** An estimated 2 million people are without power in the southeast United States and nearly 130 dead following last week’s arrival of Hurricane Helene.
** It’s possible that a man who drove an SUV into a 20-inch Energy Transfer above-ground natural gas liquids pipeline valve station in Deer Park two weeks ago was having a seizure, according to his former wife. The resulting fire burned for nearly 4 days.
** Federal regulators are alleging a major oil company CEO conspired with foreign governments to keep oil and gas prices high. On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against John B. Hess, CEO of Hess Corporation, accusing him of secretly communicating with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
** Ford will start offering customers who buy or lease an electric vehicle a free home charger and installation in an effort to relieve range anxiety.
** North Dakota regulators approve plans for a $3.2 billion plant that would convert natural gas into diesel fuel and lubricants.
** Construction is completed on a 102-mile, high-voltage transmission line connecting Wisconsin and Iowa that backers say will support renewable energy projects but opponents say will harm a wildlife refuge.
** A Michigan farmer harvesting corn earlier this month narrowly escaped a potentially deadly incident when his tractor hit a high-voltage transmission line.
** The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is sending investigators to investigate the major chemical fire that occurred on September 29 at the Bio-Lab facility in Conyers, GA. According to news reports, as many as 17,000 people in the area evacuated due to the fire and 90,000 others east of Atlanta were advised to shelter in place due to the massive plume of dark smoke from the fire.
World
** Kazakhstan is in talks with China about increasing gas exports and is even considering building an additional pipeline to boost flows, underscoring the growing significance of its role in the region’s fuel market.
** About 20 Democrats in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday urged Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum to address national security concerns posed by internet-connected vehicles produced by Chinese automakers in Mexico.
** Tesla is expected to report an 8% jump in third-quarter deliveries of its electric vehicles on Wednesday, Wall Street estimates show, driven by extended incentives and lucrative financing plans in the world’s largest auto market, China.
