Today: 7 February 2026
Subscribe
Browse Category

Energy News 21 January 2026 - 25 January 2026

Winter storm jolts U.S. power prices as lawmakers push Big Tech to pay for AI data center electricity

Winter storm jolts U.S. power prices as lawmakers push Big Tech to pay for AI data center electricity

Wholesale electricity prices on the PJM Interconnection surged above $3,000 per megawatt hour Saturday as freezing weather strained the grid. PJM, serving 67 million people, forecast record winter demand and warned of possible outages. Dominion Energy cited severe ice risks in Virginia. The Department of Energy made over 35 gigawatts of backup generation available nationwide.
25 January 2026
··
Why electricity prices are still high in 2026 — and the fight over who pays next

Why electricity prices are still high in 2026 — and the fight over who pays next

PG&E’s average Bay Area electric bill rose nearly 70% in five years, with some areas near data centers seeing price jumps up to 267%, Fast Company reported. TIME said average U.S. monthly residential bills hit $156 in 2025, up almost 30% since 2021. Utilities cite AI data center growth and aging infrastructure. Federal heating aid dropped by a third, raising disconnection risks.
24 January 2026
··
Shell’s $20 billion Nigeria Bonga bet collides with talk of an Argentina shale exit

Shell’s $20 billion Nigeria Bonga bet collides with talk of an Argentina shale exit

Nigeria approved investment-linked incentives for Shell’s Bonga South West deepwater oil project after talks with CEO Wael Sawan, who said a final investment decision may come by 2027. Shell has approached potential buyers about selling its Vaca Muerta shale assets in Argentina, according to sources. The company declined to comment on the possible sale.
24 January 2026
···
Natural gas breaks $5 again — UNG, EQT climb as U.S. freeze looms

Natural gas breaks $5 again — UNG, EQT climb as U.S. freeze looms

U.S. natural gas futures soared 6.2% to $5.356/mmBtu Friday as traders braced for an Arctic cold snap expected to hit the eastern U.S. this weekend. Gas storage stood at 3,065 bcf after a larger-than-expected 120 bcf withdrawal last week, keeping inventories 177 bcf above the five-year average. Shares of EQT, Antero Resources, and Cheniere Energy also rose. Traders now await the next EIA storage report on Jan. 29.
23 January 2026
······
ComEd’s $15.3 billion grid plan could raise Chicago-area bills — what’s in the filing

ComEd’s $15.3 billion grid plan could raise Chicago-area bills — what’s in the filing

Commonwealth Edison submitted a $15.3 billion grid upgrade plan to Illinois regulators, covering 2028–2031. If approved, average residential bills could rise by $2.50 to $3.00 per month starting in 2028. The state review is expected to conclude by year’s end, with a separate rate filing planned for 2027. ComEd says demand is already stressing over 70 substations in its network.
23 January 2026
·
Ovo’s £2.7m payout: Vulnerable customers waited 19 months for bill support

Ovo’s £2.7m payout: Vulnerable customers waited 19 months for bill support

Ofgem ordered Ovo to pay £2.765 million after 11,646 customers, including over 7,700 on the Priority Services Register, received Warm Home Discount rebates more than 19 months late. Medically vulnerable customers and those with prepay meter failures will receive additional compensation. Payments will be made automatically. Ovo cited an internal error and said it has updated its systems.
23 January 2026
National Grid’s North Wales grid upgrade clears a planning hurdle — what the Pentir–Trawsfynydd plans include

National Grid’s North Wales grid upgrade clears a planning hurdle — what the Pentir–Trawsfynydd plans include

National Grid said four planning applications for its Pentir-to-Trawsfynydd electricity upgrade in north Wales have been validated by local authorities. The project includes a 5.8-km cable replacement under the Glaslyn Estuary and a new substation south of Bryncir. Construction could begin in summer 2026 if approved, with full operation targeted for 2030.
22 January 2026
·
Natural gas price jumps above $5 as deep-freeze forecast tightens supply — storage report looms

Natural gas price jumps above $5 as deep-freeze forecast tightens supply — storage report looms

U.S. Henry Hub natural gas futures jumped about 10% to $5.38 per mmBtu early Thursday as a late-January cold snap fueled demand and raised concerns over production freeze-offs. The February contract’s two-day rally totaled 57%, the largest on record. Traders await the U.S. storage report due at 10:30 a.m. EST. Production in the Lower 48 averaged 108.7 bcfd so far in January, down from December.
22 January 2026
···
EQT stock pops as natural gas surges on Arctic blast; what traders watch next

EQT stock pops as natural gas surges on Arctic blast; what traders watch next

EQT shares jumped 6.2% to $54.66 Wednesday as U.S. natural gas futures surged 26.7% to $3.932 per mmBtu, driven by cold-weather forecasts and short-covering. Next-day gas prices in New York nearly tripled to $11.76 per mmBtu. Meteorologists warned of a severe winter storm later this week. Traders are watching Thursday’s U.S. storage report for further direction.
21 January 2026
······
Natural gas price surges again as Arctic blast looms, lifting UNG and U.S. producers

Natural gas price surges again as Arctic blast looms, lifting UNG and U.S. producers

U.S. natural gas futures jumped about 23% Wednesday to $4.80 per mmBtu as traders bet on a major cold snap, with the Henry Hub contract up 87 cents from Tuesday. The United States Natural Gas Fund rose 8.5% and EQT gained 5%. Weather forecasts signal Arctic cold and possible production freeze-offs in Texas. Coterra and Devon are in early merger talks, according to TradingView.
21 January 2026
·········
1 2 3 4 5 … 17

Stock Market Today

IRS tax refund delays? Watchdog flags staffing crunch as 2026 filing season ramps up

IRS tax refund delays? Watchdog flags staffing crunch as 2026 filing season ramps up

7 February 2026
IRS staffing has dropped to 2021 levels as the 2026 tax filing season begins, according to a Treasury watchdog. The agency faces a backlog of about 2 million returns, 129% above pre-pandemic levels. Most e-filers using direct deposit still get refunds within 21 days, but paper filings and amended returns could see delays. The IRS lowered its call-answer target to 70% for this season.
Plug Power stock jumps 12% after vote setback, with Feb 17 share decision in focus

Plug Power stock jumps 12% after vote setback, with Feb 17 share decision in focus

7 February 2026
Plug Power shares rose 11.6% Friday to $2.08 after a sharp drop the previous day, as attention shifted to a Feb. 17 shareholder vote on expanding authorized shares. The company failed to secure enough votes earlier this week and is urging overseas holders to participate. CEO Andy Marsh cited difficulties for European investors in casting ballots. A reverse stock split remains possible if the proposal fails.
AT&T stock price: T slips after $6.5B bond sale as payrolls, CPI loom next week

AT&T stock price: T slips after $6.5B bond sale as payrolls, CPI loom next week

7 February 2026
AT&T shares closed down 0.7% at $27.13 on Friday, underperforming the S&P 500’s 1.97% gain. The company completed a $6.5 billion global notes sale this week, with maturities from 2031 to 2056 and coupons between 4.4% and 6%. Investors await delayed U.S. jobs and inflation data, along with T-Mobile’s upcoming earnings update.
Go toTop