TSA Rolls Out $45 Identity Verification Option for Travelers
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that beginning February 1, 2026, any passenger who does not present an acceptable form of ID but still wants to fly will have the option to pay a $45 fee to complete identity confirmation through its modernized system, TSA Confirm.ID.
Under the policy, TSA agents will use the new verification process at security checkpoints to establish a traveler’s identity before allowing them to proceed.
Targa Resources to Buy Stakeholder Midstream for $1.25 Billion
Targa Resources said Monday it plans to buy rival pipeline company Stakeholder Midstream for $1.25 billion, marking the latest development in a surge of pipeline mergers across the southern U.S.
The company said the acquisition will expand Targa’s ability to move and store oil and gas in the Permian Basin, strengthening its regional midstream network.
Exxon Mobil Cancels Baytown Hydrogen Megaproject
Exxon Mobil has abandoned plans to build one of the world’s largest hydrogen facilities—
a blue hydrogen plant at its Baytown, Texas refining and petrochemical complex that was expected to produce 1 billion cubic feet per day.
The project, announced in 2022, had been considered a major step in producing low-carbon hydrogen backed by natural gas and carbon-capture technology.
TotalEnergies and Japanese Partners Advance Nebraska e-Natural Gas Project
TotalEnergies is partnering with Japanese firms Osaka Gas, Toho Gas, and ITOCHU to develop the Live Oak project in Nebraska.
The facility will produce electric natural gas (e-NG) — a synthetic gas created from renewable hydrogen and captured CO₂.
The new agreement grants the Japanese companies a 33% stake in the project, which TotalEnergies is developing with European green energy company TES.
Google Announces AI Data Centers in Space Under “Project Suncatcher”
Google CEO Sundar Pichai, in a Fox News interview, said the company will begin constructing AI data centers in space.
The project, called Project Suncatcher, aims to power data-intensive AI operations using direct solar energy outside Earth’s atmosphere.
IBM CEO: Data Centers Financially Impossible at Current Costs
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said global data-center economics simply do not work.
Using his own “napkin math,” he said,
“$8 trillion of CapEx means you need roughly $800 billion of profit just to pay for the interest.”
He added that at today’s costs, there is “no way” to turn a profit.
World
Tanker Carrying Russian Sunflower Oil Attacked in the Black Sea
A tanker carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia was attacked, according to the Turkish maritime authority.
The incident follows a recent wave of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ oil tankers, previously reported in the region.
Ukraine Increases Attacks on Russian Energy Infrastructure
Ukraine conducted a record number of strikes on Russian energy sites in October, including drone attacks on oil vessels in the Black Sea and an export terminal partly owned by U.S. and Kazakh shareholders.
Blackouts continue in Kyiv and other cities following renewed Russian strikes on Ukrainian power systems as U.S.-brokered peace talks progress.
Geothermal Startup Eavor Cuts Drilling Time in Germany
Geothermal developer Eavor announced it has achieved a significant reduction in drilling times at its newest German project — a development that could lower costs and speed deployment of geothermal energy globally.
Chevron Gains 40% Stake in Two Offshore Nigeria Licenses
TotalEnergies SE (TTE) expanded its global exploration partnership with Chevron, signing a farmout deal that gives Chevron a 40% stake in offshore Nigeria licenses PPL 2000 and PPL 2001.
TotalEnergies will retain operatorship.