Latest news with #U.S.EnergyDepartment
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Regulators move to scrap rules behind popular money-saving appliances: 'Raising costs dramatically for families'
To comply with an executive order from President Donald Trump, the U.S. Energy Department is preparing to eliminate rules that conserve water and improve energy efficiency. The President claims that such rules make household appliances less effective and more expensive. However, this stance conflicts with government data and industry expertise. As The New York Times reported, the Energy Department is focusing on 47 regulations the Trump administration believes are increasing costs and lowering Americans' quality of life. These regulations address everything from faucets to microwaves, air conditioners, and, oddly, even people trying out for sports teams organized for another gender. However, energy-efficiency experts say that eliminating these regulations would actually drive costs up for American consumers. Without them, running household appliances would become more expensive, draining more natural resources and adding more pollution to our environment. Andrew deLaski, the Appliance Standards Awareness Project's executive director, said in the Times report, "If this attack on consumers succeeds, President Trump would be raising costs dramatically for families as manufacturers dump energy- and water-wasting products into the market." Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency plans to eliminate Energy Star certifications for home appliances and other clean energy programs. Regulations like the 47 on the Energy Department's list described as "burdensome" and "costly" are crucial because they ensure that our planet's resources are used sustainably. They are particularly essential right now as our changing weather patterns create new environmental challenges that threaten the lives of all species. Scientific data proves that renewable energy is among the best ways to lower American families' energy costs. Energy-efficient appliances can help reduce home energy bills by 30% or more. According to government scientists cited by the Times, efficiency standards saved American households an average of $576 in 2024 while reducing U.S. energy consumption by 6.5% and public water use by 12%. Climate activists and supporters of energy efficiency aren't giving up on these important regulations without a fight. According to the Times' sources, laws prohibit the government from becoming more lenient on standards already in place. Eliminating energy standards will likely be met with legal challenges, as their supporters say doing so is illegal. Even if approved, the process would likely take months or even longer to implement. In the meantime, you can do your part to conserve resources while saving money within the comfort of your private home. Energy-efficient appliances like washers and dryers can cut utility bills and contribute to less waste and pollution. You can take your personal actions a step further by contacting your elected officials and encouraging their support for regulations that protect our clean water and energy supplies. Do you think gas stoves should be banned nationwide? No way Let each state decide I'm not sure Definitely Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Trump administration orders Michigan coal plant to stay open
DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. Energy Department ordered a Michigan coal-fired power plant to remain open, at least until late August, citing possible electricity shortfalls in the central U.S. State regulators immediately fired back, saying it's unnecessary to keep Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell plant open. It was supposed to close May 31. 'We currently produce more energy in Michigan than needed. As a result, there is no existing energy emergency in either Michigan or MISO,' said Dan Scripps, chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission. MISO stands for Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which manages the flow of electricity in 15 U.S. states and Manitoba in Canada. MISO's forecast says there should be enough electricity in the region this summer though "there is the potential for elevated risk during extreme weather." Consumers Energy is planning to close Campbell as part of a transition to cleaner energy. The power plant opened in 1962 in western Michigan's Ottawa County, near Lake Michigan. It can generate up to 1,450 megawatts of electricity to serve up to 1 million people, the utility said. 'MISO and Consumers Energy shall take all measures necessary to ensure that the Campbell Plant is available to operate,' Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Friday. "Yes, the plant will stay on and produce electricity," spokesperson Brian Wheeler said Tuesday. An environmental group, the Sierra Club, panned the government order. 'Coal is expensive, outdated and deadly. ... Consumers Energy is right to finally retire this hugely expensive plant that is costing Michiganders their lives,' attorney Greg Wannier said, referring to the health effects of coal emissions.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration orders Michigan coal plant to stay open
DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. Energy Department ordered a Michigan coal-fired power plant to remain open, at least until late August, citing possible electricity shortfalls in the central U.S. State regulators immediately fired back, saying it's unnecessary to keep Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell plant open. It was supposed to close May 31. 'We currently produce more energy in Michigan than needed. As a result, there is no existing energy emergency in either Michigan or MISO,' said Dan Scripps, chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission. MISO stands for Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which manages the flow of electricity in 15 U.S. states and Manitoba in Canada. MISO's forecast says there should be enough electricity in the region this summer though "there is the potential for elevated risk during extreme weather." Consumers Energy is planning to close Campbell as part of a transition to cleaner energy. The power plant opened in 1962 in western Michigan's Ottawa County, near Lake Michigan. It can generate up to 1,450 megawatts of electricity to serve up to 1 million people, the utility said. 'MISO and Consumers Energy shall take all measures necessary to ensure that the Campbell Plant is available to operate,' Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Friday. The utility said it will comply with the order, which expires Aug. 21. "Yes, the plant will stay on and produce electricity," spokesperson Brian Wheeler said Tuesday. An environmental group, the Sierra Club, panned the government order. 'Coal is expensive, outdated and deadly. ... Consumers Energy is right to finally retire this hugely expensive plant that is costing Michiganders their lives,' attorney Greg Wannier said, referring to the health effects of coal emissions. Ed White, The Associated Press
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What's Next for Natural Gas? EIA Data Stirs Mixed Signals
The U.S. Energy Department's latest inventory report showed a higher-than-expected increase in natural gas supplies. Despite the larger injection, natural gas prices ended the week flat. Traders balanced rising supply with signs of strengthening demand, as spring weather and regional constraints kept sentiment this time, we advise investors to focus on stocks such as Gulfport Energy GPOR, Coterra Energy CTRA and Antero Resources AR. Stockpiles held in underground storage in the lower 48 states rose by 120 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ended May 16, just over analysts' guidance of a 118 Bcf addition. The increase compared with the five-year (2020-2024) average net addition of 87 Bcf and last year's growth of 78 Bcf for the reported latest build put total natural gas stocks at 2,375 Bcf, 333 Bcf (12.3%) below the 2024 level, but 90 Bcf (3.9%) higher than the five-year total supply of natural gas averaged 111.8 Bcf per day, up 1.4 Bcf per day on a weekly basis due to an uptick in dry production and higher shipments from daily natural gas consumption climbed to 98.2 Bcf from 94.2 Bcf the week before, driven by a rise in residential and commercial use and stronger power demand due to warmer spring weather in Texas and the Southeast. Natural gas prices ended last week on a choppy note, ultimately finishing flat despite some volatility. Prices ended Friday at $3.334/MMBtu. With EIA reporting a larger-than-expected injection, traders remain cautious. Mild weather across key demand regions and strong production continue to weigh on sentiment, as cooling demand has yet to significantly ramp production remains robust, pipeline maintenance and negative spot prices in the Permian Basin have revealed regional constraints. LNG exports and rising electricity output offer some support, but are not growing fast enough to offset the storage build pace. Power burn is improving, yet cooler spring temperatures in the East and Midwest are limiting overall demand. Agreed, the market is still trying to find its balance amid oversupply pressures, but the tone may shift if forecasts continue trending warmer. Early signs of rising cooling demand and a modest drop in rig counts hint at potential tightening ahead. If a sustained heat wave develops and export flows tick higher, the market could firm up. For now, a cautiously optimistic stance seems appropriate. Investors may want to focus on companies with strong fundamentals and the flexibility to navigate this period of volatility. Gulfport Energy: Gulfport Energy is a natural gas-focused exploration and production company headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK. Operating primarily in the Utica Shale in Ohio and the SCOOP play in Oklahoma, Gulfport has emerged from bankruptcy with a stronger balance sheet and a free cash flow-oriented strategy. With more than 90% natural gas production, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company prioritizes Utica development to drive free cash flow, reduce debt and align with ESG-focused investor can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks Zacks Consensus Estimate for Gulfport Energy's 2025 earnings per share indicates a 63.6% year-over-year surge. Valued at around $3.5 billion, GPOR has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 11.5%, on Energy: It is an independent upstream operator primarily engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas. Headquartered in Houston, TX, the firm owns some 183,000 net acres in the gas-producing Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin. The Zacks #3 Ranked company's share of natural gas in its overall production is around 65%.Coterra's expected earnings per share growth rate for three to five years is currently 20.3%, which compares favorably with the industry's growth rate of 17.8%. Valued at around $18.7 billion, Coterra Energy has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 1.5%, on Resources: It is one of the leading natural gas producers in the United States. Antero Resources has more than two decades of premium low-cost drilling inventory in the prolific Appalachian Basin, indicating a strong production outlook. AR churned out 306 billion cubic feet equivalent in the most recent quarter, of which more than 60% was natural Zacks Consensus Estimate for Antero Resources' 2025 earnings per share indicates 1,609.5% year-over-year growth. Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for this #3 Ranked firm's 2025 earnings has moved up around 13.6%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Antero Resources Corporation (AR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Natural Gas Market Struggles to Find Its Footing: Here's Why
The U.S. Energy Department's latest inventory report showed a lower-than-expected increase in natural gas supplies. Despite this encouraging data, futures ended the week down, reflecting persistent concerns about soft near-term demand and record-breaking production this time, we advise investors to focus on stocks such as Expand Energy EXE, Excelerate Energy EE and Coterra Energy CTRA. Stockpiles held in underground storage in the lower 48 states rose by 16 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ended April 11, falling short of analysts' guidance of a 24 Bcf addition. The increase compared with the five-year (2020-2024) average net addition of 50 Bcf and last year's growth of 46 Bcf for the reported latest build put total natural gas stocks at 1,846 Bcf, 480 Bcf (20.6%) below the 2024 level, and 74 Bcf (3.9%) lower than the five-year total supply of natural gas averaged 112.3 Bcf per day, edging down 0.1 Bcf per day on a weekly basis due to lower shipments from Canada, offset by higher dry daily consumption fell to 103 Bcf from 108.6 Bcf in the previous week, reflecting lower residential/commercial usage on the back of warmer temperatures in the Midwest and West, and decreased power demand. Natural gas prices have been on a rocky ride lately, slipping to multi-week lows as warmer spring temperatures sweep across much of the United States. With the heating season winding down and air conditioning demand not yet fully ramped up, the commodity is facing a seasonal lull. As a matter of fact, natural gas took a hit last week, slipping almost 8% to settle at $3.249 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, marking their lowest close since January. Even the EIA's smaller-than-expected build report wasn't enough to prop up prices, as output remains high and forecasts suggest low demand continues to break records, with daily output in the Lower 48 states recently hitting an all-time high. Warmer-than-usual weather through late April is expected to keep heating demand soft, and the slow pickup in cooling needs has left traders cautious. On the positive side, robust LNG export demand and the potential expansion of U.S. export capacity—after the lifting of Biden's LNG pause by President Trump—offer longer-term support. For now, natural gas remains under pressure, caught between surging supply and lukewarm demand. As such, investors are advised to exercise caution and opt for stocks with strong fundamentals and potential to overcome the current headwinds. Expand Energy: Expand Energy has solidified itself as the largest natural gas producer in the United States, following the Chesapeake-Southwestern merger. With key assets in the Haynesville and Marcellus basins, Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) EXE is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for natural gas, driven by LNG exports, AI/data centers, EV expansion, and broader electrification can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks Zacks Consensus Estimate for Expand Energy's 2025 earnings per share indicates a 475.9% year-over-year surge. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for this firm's 2025 earnings has moved up around 19.2%.Excelerate Energy: Based in The Woodlands, TX, the company specializes in LNG infrastructure and services, focusing on Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs) and related terminals. With operations across emerging and developed markets, Excelerate Energy represents 20% of the global FSRU fleet and 5% of global regasification capacity. Founded in 2003, the company aims to expand into LNG-to-power generation and gas distribution, delivering reliable and flexible energy solutions Zacks Consensus Estimate for Excelerate Energy's 2025 earnings per share indicates 15% year-over-year growth. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for this #1 Ranked firm's 2025 earnings has moved up around 5%.Coterra Energy: It is an independent upstream operator primarily engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas. Headquartered in Houston, TX, the firm owns some 183,000 net acres in the gas-producing Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company's share of natural gas in its overall production is around 65%.Coterra's expected earnings per share growth rate for three to five years is currently 32.2%, which compares favorably with the industry's growth rate of 19.3%. Valued at around $20 billion, Coterra Energy has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 6.9%, on average. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Excelerate Energy, Inc. (EE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Expand Energy Corporation (EXE) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
