MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Fri, Jan 16, 2026 [FREE ACCESS]

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Luzerne County Community College hosts data center information session; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: From start to finish, ‘The Land of Sacrifice’ misleads on New Mexico oil & gas; Canceling California’s war on U.S. truckers; Hydrogen used to power data centers is taxable in Texas; Virginia no longer the No. 1 electricity importer in the country; Trump Administration sues California over oil and gas drilling regulations; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas futures settle mixed; Ethane, propane exports diverged in 2025; INTERNATIONAL: Oil falls sharply as U.S. pauses Iran action; European gas price climbs on cold snap, tight inventories.

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION

Luzerne County Community College hosts data center information session
Scranton (PA) WNEP-TV
Luzerne County Community College recently hosted an information session focused on the region’s expanding data center industry. With approximately 15 projects proposed or underway in northeastern Pennsylvania, including a $10 billion investment by Amazon Web Services, the college is positioning itself as a vital training hub. President John Yudichak noted that this “AI revolution” builds upon the area’s industrial heritage to create high-tech career pathways. Through the statewide “PA Works” strategy, LCCC and AWS aim to equip students with specialized skills in engineering and maintenance, ensuring the local workforce is prepared for the growing requirements of the 21st-century digital economy. [MDN: Data centers not only equal more sales of Marcellus Shale gas in northeastern PA, data centers equal more jobs in NEPA.]

OTHER U.S. REGIONS

From start to finish, ‘The Land of Sacrifice’ misleads on New Mexico oil & gas
Energy in Depth
This article refutes the documentary “The Land of Sacrifice,” labeling it an agenda-driven narrative that misrepresents New Mexico’s oil and gas industry. It highlights the sector’s vital economic role, generating over $13 billion in annual revenue to fund schools, healthcare, and infrastructure while providing over 100,000 high-paying jobs. The piece counters environmental and health concerns by citing strict methane regulations, significant emissions reductions, and the debunking of claims linking fracking to illness. Furthermore, it argues that environmental groups actually hinder progress by blocking wastewater reuse legislation. Ultimately, the industry asserts its commitment to responsible development and New Mexico’s prosperity. [MDN: Sounds like another Gasland smear job. The left loves its propaganda. The first thing to go in such fictional movies is the truth.]

Canceling California’s war on U.S. truckers
California’s ambitious “clean truck” mandate, which sought to phase out diesel vehicles by 2045, has faced a significant collapse following legal challenges and federal intervention. Critics argued that the zero-emission requirements were technologically unfeasible, citing high costs, infrastructure limitations, and reduced payload capacities. By 2025, the Trump administration rolled back these rules, and the Department of Justice ordered manufacturers to ignore state-level emissions agreements. This regulatory volatility, combined with high fuel prices and driver shortages, triggered widespread trucking bankruptcies and supply chain disruptions. Ultimately, the mandate’s failure underscores the economic risks of prioritizing aggressive environmental goals over industry practicality. [MDN: Gruesome Newsom’s truck mandate is dead. Score a victory for common sense.]

Hydrogen used to power data centers is taxable in Texas
Husch Blackwell LLP
To support digital infrastructure growth, Texas offers sales and use tax exemptions for electricity and natural gas used by certified data centers. However, a November 2025 private letter ruling by the Texas Comptroller narrowed the scope of these incentives by excluding hydrogen. Despite a taxpayer’s claim that hydrogen falls under the common definition of “gas,” the Comptroller ruled that historical statutory intent and prior legislative clarifications limit the exemption specifically to natural gas. Consequently, hydrogen and fuel cells used for power remain taxable, requiring investors to carefully weigh these additional costs against traditional, tax-exempt energy sources. [MDN: LOL! That really throws a monkey wrench in the environmental left’s plans.]

Virginia no longer the No. 1 electricity importer in the country
Cardinal News
Virginia is no longer the nation’s top electricity importer, now ranking second behind California. Despite a 20.5% surge in energy demand since 2007 driven largely by data centers, the state’s imports have declined for two consecutive years. This shift is primarily due to a 32% increase in homegrown power generation, particularly from independent solar producers, even as several coal-fired plants have been retired. While Virginia remains a significant importer, its electricity rates stay below the national average. Additionally, carbon emissions have fallen nearly 40% this century as the state transitions from coal toward natural gas and renewable sources. [MDN: Virginia is a huge importer of electricity from Pennsylvania…electricity produced by gas-fired power plants.]

Trump Administration sues California over oil and gas drilling regulations
San Diego (CA) KFMB-TV
The federal government has sued California to overturn Senate Bill 1137, which prohibits oil and gas drilling within 3,200 feet of schools, homes, and hospitals. Attorney General Pamela Bondi contends the law is unconstitutional and undermines national energy independence by threatening one-third of federal leases in the state. This legal challenge follows President Trump’s 2025 Executive Order aimed at preventing state-level energy restrictions. While the administration argues the ban increases energy costs, Governor Gavin Newsom defends the buffer zones as vital public health protections against toxic emissions, setting the stage for a significant federal court battle. [MDN: Bring it on! It’s time we pushed back, HARD, against leftist toads like Grusome Newsom. Let’s restore liberty and freedom to California. Make Cali Great Again!]

NATIONAL

U.S. natural gas futures settle mixed
Wall Street Journal
Natural gas futures saw a mixed session as the Nymex February contract edged up 0.3% to $3.128/mmBtu while later contracts declined, following a bearish EIA storage report. The agency revealed a 71 Bcf withdrawal, bringing total inventories to 3,185 Bcf and significantly widening the surplus over the five-year average to 106 Bcf. Analysts from Pinebrook Energy Advisors noted that shifting temperature patterns suggest this could be the lightest withdrawal for several weeks, positioning end-of-winter inventories to potentially finish above 2.0 Tcf, provided weather conditions remain favorable. [MDN: About the only good news with the NYMEX futures price is that it’s still above $3. We need to be $3.50 or more.]

Ethane, propane exports diverged in 2025
East Daley Analytics
In 2025, U.S. ethane and propane exports diverged significantly, signaling a shift toward global trade fragmentation. Ethane exports surged 12% year-over-year, bolstered by its competitive pricing as a petrochemical feedstock and new infrastructure like Enterprise’s Neches River Terminal. Conversely, propane exports finished the year flat as early growth stalled midyear due to escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. Heading into 2026, geopolitical risks and tariff uncertainties are prompting buyers to prioritize supply security over cost. While ethane’s cost leadership maintains its structural advantage, propane faces potential export caps unless trade policies and market margins stabilize amid expanding domestic production. [MDN: This is interesting news that we were not aware of. It connotes that a significant share of our propane exports go to China and that without China (our #1 enemy in the world) buying our propane, the export market ain’t so great. To which we say: Let’s find new customers! Screw China.]

INTERNATIONAL

Oil falls sharply as U.S. pauses Iran action
Bloomberg/Rigzone
Oil prices dropped sharply, with WTI falling into the $59 range, as geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran cooled. Following reports that Israel’s Prime Minister advised against immediate military action and claims that Iran halted executions of protesters, the risk of a broader conflict or supply disruptions diminished. New US sanctions further signaled a shift toward economic pressure over military intervention. This de-escalation, combined with Maersk resuming Suez Canal transits and uncertainties regarding Venezuelan production, erased recent risk premiums. Despite previous gains from Kazakh export disruptions, high options volumes and shifting sentiment drove the significant market correction. [MDN: WTI for February delivery fell 4.6% to settle at $59.19 a barrel. Brent for March settlement dropped 4.2% to settle at $63.76 a barrel.]

European gas price climbs on cold snap, tight inventories
Wall Street Journal
European natural gas prices surged recently, with the Dutch TTF benchmark rising over 6% due to an impending cold snap and depleted inventories, which currently sit well below the five-year average. This price rally reflects growing concerns that icy Siberian weather will spike heating demand while simultaneously intensifying global competition with Asia for LNG cargoes as temperatures plunge there as well. Additionally, previous bearish market positions are being reversed through short-covering, sparked by recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Overall, the combination of low storage levels and renewed weather-driven demand has effectively disrupted months of market stability. [MDN: This is encouraging. Prices there often influence prices here at home due to the connection between the U.S. and Europe via LNG exports. Let’s hope this news boosts the price here.]