MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Wed, Oct 1, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Trump’s energy secretary rails against NY green energy efforts in visit to LI power station; Data center developers still eager to call Virginia home; $2.2 billion solar plant in California scheduled to be turned off after years of wasted money; NATIONAL: Exxon to cut 2,000 jobs; Protecting national security with domestic shale energy supply; Wall Street rediscovers oil and gas; U.S. LNG feedgas demand up slightly this week despite maintenance; New tactics, but climate crusaders running out of options; INTERNATIONAL: Oil slips as OPEC+ weighs faster output hikes; UN, EU, ICJ, climate cabal want to keep the poor impoverished; Net zero hobbits encounter realities outside Middle-Earth; Ed Miliband to announce ‘total ban’ on fracking in fight against Reform.
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
Trump’s energy secretary rails against NY green energy efforts in visit to LI power station
New York (NY) Post/Brandon Cruz, Zoe Hussain
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright criticized New York’s green energy policies and high electricity costs during a visit to Long Island’s Northport Power Station, arguing that expanding natural gas infrastructure is key to affordability, cleaner air, and economic growth. Wright, a former fracking executive, said net-zero mandates and opposition to pipelines like the Constitution and Northeast Supply Enhancement projects have hurt the region, where energy costs are up to double the national average. He confirmed talks with Gov. Kathy Hochul to revive stalled projects, despite opposition from environmentalists and anti-fracking advocates, stressing that regulatory changes and public-private investment are essential. [MDN: We love it. Trump and his lieutenants, like Chris Wright, come to New York and verbally slap the idiots in this state, telling them the truth about energy. We need more visits. Maybe some folks will wake up.]
Data center developers still eager to call Virginia home
RBN Energy/Lisa Shidler
Virginia remains a magnet for data center development, with over 70 new projects underway and more than 3.4 GW of potential power demand from major campuses seeking permits or land. Developers like PowerHouse, CleanArc, EdgeCore, Yondr, AVAIO, LS Power, TECfusions, and TA Realty are advancing large-scale builds—many pushing closed-loop cooling, proposing ambitious MW targets, and navigating regulatory, utility, and environmental hurdles. Yet, rising local resistance to electricity costs, water use, zoning, and community impacts is forcing some delays or rejections. Still, the drive to build in Virginia shows little sign of slowing. [MDN: The thing about Va. data centers is that the power plants that feed them are largely gas-fired and the molecules that feed them come from the Marcellus/Utica.]
$2.2 billion solar plant in California scheduled to be turned off after years of wasted money
New York (NY) Post/Michael Kaplan
The Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California’s Mojave Desert, once hailed as a cutting-edge solar project with three towering 459-foot structures and 173,500 computer-controlled mirrors, is set to close in 2026 after failing to efficiently generate electricity. Built at a cost of $2.2 billion with $1.6 billion in federal loan guarantees, the plant relied on natural gas to operate and has been outpaced by cheaper, more efficient photovoltaic technology. Beyond inefficiency, it has caused thousands of bird deaths annually. Critics argue Ivanpah exemplifies wasteful government-subsidized energy projects and underscores the advantage of private investment in adapting new technologies. [MDN: Ivanpah is the poster child for Big Green arrogance. Where did that $1.6 billion of taxpayer money go? Inquiring minds would like to know. Who pocketed the money?]
NATIONAL
Exxon to cut 2,000 jobs
Bloomberg/Kevin Crowley, Robert Tuttle
Exxon Mobil Corp. will cut about 2,000 jobs worldwide, or 3–4% of its workforce, as part of a long-term restructuring effort to consolidate smaller offices into regional hubs and streamline operations. About half the cuts will occur in Europe, including 1,200 positions by 2027, while Canadian subsidiary Imperial Oil, 70% owned by Exxon, will eliminate 900 jobs, or 20% of its staff, saving C$150 million annually. CEO Darren Woods emphasized the plan’s goal of improving efficiency, reducing bureaucracy, and focusing on growth areas like Guyana oil, Gulf Coast LNG, and global trading. Since 2019, Exxon has cut $13.5 billion in annual costs, with further savings planned. [MDN: This is why young talent stays away from Big Oil. We understand companies becoming more efficient and profitable, but O&G tends to treat humans like widgets. Buy (or hire) when the economy is go-go, and cut (or lay off) when things get tighter. No loyalty. This is 2,000 families who will be in turmoil, wondering how they will make ends meet. This is 2,000 real people, friends, family, neighbors, who will be without a job. It’s just not right.]
Protecting national security with domestic shale energy supply
The Center Square – Pennsylvania/Lauren Jessop
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, speaking at the Shale Insight Conference in Pennsylvania, emphasized domestic shale production as vital for America’s prosperity, national security, and global peace. He argued that natural gas is the cornerstone of the Trump administration’s energy strategy, reducing reliance on adversaries like Russia and Iran while strengthening U.S. geopolitical influence. Burgum warned against overreliance on subsidized renewables, highlighting nuclear weapons proliferation and AI competition with China as greater threats than climate change. Repsol’s Francesco Gea echoed the importance of shale for U.S. and European energy security, noting the growing U.S. exports. Both stressed innovation, infrastructure, and electricity demand, particularly for AI, as key to sustaining energy dominance. [MDN: Shale energy is not only a miracle, it’s the future of energy for this country. Forget about “transitioning” to unreliable renewables.]
Wall Street rediscovers oil and gas
OilPrice.com/Tsvetana Paraskova
Investor confidence in oil and gas has rebounded as ESG enthusiasm wanes and U.S. energy policy shifts under President Trump. Once depressed by the 2020 oil crash and ESG-driven market skepticism, Big Oil’s valuations became attractive to contrarian investors. The energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underscored the enduring need for fossil fuels, prompting Exxon, Chevron, Shell, BP, and Equinor to scale back renewable commitments and refocus on oil and gas production. Renewables’ high costs and weak returns reinforced this pivot. As valuations recover, Big Oil prioritizes financial discipline, shareholder returns, and upstream expansion despite potential supply gluts. [MDN: Here’s how we would say it: Sanity has returned to the financial markets.]
U.S. LNG feedgas demand up slightly this week despite maintenance
RBN Energy/Lisa Shidler
U.S. LNG feedgas demand averaged 15.4 Bcf/d last week, up slightly despite Cove Point’s annual maintenance shutdown, which began September 20 and is expected to last about three weeks. While Cove Point intake was zero, Calcasieu Pass returned to full capacity after operating at around 85% for most of September. Other U.S. terminals remained near nameplate capacity, except Corpus Christi, which has been running at about 85% of typical utilization at its legacy terminal. With two Stage III trains online drawing 0.4 Bcf/d, Cheniere may be balancing operations by using commissioning cargoes, with potential increases expected this winter. [MDN: The more going to feedgas the better. Cove Point should be back online in around two weeks.]
New tactics, but climate crusaders running out of options
RealClearEnergy/Gary Abernathy
A recent study published in Nature claims to link specific fossil fuel and cement companies, including ExxonMobil and Chevron, to worsening global heat waves, suggesting that up to a quarter of extreme heat events since 2000 would have been “virtually impossible” without these “carbon majors.” The study’s authors argue it could bolster legal efforts to hold such companies accountable for climate-related damages. Critics, however, see this as an attempt by climate advocates to retain relevance amid cooler U.S. summers and a federal government moving away from strict climate policies, including the Trump administration’s rollback of greenhouse gas reporting and opposition to costly renewable projects. [MDN: These climate freaks are desperate, attempting to tie specific companies to global warming (warming which isn’t actually happening). They’re mentally sick.]
INTERNATIONAL
Oil slips as OPEC+ weighs faster output hikes
Bloomberg/Veena Ali-Khan, Alex Longley
Oil prices fell amid choppy trading as OPEC+ weighed faster output hikes, with WTI settling at $62.37 a barrel. The alliance may increase production by 500,000 barrels per day over three months, despite warnings from the IEA and TotalEnergies of a looming global surplus. U.S. crude output hit a record 13.6 million barrels per day in July, reinforcing oversupply concerns. Analysts expect the market to remain in surplus through 2026, though some doubt OPEC+ will fully deliver planned hikes. Russia’s limited diesel export ban provided only minor support. Brent for November settlement, which expired on Tuesday, fell 1.4% to settle at $67.02 a barrel. The more-active December contract slid 1.6% to settle at $66.03 a barrel. Prices have remained rangebound between $62 and $67 since early August. [MDN: We continue to live in the $60s. If OPEC floods the market with more oil, the price could go into the $50s. Hey, it’s their funeral.]
UN, EU, ICJ, climate cabal want to keep the poor impoverished
Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)/Paul Driessen
The article contrasts the marvel of electricity’s first use in 1882 with today’s stark global energy divide, where nearly 750 million people lack electricity and billions more endure sporadic access, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It criticizes climate-driven policies that prioritize wind and solar power over coal, gas, and nuclear, arguing these measures raise costs, shutter industries, and harm biodiversity while trapping the poor in poverty. The author denounces elites, global institutions, and “Net Zero” agendas for ignoring the human right to affordable, reliable power, urging developing nations to resist “carbon colonialism” and pursue true energy-driven prosperity. [MDN: Another great article by Paul Driessen, pointing out how it is the left that seeks to keep the poor, poor. It is conservatives who want everyone to prosper and rise above poverty. Why can’t more people see what’s in front of their eyes?]
Net zero hobbits encounter realities outside Middle-Earth
CO2 Coalition/Vijay Jayaraj
We were promised a “green” utopia free of fossil fuels, powered by sunshine and breezes. However, the net zero hobbits living in this imaginary shire were blissfully ignorant of hard realities dictated by physics, engineering and economics. The global retreat from net zero ambitions reflects growing recognition that activist-driven climate goals often clash with economic and technological realities. Airlines such as Air New Zealand and Airbus have admitted that sustainable fuels and hydrogen aircraft remain unattainable, while automakers like Stellantis and Acura are scaling back electric vehicle plans. Major banks, including HSBC, UBS, and all large U.S. lenders, have quit climate alliances, citing costs and risks, while energy giants like BP, Shell, and Enbridge pivot back to hydrocarbons. Governments, too, are reversing course, with Scotland and the U.S. rejecting unrealistic mandates. Pragmatism now favors reliable, affordable fossil fuels over unattainable green promises. [MDN: Companies and even governments everywhere (including New Zealand) are beginning to face reality and shed their unrealistic dreams of powering the world with sunshine and breezes. It’s like we’re collectively waking up from our self-imposed energy stupor.]
Ed Miliband to announce ‘total ban’ on fracking in fight against Reform
London (UK) The Daily Express/Steph Spyro
Ed Miliband is preparing to announce a permanent ban on fracking, replacing the current moratorium, as Labour seeks to challenge Reform UK’s pro-fracking stance. Fracking, which involves drilling and injecting water, sand, and chemicals to extract shale gas, has long faced public opposition due to earthquake risks and environmental concerns. Research shows 187 constituencies, including 141 Labour-held seats, could be affected if fracking were pursued, making it a politically sensitive issue. Critics argue fracking won’t reduce bills since gas prices are set globally, while polls confirm its unpopularity. Campaigners emphasize renewable energy as the sustainable alternative to secure Britain’s future. [MDN: You really can’t fix stupid. You can only defeat it. If one guy in the UK can ban fracking, then in the future (when Reform conservatives win), they can un-ban it, right? How can one person “permanently” ban fracking? It makes no sense.]