Just in time for the potentially crippling storm hitting the Southern Half of the United States, this podcast interview with Dr. Brett Bennett of the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlights the money spent on wind and solar, but not on resilience.

While significant improvements have been made to the ERCOT Grid system, a fundamental issue remains.

We have about $150 Billion in wind, solar, and batteries, and if we had spent only 25% less on renewables and put that toward resilience, we would not have concerns about grid stability. We are about to see how the grid holds up in this new storm rolling in this weekend.

Key topics include:

The main topics discussed in this transcript are:

1. The reliability and resilience of the Texas electricity grid:

- Dr. Bennett discusses how the Texas grid is still vulnerable to major winter storms, despite some operational improvements since the 2021 Winter Storm Uri.

- He explains that the underlying market design issues have not been adequately addressed, leading to a growing capacity gap and over-reliance on intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar that are not well-suited for winter peak demand.

2. The need to properly value reliability in the Texas electricity market:

- Dr. Bennett emphasizes that the current market structure overvalues cheap, intermittent energy sources like wind and solar, while undervaluing the reliability provided by dispatchable generation like natural gas.

- He argues that policymakers need to require wind and solar generators to meet certain reliability standards and pay for the transmission infrastructure they require.

3. The growth of data centers and their impact on the grid:

- We discuss the rapid growth of data centers in Texas and how they can be an asset or a liability for the grid, depending on how they are integrated and how they contribute to infrastructure costs.

- Dr. Bennett suggests that data centers should be required to pay their fair share for grid infrastructure and manage their energy usage to help reduce system volatility.

4. Decommissioning of wind turbines and managing the energy transition:

- The discussion touches on the growing issue of wind turbine decommissioning and disposal, noting that Texas has started to build a regulatory framework around this, but more work is needed.

- Dr. Bennett suggests that getting the market design right is key to ensuring a smooth and cost-effective energy transition, rather than relying on subsidies and policies that can distort investment signals.

Overall, our discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the key challenges facing the Texas electricity grid and the policy changes that Dr. Bennett believes are necessary to ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable power system for Texas.

Check out The Texas Public Policy Foundation https://www.texaspolicy.com/

Check out Dr. Bennett's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bennett/

Check out the Substack https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/

Full transcript: https://energynewsbeat.co/

On this episode of the Energy News Beat Stand Up, I cover the key issues around Davos, Greenland, and some investing stories around Oil Field Service Companies, and why this is important.

The main topics discussed in this podcast are:

1. President Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he promoted America’s energy dominance and criticized policies like net zero emissions targets.

2. The potential acquisition or deal regarding Greenland, which the host suggests could be called the “Green New Deal” as a joke.

3. We give Newsom a shout-out as ourcriticism of California’s energy policies and the potential energy crisis in the state has helped our numbers and new subscribers.

4. Analysis of several oil and gas services stocks, including Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, and Liberty Energy. Liberty has successfully been changing its business model, and I am interviewing its CEO again in a few weeks. The nimble, profitable companies will thrive and survive.

5. Updates on crude oil inventory levels and energy market prices.

00:38 President Trump's Davos speech

2:18 Can we call Greenland acquisition “The Green New Deal” just to mess with folks

05:03 Trump takes aim at Net Zero

06:28 Greenland Deal specifics and update

09:03 Gavin Newsom and President Trump Showdown is on deck

14:06 Post-Maduro Capture is a good time to look at Oil Field Service Stocks

21:04 Oil inventories up

1.Trump’s Speech at Davos Sets the Choice of Grow Baby Grow or Keep Doing What You’re Doing

2.Trump Takes Aim at Britain’s Net Zero Agenda in Davos Tirade

3.Negotiations Over Greenland Are Moving in a Positive Direction, Says Trump

4.Trump vs. Newsom Energy Showdown is About to Start

5.Post Maduro Capture, Venezuela Is Not the Only Reason to Own Oil Field Services Stocks

6.US Crude Oil Inventories Up

This is a brief part of the admission that they have failed, but the key point is that the once-great poster child of the Green New Deal has admitted they cannot go on under the old ways.

But whether they will change is the key.

Check out the Energy News Beat Substack: https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/p/the-davos-crowd-just-got-the-royal

It is clear that the Davos trip was wild. We will cover it on The Energy Realities Podcast on Monday, and I will have more clips and try to dig deeper into the highlights.

Mark Carney and Gavin Newsom's behavior proves that they are not going quietly into the night, but will fight to be “stupid,” to use a Trumpism.

Thank you to all of our great subscribers, patrons, and Steve Reese at the Reese Energy Consulting for sponsoring the Energy News Beat Podcast.

Get your CEO on the podcast: https://sandstoneassetmgmt.com/media/

Is oil and gas right for your portolio? https://sandstoneassetmgmt.com/invest-in-oil-and-gas/

This interview on the Energy News Beat Podcast, Conversations in Energy with Stu Turley, has a globally impactful discussion around oil and leadership.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Doug Sandridge, the founder of Oil and Gas Executives for Nuclear, shares his firsthand observations from a recent 16-day trip to Saudi Arabia. Sandridge provides a fascinating insider's perspective on the dramatic changes transforming Saudi society and the country's energy landscape.

From the openness and modernization of Saudi cities to the kingdom's strategic shift towards developing its natural gas resources and renewable energy, Sandridge paints a picture of a nation rapidly evolving. The conversation also delves into the critical importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, as well as the broader global energy dynamics at play. Sandridge offers insights on the misconceptions around an "energy transition" away from fossil fuels, the volatility in oil markets, and Saudi Arabia's historical role as a stabilizing force.

This interview offers a unique window into the shifting sands of the energy world, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a pivotal player on the global stage.

As Stu Turley has been talking about, Saudi Arabia is critical to the new trading blocs and to new markets for growth. The new trading blocs are critical, and oil, gas, and nuclear are at the forefront. Providing the lowest-cost energy with the least environmental impact is critical.

Check out Oil and Gas Executives for Nuclear: https://executives4nuclear.com/

Also Connect with Doug on his LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-c-sandridge-63996312/

Subscribe to his Substack here: https://douglascsandridge.substack.com/

Check out the video from the trip: https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/

You won't want to miss this episode of the Energy News Beat Podcast, where Michael Tanner and Stu Turley cover some of the biggest stories in the energy markets today.

The main topics discussed in this podcast are:

1. The oil and gas industry, particularly the challenges faced by oil producers due to low oil prices. This is evidenced by the discussion around Harold Ham's comments about the need to stop drilling when profit margins are low.

2. Geopolitical issues related to Venezuela, including the U.S. intervention and its impact on oil production and exports. The hosts discuss how this has affected Exxon's operations in neighboring Guyana.

3. Developments in the Canadian oil and gas sector, including the increasing trade ties between Canada and China, as well as the potential impact on Canada's energy exports.

4. Mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. shale industry, specifically the potential deal between Devon Energy and Coterra Energy, and the strategic rationale behind such consolidation.

5. Technological advancements in oil and gas exploration and production, such as the use of lasers for deep well drilling.

6. The broader geopolitical landscape and the shifting power dynamics, as discussed in the context of Mark Carney's comments on a "new world order". This will not end well for Carney.

Time Stamps:

00:17 Challenges facing oil producers due to low oil prices

04:42 Why Exxon and Chevron are holding stock prices up while oil is down

09:25 USGS discovers new oil and gas deposits in Texas

13:18 Carney's Canadian carnage - what did he mean by new world order?

19:01 US seizes another dark fleet tanker

21:01 Finance Section and M&A deals

All of the stories covered can be found at

https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/

and

https://energynewsbeat.co/

1.Harold Hamm Says There Is No Need to Drill at $58 per Barrel

2.Why Chevron and Exxon are Holding Their Stock Price Even When Oil is Holding at $60 to $65?

3.USGS Unveils Massive Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources in Texas’ Permian Basin

4.Mitsubishi Enters U.S. Shale With $5.2 Billion Haynesville Gas Deal: What Does This Mean for Investors and Consumers?

5.Carney’s Canadian Carnage: What He Means By a ‘New…world…order’ – David Blackmon

6.US Seizes Another Dark Fleet Tanker: Tightening the Grip on Sanctioned Oil Flows

Shout out to Steve Reese and Reese Energy Consulting for Sponsoring the Energy News Beat Stand UP Podcast.

The old way of doing business would not have changed the global markets.

What a day on the news Desk! In this edition of the Energy News Beat Stand Up, we cover several key stories.

1. How President Trump changed the global oil market and his actions regarding Venezuela’s oil exports. The transcript discusses how the Trump administration captured Venezuela’s President Maduro and used new financial mechanisms to bypass the old system and fund Venezuela’s oil exports.

Add to the mix that OPEC is looking to change the pricing models and matrices to use production and refinery demand, oh, like going back to supply and demand basics. As OPEC and OPEC+ were unable to increase production even with higher quotas last year. How is OPEC going to handle the pricing when President Trump’s Administration is managing the flow of oil for one of its members? Is the US now a de facto member of OPEC?

So the new financial mechanisms put in place are now accelerated through the use of Qatar’s banking and the funding of Venezuelan oil money to bypass the old system, royalties, and ownership claims, all through a veil of legal protections.

Norway’s decision to award 57 new offshore oil and gas exploration permits reversed its previous plans to shut down the industry. The transcript highlights Norway’s commitment to maintaining high levels of oil and gas production.

3. The potential implications if the U.S. were to leverage its NATO membership to purchase Greenland. The transcript discusses the high financial and military costs Europe would face if the U.S. were to leave NATO. President Trump would not have to go to war if he cut a deal with them.

4. A study showing that New England ratepayers could save $400-700 billion by replacing wind, solar, and nuclear power with natural gas and nuclear power.

5. Tesla’s progress in building a lithium refinery in Texas that will produce enough battery-grade lithium to power around 1 million electric vehicles per year. This is an outstanding story about cleaner lithium, done in Texas, which is one of the reasons I watch Tesla Stocks.

Time Stamps'

00:27 Sale of Venezuelan Oil, new markets in control

05:10 Norway ads 57 Drilling permits and expands oil and gas

07:12 What if President Trump uses NATO Membership as leverage for Greenland?

10:25 New England Rate Payers would save 700 Billion getting rid of wind and solar

13:30 Testla Lithium Refinery online

17:33 Stock Charts

Stories and their links:

1.How President Trump Changed the Global Oil Market and Sold Venezuelan Oil

2.Norway Awards 57 Drilling Permits in Offshore Oil, Gas Exploration Round

3.What If President Trump Uses NATO Membership as Leverage to Buy Greenland?

4.New England Ratepayers Would Save Up to $700 Billion Replacing Wind, Solar with Natural Gas, Nuclear

5.Tesla Lithium Refinery Steps Up to the Plate and Hits a Home Run for Energy Dominance in North America

Tomorrow I am interviewing Doug Sandridge, Oil and Gas Executives for Nuclear Founder, who just got back from Saudi Arabia. We are going to talk about their latest news and what is going on with oil.

Thanks to Steve Reese and the Reese Energy Consulting Group for Sponsoring the Energy News Beat Podcast in 2026.

There are wild changes in the oil and gas markets right now. Michael Tanner and Stu Turley cover the Iranian Revolution, key points about Venezuela, and the shift in markets following the US decision to allow the sale of Venezuelan oil on the open market. This has a second-order effect on the U.S. Dollar: the control of the oil markets and the question of whether China will buy oil from the US at market prices rather than the old Dark Fleet-reduced prices.

Don't forget that Energy Security starts at home, but Energy Dominance comes from Exports. And now, Energy Dominance can come from controlling export markets. We have to wonder how OPEC and OPEC+ will respond as we are facing some of the most significant changes in the oil and gas markets we have seen in decades.

1. The potential impact of the ongoing revolution in Iran on global oil markets and prices. The hosts discuss how a disruption in Iran's oil exports could lead to a spike in oil prices, potentially up to $80 per barrel in the short term.

2. The executive order signed by President Trump to safeguard Venezuela's oil revenues for the benefit of the U.S. and Venezuela. The hosts discuss the key provisions of the order and the reactions from oil executives.

3. China's evolving oil and gas production and import trends, and how this could impact global energy markets, particularly with the upcoming Siberia 2 pipeline that will supply more Russian gas to China.

4. The potential political implications of high energy prices in the U.S. and how this could impact the upcoming midterm elections, with the hosts discussing a report on how Republican policies could be more favorable for energy affordability.

1.How Will a Revolution in Iran Impact the Global Oil Markets? Could Iraq potentially also be an influence?

2.President Trump Signs Executive Order on Venezuelan Oil: Safeguarding Revenues for American and Venezuelan Benefit

3.Don’t Count the U.S. Dollar Out Yet: Venezuela Was the Key

4.China’s Oil and Gas Drilling Program Improvements Are Now Capable of Impacting Markets

5.DAVID BLACKMON: New Study Shows How GOP Can Win On Affordability Issue

Check out The Energy News Beat Substack: https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/

Time Stamps:

00:19 Iran's revolution

02:33 Michael disagrees with the impact on oil

04:15 Venezuela and the impact on the oil markets

11:46 Key Market insights with the US Dollar being traded

14:56 China's internal oil and gas production

18:12 Energy Security starts at home

As we roll into the midterms, the Democrats are already rolling out "Affordability" as a key battle cry. Well, the facts show that the average blue state pays an estimated 37% more for electricity than the average red state.

This podcast went out on the Energy Impacts Podcast with David Blackmon and the Energy News Beat Podcast with Stu Turley. Tom Pyle, the CEO of the Institute for Energy Research, lays out the article linked below, and it is very clear. Energy Policies account for the greatest increases in energy costs.

The main topics discussed in this podcast are:

1. Electricity and energy prices in the United States, particularly the higher costs in "blue" (Democratic-leaning) states compared to "red" (Republican-leaning) states. The transcript discusses a report by the Institute for Energy Research called "Blue States High Rates" that analyzes this trend.

2. The impact of renewable energy policies and mandates, such as renewable portfolio standards, on electricity prices. The transcript argues that these policies, combined with the forced closure of traditional baseload power sources like coal and nuclear, have driven up costs in certain states.

3. The challenges faced by states like California and New York in maintaining reliable and affordable energy supplies due to their aggressive climate and renewable energy policies. The transcript discusses issues like the closure of refineries, reliance on imported energy, and the difficulties in building new natural gas pipelines.

4. The role of the federal government, particularly the Trump administration, in energy policy decisions and their impact on electricity prices. This includes topics like the EPA's endangerment finding and the potential benefits of rescinding it.

5. The broader political and ideological divide between "red" and "blue" states on energy and climate policy, and how this translates into differences in electricity affordability for consumers.

01:25 Intro to the main topic of Blue State and High Rates

02:23 Tom Pyle, breaks down the report

07:16 Wind and solar in Texas

08:43 Graphic on costs in blue vs. red states

14:25 transmission lines and costs

17:24 California and its Energy Crisis

21:02 Energy Policy defines electricity rates

26:54 Jones Act and LNG Tankers

37:33 Carbon Taxes and Net Zero

#energynewsbeat #netzero #democrats

Connect with Tom on his LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasjpyle/

Check out the IER Institute for Energy Research https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/the-grid/blue-states-high-rates/

Full Transcript will be https://energynewsbeat.co/conversationwithstu/

Full Video with no commercials will be https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/