** Growing international demand is causing natural gas prices to rise, which will in turn push U.S. electricity prices higher now that about 40% of U.S. generation comes from natural gas, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
** U.S. imports of biodiesel and renewable diesel significantly decreased in the first half of 2025 (1H25) compared with the same period in previous years. This decline is primarily due to the loss of tax credits for imported biofuels and generally lower domestic consumption of these fuels.
** The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on its proposal to amend greater sage grouse management plans to open more public land to energy development and mining.
** Colorado adopts a new building code designed to decarbonize and increase efficiency in residential and commercial buildings without increasing housing prices.
** California regulators delay implementing rules that would require oil companies to pay penalties on excessive profits, prompting advocates’ criticism.
** The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks public comment on its proposal to lease 103 oil and gas parcels on about 73,000 acres across Colorado.
** The Trump administration cancels $679 million for offshore wind projects on the East Coast, including $39 million to upgrade a port near Norfolk, Virginia.
** The Trump administration asks a judge to strike down New York’s climate superfund law that requires energy companies to pay for climate adaptation, claiming the state looks to govern airspace beyond its borders.
World
** Toyota said on Wednesday it would build an electric vehicle model at its factory in the Czech Republic, its first fully-electric model to be made in Europe, and would also invest in a new battery assembly facility at the plant.
** Shell will not resume construction of a biofuels facility at its Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Rotterdam after an in-depth evaluation found it would not be competitive, the company said on Wednesday. The project’s construction was paused in July 2024 due to weak market conditions.
** Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, both Russia’s natural gas and coal exports have declined when compared with 2021. Russian exports to Europe have decreased most notably due to a mix of European sanctions and other policies aimed at reducing reliance on Russian energy.
** India will test the installation of battery storage systems at some coal power plants, as the country grapples with integrating massive solar capacity while maintaining reliable electricity supply, an advisor to the country’s power ministry said.
** The United States has told countries to reject a United Nations’ marine fuel emissions-cutting deal or face tariffs, visa restrictions and port levies, U.S. and European officials and sources told Reuters.