MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Tue, Dec 2, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]

OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Colorado PUC finalizes plans to push natgas out of home heating to hit 100% decarbonization; NATIONAL: Natural gas turns positive amid mixed weather trends; US natural gas futures hold near 35-month high on record LNG flows and colder forecasts; Natural gas price forecast – new long-term trend high established; USA Compression announces strategic acquisition of J-W Power Company; Energy affordability has become the kitchen-table issue of the 2020s; Your Thanksgiving turkey has a carbon footprint; Nuclear-generated electricity overshadows government-subsidized wind and solar; Ignoring EV pollution for fake climate crisis; INTERNATIONAL: Crude ends higher despite glut fears; China shale oil output outlook improving; Why is the price of gas falling in Europe in the middle of winter.

OTHER U.S. REGIONS

Colorado PUC finalizes plans to push natgas out of home heating to hit 100% decarbonization
Denver (CO) Colorado Sun
Despite federal pro-fossil fuel pressures, Colorado officials finalized a strict Clean Heat framework requiring natural gas utilities to reduce carbon emissions by 41% by 2035, aiming for full decarbonization by 2050. The Public Utilities Commission’s decision—a compromise between environmentalists seeking steeper cuts and agencies preferring lower targets—mandates utilities like Xcel Energy to facilitate a widespread transition from gas furnaces to electric heat pumps. While advocates celebrate the move for its environmental and public health benefits, specifically regarding lower-income communities, utilities stress the importance of maintaining affordability and reliability while implementing these aggressive infrastructure changes. [MDN: The end result here is predictable. This new regulation will never stand, but attempts to implement it will cause economic harm to the residents of Colorado. Just look at NY, which had already dropped a similar mandate for new construction. Colorado wants to force citizens to give up their gas furnaces. It’s lunatic.]

NATIONAL

Natural gas turns positive amid mixed weather trends
Wall Street Journal
Natural gas futures close up 1.5% to $4.9210 per mmBtu, as the outlook for U.S. weather in the coming weeks is mixed. “There’s reason for both higher and lower trade when considering there’s been mixed weather trends as the GFS trended colder the past 24-hours, but with the EC trending warmer,” says NatGasWeather.com in a note. “By trending in opposite directions, the GFS and EC are now in better agreement and with both rather cold the front 6-days, then not as cold or as intimidating for the 7-15 day period but still with bouts of colder air into the northern U.S.” [MDN: As we pointed out in our post yesterday, we’re quickly closing in on $5 gas for the NYMEX futures price. Stay tuned!]

US natural gas futures hold near 35-month high on record LNG flows and colder forecasts
Reuters
U.S. natural gas futures remained near a 35-month high, driven by colder weather forecasts and record flows to LNG export terminals. November saw export flows reach 18.2 bcfd, supporting prices despite limiting factors like record domestic production and storage levels sitting 5% above normal. While U.S. demand is projected to rise, global gas prices in Europe and Asia fell amid Ukraine peace talks. Simultaneously, the industry is eyeing further export expansion as the Golden Pass facility begins commissioning steps. This dynamic keeps the U.S. firmly positioned as the top global LNG producer despite conflicting market signals. [MDN: Not only are futures prices up, so too are spot prices. A rising (price) tide lifts all boats.]

Natural gas price forecast – new long-term trend high established
FX Empire
Natural gas prices have surged to a new 36-month high of $4.95, decisively breaking out from an ascending triangle pattern above the critical $4.90 level. This move validates a long-term bullish trend, with Monday’s strong performance signaling that buyers have firmly taken control. A daily settlement above $4.90 is expected to unlock further upside potential, targeting $5.28, $5.52, and $5.78 based on Fibonacci analysis. While the 10-day moving average serves as immediate dynamic support, the overall momentum remains positive, suggesting the bull market will dominate unless key support levels are compromised. [MDN: This was analysis from our favorite gas trader, Bruce Powers. Looks like the NYMEX price is heading well into the $5 range.]

USA Compression announces strategic acquisition of J-W Power Company
USA Compression Partners
USA Compression Partners, LP (USAC) has entered a definitive agreement to acquire J-W Power Company for approximately $860 million. This acquisition creates a combined fleet of roughly 4.4 million active horsepower, significantly expanding USAC’s geographic reach into key basins such as the Permian and Bakken. The deal also diversifies operations by adding aftermarket services and manufacturing capabilities. Funded by $430 million in cash and the issuance of roughly 18.3 million new common units, the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. Management projects the move will accelerate deleveraging and enhance USAC’s position in the natural gas compression market. [MDN: USA Compression Partners, LP is one of the nation’s largest independent providers of natural gas compression services in terms of total compression fleet horsepower. The company focuses on providing midstream natural gas compression services to infrastructure applications primarily in high-volume gathering systems, processing facilities, and transportation applications. USA has a large operating presence in many shale basins, including the Marcellus and Utica.]

Energy affordability has become the kitchen-table issue of the 2020s
RealClearEnergy
The article argues that surging electricity prices in the winter of 2025-26 are the result of inherited Democratic policies—specifically wind and solar subsidies and the retirement of baseload nuclear and coal plants—rather than the incoming Trump administration or data center demand. Citing California and Massachusetts as negative examples of green overreach that blocks cheap natural gas, the author contends these policies have distorted markets and hurt consumers. The piece praises the Trump administration’s regulatory rollbacks and advocates for permanent legislative solutions, such as Congressman Balderson’s Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy Security bill, to ensure grid reliability and affordability. [MDN: It is frustrating. It took President Autopen four years to destroy the economy and soar energy prices. Trump’s new policies will lower energy prices, but we’re still experiencing a hangover from the Biden years, yet the Democrats are trying to fool the voters into thinking Trump is responsible for high prices.]

Your Thanksgiving turkey has a carbon footprint
Axios
Thanksgiving turkeys significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, despite being more environmentally friendly than beef. The Environmental Working Group notes that even a small serving generates emissions comparable to driving three miles. The overall carbon footprint of a Thanksgiving meal varies by location, depending on whether local energy comes from renewables, like in Washington and Vermont, or coal, like in West Virginia. Furthermore, food waste exacerbates the issue; ReFED estimates 320 million pounds of food will be discarded this holiday, creating emissions equivalent to 190,000 cars. Experts advise reducing waste by purchasing only the amount of food families will actually consume. [MDN: Only the twisted and tortured mind of a wacko leftist cooks up something like this. Do you see how global warming insanity has infected people? It’s incredible.]

Nuclear-generated electricity overshadows government-subsidized wind and solar
America Out Loud News
The article asserts that nuclear power is superior to government-subsidized wind and solar, citing its reliability, high energy density, and minimal environmental footprint. Unlike wind and solar, which require vast amounts of land, threaten wildlife, and depend on fossil fuel-derived materials for construction, nuclear energy offers continuous, emission-free electricity with a lifespan of up to 80 years. The author highlights the unreliability of renewables, noting their inability to compete without subsidies and the lack of mandated end-of-life disposal plans. Conclusively, the piece urges a national strategy prioritizing nuclear energy to ensure a stable and secure electrical grid. [MDN: Another excellent Ron Stein article pointing out the huge negatives of unreliable renewable energy and the benefits (in this case) of nuke power.]

Ignoring EV pollution for fake climate crisis
CO2 Coalition
Vijay Jayaraj’s article argues that the “green” narrative surrounding electric vehicles (EVs) ignores the severe pollution inherent in their production, particularly regarding nickel mining in Indonesia and rare-earth mineral processing in China. These industries release toxic chemicals like sulfur dioxide and heavy metals, devastating local ecosystems and health. Jayaraj contends that the global focus on carbon dioxide—which he characterizes as a beneficial gas rather than a pollutant—serves to distract from this real environmental damage. He concludes that the push for EVs and wind energy is a profit-driven scheme rather than a genuine environmental crusade. [MDN: We must keep speaking the truth about so-called renewables. The truth is that it’s a fraud. Just follow the money.]

INTERNATIONAL

Crude ends higher despite glut fears
Bloomberg
Oil prices rose, with West Texas Intermediate settling above $59, after the Caspian Pipeline Consortium halted loading at a key mooring damaged by Ukrainian attacks. This supply disruption, coupled with potential US military operations regarding Venezuela, countered broader market expectations of a significant surplus next year. While algorithmic traders remain heavily bearish anticipating oversupply, these geopolitical tensions and OPEC+’s reiterated plan to halt output hikes in the first quarter are supporting prices. Consequently, the market faces volatility as immediate supply risks clash with long-term bearish fundamentals. [MDN: You can almost sense the attitude of the reporters. “Oil went higher, darnit.” WTI for January delivery gained 1.32% to settle at $59.32. Brent for February settlement advanced 1.27% to settle at $63.17 a barrel.]

China shale oil output outlook improving
Rigzone
According to a BMI report, China’s shale oil outlook is improving due to accelerated exploration by state-owned enterprises like PetroChina and Sinopec, driven by national energy security goals. While production jumped 30 percent in 2024, analysts warn that a U.S.-style shale boom is unlikely due to complex geology, high costs, and low well productivity. Shale output currently represents a small fraction of total production and is primarily viewed as a supplement to offset depletion in mature conventional fields. With international majors scaling back involvement, domestic firms bear the investment burden to achieve steady but constrained growth. [MDN: No doubt they are using stolen (from the U.S.) technology to expand their shale drilling efforts.]

Why is the price of gas falling in Europe in the middle of winter
El Mundo America
For the first time since March 2024, investment funds have turned bearish on European natural gas, betting prices will fall due to mild winter forecasts and rumors of a Ukraine peace agreement. Despite a drop in the Dutch TTF benchmark, analysts warn this strategy is risky; EU storage levels are below average at 76.5%, and geopolitical volatility remains high. While speculators anticipate a future glut of US LNG will drive prices down, experts caution that shorting this early in winter leaves investors vulnerable to sudden demand spikes or supply disruptions in a structurally expensive market. [MDN: We find it interesting that Europe’s natural gas prices are nearing a 20-month low while our gas prices are hitting a 35-month high. We agree with the sentiment in the article that “volatility remains high.” It would not take much to reverse the price in Europe and see it soar once again.]