 
|
Signature Sponsor
March 4, 2026 -
The energy markets are continuing to react to the situation in Iran. European thermal coal prices are at their highest level since October 2023. South African thermal-coal export prices have climbed to their highest level since August 2024. And Australian coal futures are also climbing. The price jumps are in response to concerns around natural gas supplies, where European natural-gas prices are up 70% just since last weekend. It’s a bit of a repeat of what we saw just a few years ago around the war in Russia and Ukraine war. Italy's energy minister said on Wednesday that it may restart some coal power stations if the conflict in the Middle East continues.
Back here in Washington, the House on Tuesday approved the legislation we mentioned earlier this week to align the USGS and Department of Energy’s critical minerals lists—That’s the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year approved a companion bill.
|
|