Iran’s parliament has endorsed closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit point off its coast, but analysts are skeptical about the threat from a body without authority to close the strait. Why it matters: Impeding the strait would likely bring a massive spike in oil prices that would flow through to U.S. consumers. Read more in Axios here.
Colorado River ‘water market’ could bring security to farmers, fish and families: Study
Applying a market-based approach to Colorado River management could ensure more robust and reliable supplies for farmers, communities and the environment, a new study has found. Without considerable cutbacks in basin-wide water consumption, fish populations could face dire consequences for at least one month of the irrigation season, scientists warned in the study, published Friday...
DOE Opens Door to Private-Sector Demonstrations at MARVEL Nuclear Microreactor Test Bed
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is inviting private-sector nuclear developers to submit proposals for experiments and demonstrations using its Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) project. The first-of-its-kind operational test bed for advanced microreactor technologies is now 90% through its final design phase, with key components already under fabrication. Idaho National Laboratory (INL),...
Why Buying Thrifted Clothes Is Getting More Appealing
Shoppers around the world are quickly adding more used shoes, accessories and clothes to their closets. Last year, they spent $227 billion on secondhand apparel, accounting for nearly 10% of all global spending on clothes, according to a new report from online resale marketplace ThredUp Inc. The trend is set to accelerate, particularly in the US...
US Senate budget bill proposal keeps cuts to solar, wind incentives
A U.S. Senate panel proposed a full phase-out of solar and wind energy tax credits by 2028 but extended the incentive to 2036 for hydropower, nuclear and geothermal energy, which are favored by President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a draft bill circulated on Monday. The draft bill, part of a sprawling Republican budget package,...
Australian energy giant Santos gets $18.7 billion takeover bid
Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company and sovereign wealth fund have teamed with U.S. private equity firm Carlyle to make an $18.7 billion takeover bid for listed Australian energy company Santos. Why it matters: It would be one of the largest takeovers ever in Australia, and reflects how Middle Eastern oil giants are seeking to grow their...
What the Iran/Israel conflict means for U.S. energy prices going forward
Crude oil prices, maybe surprisingly, dipped modestly on Monday after spiking at the end of last week, even as Iran and Israel continue firing missiles at each other with no easy end in sight. The U.S. oil benchmark hovered around $71 per barrel on June 16—about where it started the year—but up roughly 9% from...
Solar Stocks Plunge as Senate Bill Ends Key Tax Credits Early
Shares of US solar companies fell sharply after Senate Republicans released a bill that would end clean energy tax credits earlier than expected, dashing hopes that major cuts passed by the House wouldn’t stick. Sunrun Inc., the largest US rooftop panel installer, plunged as much as 38%. SolarEdge Technologies Inc. fell 31%. Enphase Energy Incslid 21%. The new...
DOE Opens Door to Private-Sector Demonstrations at MARVEL Nuclear Microreactor Test Bed
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is inviting private-sector nuclear developers to submit proposals for experiments and demonstrations using its Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) project. The first-of-its-kind operational test bed for advanced microreactor technologies is now 90% through its final design phase, with key components already under fabrication. Idaho National Laboratory (INL),...
Google, CTC Global partner to deploy advanced conductors
Google and conductor manufacturer CTC Global on Tuesday said they are partnering to ask states, utilities and transmission developers to identify areas to deploy advanced conductors, which can carry more power than standard transmission lines but use existing towers and poles. Responses to a request for information are due on July 14, and a request for proposals...









