MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Fri, Jan 30, 2026 [FREE ACCESS]

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Meeting set to air concerns about proposed Homer City power plant and data center; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Petroleum electricity generation surpassed natural gas in New England during winter storm; New England’s clean energy connect provided little power during the storm; New England would save billions by replacing mandated renewables with nukes and natgas; Poll finds New England women feel misled about climate policies; Galveston LNG Bunker Port teams up with TOTE to build Jones Act bunker fleet; N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill issues state of emergency on energy costs; It’s a new heyday for gas thanks to data centers; NATIONAL: USA crude oil stocks drop week on week; Real environmental crisis is not climate change; House Judiciary Committee escalates climate litigation probe; Prediction of liquid accumulation in a shale gas pipeline; INTERNATIONAL: Brent settles above $70 as Iran tensions rise; Guardian questions plastic science, sparking activist feud; France’s Rhone gas pipeline expects full restart later this year.

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION

Meeting set to air concerns about proposed Homer City power plant and data center
Pittsburgh (PA) Tribune-Review
The newly formed Concerned Residents of Western PA will host a public meeting this Sunday (Feb. 1) from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Indiana Theater to address concerns regarding a proposed $10 billion natural gas-fired power plant and AI data center. Planned for the former Homer City Generating Station site, the 4.5-gigawatt project by Homer City Redevelopment LLC promises roughly 1,000 permanent jobs. However, representatives from environmental groups like PennFuture and the Clean Air Council will discuss potential long-term health, economic, and environmental impacts. The developer was not invited to the panel, which was rescheduled following a recent snowstorm. [MDN: This is a one-sided, bash-fossil energy projects like Homer City meeting. They refuse to present comments from people who support the project. If you live in the area and support fossil energy, we encourage you to attend and voice your support!]

OTHER U.S. REGIONS

Petroleum electricity generation surpassed natural gas in New England during winter storm
U.S. Energy Information Administration – Today in Energy
While petroleum is a minor player nationally, it’s the MVP for New England during winter crunches. During Winter Storm Fern, petroleum took center stage as the region’s primary power source. Although New England holds a massive 20% of the U.S. oil-fired capacity, generation peaked at 8.0 GW—surpassing dedicated oil units—thanks to fuel-switching. With 41% of gas-fired plants able to burn distillate fuel oil, this pivot is crucial when natural gas is diverted to home heating. Ultimately, this oil-heavy infrastructure provides a vital safety net when the mercury drops and gas supplies become expensive. [MDN: Petroleum was the predominant energy source starting around midday on January 24 and lasting until early morning on January 26. Since then, petroleum and natural gas have been fluctuating as the primary energy source. We wrote a post about this (see 40% of New England’s Electric Generated by Oil During Winter Storm).]

New England’s clean energy connect provided little power during the storm
Institute for Energy Research
The New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC), a $1.6 billion transmission line designed to supply Massachusetts with Canadian hydropower, failed to deliver during Winter Storm Fern in January 2026. Although recently completed to help reach zero-emission goals, the line proved ineffective as Hydro-Quebec prioritized its own domestic heating needs during the extreme cold. Consequently, New England was forced to rely on oil generators for nearly 40% of its power, highlighting the region’s vulnerability after closing its last coal plant. The Institute for Energy Research argues this event underscores the reliability risks of depending on distant energy imports over domestic production. [MDN: Imagine that…Canada cut us off during the cold snap. This is one more reason why all-electric is the dumbest idea of the century.]

New England would save billions by replacing mandated renewables with nukes and natgas
The Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy
A study by New England think tanks reveals that replacing mandated renewable energy with nuclear and natural gas could save the region hundreds of billions of dollars by 2050. While the “NetZero” renewable mandate costs $815 billion and more than doubles energy prices, a nuclear approach costs $415.3 billion, and natural gas only $106.9 billion. These alternatives offer much lower price increases—ranging from 13% to 64.8%—while ensuring grid reliability and avoiding blackouts. By adopting these “reality-based” policies, New England can achieve significant emissions reductions at a fraction of the cost of current wind and solar mandates. [MDN: Click to access a copy of the research that PROVES unreliable renewables are costing New Englanders hundreds of billions of dollars.]

Poll finds New England women feel misled about climate policies
RealClearEnergy
A recent Independent Women poll highlights that 82% of New England women are facing skyrocketing electricity bills, currently 67% higher than the national average. The article attributes this crisis to aggressive state-level decarbonization mandates that prioritize intermittent renewables over more reliable energy sources. Although New England remains dependent on natural gas and nuclear power for grid stability, current policies continue to drive costs upward. To ensure future affordability and reliability, the author recommends repealing expensive green mandates and expanding natural gas and nuclear infrastructure, a shift that could potentially save the region $700 billion. [MDN: The libs of New England are beginning to feel the results of voting for leftists like Maura Healey and Janet Mills.]

Galveston LNG Bunker Port teams up with TOTE to build Jones Act bunker fleet
Splash247.com
Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) has partnered with TOTE Services to develop and operate a Jones Act-compliant fleet of LNG bunker vessels for the US Gulf Coast. This collaboration focuses on the design and construction of US-built, owned, and crewed vessels to serve GLBP’s planned terminal at Shoal Point, Texas City. As the region’s first dedicated LNG bunkering facility, it aims to meet growing demand across the Houston-Galveston port complex. With a target operational start in 2029 and a final investment decision expected by 2026, the project also prepares for future fuels like bio-LNG and e-LNG. [MDN: Bunkering is filling ships up with fuel. This is not LNG intended to be exported. This is LNG that will be used to fill ships that use LNG as fuel.]

N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill issues state of emergency on energy costs
Philadelphia (PA) WHYY NPR
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill recently issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency regarding rising energy costs and electricity supply shortages. To address record-breaking price hikes and the threat of future blackouts, the order mandates rapid expansion of solar generation and battery storage while modernizing natural gas facilities and exploring new nuclear options. Sherrill’s directive forces state regulators to expedite permits for energy projects and requires utilities to disclose power requests from data centers to curb “ghost loads.” By collaborating with regional grid operator PJM, the administration aims to stabilize the grid and lower long-term rates for residents. [MDN: Sherrill is a sock puppet for the radical environmental left. Her order proves it. She’s doubling down and prioritizing unreliable renewables over fossil energy. You can’t fix arrogant stupidness like this. You can only vote it out of office. Unfortunately, NJ is officially gone. There is no coming back. Too bad.]

It’s a new heyday for gas thanks to data centers
The Verge
The US is spearheading a global resurgence in gas-fired power, primarily to satisfy the ravenous energy appetites of AI-driven data centers. With domestic gas capacity nearly tripling in 2025, the US has overtaken China, signaling a sharp pivot from climate commitments toward fossil fuel reliance under the current administration. While billed as a “new heyday,” this expansion risks locking in long-term emissions and creating stranded assets if the AI boom cools. Consequently, 2026 is poised for record-breaking gas growth, potentially derailing international efforts to reach net-zero emissions in exchange for digital speed. [MDN: The Verge is, of course, a left-Democrat publication that supports idiotic policies like “net zero.” Still, you can’t escape the fact that, yes, data centers are spurring growth in natural gas drilling. And that’s a good thing!]

NATIONAL

USA crude oil stocks drop week on week
Rigzone
The EIA’s report for the week ending January 23 reveals that U.S. commercial crude oil inventories dropped by 2.3 million barrels to 423.8 million, roughly 3% below the five-year average. While total petroleum stocks fell by 6.3 million barrels weekly, they remain up significantly year-over-year. Refinery inputs decreased as operations hit 90.9% capacity, and crude imports fell to 5.6 million barrels per day. Despite Macquarie strategists forecasting a slight inventory build, the actual data showed tightening crude supplies alongside modest gains in gasoline and distillate stocks, while propane levels remain exceptionally high. [MDN: The obvious (to us) reason inventory dropped was likely tied to the winter storm.]

Real environmental crisis is not climate change
CO2 Coalition
Vijay Jayaraj argues that the obsession with climate change is a “luxury adventure” distracting from the Global South’s (Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania) genuine environmental crises: toxic water, land degradation, and rampant waste. He contends that while elites prioritize carbon reduction, developing nations suffer from preventable diseases like cholera due to governance failures rather than atmospheric chemistry. Jayaraj challenges the scientific consensus on CO2, suggesting that “Net Zero” policies waste vital resources needed for tangible infrastructure. Ultimately, he asserts that reliable fossil fuels are essential to power the water treatment and waste facilities required to address the immediate, life-threatening pollution burying these regions. [MDN: More brilliant insights from Vijay Jayaraj. It’s time to face facts: fossil fuels can save the Third World.]

House Judiciary Committee escalates climate litigation probe
Energy in Depth – Climate & Environment
The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, has escalated its investigation into a coordinated climate litigation campaign against the U.S. energy industry. Lawmakers issued oversight letters to judicial organizations and climate litigators, questioning the “Climate Judiciary Project’s” influence on federal judges. The committee is scrutinizing potential ethics violations, including biased training materials and improper coordination between litigators and the Environmental Law Institute. By demanding transparency regarding funding and internal communications, the probe seeks to determine if these initiatives aim to bypass legislative authority and compromise judicial impartiality to favor plaintiffs in ongoing climate lawsuits. [MDN: This is great news. They are attempting to expose the corrupt, rotten core of the Big Green movement. Follow the money!]

Prediction of liquid accumulation in a shale gas pipeline
Nature Magazine
This study investigates liquid accumulation in undulating shale gas pipelines to optimize pigging cycles. Utilizing OLGA simulations and orthogonal experimental design, researchers analyzed water and gas flow rates, pressure, and temperature. Findings identify pressure as the dominant influence, with liquid primarily gathering in uphill sections due to gravity. The authors developed a predictive power-law model that aligns with field data within a 9.47% relative error. This robust tool provides a mechanistic framework for proactive maintenance, enhancing pipeline transport efficiency and operational safety. [MDN: A study that will be of interest for midstream companies (and workers).]

INTERNATIONAL

Brent settles above $70 as Iran tensions rise
Bloomberg/Rigzone
Brent crude oil recently surged past $70 per barrel, fueled by escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. President Trump’s warnings of military strikes, combined with reports of Iranian live-fire drills near the critical Strait of Hormuz, have injected a significant geopolitical risk premium into the market. This rally, supported by supply disruptions in Kazakhstan and Venezuela, defies earlier expectations of a global oversupply. While Iran maintains a stance of retaliatory force alongside diplomatic efforts, traders are aggressively hedging against conflict, keeping prices elevated despite fluctuations in the U.S. dollar and concerns over currency debasement. [MDN: Perhaps this is related and perhaps not, but our #1 enemy in the world, China, is actively trying to undermine the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency. The financial markets (traders) and businesses like certainty. We say, that’s not the world we live in. Go live on a different planet. This world is manifestly uncertain. WTI for March climbed 3.5% to settle at $65.42 a barrel, while Brent crude for March added 3.4% to settle at $70.71 a barrel.]

Guardian questions plastic science, sparking activist feud
Energy in Depth – Climate & Environment
EID Climate reports on a “bombshell” Guardian article that casts significant doubt on scientific research regarding microplastics’ health effects. Critics now label several high-profile studies as “fundamentally unreliable” due to contamination and flawed methodologies, warning that “faulty evidence” could lead to dangerous, misguided global regulations. This revelation has triggered intense bickering among activists and researchers while exposing a web of politically charged academic research and litigation. The report details how groups like the Minderoo Foundation fund both scientific research and anti-industry lawsuits, suggesting that much of the science used to target the energy sector is deeply flawed. [MDN: So plastics may not be so bad after all. This has the radicalized nutjobs in an uproar. “Thou must not speak a word against our anti-oil & gas religion!” As we have said and continue to say: Follow the money. Minderoo is funding research (with predetermined outcomes) and lawsuits using that research. It stinks to high heaven! The Rockefeller Foundation is guilty, too. And others.]

France’s Rhone gas pipeline expects full restart later this year
Reuters
The Rhone gas pipeline, a critical distribution link between France’s Mediterranean ports and the rest of Europe, will operate at reduced capacity until at least mid-year following a late September outage. According to industry lobby FranceGaz, the pipeline is currently running below nominal power to prevent further damage, with a comprehensive inspection scheduled for March after peak winter demand. This disruption is expected to reduce gas deliveries by 43.5 terawatt hours, roughly equivalent to 11 days of France’s total winter consumption. As France serves as a vital hub for non-Russian gas (including U.S. LNG imports), a full restart remains contingent on the upcoming safety review. [MDN: Yes, a pipeline in France has the potential to affect LNG here at home. Interesting, isn’t it?]