10/01/2026 — A proposed $22.3 billion energy campus in Encinal, Texas, would add 6.47 gigawatts of natural gas generation. Related Companies, NextEra Energy Resources and Lewis Energy are involved in the development.
The project would supply an adjacent data-center campus and deliver excess electricity to the grid. Initial generating facilities could begin operating in 2029, subject to permits and approvals.
Calvert Cliffs Plans Major Upgrades Under Amazon Agreement
Constellation announced a 20-year power agreement with Amazon supporting more than $3 billion in investment at Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant. The agreement covers 690 megawatts, including additional output from planned upgrades.
The improvements are expected to add approximately 190 megawatts between 2030 and 2032. Electricity from the plant will continue flowing into the regional PJM grid.
Equipment Failures Linked to Connecticut Compressor Station Gas Release
New reporting published September 30 detailed a July 12 incident at an Enbridge-operated compressor station in Oxford, Connecticut. More than 35 million cubic feet of natural gas escaped following equipment failures.
An emergency shutdown activated, but an isolation valve failed to close completely. Personnel stopped the release manually after approximately 53 minutes; Enbridge said the incident posed no threat to public safety.
U.S. Power Plants Prepare for Fourth-Quarter Maintenance
Industrial Info Resources identified more than 160 U.S. power-plant maintenance projects scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter. Its September 30 report highlighted a substantial workload across the generating fleet.
Natural gas and nuclear facilities account for much of the planned activity. The projects represent scheduled maintenance work, with individual plant schedules determining when equipment will be taken out of service.
CITGO Opens New Route for Lemont Refinery Gasoline
CITGO plans to deliver gasoline produced at its Lemont, Illinois, refinery to New York through the Laurel Pipeline. The company announced the shipments on September 30.
The first movement is expected in early October. Buckeye’s newly reversed, bidirectional pipeline provides an additional transportation route connecting Midwest refinery production with northeastern fuel markets.
Cheniere Signs 22-Year LNG Agreement With Petrobras
Cheniere’s marketing division has signed a 22-year liquefied natural gas supply agreement with Brazil’s Petrobras. The contract covers approximately 800,000 metric tons annually.
Deliveries will be made on a free-on-board basis, with Petrobras taking ownership at shipment. The agreement adds another long-term customer commitment for the U.S. LNG exporter.
Port Arthur LNG Receives Federal Reexport Authorization
The Department of Energy issued an authorization September 30 allowing Port Arthur LNG to reexport previously imported liquefied natural gas. The project is under construction in Jefferson County, Texas.
The order covers destinations with and without qualifying U.S. free-trade agreements. Its scope concerns reexports of imported LNG rather than an announcement that the terminal has begun commercial production.
TVA Receives Construction Permit for Clinch River Nuclear Project
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit for TVA’s proposed BWRX-300 small modular reactor at Clinch River near Oak Ridge, Tennessee. GE Vernova announced the milestone September 29.
The design would provide approximately 300 megawatts of generating capacity. The permit advances the project’s construction authorization, while bringing the reactor into commercial operation requires additional work and approvals.
Alaska LNG Investment Remains Subject to South Korean Review
A proposed South Korean investment in Alaska LNG remains under review despite its inclusion in a broader U.S. investment announcement. South Korea cited commercial viability and legal conditions among the outstanding considerations.
The development would connect North Slope natural gas with an export terminal in southern Alaska. The announcement does not establish a completed financing commitment or final investment decision.
FERC Requires Revisions to PJM Power Procurement Plan
Federal regulators directed PJM to revise elements of a proposed power procurement plan addressing a projected 6,800-megawatt shortfall. The proposal responds to rising electricity demand, including data-center loads.
FERC accepted the plan’s core approach but suspended its implementation for five months while reviewing disputed provisions. Cost allocation and updated demand forecasts remain central issues.
Dallas Fed Survey Shows Continued Oil and Gas Expansion
Oil and gas activity continued expanding in the third quarter across the Dallas Federal Reserve’s surveyed region. Its business activity index remained positive at 38.8, down from 46.1 in the previous quarter.
Production and employment measures increased, while companies continued reporting cost pressures and longer delivery times. The survey covers firms in Texas, northern Louisiana and southern New Mexico.
Energy Department Offers Up to 40 Million Barrels From Oil Reserve
The U.S. government is offering energy companies loans of up to 40 million barrels of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The September 29 announcement forms part of an internationally coordinated emergency supply release.
Companies have until October 6 to submit proposals. Borrowers would return crude with an additional premium, with repayments extending into 2028.