Ice Age. Jayaraj criticizes “Climate Grinches” for spreading fear despite evidence of positive agricultural projections. He urges readers to reject climate guilt and celebrate the prosperous, vibrant ecosystem currently supported by modern warmth and higher CO? levels. [MDN: Bring on more CO2! It’s not “pollution” and toasting the Earth as the wackybadacky left tells us. It’s actually helping Mom Earth.]