Author: Graham Foster

Rising energy demand, inflation, and unpredictable weather conditions are driving up electricity costs more quickly than many households can manage, and experts caution that there are no straightforward solutions. Addressing this issue may require a careful approach to policies. Even if effective policies are implemented, it will take time to ease the financial pressure on consumers. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that the average residential electricity cost will reach 18 cents per kilowatt-hour by 2026, marking a 37% increase since 2020. Ray Gifford, a managing partner at a law firm and a former chair of Colorado’s Public Utilities…

By 2026, the electric utility industry is expected to experience significant growth, putting pressure on the existing power grid and its management systems, which have been in place for many years. There is a growing conflict between federal and state agencies about who should oversee this expansion, particularly as costs continue to rise. Meanwhile, the current administration is taking steps to centralize control over the energy sector, promoting an agenda of energy dominance. The articles in our 2026 forecast series provide insights into what lies ahead. This includes expected developments from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the effects of new…

Europe’s innovative nuclear start-ups are looking to shift operations to the US in search of better financing and stronger government support. They express concern over falling behind well-resourced competitors, particularly Chinese firms, in developing advanced technology. The interest in the sector has been spurred by former President Donald Trump’s support for nuclear energy and the exciting potential of small modular reactors (SMRs). This enthusiasm has caught the eye of American investors, leading to significant funding for US nuclear developers, which often surpasses what is available to European firms. Many start-ups on the continent are struggling to maintain liquidity. Some European…

ExxonMobil, known as the largest private oil firm globally, often finds itself facing criticism from climate activists. They accuse Exxon of hindering efforts to combat global warming. However, the company defends its position, stating its commitment to address climate change—considered one of the world’s significant challenges. Exxon recently announced plans for new government policies aimed at improving standards for emissions and establishing a fresh framework for carbon accounting. A new initiative, supported by Exxon and numerous other large corporations, aims to further these efforts. The question remains: will this lead to real progress in reducing emissions, or will it merely…

Federal Reserve Holds Steady Amid Pressure In an unusual winter, New York is facing freezing temperatures. Despite pressure from Donald Trump to lower interest rates, Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell stated that borrowing costs are not constraining growth and that inflation levels are holding steady. He noted the labor market is stabilizing as well. Powell’s position wasn’t without dissent. Governors Christopher Waller and Stephen Miran, allied with Trump, expressed different views. Ford’s Partnership Sparks Controversy Meanwhile, Ford’s growing ties with Chinese battery maker CATL have sparked discontent among Congress members and competing automotive companies. In Canada, oil production is booming,…

The UK government has decided to reduce subsidies for renewable energy generators by tying them to a lower inflation measure. This move aims to save taxpayer money and help lower energy bills for consumers. However, some investors believe it could undermine confidence in the market. Starting in April, payments under the renewables obligation scheme will be adjusted according to the consumer price index (CPI) instead of the retail price index (RPI). Officials estimate that this change could save approximately £270 million a year by 2030, which they describe as a necessary step due to the subsidy scheme’s rising costs, projected…

Chevron has decided not to increase its capital spending this year to speed up its expansion in Venezuela. This comes as major U.S. oil companies respond cautiously to former President Donald Trump’s call for more investments in the country. Eimear Bonner, Chevron’s chief financial officer, expressed a hopeful outlook for growth in Venezuela but emphasized the need to manage spending carefully while focusing on enhancing production from existing operations. She mentioned that Chevron currently produces 250,000 barrels of oil per day, with the potential to increase that by 50% over the next 18 to 24 months, pending additional U.S. government…

Top executives in the nuclear fuel industry are urging Europe to end its imports of enriched uranium from Russia. They are concerned that the Kremlin is leveraging its significant supply role to gain geopolitical power. Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, Europe has worked to minimize its reliance on Russian enriched uranium. However, approximately 25% of the continent’s uranium still comes from Russia, primarily due to its competitive pricing. Urenco and Orano, major Western uranium producers, are investing in new enrichment capabilities driven by a rise in demand for low-carbon energy, which is sparking…

Glencore has announced a significant increase in its copper production for the second half of the year, along with higher copper reserves, just as its discussions with Rio Tinto approach an important regulatory deadline. The two mining giants are exploring a partnership that could form the largest mining company globally, propelled by Rio Tinto’s eagerness to secure additional copper projects. In a recent market update, Glencore, based in Switzerland, stated that its copper resources have surpassed previous estimates. Gary Nagle, the company’s CEO, expressed satisfaction with the recent growth in Glencore’s copper mineral resource base. This increase includes an extra…

Lukoil has confirmed it has signed a deal with the US private equity firm Carlyle regarding the sale of its overseas assets. This decision comes in light of sanctions imposed by Washington on the Russian oil giant last year. The specific financial details of the agreement weren’t disclosed, but it involves a large array of assets. This includes oil and gas fields ranging from Iraq to Mexico, thousands of gas stations across 20 countries, and refineries located in Bulgaria and Romania. Lukoil emphasized that this agreement with Carlyle is conditional and not exclusive, meaning they are still open to negotiations…