MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, Jan 15, 2026 [FREE ACCESS]

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Gov. Shapiro, lawmakers tout benefits of PA’s natural gas impact fee; Woman arrested for incident outside Utica Shale Academy; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas futures sink ahead of storage report; Climate activists push insurance bills that hike costs for consumers; State of American energy 2026; Blocking the sun – the folly of solar geoengineering; When it comes to C3, think in thirds; 2026 Energy Outlook: grid strains, price pressure, geopolitical shifts; Congress can predict our energy future by creating it; Trump says tech giants must bear cost of data center electricity; INTERNATIONAL: Oil slips after Trump signals Iran de-escalation; BP sees up to $5B impairments tied to low-carbon assets.

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION

Gov. Shapiro, lawmakers tout benefits of PA’s natural gas impact fee
Marcellus Shale Coalition
The Shapiro Administration recently announced a new round of local investments funded by Pennsylvania’s Natural Gas Impact Fee, a unique production tax that has generated nearly $3 billion for the state. Administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, the latest $14 million disbursement supports 135 projects focused on infrastructure, environmental restoration, and public safety. These grants extend benefits beyond drilling sites to all regions, including urban centers, by funding critical needs like flood mitigation, water system upgrades, and park improvements. This bipartisan policy ensures that natural gas development translates into tangible economic momentum and enhanced quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. [MDN: The impact tax (PA’s version of a severance tax) has funded a lot of projects over the years. As this article by the MSC points out, the impact tax even benefits areas of the state with no shale drilling.]

Woman arrested for incident outside Utica Shale Academy
East Liverpool (OH) The Review
On Wednesday morning, Salineville police arrested Britania Brown after she allegedly approached a Utica Shale Academy employee in a “threatening manner” outside a local gas station. Following the 9:30 a.m. incident, the academy and a nearby Head Start facility were placed on lockdown as a precaution. Chief John Marra confirmed that no one was injured and emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the community. While specific charges have not yet been released, additional security measures were implemented to ensure student safety. Authorities continue to investigate and have urged anyone with relevant information to contact the department. [MDN: We find this an odd and disturbing story. With no information to go on other than a name and location, it wouldn’t be wise to speculate as to this woman’s motivation, but we do wonder…]

NATIONAL

U.S. natural gas futures sink ahead of storage report
Wall Street Journal
U.S. natural gas futures plummeted 8.7% to settle at $3.120/mmBtu as markets anticipated weekly inventory data expected to widen the storage surplus relative to the five-year average. Despite the arrival of colder weather following a ten-day warm spell, prices were pressured downward by a combination of lower LNG feedgas flows and a projected storage withdrawal of only 87 Bcf—significantly lower than the seasonal average draw of 146 Bcf. According to NatGasWeather.com and analyst surveys, these bearish supply-demand fundamentals outweighed the shift in temperature patterns, driving the sharp contraction in Nymex pricing. [MDN: The top third of the country will have colder than average temps through the end of this month. The weather will win out in the end, just wait for it. In the meantime, we’re holding our breath that the price doesn’t break down below $3. LNG feedgas dropped yesterday due to a couple of outages, one being Freeport (no surprise there).]

Climate activists push insurance bills that hike costs for consumers
Energy in Depth – Climate & Environment
Legislators in California, New York, and Hawaii are pushing new “climate liability” bills to sue energy companies for rising home insurance premiums, claiming their production fuels climate-related costs. Critics argue these efforts are “disingenuous lawfare” that will exacerbate affordability crises rather than lower costs. Opponents, including some Democratic lawmakers and insurance experts, contend that establishing a direct legal link between specific company emissions and localized insurance spikes is scientifically unproven and legally insurmountable. Ultimately, the article suggests these lawsuits are a coordinated, impractical strategy by activists that prioritizes litigation over real solutions, potentially costing households thousands in additional energy expenses. [MDN: Again, for the millionth time, the people funding these efforts must be exposed and (preferably) locked up. They perpetuate an ongoing fraud against all Americans.]

State of American energy 2026
Energy in Depth
At the 2026 State of American Energy event, the American Petroleum Institute declared the “demand decade” is underway, driven by AI, manufacturing, and global needs. While U.S. oil and gas production reached record levels in 2025, leaders warned that outdated permitting processes and regulatory complexity threaten future energy security. API President Mike Sommers emphasized “energy realism,” noting that even climate-conscious states are prioritizing affordability and reliability. To maintain global leadership and meet a projected 35–50% surge in electricity demand by 2040, speakers urged immediate permitting reform to accelerate critical infrastructure development and ensure long-term grid stability. [MDN: We’re not big fans of the API (an organization that represents Big Oil, which often has aims contrary to the shale industry), but in this case, we travel the same road. Sounds like it was a good event.]

Blocking the sun – the folly of solar geoengineering
Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)
The startup Make Sunsets is attempting to cool the planet by releasing sulfur dioxide balloons into the stratosphere, an act of solar geoengineering inspired by volcanic cooling. While the company has secured funding, it faces intense regulatory scrutiny and legislative bans across multiple U.S. states. Opponents warn of “termination shock,” where sudden cessation of aerosols could cause catastrophic warming and biodiversity loss. Additionally, skeptics argue that current CO2 levels support vital vegetation growth, suggesting that artificial cooling might inadvertently cause global famine. Ultimately, the article warns that such environmental “fiddling” represents a dangerous hubris with potentially backfiring consequences. [MDN: The environmental left is not only unhinged, they are dangerous. They want to blot out the sun with SO2 balloons. Talk about crazy! It’s a well-established fact that throughout Earth’s history, more people have died from the cold than from the heat.]

When it comes to C3, think in thirds
RBN Energy
The U.S. propane market follows a “rule of thirds” hierarchy: one-third of hydrocarbon liquids are natural gas liquids (NGLs), and one-third of those NGLs are propane. While two-thirds of this propane is exported, one-third is consumed domestically. Within that domestic share, one-third is utilized as petrochemical feedstock for olefin production. Furthermore, nearly one-third of this petrochemical demand is driven by propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plants, which specifically convert propane into propylene. This structure highlights propane’s significance as both a major global export and a critical raw material for the domestic chemical industry. [MDN: An interestin and educative take on the propane industry in this country.]

2026 Energy Outlook: grid strains, price pressure, geopolitical shifts
Forbes
In 2026, global energy markets face significant recalibration driven by straining grids, price pressures, and geopolitical shifts. Enverus predicts oil inventories reaching pandemic levels, potentially pushing Brent prices down to $55 despite geopolitical risks. Natural gas markets will also moderate as production growth outpaces demand. Meanwhile, an AI energy demand bubble might burst, forcing grid operators to revise load forecasts downward and prompting data centers toward decentralized generation. While renewables face financial stress and bankruptcies, sectors like geothermal and gas generation show promise. Ultimately, upstream operators must prioritize efficiency as capital remains highly selective in this current transitioning landscape. [MDN: David Blackmon deconstructs the latest Enverus predictions. The summary of the article says this: “Overall, the 2026 Energy Outlook serves as a useful reminder that energy markets do not bend easily to the will of ideological pressures or over-hyped forecasts. These markets mainly respond to price signals, technological advances, geopolitical developments, and unrelenting demands for secure, affordable energy supplies. It’s bad news for activists and politicians, but good news for most everyone else.”]

Congress can predict our energy future by creating it
The Empowerment Alliance
Gary Abernathy argues that the Biden administration’s focus on renewable “scams” caused inflation and high energy costs. However, the 2024 election of Donald Trump shifted the nation toward “America First” policies and fossil fuel expansion. As the U.S. celebrates its semiquincentennial in 2026, Abernathy urges Congress to pass the Affordable, Reliable Energy Security Act (ARC-ES). He claims this legislation will codify access to affordable energy, protecting the economy from climate alarmism. By prioritizing “drill, baby, drill” over mandates, the Trump administration aims to secure a future of energy abundance and global leadership for generations. [MDN: Congress under the GOP has a short window of opportunity. They need to work at warp speed to secure our country from leftist lunatics. NOW is the time to act. Pass ARC-ES!]

Trump says tech giants must bear cost of data center electricity
Bloomberg
President Trump is addressing rising electricity costs by pressuring tech giants like Microsoft to fund the massive data centers required for the artificial intelligence boom. Asserting that consumers should not “pick up the tab,” Trump claims Microsoft will implement significant changes to ensure these companies “pay their own way.” This move comes as surging utility bills become a political liability, threatening Republican influence following recent Democratic electoral gains focused on energy affordability. As the U.S. balances its technological race with China against domestic economic unease, regulators must now determine how to distribute infrastructure costs without further burdening voters. [MDN: It’s pretty simple. Allow AI data centers to build their own gas-fired power plants on-site. Adjust regulations to allow it to happen rapidly.]

INTERNATIONAL

Oil slips after Trump signals Iran de-escalation
Bloomberg/Rigzone
Oil prices plummeted after hours, erasing a five-day rally, following President Trump’s statement that Iran had reportedly ceased its violent crackdown on protesters. This signaled a reduced likelihood of a U.S. military intervention, easing fears of supply disruptions from OPEC’s fourth-largest producer. Previously, West Texas Intermediate had climbed to $62.02 amid geopolitical tensions and rising commodity index inflows. However, the prospect of de-escalation caused prices to reverse sharply toward $59. While U.S. crude stockpiles rose by 3.4 million barrels, investors remain primarily focused on Iranian political stability rather than domestic inventory data. [MDN: Funny how reporters have to assign every up and down to some factor, mainly to DJT’s actions. Here are the facts…WTI for February delivery settled at $62.02. Brent for March settled at $66.52. They both fell after hours. But settled price is settled price. Let’s stick to the facts.]

BP sees up to $5B impairments tied to low-carbon assets
Rigzone
BP PLC expects to record $4–5 billion in fourth-quarter 2025 write-downs, primarily targeting its gas and low-carbon energy segments. This move aligns with a “reset” strategy to divest $20 billion in assets by 2027 while scaling back renewables. Recent divestments include stakes in Brazilian solar projects, U.S. onshore wind, and Dutch EV charging infrastructure. While BP anticipates higher refining margins, these gains are tempered by refinery disruptions and weak oil trading results. Overall, upstream production remains flat, as the company pivots away from aggressive green energy investments to focus on core financial stabilization and asset rationalization. [MDN: Most of the write-downs are solar and wind projects. BP has learned a hard lesson about investing in unreliable renewable energy. They could have saved themselves a few billion by reading MDN—we warned them years ago that they should stick to O&G and forget about renewables.]