NYISO: Extended Heat Wave Could Cripple NY’s Power Grid THIS Summer
New York’s electric grid faces its lowest reliability margins in recent history this summer, with only 417 MW available under baseline conditions, according to the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO). This critical situation stems from extreme weather, an aging generation fleet, and a lack of new dispatchable resources. NYISO’s annual Summer Reliability Assessment (copy below) says an extended heat wave of three days or more, with temperatures around 95 degrees, could result in a capacity deficit of -1,679 MW, increasing to -3,370 MW at 98 degrees, potentially leading to blackouts. NYISO can implement emergency measures like purchasing energy or voluntary curtailment to mitigate shortfalls, but the overall margin for error is extremely narrow. Read More “NYISO: Extended Heat Wave Could Cripple NY’s Power Grid THIS Summer”
Following the February 28 closure of the Strait of Hormuz, global and U.S. natural gas prices have sharply diverged. The shutdown halted roughly 20% of global LNG supplies, primarily from Qatar, forcing Asian and European buyers to scramble for replacement cargoes. Consequently, European TTF and Asian JKM benchmark prices surged 35% ($14.80/MMBtu) and 51% ($16.02/MMBtu), respectively. In stark contrast, U.S. Henry Hub prices fell 9%. Because U.S. LNG export terminals are already operating at near-maximum capacity, producers cannot significantly increase exports to capture these high global prices. This leaves ample gas domestically, insulating the U.S. market from international price volatility. 
In February, MDN brought you the big news that Devon Energy is buying out and merging with Coterra Energy, paying $21.4 billion in Devon stock (see 
Last May, MDN brought you the news that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) was laying the blame for a series of low-level earthquakes in southeastern Ohio on fracking at a shale well in Noble County (see 
Quick, send in the clowns. Don’t bother, they’re here.
This is really big news. Yesterday, we spotted an article in the Financial Times that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), which is the state-owned oil company of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is planning to invest “tens of billions of dollars” to build a natural gas business in the U.S., as it accelerates efforts to diversify, as the Iran war disrupts the energy industry. We’re glad we held on to that story and kept it for today, because on the heels of that story, another, bigger one broke: The UAE is resigning from OPEC and OPEC+ as of Friday, May 1. That’s huge! 
In March, Hull Street Energy (HSE) entered an agreement to acquire two peaking power plants from Rockland Capital, LP, significantly expanding its Milepost Power portfolio (see 
Once again, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is attacking the energy industry, this time setting his sights on utility companies that he falsely claims are “unfairly increasing their rates and needlessly raising costs for Pennsylvanians.” Shapiro has hired a radical National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) attorney to serve as his lapdog (Special Counsel for Energy Affordability) to attack utility companies, forcing them into bankruptcy, particularly by pressuring them to use unreliable renewables instead of cheaper fossil fuels. 
In February 2024, members of the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved a proposed project to build a 1,020-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant in the state’s Lowcountry, in Colleton County (see 
Twenty-three state attorneys general are demanding explanations from the top ratings agencies, Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P, regarding “ESG-driven” downgrades of fossil-fuel companies. They allege the agencies promote a radical climate agenda, weaponizing credit ratings with flawed methodologies to push woke ideology and UN-backed net-zero goals, rather than providing objective financial analysis. The AGs contend these downgrades contradict stated methodologies, reveal conflicts of interest arising from pledges to integrate ESG, and penalize American energy while potentially favoring entities such as Chinese-owned companies. 
In March, the Trump administration announced “South Mon,” a $17 billion natural gas-fueled facility in southwestern Pennsylvania intended to expand domestic energy production (see 
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has extended three temporary air permits for the Shell ethane cracker plant in Monaca, PA, which would have expired on April 28, 2026. The DEP did the same thing in May 2024 (see 
The highly functional and responsible Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), unlike its dysfunctional and irresponsible counterpart, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), continues to support the shale energy industry by approving water withdrawals and consumptive use requests for responsible, safe shale drilling. The SRBC published a notice in the April 25th Pennsylvania Bulletin that the Executive Director of the SRBC approved and/or renewed 46 general water use permits in March for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming counties. 
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking public comment on an Individual Stormwater Permit for a 5.8-mile natural gas pipeline in Indiana County. Serving the proposed Homer City Generation LP 4.5 GW power plant and data center, the 30-inch pipeline will traverse Black Lick, Burrell, and Center Townships, involving several stream and wetland crossings. The DEP will host a public hearing on May 12 from 5 to 7 PM at the Indiana Theater regarding Homer City Generation’s proposed 5.8-mile natural gas pipeline in Center Township. In response to this new project, local anti-fossil fuel groups are actively mobilizing. So-called “Concerned Residents of Western PA” (CROW) is holding a preparation meeting this afternoon to help “citizens” draft their public comments and build speaking confidence.