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The largest US power grid PJM is moving to manage data center demand
On Tuesday, members of the PJM interconnection voted to advance a proposal to increase electricity supply to meet the 'rising demand for data centers' that threatens to overwhelm regional electricity supplies on the largest U.S. grid. PJM has been inundated with requests from Big Tech and developers over the past two years to connect data centers that are energy-intensive to the grid, which covers 13 states and DC. This has thrown the'supply-and demand balance' off, which is needed to provide power reliably and affordably to 65 million people within PJM footprint. PJM's capacity prices have risen by over 1,000% in the last few years. These are paid to power stations to ensure that they can supply 'enough power for the grid at peak demand times. PJM members voted on a non-binding basis for more than a dozen different proposals to supply 'data centers via a 'backstop - procurement process. Data center advocates and major electric utilities proposed a plan that was advanced. This plan proposed a process for procurement that would start on September 10, 2026, and end on November 20, 2026. That was also what PJM proposed. PJM encourages long-term contracts between power providers and data centers, but any?shortfall could be covered through the procurement process. The board will be informed by the votes, but ultimately it is the board that decides on the policies and terms. Members also voted to determine if and how they would reduce their energy use during times of grid stress, as well as who would pay for certain measures to connect and manage server warehouses quickly. PJM has 'proposed that data centers pay for new power supplies on the grid in order to cover their 'energy use, or agree to have their electricity cut off when the 'electricity usage of the entire grid is high enough. This will help to prevent broader blackouts. The group did vote against any of the proposed changes. Reporting by Laila K. Kearney, New York; editing by Chris Reese
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South Bow and Bridger will develop a new pipeline project to connect Wyoming with Cushing, Oklahoma
South Bow Canada and Bridger Pipeline will jointly develop a new 'pipeline project' from?Guernsey in Wyoming to Cushing in Oklahoma, Canada South Bow announced via email on Tuesday. South Bow stated that the project would be developed along an existing corridor acquired from another company. The Bridger and South Bow project teams have been working on the details and will release additional information as it becomes available. Two companies are proposing an Alberta to Guernsey oil pipeline. If it is approved, the pipeline could increase Canada's crude exports into the U.S. more than 12%. Analysts have stated that Guernsey does not represent a 'end market' for crude oil. Hence, additional links will be needed to transport oil to refinery hubs like Cushing, Oklahoma.
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Some Russian fuel prices are now over 100 roubles due to the crisis.
Sources at retail chains say that independent filling stations have started selling fuel in Russia for more than 100 rubles ($1.27) per litre, as a result of the unprecedented rise in spot prices for gasoline and diesel due to Ukrainian attacks on oil refining facilities. Fuel restrictions have been imposed across the country due to intensifying strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. Sources said that independent retailers were close to crossing the 100-rouble threshold for a litre of gasoline two weeks ago but didn't because their software wasn't configured to display?three digit prices on display panels. According to sources, the worsening conditions on the market forced these filling stations to update their technical equipment to allow them to sell gasoline and diesel for up to 120-140 rubles per litre. The prices at chain stations run by vertically integrated oil firms are not much different from the pre-crisis level: AI-92 is about 63-66 roubles a litre and AI-95, about 70-73 roubles a litre. The traders stated that these companies adhere to an informal agreement with regulators, which states: "price increases must remain within inflation's pace." Fuel is selling out fast at the oil company stations due to the price difference, which has caused them to suspend their operations until they receive another delivery. Vladimir Putin admitted that Ukraine's drone war had caused fuel shortages on Sunday. He said, however, that the authorities are addressing the issue. According to estimates by industry experts, Russia's gasoline output has been below the consumption level since May. Diesel production, however, has been at or near the consumption level. Slow wholesale deliveries further squeeze supply Industry sources claim that on the wholesale side of things, "demand is significantly greater than supply, with many purchase bids not being filled." Sources said that wholesale sales volumes of AI-92 diesel and gasoline fuel on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange are now less than half of what they were in June 2025. AI-95 volumes have also dropped by approximately a third. Delivery delays are reducing supply. Exchange participants reported that sellers are routinely delaying shipments. Delays of up to two months now seem the norm. Spot fuel is only available at those depots which have received wholesale quantities purchased on the exchange, or who still have volume stockpiled from the winter. This price is double the average SPIMEX wholesale price for such small wholesale lots.
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The largest US power grid PJM will vote on managing demand for data centers
The PJM Interconnection is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the'most important issue facing the U.S. grid operator: How to manage the 'rising demand for data centers that threatens to overwhelm regional electricity supplies. PJM has been inundated with requests from Big Tech and developers over the past two years to connect energy-intensive, data-centers to the grid covering 13 states and 'the District of Columbia. This has thrown the supply-and demand balance off needed to reliably - and affordably - supply power to 65 million people within PJM footprint. This imbalance has sent PJM's capacity prices, which power plants are paid for to ensure that they provide enough?power during peak demand periods, soaring more than 1,000% since around?2024. On Tuesday, voting members of PJM will try to decide protocols for how data centers are supplied, how they can reduce their power consumption during times of grid stress, and who is responsible for certain measures to quickly 'connect and manage' the server warehouses. PJM proposes that data centers can either pay for new power supplies on 'the grid' to cover their energy consumption or agree to have their electricity cut off if the grid is overloaded. This would help to prevent a broader blackout. A decision could be made at the meeting on the date of the "backstop" purchase. PJM encourages 'long-term contracts between data centers & power providers. However, any shortfall incurred by this process will need to be covered. The members are expected to vote around 2:30 pm EDT. Reporting by Laila KEARNEY in New York, Editing by Chris REESE
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CPC Blend Oil Exports to Decline 6% in July from June After Karachaganak Cut Output
Two trading sources reported that the Caspian Pipeline Consortium will 'export around 1.6 million barrels per day of CPC blend crude in July. This is down from the 1.7 million barrels per day planned for June, after drone damage caused a Russian gas plant to reduce production. The Russian Orenburg?gas plant normally receives gas from Kazakhstan's Karachaganak oil and gas condensate fields, which export?oil through the CPC pipeline. Karachaganak had to cut production after the Orenburg gas plant was attacked. Calculations show that daily?CPC blend oil?loadings are expected to decline by 6% from June in July. Karachaganak's production is now back to 31,000 tons per day but it remains lower than the 28,000 tons that were produced before the drone attack. This was confirmed by Askhat Khasenov of KazmunayGas which owns a stake in the oilfield operator Karachaganak Petroleum Operating. Last October, another drone attack forced the Karachaganak field to reduce its production. CPC Blend Oil loadings have been revised up by 17% from the original plan in June after the "giant Kashagan" oil field decided to delay maintenance. CPC shareholders include Russia with 31% and Kazakhstan with 20.75 %, U.S. giant Chevron with 15 %, as well as several private companies. Barbara Lewis (Reporting and editing)
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India increases petrol tax in July and cuts windfall tax on diesel
According to a government directive, India has lowered windfall tax on diesel and aviation turbine fuel exports as 'global oil prices' have eased, but increased the duty for petrol exports. Duty on diesel exports was cut from 14 to 8.5 rupies per litre. Aviation turbine fuels were set at 7.5 rupies/litre. To ensure a domestic supply, the?export tax on petrol has been raised to 4 rupees from 1.5 rupees. New rates will be effective July 1. As a result of a reduction in fears of a prolonged supply disruption, oil prices have dropped sharply since peaks of $126 per barrel. Analysts and economists predict that Brent crude oil will average $84.50 a barrel in 2026, down from the $90.44 predicted last month. (Reporting by Nikunj Ohri, Chandni Shah in Bengaluru. Mark Potter edited the article.
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German regulator moves to curb Deutsche Bahn dominance on key rail routes
Germany's network regulator is planning to limit Deutsche Bahn’s utilisation of long-distance rail on certain congested 'routes', potentially opening up the market to competitors including Italy's 'Italo' . The Bundesnetzagentur made a presentation of the proposal on Tuesday to its rail infrastructure advisory council. Before the draft becomes binding, it must be discussed with the council. This follows a complaint from the Italian high-speed railway operator Italo. Italo wants to enter Germany's market in 2028, but says it needs predictable access. The German railway company, Deutsche Bahn, controls?roughly 95% of Germany’s long-distance market. It is battling chronic delay while undergoing a decade-long network upgrade that will cost approximately EUR150 billion ($171billion). 'MINIMUM LEVEL ACCESS' The cap would apply to long-distance routes that are formally 'constrained'. It would be enforced by DB InfraGO (the infrastructure unit of Deutsche Bahn), which operates stations and tracks under the supervision of Bundesnetzagentur. The regulator stated that DB InfraGO would be able to allocate up to 60-75% of this capacity to a single user. Klaus Mueller, President of Bundesnetzagentur, said that the measure would ensure "a minimum level of competition for clock-face long distance services." DB InfraGO stated that the proposal 'would worsen existing capacity constraints and bottlenecks, with competition concentrated primarily on'major routes' while key rail hubs still lack capacity to provide wider regional connections. It stated that it would review the draft decision, and examine its options. Italo welcomed the proposal, calling it "a clear sign" that Germany is ready to compete in high-speed rail. According to the Bundesnetzagentur?Italo plans on investing EUR3.6 billion and ordering about 30 Siemens high speed trains to operate services along the Munich-Berlin route and the Munich-Dortmund route.
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Canada - June 30
These are the 'top stories' from selected Canadian newspapers. The?reports?have not been verified and?we cannot vouch for the accuracy of these stories. THE GLOBE AND MAIL Theravance Biopharma, based in Dublin, is being acquired by Vancouver-based Zymeworks for C$1.32 Billion ($927.49 Million) cash. This marks the Canadian company's entry into the respiratory illness treatment market. The deadline for the submission of a proposal to the federal government for consideration is July 1. NATIONAL POST Alberta will unveil its proposal to build a new pipeline that would transport a million barrels of oil per day to the West Coast on Thursday. This is to diversify Canada's exports to Asian markets, in the face of tariffs imposed by U.S. president Donald Trump.
EVs, plug-in hybrids' dependability issues ease but still lag gas-powered peers, study shows
Electric automobiles and plugin hybrids are seeing concerns over their dependability reducing but they still lag gaspowered lorries, a survey by an influential U.S. nonprofit company revealed on Thursday.
EVs now have 42% more problems than their gas-powered equivalents, below last year's 79%, according to the Customer Reports (CR) annual car reliability survey.
Plug-in hybrids have 70% more issues than internal combustion designs, improving from the 146% more issues it had in 2015. Internal combustion engine (ICE) lorries and hybrids stay the most trustworthy automobile types overall.
On a brand name dependability scale, which think about the weighted total problem rate, Tesla can be found in at 17th location while Rivian ranked last at 22nd.
Tesla owners reported some develop quality concerns, consisting of body hardware, paint and trim, sounds and leakages, and problems with electrical devices, the report said.
The study ranked tradition automaker Ford at the 13th position, including that its least reputable model is the F-150 Hybrid.
Japanese car manufacturers Subaru and Lexus - Toyota's. luxury brand - topped the dependability chart.
While brand name rankings can direct you to the display room, it is. vital to look at reliability for particular designs before. buying choice, said Jake Fisher, senior director. of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.
The Customer Reports survey covers 20 issue areas. consisting of engine, electrical motors, transmission and in-car. electronics. The company collected information on more than 330,000. vehicles from the 2000 to 2024 model years, with a couple of recently. presented 2025 models.
(source: Reuters)