<p><strong>WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY</strong>: Good afternoon and happy Tuesday, readers! Maydeen will be in attendance today and tomorrow at National Clean Energy Week in D.C., where several administration officials, lawmakers, and industry leaders will be speaking. If you see her there, be sure to say hi!</p>
<ul> <li>In today’s newsletter, Callie sat down with the CEO and president of Duke Energy to talk about the impact data centers will have on electricity prices.</li> <li>Speaking of data centers, we are also keeping an eye on House votes this evening, where lawmakers are expected to vote on the Ratepayer Protection Act.</li> </ul>
<p><em>Welcome to</em> <em>Daily on Energy, written by</em> Washington Examiner <em>energy and environment writers</em> <strong><em>Callie Patteson</em></strong> <em>(</em><a href="http://click1.trk-washingtonexaminer.com/tjjzwtdvhhpkjpwhkbdvbkdrfvktbmgmfsvfpdbzzpmjwh_zpsmsbdldzz.html?a=Daily+on+Energy+011426&b=01%2F14%2F2026&c=WEX_Daily+on+Energy&d=25486800&e=74099866aa2c0d01e9f38050cb25f7dae70ca665c8be98d6137212ccf7a6e60b" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>@CalliePatteson</em></a><em>) and</em> <strong><em>Maydeen Merino</em></strong> <em>(</em><a href="http://x.com/MaydeenMerino?utm_source=Daily%20on%20Energy%20112024_11/20/2024&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WEX_Daily%20on%20Energy&rid=25486800&env=74099866aa2c0d01e9f38050cb25f7dae70ca665c8be98d6137212ccf7a6e60b&utm_source=Daily+on+Energy+121024_12%2F10%2F2024&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WEX_Daily%20on%20Energy&rid=25486800&env=74099866aa2c0d01e9f38050cb25f7dae70ca665c8be98d6137212ccf7a6e60b" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>@MaydeenMerino</em></a><em>). Email cpatteson@washingtonexaminer dot com or mmerino@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up,</em> <a href="https://newsletters.washingtonexaminer.com/newsletters/daily-on-energy/?utm_source=Daily%20on%20Energy%20112024_11/20/2024&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WEX_Daily%20on%20Energy&rid=25486800&env=74099866aa2c0d01e9f38050cb25f7dae70ca665c8be98d6137212ccf7a6e60b&utm_source=Daily+on+Energy+121024_12%2F10%2F2024&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WEX_Daily%20on%20Energy&rid=25486800&env=74099866aa2c0d01e9f38050cb25f7dae70ca665c8be98d6137212ccf7a6e60b" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>click here</em></a><em>. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list.</em></p>
<h2><strong>CALLIE TALKS DATA CENTERS WITH DUKE ENERGY CEO:</strong></h2>
<p>Polling has indicated that many Americans are concerned about the potential for data centers to increase electricity costs. However, Duke Energy, one of the largest utility companies in the U.S., asserts that these facilities may lead to cost savings in the future.</p>
<p>Callie Patteson interviewed Duke Energy CEO and president <strong>Harry Sideris</strong> at the <em>Washington Examiner</em>’s D.C. offices, discussing the rapid expansion of data centers, their impact on electricity bills, and necessary measures to enhance the grid.</p>
<p>Duke Energy serves over 8 million customers across six states, including the Carolinas, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company has at least eight gigawatts of data center capacity awaiting connection to the grid, with approximately six gigawatts planned for North and South Carolina. One gigawatt can power around 750,000 homes.</p>
<p>Concerns about the data center expansion have grown as electricity prices remain high. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricity prices rose by 4% for the year ending in August.</p>
<p>Sideris described the prevailing narrative that data centers will drive up prices as “misinformation and misunderstandings.” He mentioned that through the Trump administration’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge and initiatives like Duke’s <a href="https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-data-center-growth-will-deliver-billions-of-dollars-in-customer-savings" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Customer Protection Plus Framework</a>, utility companies and data center developers are working to shield customers from price increases.</p>
<p>Duke Energy requires data center projects to finance all necessary infrastructure for their energy needs, provide proof of deposits, and enter into long-term contracts with termination clauses to prevent stranded assets.</p>
<p>Sideris estimates that each gigawatt of data center capacity could yield $1 billion in savings for Duke customers over the contract's lifespan.</p>
<p>When asked if immediate investments in the grid could lead to higher electricity bills, Sideris stated that the company has structured its tariffs and contracts to mitigate that effect. He noted that data centers are responsible for upfront infrastructure costs and that generation costs are also covered by them as development progresses, ensuring no impact on customers.</p>
<p>Further details from Callie’s interview with Sideris will be available on the <em>Washington Examiner</em>’s YouTube page this week.</p>
<p><strong>Something to watch… House to tackle data center bill:</strong> House lawmakers will vote this evening on the Ratepayer Protection Act, designed to protect households from rising energy costs associated with data centers. The bill mandates that state regulators establish standards for new data centers consuming over 100 megawatts of electricity to cover costs related to new generation, transmission, and infrastructure upgrades. This legislation is led by Republican Rep. <strong>Gabe Evans</strong> of Colorado and co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. <strong>Kathy Castor</strong> of Florida.</p>
<p><strong>THUNE OPEN TO EXPORT BAN ON DIESEL:</strong> Senate Majority Leader <strong>John Thune</strong> expressed willingness to consider a ban on diesel exports to reduce prices. He stated, “We’ll be looking at any proposal that is a viable solution, but I do think if we have the supply in this country and we’re exporting it right now that might be one way of getting at it.” Diesel prices have reached a national average of $6.26 per gallon, according to AAA.</p>
<p>The Trump administration has not endorsed an export ban. Interior Secretary <strong>Doug Burgum</strong> mentioned that the administration would consider such a ban if it could lower prices, but indicated that this is not currently the case.</p>
<p><strong>Another solution?</strong> Texas Democratic nominee <strong>James Talarico</strong> has called on his Republican opponent <strong>Ken Paxton</strong> to support a plan to suspend the federal tax on diesel. Republicans, including President <strong>Donald Trump</strong>, have backed similar proposals to lower fuel prices. Thune noted that suspending the federal tax on diesel is a “short-term” solution that could create funding gaps in the Highway Trust Fund.</p>
<p><strong>PERMITTING REFORM STILL NOT THERE:</strong> Nearly a year after the House passed its version of a bill to accelerate federal permitting processes, it remains unclear if the Senate will finalize its own deal this week. Top Republican negotiator Sen. <strong>Shelley Moore Capito</strong> confirmed that significant progress was made during the September recess, with some sections of a potential deal sent to the White House. Democratic negotiators are also optimistic about nearing a package that aligns with their priorities, particularly concerning transmission-related permitting for renewable energy. However, concerns persist about the Trump administration's implementation of bipartisan permitting legislation.</p>
<p><strong>OIL PRICES REMAIN ELEVATED:</strong> International and domestic oil benchmarks increased today as traders assess the duration of the outage of Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline. Brent crude rose 3.08% to $108.94 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate increased 4.35% to $105.80 per barrel. Analysts indicate that without a credible diplomatic breakthrough, the risk premium in the market is likely to remain high.</p>
<p>Energy Secretary <strong>Chris Wright</strong> stated that the Saudi pipeline will reopen within days, while some analysts predict repairs could take months.</p>
<p><strong>RUSSIA AND UKRAINE LAUNCH NEW ENERGY STRIKES DESPITE TRUMP’S CEASEFIRE CLAIM:</strong> Following Trump’s claim of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, reports indicate that Russia launched 200 drones at Ukraine, targeting energy and port facilities. In response, Ukraine attacked Russia’s Syzran oil refinery and a drone production facility. Diesel prices have continued to rise, reaching a new record average of $6.26 per gallon.</p>
<p><strong>ICYMI – DATA CENTERS WILL NEED $110 BILLION TO BUILD NEW POWER:</strong> Data centers in the U.S. will require $110 billion to build 45 gigawatts of new power by 2030, according to Moody’s Ratings. More than 30 gigawatts of this power will come from natural gas-fired units, with the remainder from solar and energy storage. Senior vice president of Moody’s Ratings, <strong>Ryan Wobbrock</strong>, noted that the $110 billion in new power plants could add $25 billion to $30 billion annually to electricity costs, though data centers are expected to cover a significant portion of these expenses.</p>
<p><strong>RUNDOWN</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/09/14/nx-s1-5966663/forecast-says-families-will-spend-more-to-heat-their-homes-this-winter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NPR</a> Forecast says families will spend more to heat their homes this winter.</p>
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