** The Energy Information Administration reported an inventory build of 3.6 million barrels of crude oil for the week to July 30. This compared with analyst expectations of a 2.9-million-barrel draw. For the previous week, the EIA had estimated an inventory draw of 4.1 million barrels.
** The Department of Energy issued a proposal on Tuesday to repeal a Trump administration rule creating a new class of dishwashers that wash and dry in an hour.
** Special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry explained in an interview that former President Donald Trump’s actions caused other countries to be wary of trusting America on climate change.
** Idaho’s gasoline prices top the national average. The average price in Idaho on Monday was $3.79 per gallon and AAA Idaho says prices could top $4 a gallon later this week.
** Oil and gas exploration company Callon Petroleum Co said on Wednesday it would buy assets in the Delaware Basin from Primexx Energy Partners for $788 million, as it seeks to expand its footprint in the westernmost shale field within the Permian.
** Iranian-backed forces were suspected of seizing an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf Tuesday night, just days after Iran was blamed for a drone attack on another tanker that killed a British crew member.
** Duke Energy Corporation has announced that it will be increasing its dividend on the 16th of September to US$0.98. This takes the annual payment to 3.6% of the current stock price, which is about average for the industry.
** Russia plans to subsidise the purchase of domestically manufactured electric vehicles (EVs) to stimulate demand and production, the country’s economy ministry said on Wednesday.
** Costa Rican lawmakers this week will discuss a bill to permanently ban fossil fuel exploration and extraction, a move that would prevent future governments from pivoting on the issue as the popular eco-tourism destination country aims to decarbonize by 2050.
** A bill by Democrats Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia would expand the solar tax credit for solar roof tiles and include entire roofing systems that integrate solar power technology.
** A federal appeals court rules federal regulators need to further analyze how two proposed liquefied natural gas terminals in Texas will impact greenhouse gas emissions and low-income or minority communities.
** The Biden administration will begin reviewing oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, two months after suspending nine Trump-era leases there.
