All articles tagged with #energy
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below recent averages, with only five vessels crossing in either direction as Iran and Oman discuss a temporary navigational corridor and mine-clearing efforts. Since late August, crossings have fallen, about 65% of Hormuz’s exports head to China, and Tehran warned the strait could stay closed unless the U.S. ends the war.
A derecho knocked out power to Gary, Indiana, with about 370,000 initially affected and over 63,000 still without power by Aug. 20, though power was later restored to nearly all residents. Meanwhile, data centers reportedly remained online, prompting questions about grid resilience and why large energy users may outpace residents during outages. The piece ties the local outage to broader trends of rising electricity costs and the growing role of data-center energy use, advocating for practical resilience through home battery backups and vigilance against policies that subsidize big energy users at the expense of consumers.
Facing renewed US trade tensions and threatened tariffs, Canada plans a deeper economic and security partnership with the EU, with talks this fall and potential collaboration on critical minerals, energy, and defence. Brussels wants diversification away from the US, but both sides acknowledge limits: a full membership remains unlikely, and any closer link may resemble Norway-style single-market access rather than membership, with the 2016 trade deal not fully ratified yet.
Trump claimed the US doesn’t need Canada, but Canada remains a major energy and trade partner, supplying much of US electricity and key resources like potash, aluminum, and auto parts. He floated 50% tariffs on Canadian cars and auto parts starting in 2027, a move Canadian leaders warned could backfire economically. Alberta and Ontario officials highlighted Canada’s leverage while cautioning against export taxes that could hurt both countries. Canada also plans to expand its electrical grid by 2050 to meet rising demand, including for AI-powered growth.
The U.S. is racing to expand natural-gas power to feed data centers, with 189 GW announced or under construction and 378 GW in development—doubling China’s pace in construction—while critics warn many projects are speculative or off-grid, potentially locking in fossil-fuel use and higher gas prices even as renewables and storage scale.
Across Nebraska and New Mexico, communities weigh the economics of data-center development against environmental and resource concerns. Nebraska’s Cass County approved a 12-month moratorium that could stall Tenaska’s potential energy/data-center project and nearby CyrusOne plans, while labor groups tout local jobs. In New Mexico, Oracle’s Project Jupiter faces a court challenge over water withdrawals, raising fears drought-stricken regions could lose farms and services. Republicans and Democrats alike frame data centers as either economic boosters or environmental risks, leading to pauses and stricter oversight of grid impacts and water use.
A Global Energy Monitor study shows gas-powered projects for US data centers more than doubled to over 189 GW by mid-2026, as tech companies lean on private, behind-the-meter gas plants to meet AI energy demand. The shift speeds up gas-fired capacity while raising climate concerns due to emissions, especially from inefficient turbines, and carries long-term risks if these projects become locked-in infrastructure despite ongoing uncertainties about financing, opposition, and turbine supply.
Fortune argues the SPR’s buffer is vanishing against physical and legal limits: with about 293 million barrels stored in salt caverns and a statutory floor of 252.4 million, only roughly 41 million barrels remain usable; rapid draws risk cavern collapse, salt creep, and sludge formation, so operations must slow to a conservative rate and be spread across multiple caverns while policy clarifies when a full emergency release is warranted.
The US is signaling sanctions on countries that buy Iranian oil, with China—the world’s largest energy consumer and Iran’s top buyer—likely to feel the most pressure. Analysts say roughly 90% of Iran’s exported oil goes to China, though Chinese imports have fallen recently as demand and refinery runs slow; India and others have also reduced purchases. Because shipping under sanctions is hard to track and the market is sensitive to price shifts, the actual impact on global oil and US energy costs remains uncertain.
Oil prices fell by more than $2 a barrel as investors booked profits after gains, despite the US expanding secondary sanctions on Iran. Brent settled at $92.17 a barrel and WTI at $85.01, with Morgan Stanley forecasting Brent could reach about $100/bbl later in the year. Analysts say the sanctions may have limited immediate impact on Iran’s oil revenues unless Tehran’s trading partners cut purchases, and they note ongoing congestion through the Strait of Hormuz as a supporting factor for prices.
Shoppers on Amazon tout Serene Herbs Gut Cleanse, a bitter soursop–based herbal detox, as helping them shed pounds, flatten their stomachs, and boost energy while reducing bloating and constipation—even claiming liver support—though the taste is notoriously nasty and many users say a chaser is needed.
Iran announced the discovery of more than 200 billion cubic metres of natural gas in Fars province, with over 160 bcm potentially recoverable, but any new production would likely take years amid disruptions to the energy infrastructure from US-Israeli strikes.
Texas regulators warn that pausing data-center connections and delaying West Texas high-voltage transmission projects could trigger rolling blackouts, higher energy prices, and stalled economic growth as data centers swell demand and complicate grid planning. Gov. Abbott ordered an audit of data-center connections, ERCOT paused Batch Zero, and lawmakers debate timelines after SOAH suggested rejecting part of the West Texas buildout. With five PUC applications pending, the outcome will influence whether the 765 kV lines and data-center growth proceed, affecting reliability for the Permian region and Houston.
Open loops—unfinished tasks and the mental hum of constant to-dos—can sap energy more than you’d expect. Psychologists say procrastination often arises from negative emotions tied to tasks and a focus on short-term discomfort, which can lead to broader consequences like stress and health issues. Experts recommend understanding your procrastination style, starting small (a five‑minute task or getting dressed for a gym session), practicing self‑compassion, and gradually building habits (even with ADHD or other conditions) to regain energy and momentum. Therapy or evidence‑based tools can help those with underlying issues, turning avoidance into sustainable action.
Oil prices fell about 2% in early Asian trading as traders lock in profits ahead of a new U.S. sanctions package targeting Iran that Scott Bessent labeled an 'economic D-Day.' The market reaction comes as Tehran signals mixed responses and authorities tighten control of Hormuz shipping; analysts warn that the measures could tighten Iranian exports if buyers are deterred, with CENTCOM noting vessel redirections and Iran warning that involvement could be an 'act of war.'