Maine is on the verge of enacting the nation’s first statewide ban on new data center construction, a move that could influence other states grappling with the burgeoning industry. Lawmakers have advanced a bill to halt data center development until November 2027, while also establishing a council to propose future regulations. This measure, supported by bipartisan consensus but opposed by tech interests concerned about economic impact, aims to address worries about rising energy prices. The proposed ban stems from concerns that the significant energy demands of data centers could exacerbate Maine’s already high electricity costs, particularly impacting lower-income residents.
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Iranian media and official sources have strongly refuted U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of “productive conversations” with Iran, stating there has been no direct or indirect contact. These sources asserted that Trump’s decision to postpone strikes on Iranian power plants was a result of Iran’s threat to target all West Asian energy infrastructure in retaliation. The Iranian Foreign Ministry characterized Trump’s statements as an effort to lower energy prices and buy time for military planning, emphasizing that regional countries have made initiatives to de-escalate, but the responsibility lies with Washington.
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Stocks experienced a significant sell-off following concerning U.S. economic data and statements from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which amplified fears of persistent inflation. The producer price index exceeded expectations, indicating underlying inflationary pressures exacerbated by rising oil prices due to international conflict. Despite the Federal Reserve maintaining current interest rates, the outlook suggests limited progress on inflation and a challenging environment for monetary policy.
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BP’s decision to lock out approximately 800 United Steelworkers members from its Whiting, Indiana refinery, a facility capable of processing 440,000 barrels of oil per day, has sparked considerable discussion and concern. This action, slated to begin on March 19th, stems from what BP cites as a breakdown in negotiations over a new labor agreement, specifically the union’s rejection of proposals deemed essential for the refinery’s long-term sustainability by the company.
The lockout follows BP ending its 24-hour rolling contract extension, a move that saw maintenance employees instructed not to report for work after March 17th, with other union-represented workers continuing through March 18th.… Continue reading
US pump prices are surging, and it seems the escalating situation in Iran has thrown a significant wrench into the global energy supply. It’s pretty wild to see how quickly prices can jump, especially when you consider how long it took for similar spikes to occur in the past. We’re hearing about states like California already hitting the $5 per gallon mark, a price point that felt like a crisis just a couple of years ago. And the concerning part is, this current surge has happened in a fraction of the time compared to the lead-up to that 2022 peak.
The speed of this current price increase is truly alarming.… Continue reading
As of January 1, 2026, China ceased all electricity imports from Russia, including the minimum contractual obligation. This decision was primarily due to the high export prices, which exceeded domestic Chinese rates, rendering further purchases economically unfavorable. The supply contract, signed in 2012 with Russia’s Inter RAO, was slated to run until 2037 and encompassed roughly 4 billion kWh annually. While exports are unlikely to resume in 2026, the Russian Ministry of Energy has not completely ruled out a future resumption if China expresses interest.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood