MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Mon, Dec 8, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]

OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Bowman buys RPT to boost data center power engineering; Newsom’s California slouching towards a self-inflicted energy crisis; NATIONAL: Natural gas surge 9% this week on strong flow of exports; MAHA activists urge Trump to fire his E.P.A. Administrator; Green energy’s problems go beyond messaging; Climate rift opens between Amazon and rivals in row over data centre power; Halliburton promotes Slocum to COO role; WoodMac flags ‘key themes’ shaping lower 48 in 2026; U.S. retail gasoline prices fall below $3 per gallon, the lowest since 2021; INTERNATIONAL: Crude finishes higher on short covering; Today’s $67 per barrel is only $44 in 2008 dollars; Rationality returns to Australia as climate scare wanes; China’s paradox – kingdom of solar, wind, hydro, nuclear and coal.

OTHER U.S. REGIONS

Bowman buys RPT to boost data center power engineering
Bowman Consulting Group Ltd.
Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. has acquired Houston-based RPT Alliance, a specialist in natural gas transmission and power generation infrastructure, for $59.7 million. This strategic move expands Bowman’s energy engineering capabilities to include utility-scale power solutions for data centers, industrial facilities, and utilities facing electrification constraints. RPT brings expertise in microgrids and bridging power installations, enabling rapid deployment of high-reliability energy systems for mission-critical assets. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings, contributing approximately $22–24 million in annualized net service billing in 2026, while positioning Bowman to capture significant share in the evolving national energy market. [MDN: It’s all about the data centers these days. Bowman is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, by the way.]

Newsom’s California slouching towards a self-inflicted energy crisis
Forbes
David Blackmon’s article argues that California is heading toward a “self-inflicted” energy crisis driven by Governor Gavin Newsom’s hostile policies toward the oil and gas industry. Blackmon contends that the state’s regulatory environment—characterized by accusations of price gouging and new inventory mandates—is forcing the closure of critical infrastructure, including the Phillips 66 and Valero refineries. These exits will drastically reduce California’s refining capacity, leaving the state, already an “energy island,” vulnerable to severe supply shortages and skyrocketing fuel prices. Blackmon concludes that Newsom’s political maneuvering is dismantling the essential energy systems required to keep the state functioning. [MDN: Will the state finally toss this nincompoop out on his ear? Are there enough common-sense folks left living in Cali? That’s the gajillion dollar question.]

NATIONAL

Natural gas surge 9% this week on strong flow of exports
Wall Street Journal
Natural gas futures climb over 9% for the week, as cold temperatures moved through the U.S., increasing the demand as more consumers run their heaters. What also is underpinning stronger natural gas futures is the demand for U.S. exports, says Capital Economics in a note. “The increase in U.S. natural gas prices has come alongside a surge in LNG exports, with record high volumes of feedgas flowing into export terminals,” says the firm. In 2025, U.S. LNG exports have jumped to roughly 15 billion cubic meters. For today, natural gas rose 4.5% to $5.289 per mmbtu. [MDN: Wow, can’t believe how high the price has gone in just two months. We’re beginning to get a nosebleed. Let’s hope it continues to stay on the high side. Cold weather is driving this increase.]

MAHA activists urge Trump to fire his E.P.A. Administrator
New York (NY) Times
Prominent “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) activists are petitioning President Trump to fire EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, accusing him of prioritizing chemical corporations over public health. Influencers like Vani Hari criticize Zeldin for loosening restrictions on “forever chemicals” (PFAS), approving controversial pesticides, and delaying water compliance deadlines. Despite this rebuke, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended Zeldin, calling him a steadfast partner in the MAHA mission. The dispute underscores growing internal tensions between Trump’s health-focused base and his administration’s industry-aligned officials regarding the regulation of toxic substances in America’s food and water supply. [MDN: This is fake news from the propagandists at the NYT, attempting to sew seeds of dissent in the Trump coalition. Don’t fall for it. Maybe one or two fringers that supposedly supported Trump (who nobody has EVER heard of) are calling on Trump to fire Zeldin. So what? Zeldin is the brightest star in the Trump cabinet firmament, without question. Trump’s not going to fire him.]

Green energy’s problems go beyond messaging
National Review
Andrew Follett argues in National Review that the green energy movement falsely blames “disinformation” and poor messaging for its declining influence. While environmentalists claim a well-funded conservative conspiracy undermines them, Follett counters that groups like the Sierra Club and NRDC vastly outspend skeptics, utilizing hundreds of millions annually compared to their opposition’s shoestring budgets, plus over $1 trillion in federal subsidies. Despite this financial and cultural dominance, Follett contends the movement is failing because it offers a “poor product.” After decades of massive investment, fossil fuels still supply 82% of global energy, while wind and solar provide less than 3%, proving the failure lies in viability, not marketing. [MDN: Excellent insights from Mr. Follett. For the left, it’s all about “messaging” and never about reality. The reality is that unreliable renewables have failed miserably.]

Climate rift opens between Amazon and rivals in row over data centre power
Financial Times
A climate dispute has emerged between Amazon and rivals like Google regarding carbon accounting for data centers. The conflict centers on a proposal by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to tighten rules, requiring clean energy purchases to match the time and place of consumption. While Google supports this, Amazon opposes it, favoring flexible “avoided emissions” metrics. Amazon allegedly pressured the clean energy group RE-Source, implying it might withdraw funding if the group remained neutral. This rift underscores the challenge of managing surging data center emissions, with fossil fuels projected to supply over 50% of their power globally through 2030. [MDN: Two major liberal tech giants going after each other, with Amazon being the more level-headed. Who would have thought? Go Amazon!]

Halliburton promotes Slocum to COO role
Rigzone
Halliburton has announced the promotion of Shannon Slocum to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Slocum, who will also join the board of directors, previously served as President of the Eastern Hemisphere. He will oversee global operations, allowing CEO Jeff Miller to focus on long-term strategic advancement. Rami Yassine, currently Senior Vice President for the Middle East North Africa region, will succeed Slocum as President of the Eastern Hemisphere. Additionally, Halliburton recently appointed Timothy A. Leach, a retired executive from ConocoPhillips and Concho Resources, to its board of directors. [MDN: This is a big deal. The COO is the person who runs operations, in this case, worldwide. Halliburton is the second-largest oilfield services company in the world.]

WoodMac flags ‘key themes’ shaping lower 48 in 2026
Rigzone
Wood Mackenzie forecasts a “tale of two commodities” for the U.S. Lower 48 in 2026, characterizing the year by stalling oil production and rising natural gas opportunities. The consultancy projects the horizontal rig count will drop below 500 due to macro headwinds, though operational efficiencies and deflationary costs will protect margins. While overall oil output is expected to plateau, core Permian plays will still contribute over 50% of onshore liquids. Conversely, the market will reorient toward gas-weighted mergers and appraisals in emerging areas, driven by increasing demand from LNG exports and power sector buildouts. [MDN: We tend not to trust things WoodMac says after the company sold itself to the Democrats in the 2024 election (see WoodMac Pimps Itself Out for Democrats in New “Report” re Election). It doesn’t take a genius to predict less oil drilling and more natural gas drilling given today’s prices.]

U.S. retail gasoline prices fall below $3 per gallon, the lowest since 2021
U.S. Energy Information Administration – Today in Energy
On December 1, 2025, the average U.S. retail price for regular gasoline dropped to $2.98 per gallon, falling below the $3.00 mark. When adjusted for inflation, this represents the lowest national average since February 2021. The decline is primarily attributed to falling crude oil prices, which account for approximately half of retail gasoline costs. Prices varied significantly by region, ranging from a low of $2.55 per gallon on the Gulf Coast to a high of $4.03 per gallon on the West Coast. [MDN: You certainly don’t hear lamestream news talking about falling gasoline prices because it doesn’t fit their hate-Trump narrative.]

INTERNATIONAL

Crude finishes higher on short covering
Bloomberg
Oil prices finished the week higher, with West Texas Intermediate settling above $60 a barrel due to persisting geopolitical risks and technical buying. Investors remain cautious as a Russia-Ukraine cease-fire appears elusive, with continued attacks on infrastructure and diplomatic hurdles sustaining a risk premium. Algorithmic traders covering short positions and WTI crossing its 50-day moving average further boosted momentum. However, gains were tempered by concerns over global oversupply, highlighted by Saudi Aramco cutting prices and an increase in US oil rigs, leaving the market balanced between conflict-driven support and bearish fundamental outlooks. [MDN: WTI back in the $60s. What did we tell you? WTI for January delivery rose 0.69% to settle at $60.08 a barrel, while Brent for February settlement gained 0.49% to settle at $63.75 a barrel.]

Today’s $67 per barrel is only $44 in 2008 dollars
Rigzone
SEB Chief Commodities Analyst Bjarne Schieldrop asserts that today’s $67 oil price is effectively only $44 in 2008 dollars, demonstrating how industry productivity has offset inflation. While the nominal “fair price” remains stable, real costs have decreased; without such efficiency, oil would trade near $101. Schieldrop views the $67 five-year forward contract as the market’s balanced anchor. Despite this stability, analysts from SEB and Fitch Group warn of downside risks, citing robust non-OPEC supply and softening Chinese demand. Consequently, BMI forecasts Brent crude will average just $68.50 per barrel in 2025 amid ongoing global oversupply. [MDN: It just goes to show how out-of-control spending by Washington has inflated prices for everything. It must stop. It also shows that oil drillers are getting better at what they do, since they can make a profit at much “lower” prices.]

Rationality returns to Australia as climate scare wanes
CO2 Coalition
Vijay Jayaraj argues that Australia’s “net zero” climate policies have caused economic turmoil, prompting the National and Liberal Parties to abandon the 2050 target in favor of cheaper, reliable energy. The article contends that reliance on intermittent renewables has destabilized the grid and surged electricity prices, burdening households and threatening industries like aluminum manufacturing with closure. With renewable storage projects facing costly delays and public spending ballooning, the author asserts that Australia must reject “green” dogma and restore energy sovereignty by embracing coal, natural gas, and nuclear power to ensure economic survival and grid stability. [MDN: Common sense is breaking out all over, even “down under.”]

China’s paradox – kingdom of solar, wind, hydro, nuclear and coal
Forbes
China’s energy strategy appears paradoxical—leading the world in both renewable deployment and coal consumption—but functions as a calculated pursuit of national security and geopolitical influence. Viewed through the lens of self-reliance, Beijing aims to minimize import dependence, avoiding supply vulnerabilities previously faced by the EU and US. While rapidly expanding solar, wind, and nuclear capabilities for both domestic power and export dominance, China retains massive coal usage as a critical stability hedge against volatile global markets. This approach suggests the global energy transition will be driven by pragmatic national interests rather than purely environmental goals, resulting in real but non-linear progress. [MDN: Leftist dolts that hold up China as their example of the renewable energy “transition” are delusional. China is selling unreliable renewables to the rest of the world while building two new coal plants every week.]