Policy and Regulation
** The Trump administration filed a lawsuit seeking to block natural gas hookup and appliance restrictions in two California cities, arguing the local rules violate a 1975 federal law.
Power Generation and Grid
** An Anschutz Corporation subsidiary proposed a 2,000 MW gas generation facility in southern Wyoming to complement the nearby Chokecherry Sierra Madre wind project, with both positioned to meet rising electricity demand tied to data centers.
Pipelines and Carbon Capture
** Iowa’s new Republican Senate Majority Leader plans legislation allowing pipeline developers to amend planned/approved routes to secure voluntary easements and avoid eminent domain—an attempt to break gridlock over carbon pipeline development.
Oil and Markets
** North Dakota oil experts don’t expect Venezuela-related developments to affect the state’s oil production in the near term, noting it will take time to see whether U.S. companies move to tap the country’s reserves.
Petrochemicals and Emissions
** Texas is aiming to facilitate construction or expansion of 41 petrochemical plants, a buildout expected to significantly increase greenhouse-gas emissions, largely in majority-minority neighborhoods.
Offshore Wind and Permitting
** Republican U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia called the Trump administration’s pause on five offshore wind projects “terrible” timing, saying it disrupts permitting reform negotiations.
Manufacturing and Automation
** Hyundai plans to build roughly 30,000 AI-powered robots to assist on assembly lines at its Georgia factory.
Nuclear Fuel and Uranium Supply
** The U.S. Department of Energy will award orders totaling $2.7 billion over 10 years to boost domestic uranium enrichment and reduce dependence on Russian supply. American Centrifuge Operating, Orano Federal Services, General Matter, and Global Laser Enrichment received awards.
World
Crude Trade and Refining
** Chinese independent refiners are expected to shift toward heavy crude supplies including Iran to replace Venezuelan shipments halted since the U.S. removed the country’s president, according to traders and analysts.
Upstream Oil and Exploration
** Murphy Oil drilled the Hai Su Vang-2X appraisal well offshore Vietnam, confirming significant oil reserves and extending resources in the Cuu Long Basin.
Fusion and Advanced Energy
** China’s EAST program reported a major advance, achieving nuclear plasma densities that researchers say were previously thought to be beyond reach.