Day: July 2, 2026

250 Years of Energy: How America’s Abundant Natural Resources Powered a Rising Nation — And Why Smart Policy Will Determine the Next Century

Energy News Beat This article first ran yesterday on the Energy News Beat Substack. From the wood fires that warmed homes and fueled early industry in 1776 to the sophisticated mix powering AI data centers, electric vehicles, and global exports today, energy has been the invisible backbone of American prosperity, innovation, and geopolitical strength. The […]

The Spread Between Crude Oil and Refinery Pricing: What It Means, and Is Gouging Possible?

Energy News Beat This article was first published on the Energy News Beat Substack.  In energy markets, the key metric that separates crude oil prices from what consumers ultimately pay at the pump is the crack spread—the difference between the cost of crude oil feedstock and the market value of refined products such as gasoline, […]

U.S. Department of Energy Meets President Trump’s Goal, Delivers Third Advanced Reactor CriticalityJuly 2, 2026

Energy News Beat In a landmark achievement for America’s nuclear renaissance, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that Deployable Energy’s Unity demonstration reactor successfully achieved criticality on June 30, 2026 (late yesterday), at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This marks the third DOE-authorized advanced reactor to reach this milestone by the July 4, 2026, deadline […]

More New Capacity Online at US Uranium Enrichment Plant

Energy News Beat Urenco USA brings fifth new cascade online at Eunice, New Mexico facility, bolstering domestic nuclear fuel supply EUNICE, N.M. — Urenco USA has started up its fifth new gas centrifuge cascade at the National Enrichment Facility, with production beginning on June 22, 2026. The company announced the milestone on June 29, continuing […]

A new electricity consumption tax on data centers in Virginia passes into law on July 1, 2026

Energy News Beat On June 22, 2026, Virginia’s General Assembly approved its two-year biennial budget (HB 30), which includes a first-of-its-kind electricity consumption tax on qualifying data centers. The tax took effect July 1, 2026, and runs through June 30, 2028. The measure levies $0.011 per kWh (1.1 cents) on all electricity consumed at covered […]