Duke Energy’s Large-Scale Powergen Expansion Adding 14 GW by 2031
Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest U.S. energy holding companies, serving 8.7 million electric customers and 1.8 million gas customers across six states. While the company dabbles in unreliable renewables like solar and wind, its bread-and-butter, go-to source for new electric power generation is natural gas, which it gets from the Marcellus/Utica. We’ve reported on many of Duke’s announced new gas-fired power plant projects (see our stories here). The company recently issued its first quarter 2026 report, which is a good opportunity for us to share a detailed list of the active gas-fired power plant and pipeline projects Duke is pursuing. Read More “Duke Energy’s Large-Scale Powergen Expansion Adding 14 GW by 2031”
In 2025, the U.S. set dual production records, with crude oil output reaching 13.6 million barrels per day and natural gas hitting 118.5 Bcf/d, making America the world’s top producer of both commodities. These milestones represent explosive growth since the early 2000s, driven entirely by the shale fracking revolution. Despite persistent predictions of failure from environmental groups, major publications like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and various analysts, the industry continuously defied skeptics through relentless technological innovation — including longer lateral wells, simultaneous multi-well fracking, and electrified equipment. With no production peak in sight, new records are anticipated for 2026. 
Yesterday, MDN brought you the big news that NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy will combine in an all-stock transaction, creating the world’s largest regulated electric utility business serving approximately 10 million customer accounts across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina (see 
AlphaGen (Alpha Generation LLC) is one of the largest independent power producers in the United States, majority-owned by ArcLight Capital Partners. It owns and operates a massive portfolio of critical power infrastructure—including natural gas-fired and floating power stations—to meet rising energy demand driven by grid electrification and data centers. Yesterday, AlphaGen and ArcLight announced they have acquired Brandywine Power, a 250 MW natural gas combined-cycle generating facility in Prince George’s County, Maryland, from Onward Energy Holdings. The plant is fed by Marcellus/Utica molecules. 
We’re facing a full-blown crisis in building new AI data centers — at least in Pennsylvania (and in many other states). How do we know? Read this story published by the Wall Street Journal yesterday: 
U.S. industrial natural gas consumption is projected to reach record highs through 2027, driven by rising manufacturing activity, particularly in the chemicals subsector. According to the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Short-Term Energy Outlook, consumption hit a record 23.6 Bcf/d in 2025 and will grow by 1.2% in 2026 and 1.7% in 2027. Although low natural gas prices spurred significant mid-2010s expansions that raised demand, recent growth has been relatively flat. Moving forward, steady increases in the natural gas-weighted manufacturing index are expected to outpace ongoing industrial efficiency improvements, ensuring gradual but consistent demand growth, with distinct winter seasonal peaks. 
This is HUGE and breaking news… NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy announced this morning that they will combine in an all-stock transaction, creating the world’s largest regulated electric utility business serving approximately 10 million customer accounts across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The combined entity, operating under the NextEra Energy name, will be over 80% regulated and benefit from enhanced scale, efficiency, and diversified growth. How much is NextEra paying for Dominion? 
If you live in Auburn Township in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, it’s a pretty safe bet that either there is or soon will be shale well drilling going on near you. The PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) published notice in the May 16 Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing it has issued a permit for one aboveground water pipeline for one driller and is seeking comments on a request for a second aboveground water pipeline for a second driller, both in Auburn Township. 
In 2015, MPLX (i.e., Marathon Petroleum) bought out and merged with the Utica Shale’s premier midstream company, MarkWest Energy, for $15 billion (see 
The left and many on the right are banking on hydrogen as the next BIG THING in energy. Hydrogen fuel cell cars and burning hydrogen to heat your home are just two applications people dream will come true in the next 25 years. Of course, they’ve been dreaming about hydrogen for more than 50 years, but the history of hydrogen is for another post. We pay attention to hydrogen because 95% of all hydrogen today is produced by steam cracking natural gas. Ergo, hydrogen has the potential to be a big, important, new customer for our molecules. Everyone and his brother continues to make predictions about the hydrogen market over the next 35 years. Norwegian company DNV has its own crystal ball prediction, the “Hydrogen Forecast to 2060.” 
Yesterday was the day. The third AI Energy Conference (which sold out) was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe in Canonsburg, PA. One of the speakers, Travis Wright, Vice President of Energy and Sustainability for QTS, said that everyday smartphone use depends on data centers. They are essential infrastructure for modern life. Blackstone-owned QTS, which operates major facilities nationwide and is planning a 1,700-acre data center campus in Luzerne County (Wilkes-Barre area), sees Appalachia as a promising market due to its workforce, energy resources, and suitability for AI-focused facilities. 
In March, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released the results of a two-year study that found radium levels in landfill wastewater (leachate) from landfills with drill cuttings do NOT pose a risk to human health (see 