Sources say that more than 2,600 US Energy Dept employees accepted a second resignation offer.
Two sources confirmed on Thursday that more than 2,600 U.S. Department of Energy employees have accepted the second round of resignations offered by the Trump administration. The hardest hit offices were those dealing with power grid stability, and those who provide loans for high-tech projects. According to a document reviewed by, the number of staffers who took up the offer in the first round is now more than twice the original 1,217. One source said that the number of staffers could increase significantly in the coming weeks…
Glencore asks Australian Government to bail out local copper assets
Anglo-Swiss commodities company Glencore has said it has spoken to both Queensland and the Federal Government of Australia regarding the future of the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townville Copper Refinery assets. Glencore announced in October 2023 that its Mount Isa underground copper mines would be closed by the second half 2025. They cited studies and reviews which stated it was impossible to extend the mine's life. Sam Strohmayr said in…
Gas giants claim that Australia's opposition plan to reserve supplies may worsen the shortage
Gas giants around the world said that a proposal made by Australia's coalition of opposition to force producers to divert more gas from exports into the domestic market in an attempt to win votes would discourage investment and not solve the looming gas shortages. The conservative Liberal-National Coalition has pledged to lower power bills by implementing a gas reservations scheme. The center-left Labor government led by Prime Minister Anthony…
Shell warns that Australia's gas reservations plan could worsen shortages
Shell warned Tuesday that Australia's proposal to force more gas from export onto the domestic market would end up discouraging investment and worsening shortages. Energy has become a major issue in the campaign ahead of Australia's general election on May 3. The conservative Liberal-National Coalition pledged to lower power bills and avoid a shortage on the East Coast through a reservation scheme. Shell Australia Chair Cecile wake said that export controls are not the best solution.
US considers cutting funding to four of seven hydrogen hubs
According to a source familiar with the issue, the U.S. Department of Energy has considered cutting funding to four of seven hubs for hydrogen that were chosen under a $7-billion federal program. The hubs are part of the effort by former President Joe Biden to decarbonize U.S. economics. They aim to boost the production of clean hydrogen and the infrastructure required to deliver it to industrial users such as steelmakers and Cement plants. Since Trump's inauguration in January, the federal government has provided funding for clean energy projects.
Petronas still in talks with Sarawak about gas aggregator role
Malaysia's state-owned energy company Petronas announced on Saturday that it will continue discussions with multiple stakeholders after a report claiming that negotiations with Petros over the role of gas aggregator had reached a standstill. Petronas (or Petroliam Nasional) has been installed in negotiations with Petros, Sarawak’s state-run oil and gas company, since last January. The impasse raised concerns over the possible impact on Petronas revenues, which are a major source for income for the federal governments.
US Supreme Court dismisses state climate lawsuits against oil companies
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a bid from 19 Republican-led state led by Alabama, to stop five Democratic-led state from pursuing lawsuits against major oil companies for deceiving public about the role that fossil fuels played in climate change. The justices refused to hear a case filed directly at the Supreme Court by Republican attorneys general. This case targeted cases filed against Exxon Mobil and other companies such as Chevron, ConocoPhillips Shell, BP, Shell, ConocoPhillips.
Reliance Industries, India seeks to extend the setup of EV battery plants
The Mukesh Ambani conglomerate, Reliance Industries, said that its electric vehicle battery unit had asked for additional time from the federal government to build its plant. This was part of an incentive program based on production. The conglomerate failed to specify the duration of the requested extension or the reasons for the delay. Reliance received incentives from the government under its production-linked incentive scheme (PLI) in March 2022 to set up 5 gigawatts of local manufacturing for advanced chemistry cell (ACC) capacity.
The massive Simandou iron ore mine could end Australia's golden age of iron ore, or it can start a new one. Russell
It is overused to the point of being meaningless. But the Simandou mine, located in Guinea, West Africa is a game changer. It is expected that the full 120 million tons of cargo per year capacity will be reached fairly quickly. The four Simandou blocks are impressive for their size and infrastructure challenges. They boast a 620-kilometre rail line (384-mile) as well as a new port that has dedicated vessels to transship bulk carriers offshore. Simandou, however, is not just a technical marvel.
The massive Simandou iron ore mine could end Australia's golden age of iron ore, or it can start a new one. Russell
It is overused to the point of being meaningless. But the Simandou mine, located in Guinea, West Africa is going to change the iron ore seaborne market. It is expected that the full 120 million tons of cargo per year capacity will be reached fairly quickly. The four Simandou blocks are impressive for their size and infrastructure challenges. They boast a 620-kilometre rail line (384-mile) as well as a new port that has dedicated vessels to transship bulk carriers offshore. Simandou, however, is not just a technical marvel.
Malaysian PM: Petronas will adhere to contractual commitments
Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, said that Petroliam Nasional Berhad, the state-owned energy company, will continue to fulfill all contractual obligations. This was after discussions over gas distribution between Petros and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad, sparked industry concerns. The recent deadlock between Petronas (run by Petros) and Sarawak (home to 60% of Malaysia's natural gas reserves), has stirred up a lot of controversy. You can also contact us for more information.
Texas industry asks EPA for state approval of carbon storage projects
Texas oil, gas, and industrial groups asked the new EPA Administrator on Tuesday to expedite Texas' request for the approval of carbon capture and storage project instead of the Federal Government, in order to boost private investment, and unleash capture technology. The groups, which included the Texas Oil and Gas Association and Texas Association of Manufacturers asked Environmental Protection Agency Chief Lee Zeldin "to expedite and approve" Texas' application for "primacy." The state would be able to store and capture carbon underground…
What is known about Trump's Executive Orders after the swearing-in?
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, issued a series of executive orders on Monday to stamp his mark on his administration. These included directives on immigration and criminal pardons to energy. Trump pardoned around 1,500 people on Jan. 6, 2020, who stormed into the U.S. Capitol. This was a massive gesture of support for those who attacked police officers as they attempted to stop lawmakers from certifying Trump's defeat in the 2020 elections. He announced that six defendants' sentences would be shortened.
What is known about Trump’s executive orders following his swearing-in?
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, began issuing what was expected to be an avalanche of executive orders and directions on Monday as he tried to stamp his mark on his new government on issues ranging from immigration to energy. Sources familiar with the plans say that more than 200 orders and directives may be issued in a "shock and awe" campaign. Trump revoked Monday, at a rally in a sports stadium, 78 executive orders from the previous administration.
What we know about Trump’s executive orders following his swearing-in
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Monday that he will issue a series of executive orders and instructions to stamp his mark on his administration. These directives and orders are expected to cover a wide range of issues from immigration to energy. Sources familiar with the plans say that more than 200 orders and directives may be issued in what's known as an "shock-and -awe" campaign. In his inaugural address, shortly after being sworn into a second term at the White House…
Alaska sues Biden Administration over ANWR Leases
The U.S. state of Alaska has sued the Biden administration for what it calls violations of a Congressional directive to allow oil and gas development in a portion of the federal Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).Monday's lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Alaska challenges the federal government's December 2024 decision to offer oil and gas drilling leases in an area known as the coastal plain with restrictions.The lawsuit said curbs on surface use and occupancy make it "impossible or impracticable to develop" 400…
Wall Street Journal, Dec 19,
These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Woodside and Chevron announced they would streamline their oil and gas operations throughout Western Australia by announcing a stake exchange deal. This move will result in the Australian energy company exiting the $34 Billion Wheatstone LNG Project. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the pharmacy chain CVS for filling illegal prescriptions of opioids and billing federal insurance programs.
Adani allegations bring India's clean-energy conundrum to the forefront
The allegations of bribery against Adani Group's founder Gautam Adani highlight the increasing difficulty that India's renewable energy developers have in finding buyers for their power. Officials say that while India's central governments wants to move away from coal-fired power generation and towards renewable energy sources, state-owned companies in charge of supplying electricity have been slow to strike deals. U.S. officials allege that…
Canada Environment Minister warns oil companies against retaining emissions data
Canada's Environment Minister warned Wednesday that oil companies who withheld data on emissions would be violating federal law. This was after Alberta's Premier said the province had considered measures to stop a proposed cap. Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, said on Tuesday that her government will introduce a motion to the legislature to allow them to challenge Ottawa's proposed cap on oil and gas emissions. Alberta, Canada's largest oil and natural gas province, is also looking into other ways to undermine the cap should it become law.
Germany pushes 17-billion-euro gas power plan despite election uncertainty
According to sources in the government, Germany's Economy Minister pushed forward on Friday legislation that would provide billions of Euros to build gas-powered plants. However, the chances of this plan being approved by the parliament were slim. Robert Habeck, who was previously the head of the Economy and Energy Ministry, has been given a caretaker position ahead of the snap elections scheduled for February after the collapse of a governing coalition.
