Constellation Seeks to Keep Boston LNG Terminal Online Long-Term
A study commissioned by Constellation Energy concludes that the Everett Marine Terminal (EMT) in Massachusetts (LNG import terminal) remains critical to New England’s gas and electric reliability, particularly during peak winter demand. Constellation owns EMT. The report (full copy below) highlights EMT’s role during Winter Storm Fern in early 2025, when it prevented supply shortages and price spikes. Existing contracts with Massachusetts utilities run through 2030, costing ratepayers an estimated $946 million. The report says replacing EMT via pipeline expansion could cost $4.6–$6.1 billion. While consumer and environmental advocates favor demand-side alternatives such as electrification and efficiency, the report is skeptical, calling these strategies high-risk and unverified. Read More “Constellation Seeks to Keep Boston LNG Terminal Online Long-Term”
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. 
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.” 
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) issued its latest monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) yesterday. Using the official EIA dartboard, the STEO is the agency’s monthly best estimate of where energy prices and production will go over the next 12 months. There was a revision to the agency’s prediction about the spot price (at the Henry Hub) for natural gas in 2026 and 2027. For the second month in a row, the EIA has significantly lowered its predictions for the HH spot price. Last month, EIA predicted the spot price would average $3.67 per million British thermal units (MMBtus) this year, and $3.59 next year (see 
There’s a reason the University of California, Berkeley, is nicknamed “Berserkly.” It is a hotbed of bright red Communist philosophy and teaching. It produces people who are, well, berserk. And yet, in an unguarded moment of honesty and lucidity, a UC Berkeley researcher has just published a study outlining how natural gas from shale is saving American consumers on the order of $200 billion each year, a cumulative total of $5 trillion or more since 2007. This is astonishing — not only because of how much Americans have saved, but because UC Berkeley is willing to share that truth with the world, damaging its own reputation with the wacky, badacky left. 
Nearly half of North America’s energy leaders say political risk is the #1 barrier to growth. Yet confidence in the region rose modestly, making North America the only region in the world where confidence is rising. What’s behind this shift? Based on insights from 1,000+ global energy leaders and expert analysis, DNV’s 2026 Energy Industry Insights report shows where energy investment is accelerating, how organizations are balancing energy security with transition goals, and what this means for near?term strategic decisions. 
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts U.S. natural gas net exports will keep rising through 2027, driven by expanding LNG capacity and stronger pipeline shipments to Mexico. Net exports are projected to reach 18.7 Bcf/d in 2026 and 20.5 Bcf/d in 2027. LNG exports should average 17.0 Bcf/d in 2026, then climb again in 2027 as new projects, including Corpus Christi, Golden Pass, Port Arthur, and Rio Grande, ramp up. Europe remains the leading destination, while Mexico’s power and LNG growth support pipeline demand. Imports stay minimal, and reduced Canadian imports reflect new Canadian LNG projects and rising Appalachian production serving Northeast markets. 
Wood Mackenzie reports that geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are driving a renewed global focus on international shale exploration to enhance energy security and diversify supply. Six countries are prioritizing unconventional (shale) resource development: Algeria for European supply, and the UAE, Mexico, Australia, Turkey, and Indonesia for domestic energy independence. This “Global Shale 2.0” differs from past attempts due to improved technology, a clearer understanding of viable plays, and less competition from new Permian-scale discoveries, encouraging investment where regulatory and fiscal terms align with national interests. 
From time to time, we highlight research with the potential to impact the Marcellus/Utica region. In 2023, we told you about Japanese researchers discovering a new (and cheaper) way to convert natural gas into methanol at room temperature in water using a special enzyme (see 
The Trump administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget would establish four Centers of Excellence at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), focusing on oil and natural gas, coal, critical minerals, and geothermal energy. Pittsburgh’s South Park facility will house the oil and gas center, while Morgantown, West Virginia, will host the coal center. NETL’s infrastructure funding will rise 2% to $58 million, but research operations will face an 8% cut to $80 million. Programs supporting coal-impacted communities and clean hydrogen hubs would be eliminated. Industry groups, including the Marcellus Shale Coalition and Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, praised the administration’s energy-focused direction. 