Countries Like Japan Are Removing Barriers to Ramp Up Coal Plants Amid Global LNG Crisis

As energy security concerns mount amid ongoing disruptions in the Middle East, several nations are reversing course on coal phase-outs and ramping up existing coal-fired power plants. Japan is the latest example, with the government preparing emergency measures to lift restrictions on older coal facilities for the fiscal year starting April 2026. This move comes […]

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Global Fertilizer Crisis Deepens: Strait of Hormuz Closure, Diesel Shortages, and LNG Disruptions Threaten Agriculture and Food Security

The global agriculture sector is staring down a perfect storm of fertilizer disruptions, diesel fuel shortages, and skyrocketing energy costs—all triggered by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East after “Operation Epic Fury” on February 28, 2026. What began as a geopolitical flashpoint has rapidly […]

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Refineries Under Attack Globally

Energy News Beat Special Report – March 2026 Escalating conflicts have turned oil refineries into strategic targets worldwide. Ukrainian drone campaigns continue to hammer Russian facilities, while the 2026 Iran war (U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation across the Gulf) has triggered widespread damage to refineries, terminals, and related gas infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, […]

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Black gold gushes into California as offshore bill kicks into gear following Trump executive order – But what good will it do?

Oil is flowing again off the Santa Barbara coast for the first time in over a decade. On Monday, Sable Offshore Corp. restarted the Santa Ynez Pipeline System, sending “black gold” from its Dos Cuadras Field platforms through the onshore network that ends at Pentland Station in Kern County. The move follows President Donald Trump’s […]

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Oil and Gas Markets are Upended and Recovery will be Months

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, marking what experts describe as the largest oil supply disruption in history. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to most commercial shipping since late February 2026, approximately 20 million barrels per day (mb/d) of oil and petroleum products—representing about 20% of global […]

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How Much Diesel, Gasoline, Jet Fuel, and Other Oil Products Are Actually Imported to California?

As California\’s push toward a zero-emissions future accelerates, the state\’s petroleum refining sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation. With refinery closures already underway and more potentially on the horizon, California is increasingly dependent on imported refined products to meet its massive fuel demand. This shift raises critical questions about supply stability, price volatility, and broader […]

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