UK refineries are being killed off by high carbon costs. How U.S. Blue States are following the same playbook

Britain’s downstream oil sector is shrinking in real time. Two refineries closed in 2025—Grangemouth in April and Lindsey in August—leaving only four operating sites: Fawley, Humber, Pembroke, and Stanlow. Liquid fuels still account for 47 percent of UK final energy consumption. There are no scalable near-term substitutes for diesel in freight, agriculture, and construction or […]

Continue Reading

US Hydroelectricity in Crisis: The Worst Drought in 1,200 Years Threatens Western Power Generation

A viral video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) from user @lily95075891 highlights the alarming state of Hoover Dam and the Colorado River system, warning of a potential “dead pool” scenario that could endanger water and power for millions of Americans while crippling agriculture. The post, shared amid growing concerns over the Southwest’s megadrought—the worst in […]

Continue Reading

Japan’s Japex to Expand Oil and Gas Production, Including in the U.S.

Tokyo-based Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX) today unveiled its ambitious “JAPEX Management Plan 2026-2035,” a decade-long strategy designed to quadruple its oil and gas production and position the company as a more resilient global energy player. The plan places heavy emphasis on U.S. expansion, building on the company’s recent $1.26 billion acquisition of operated […]

Continue Reading

JAPEX Buys U.S.-Owned Verdad Resources Intermediate Holdings for $1.3 Billion

In a strategic move underscoring the importance of global energy diversification, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. (JAPEX) has acquired Verdad Resources Intermediate Holdings LLC (VRIH) for approximately $1.3 billion. This deal highlights a key principle we\’ve long championed at The Energy News Beat Channel: energy security starts at home. But when domestic resources are limited—as […]

Continue Reading

Highway Robbery at the Pump

Daily Standup Top Stories Is the Trump Tariff War with China Over, and What Is the Final Impact to Investors? June 11, 2025 Clark Savage The U.S.-China trade war, a rollercoaster of tariffs, retaliations, and negotiations, has been a defining issue for global markets since President Donald Trump’s first term. With recent developments signaling a potential […]

Continue Reading