Midstreamer Williams Rumored to be Interested in Upstream Again
Pipeline giant Williams Companies is exploring a strategic return to natural gas production to create an integrated “one-stop shop” for AI hyperscalers and data center operators. By potentially acquiring upstream assets to complement its 33,000-mile pipeline network and new power-generation projects such as the Socrates facility in Ohio, Williams aims to offer a turnkey energy solution that bypasses traditional grid constraints. This move toward a “bundled” model reverses a decade of industry specialization, positioning the firm to capitalize on the massive power demands of artificial intelligence. Investors are watching for official confirmation during the company’s 2026 analyst day tomorrow. Read More “Midstreamer Williams Rumored to be Interested in Upstream Again”
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the country’s sixth-largest power supplier and the largest public utility company, is initiating its largest-ever capital program, planning 6.2 GW of new generation (most of it natural gas-fired) to address surging demand from population growth and data centers, which are expected to double their energy usage by 2030. To replace retiring coal assets, TVA is currently building two 1.5-GW natural gas plants—one at Cumberland and one at Kingston. Most (if not all) of the natural gas that will feed these new plants, as well as not-yet-announced projects, will come from the Marcellus/Utica. 
Residents in Brookfield, Connecticut, are leading a “bipartisan” campaign to block a $272 million expansion of the Iroquois Gas Transmission System, despite national efforts to boost fossil fuel infrastructure. The project would add two compressors to an existing station, primarily increasing gas flow to New York markets. Local officials and residents, including some Republicans, cite health and safety risks due to the facility’s proximity to homes and Whisconier Middle School. Although the project has tentative state support, opponents argue that environmental impacts and explosion risks outweigh regional energy benefits, particularly since Brookfield receives no direct supply increase from the expansion. 
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Reality is finally crashing New York’s utopian green-energy party; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Phillips 66 to cut nearly 300 jobs as LA refinery shuts; Legislators introduce bill providing incentives for DE natgas generating plants; Most of Virginia restricts solar farms – Democrats want to change that; Virginia exits gas infrastructure partnership; New York Democrats propose sweeping pause on data center construction; Cheniere submits application to build massive LNG plant in Texas; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas futures retreat ahead of weekend; Nutty alarmism – the latest; US Democrats urge EU to defy Trump on oil and gas rules; Trump freeing U.S. from UN health, energy, and climate tyranny; Big Oil’s merger boom is being driven by a surprisingly small club; AI’s explosive energy demand may unexpectedly strengthen natgas; Back to energy reality – a message to leaders finally recognizing what works; Cummins halts new electrolyzer sales, citing weakening hydrogen market; INTERNATIONAL: WTI, Brent gain as talks ease conflict fears; Climate change and energy – world leaders in turmoil; Europe’s Russian gas ban is set to trigger a new wave of LNG tanker demand; Why China is building so many coal plants despite its solar and wind boom. 
The Marcellus/Utica region received a combined 22 new drilling permits last week, Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, up significantly from the 10 issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 15 new permits; Ohio issued none; and West Virginia issued 7. The drillers receiving new permits last week included: Clean Energy Exploration & Production, CNX Resources, Coterra Energy, and EQT. 
In a report coming from Luzerne County, PA (northeastern part of the state), rural landowners in Hollenback Township are allegedly being offered $175,000 per acre to sell their property for a massive artificial intelligence (AI) data center campus. This “data center takeover” has alarmed some Luzerne County residents who fear the project will destroy the area’s rural character and strain local utility resources. The high-value offers follow months of community pushback led by State Representative Jamie Walsh (a Republican), who has criticized the secrecy surrounding these large-scale developments. 
Yesterday, Shell’s chemical division reported a $66 million fourth-quarter loss, driven by weak margins and operational hurdles at its $14 billion Beaver County ethane cracker plant complex. Shell CEO Wael Sawan acknowledged the chemicals business is underperforming, making a turnaround a “top priority” for 2026. Although Shell is exploring a sale or joint venture for the Monaca facility due to its geographic isolation and high costs, no specific updates were shared during the latest earnings call. 
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Senate approved Senate Bill (SB) 704, known as the Grid Stabilization and Security Act, sponsored by Republican State Senator Gene Yaw. This legislation directs the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to collaborate to identify suitable sites for natural gas-powered electricity generation. By streamlining site preparation, the bill aims to address critical shortfalls in electricity generation on the PJM grid and attract new investment in baseload power, which has stagnated since 2019. 
On February 3, 2026, Pennsylvania’s Environmental Hearing Board (EHB) denied a motion by CNX to dismiss an appeal from James and Barbara Ullom regarding significant water loss on their Washington County property. The Ulloms allege that fracking operations at CNX’s NV110 well pad, located approximately 890 feet from their well, caused their water supply to fail (loss of water). Although the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) initially found no link, the EHB, a special court that hears appeals of DEP decisions, ruled that the Ulloms had established a prima facie case. A central legal issue remains: whether the Oil and Gas Act’s “rebuttable presumption” of liability applies to water loss or strictly to contamination. 
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (far-left Democrat) has a plan to address rising electricity costs by “increasing oversight” of investor-owned utilities, which he claims generate “excessive profits” at the expense of Pennsylvania ratepayers. That’s code for take them over and have the government (liberal Dems) run them. Last time we checked, we still live in the USA, land of the free and home of the brave. We don’t live in the USSR. 
Winter Storm Fern left a historic chill on the energy market, driving natural gas stocks in the Lower 48 down by 360 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ending January 30, 2026—the largest weekly withdrawal ever recorded in the history of the report. This massive dip, fueled by a “perfect storm” of surging heating demand and weather-related production freezes, exceeded the five-year average by a staggering 89% (170 Bcf) and pushed current inventories 1.1% below the five-year average for this time of year. 
Despite claims by anti-fossil fuelers that the Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station in southwestern PA would spread disease and death if built, it’s been up and running since 2018, producing power and generating revenue for both its builders and the community. Oh, and everyone is in good health. However, the plant has been operating under a state permit since it opened. It needs a federal Title V permit for long-term operation. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the agency that issues such a permit and is proposing to do so, which (of course) has antis’ knickers in a twist. In particular, antis complained that no public complaint sessions were scheduled. They got their wish yesterday. 