MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, Dec 18, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Time to reconsider a NY Climate Act press release; Don’t believe Kathy Hochul’s all-too-cute claims to have U-turned on climate; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Wisconsin Senate scrutiny highlights growing concerns over Bloomberg SAAG program; Judge rules Michigan can’t shut down Line 5 pipeline in Straits of Mackinac; Lingering pessimism, uncertainty further weigh on oil and gas activity; One state’s drive to slash GHGs slams into reality, a warning to others; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas gains ahead of storage data; Short-covering lifts natgas prices today — is it just a pause?; Rinse & repeat research fails to link gas stoves and asthma…again; INTERNATIONAL: Crude climbs as US threatens Russian and Venezuelan flows; USA readies new Russia sanctions if Putin rejects deal; Trump orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers in Venezuela; O’Neill leaves Woodside to become BP CEO; Netanyahu announces $34.7 billion natural gas deal with Egypt; Europe’s ‘green’ emperor is naked and cold.
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION
Time to reconsider a NY Climate Act press release
Pragmatic Environmentalist of New York
In this article, Roger Caiazza argues that New York’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (Climate Act) is no longer viable. Citing a 2025 court decision and State Energy Planning Board findings, the author asserts that the mandated 2030 targets for emissions reductions and renewable energy are “currently infeasible” and unaffordable. Analysis suggests complying with these mandates could increase monthly household energy costs by 43% when equipment expenses are included. Despite state warnings that targets will be missed, the author claims the Hochul administration is downplaying the financial impact, necessitating a public press release to encourage legislative reconsideration. [MDN: The Climate Act is a disaster, as we predicted when it was passed and signed into law (by Andrew Cuomo) in 2019. Hochul is whistling past the graveyard by not taking action to change it.]
Don’t believe Kathy Hochul’s all-too-cute claims to have U-turned on climate
New York (NY) Post
In this opinion piece, the editorial board argues that Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent distancing from New York’s aggressive climate mandates is a deceptive political maneuver rather than a genuine policy shift. Despite her calls to “reassess” the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the author contends she is merely attempting to avoid political fallout from soaring energy costs and the looming “cap-and-invest” carbon tax. The article claims Hochul remains committed to the radical green agenda, noting that she has not proposed any legislative changes to repeal the mandates. Ultimately, it warns voters that her moderate rhetoric is a temporary “u-turn” designed for electoral survival. [MDN: Exactly right. Hochul is doing things that she hopes will help her get reelected, and once elected, will return to form, which is hard-left. We hate to say this of our beloved home state, but it’s gone. It’s toast. There is no coming back because a majority of voters keep radicals like Cuomo and now Hochul in power.]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
Wisconsin Senate scrutiny highlights growing concerns over Bloomberg SAAG program
Energy in Depth – Climate & Environment
The Wisconsin State Senate has launched a special committee to investigate the Department of Justice’s use of environmental legal fellows funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and NYU’s State Impact Center. This scrutiny centers on whether private philanthropic interests are improperly influencing public law enforcement and bypassing legislative budget authority. While proponents claim fellows work under state direction, critics argue the program lacks transparency and allows outside donors to shape climate policy. With a federal investigation and state lawsuits also pending, Wisconsin’s findings could impact the national use of privately funded staff to pursue ideological regulatory strategies. [MDN: We’ve been screaming about the bastardization of our justice system for years due to Mike Bloomberg’s bought-and-paid-for lawyers infesting state AG offices. IT MUST END.]
Judge rules Michigan can’t shut down Line 5 pipeline in Straits of Mackinac
Detroit (MI) Free Press
In a significant legal victory for Enbridge, a Michigan judge ruled that the 1953 easement allowing the Line 5 pipeline to cross the Straits of Mackinac remains valid and cannot be unilaterally revoked by the state. The decision rejects Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s 2020 attempt to shut down the dual pipelines over environmental concerns and potential oil spill risks. The judge determined that the state failed to prove Enbridge violated the easement’s terms, effectively allowing the pipeline to continue operating. While environmental groups and tribal leaders expressed disappointment, Enbridge praised the ruling as a win for regional energy security. [MDN: Another win for common sense! The judge is a Republican appointed by RINO George W. Bush. Looks like Bush got one thing right.]
Lingering pessimism, uncertainty further weigh on oil and gas activity
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
The Fourth Quarter 2025 Dallas Fed Energy Survey reports that activity in the oil and gas sector edged lower, reflecting continued pessimism and elevated uncertainty. While oil and gas production remained relatively stable, the company outlook index stayed negative at -15.2. Executive sentiment is cautious; many expect WTI oil prices to average $69 in two years, though 57 percent plan to keep employment levels steady through 2026. Efficiency gains from artificial intelligence have helped lower effective well costs, yet concerns regarding global demand, regulatory hurdles, and geopolitical risks persist as firms navigate a period of consolidation and shifting capital spending. [MDN: The Dallas Fed conducts the Dallas Fed Energy Survey quarterly to obtain an assessment of energy activity among oil and gas firms located or headquartered in the Eleventh District, which includes Texas, northern Louisiana, and southern New Mexico. It’s a good proxy for sentiment across the entire industry.]
One state’s drive to slash GHGs slams into reality, a warning to others
RBN Energy
Vermont’s 2020 Global Warming Solution Act established legally binding mandates to slash greenhouse gas emissions. To meet these targets, the state proposed a Clean Heat Standard to transition residents from heating oil and propane to electric heat pumps. However, regulators recently stalled the initiative after determining it was overly complex and prohibitively expensive. Estimates suggest program costs could reach $1 billion, disproportionately impacting low-income households in a state with aging housing and brutal winters. This situation leaves Vermont in a legal limbo, highlighting the difficult collision between ambitious climate goals and practical economic realities. [MDN: The state that elects socialist crazy Bernie Sanders to the Senate is now learning a hard lesson about the failure of their socialist policies. Reality bites hard.]
NATIONAL
U.S. natural gas gains ahead of storage data
Wall Street Journal
U.S. natural gas futures snap a four-session losing streak, with the winter weather outlook remaining the main focus. “Buying was aided by the overnight weather data trending 6-7 HDDs [heating degree days] colder, but more likely due to a technically oversold bounce,” NatGasWeather.com says in a note. The EIA’s weekly storage report tomorrow is expected to a show stocks down by 169 Bcf, according to a Wall Street Journal survey of analysts. That would be a second straight triple-digit decline and cut the inventory surplus over the five-year average to 30 Bcf from 103 Bcf the previous week. Nymex natural gas settles up 3.6% at $4.024/mmBtu. [MDN: An unexpected pleasure—the price closed above $4 yesterday.]
Short-covering lifts natgas prices today — is it just a pause?
FX Empire
Natural gas futures experienced a modest rebound on Wednesday as traders engaged in short-covering following a sharp decline to seven-week lows. While prices ticked higher, analysts suggest this move is a technical breather rather than a fundamental trend shift. Bearish factors persist, including record-high production levels and unseasonably warm weather forecasts through late December. Although domestic electricity demand offers minor support, storage inventories remain above the five-year average. Without a significant cold snap or supply tightening, the market remains in a “sell-the-rally” mode, with the path of least resistance continuing to trend downward. [MDN: This column by James Hyerczyk predicts prices will continue to trend down, not up, and that yesterday’s lift over $4 was a temporary blip. Let’s hope he’s wrong.]
Rinse & repeat research fails to link gas stoves and asthma…again
Energy in Depth
The Energy in Depth article criticizes a new study by Stanford University and PSE Healthy Energy, arguing it fails to prove a link between gas stoves and asthma. The author contends the research relies on outdated data from 2000–2016, ignoring modern efficiency standards and current appliance performance. Additionally, the article claims the study uses biased modeling that ignores other nitrogen dioxide sources while pushing a pro-electrification advocacy agenda. Citing a World Health Organization-funded review from The Lancet, the piece concludes that comprehensive health evidence does not support claims of increased respiratory risk from gas cooking. [MDN: The left lies about everything in order to push its agenda. Gas stoves causing asthma is one of the left’s whoppers.]
INTERNATIONAL
Crude climbs as US threatens Russian and Venezuelan flows
Bloomberg
Oil prices rose slightly as West Texas Intermediate settled near $56 a barrel following U.S. signals of stricter measures against Russia and a blockade of Venezuelan exports. Despite potential supply disruptions from targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” and increased naval pressure on Venezuela, market gains remained limited by an impending global supply glut. Analysts suggest the impact of these geopolitical tensions is insufficient to shift the prevailing oversupply narrative, especially with OPEC+ returning output and the IEA predicting a significant surplus. Consequently, oil stays on track for yearly losses as traders prioritize weak demand and rising inventories over regional conflicts. [MDN: Tickling the $60s again. WTI for January delivery gained 1.2% to settle at $55.94 a barrel, while Brent for February settlement climbed 1.3% to settle at $59.68 a barrel.]
USA readies new Russia sanctions if Putin rejects deal
Bloomberg
The U.S. is preparing a new round of sanctions against Russia’s energy sector to pressure President Putin into accepting a peace agreement with Ukraine. These potential measures, which may target Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers and associated traders, were discussed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and European ambassadors. While negotiators report progress on post-war security guarantees for Kyiv, significant disputes remain regarding territorial control and frozen Russian assets. Though the Kremlin suggests the conflict may be nearing an end, final approval for the sanctions rests with President Trump as he seeks to prioritize ending the war. [MDN: Putin is a liar and knows only one thing: Force. It’s time to turn the screws on him.]
Trump orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers in Venezuela
Bloomberg
President Donald Trump has escalated pressure on Venezuela by ordering a military blockade of sanctioned oil tankers, deploying a massive naval presence to choke off the nation’s primary economic lifeblood. Labeling the Maduro administration a foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. aims to destabilize the regime and curb alleged illicit activities. While Venezuela denounces the move as a violation of international law and a resource grab, the blockade has already diverted tankers and spiked oil prices. Despite the potential for hyperinflation and domestic unrest, the global oil market remains relatively stable due to Venezuela’s significantly diminished production capacity. [MDN: This is about regime change. Trump (actually Secretary of State Marco Rubio) wants Maduro, probably the world’s biggest drug lord, gone. Oil revenue keeps him in power. This is an effort at cutting him off from his revenue source.]
O’Neill leaves Woodside to become BP CEO
Rigzone
BP PLC has announced that CEO Murray Auchincloss will resign, to be succeeded by Meg O’Neill, currently the head of Woodside Energy, effective April 1, 2026. This marks BP’s second leadership change in two years, following a period of strategic shifts aimed at increasing oil and gas investment while cutting transition spending. Carol Howle will serve as interim CEO during the transition, while Woodside has appointed Liz Westcott as acting lead. BP’s board praised O’Neill’s track record at ExxonMobil and Woodside, expressing confidence that her disciplined leadership will accelerate BP’s growth and maximize shareholder value. [MDN: BP hit the wall of reality that trying to dump O&G and pursue unreliable renewables is a fool’s errand. It’s pretty much shipwrecked itself and is now chewing through CEOs to right the ship. So the company has pinched Meg O’Neill, the CEO of Australia’s biggest LNG company. Maybe BP is wising up.]
Netanyahu announces $34.7 billion natural gas deal with Egypt
Jerusalem (Israel) Times of Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved Israel’s largest-ever energy deal, a $34.7 billion agreement to export natural gas to Egypt. Announced alongside Energy Minister Eli Cohen, the historic contract is expected to funnel $18 billion into public coffers, funding education, health, and security. The deal involves American company Chevron and Israeli partners supplying gas to Egypt, positioning Israel as a regional energy superpower while contributing to regional stability. Netanyahu emphasized that the agreement ensures fair domestic pricing and met vital security needs after being delayed since October. Officials described the record export deal as a “strategic asset” for the nation. [MDN: Natural gas to the rescue…in Israel. About time that country got some good news for a change.]
Europe’s ‘green’ emperor is naked and cold
CO2 Coalition
Vijay Jayaraj argues that Europe’s “green” transition is a failing facade exposed by the harsh realities of winter. Despite decades of anti-fossil fuel rhetoric and massive investments in renewables, the continent still relies on hydrocarbons for 70% of its energy. During recent cold spells, wind generation plummeted, forcing a desperate surge in natural gas consumption to prevent grid collapse. Jayaraj highlights the “Dunkelflaute” to prove that weather-dependent energy is inadequate for industrial societies. Ultimately, he asserts that Europe only avoided catastrophe through American liquefied natural gas, proving that ideological climate mandates cannot override the physical necessity of fossil fuels. [MDN: It’s sometimes hard to keep arguing with people who refuse to see reality, but Euro weenies are (maybe) beginning to see it. Fossil fuels are not going away. That’s reality.]