As natural gas prices fall, coal's comeback may be short-lived

Dec 30, 2022
The coal industry filled a gap in the global energy mix after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent natural gas prices to record highs.
The high prices of natural gas in Europe have sparked a coal comeback. But now gas prices are falling. Above, a coal-fired power plant near Halle, Germany.
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Europe steeled itself for high natural gas prices, but now they are falling

Dec 16, 2022
The decrease isn't because Europe is building more pipelines. In fact, you can put much of it down to luck.
Neptune, one of several ships that will serve as a floating storage and regasification unit for Germany, will allow the country to import liquefied natural gas.
Danny Gohlke/AFP via Getty Images

Chemical giant BASF is under threat after Russians turn off the gas

Oct 4, 2022
Gas rationing by the Berlin government this winter could hit the German chemical industry and dent the global economy.
BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, may be forced to grapple with natural gas rationing if Germany experiences a cold winter.
Daniel Roland/AFP via Getty Images

Europe would love to stockpile U.S. natural gas. Shipping bottlenecks stand in the way.

Oct 3, 2022
There aren't enough ships to carry liquefied natural gas, nor enough port facilities to load and unload it.
A liquefied natural gas terminal being built in Germany. Europe has a limited number of port facilities to load and unload LNG.
Focke Strangmann/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. has stored more natural gas than expected. That's good news for consumers.

Sep 23, 2022
The price of natural gas on U.S. futures markets has been falling, and we've been storing large amounts. That may come in handy this winter.
Natural gas production has been boosted by strong prices. Above, gas is flared off in Stanton, Texas.
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Germany is nationalizing its largest gas utility, Uniper

Sep 21, 2022
The country's three largest importers of Russian natural gas have received government bailouts, and similar actions may follow in Europe.
Russia's termination of gas exports has hurt Uniper along with other European energy companies.
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Europe might just be getting a handle on its Russian natural gas problem

Sep 8, 2022
European nations have managed to store gas, and the price has come down from historic highs.
European countries are using a range of strategies to decrease their reliance on Russian natural gas. In the Netherlands, above, a regasification unit converts liquefied natural gas so it can be fed into the country's natural gas network.
Siese Veenstra/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

High energy prices could threaten European utilities' ability to keep doing business

Sep 6, 2022
A reported $1.5 trillion is tied up as collateral on energy markets. That's making it hard for energy companies to operate.
Natural gas prices in Europe rose swiftly over the weekend following the announcement that Russia's state energy company Gazprom will not resume pumping natural gas through the Nord Stream pipeline. Above, a natural gas storage facility in Austria.
Alexandra Beier/Getty Images

Can't pay won't pay: Brits join civil disobedience campaign over soaring energy prices

Aug 23, 2022
A new movement aims to persuade 1 million households to refuse to pay skyrocketing bills, driven by imbalance in natural gas supplies.
A natural gas processing plant and terminals in England. The average UK household energy bill has rocketed by over 200% in the past year, with more increases looming.
Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

How natural gas cutbacks in the EU could impact U.S. farming

Jul 28, 2022
Natural gas is used to manufacture ammonia, which is a key ingredient in fertilizers.
A view shows a facility of German chemical giant BASF at the Alsachimie industrial site in Chalampe, eastern France, Jan. 17, 2022.
BENOIT TESSIER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images