Energy Updates – December 17, 2024

Ahead of what's expected to be the Federal Reserve's final interest-rate decision for 2024, the S&P 500 dipped 0.2%, while the Nasdaq stayed flat. A "hawkish cut" of 25 basis points is expected. The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.42%, and Brent crude oil fell to $73/barrel.

In the U.S., efforts to finalize a permitting deal for the energy grid are stalling, with lawmakers struggling to secure an agreement. Implications include- regulatory uncertainty, increased costs for electricity and delayed renewable & transmission projects. (E&E Newsarticle noted below).

In Texas, many are watching what President-Elect Donald Trump might do to a long-anticipated federal climate rule that requires oil and gas operators to dramatically reduce how much methane is released in many oil fields. The rule – written with support from the energy industry – calls on operators to locate and fix equipment leaking methane and curb flaring. Rolling back the new rule would take years to