U.S. retail gasoline prices heading into Memorial Day weekend are at a four-year low
The retail price for regular-grade gasoline in the United States on May 19, the Monday before Memorial Day weekend, averaged $3.17 per gallon (gal), 11% (or 41 cents/gal) lower than the price a year ago. After adjusting for inflation (real terms), average U.S. retail gasoline prices going into Memorial Day weekend are 14% lower than last year, largely because crude oil prices have fallen.
U.S. hydropower generation expected to rise in 2025 following last year’s relative low
We expect U.S. hydropower generation will increase by 7.5% in 2025 but will remain 2.4% below the 10-year average in our May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). Hydropower generation in 2024 fell to 241 billion kilowatthours (BkWh), the lowest since at least 2010; in 2025, we expect generation will be 259.1 BkWh. This amount of generation would represent 6% of the electricity generation in the country.
U.S. hydropower generation expected to rise by 7% in 2025 following last year’s record low
We expect U.S. hydropower generation will increase by 7.5% in 2025 but will remain 2.4% below the 10-year average in our May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). Hydropower generation in 2024 fell to 241 billion kilowatthours (BkWh), the lowest since at least 2010; in 2025, we expect generation will be 259.1 BkWh. This amount of generation would represent 6% of the electricity generation in the country.
U.S. natural gas inventories in underground storage ended winter at a three-year low
After a relatively warm start to the 2024–25 winter heating season (November–March), colder-than-normal temperatures across much of the United States in January and February resulted in increased consumption of natural gas and more withdrawals from U.S. natural gas storage than normal. By the end of March, the least amount of natural gas was held in U.S. underground storage in the Lower 48 states since 2022, with inventories 4% lower than the previous five-year average for that time of year, according to our Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report.
U.S. manufacturing energy consumption has continued to increase since 2010 low
U.S. manufacturing energy consumption has continued to increase, according to our recently released survey results for 2022. We conduct the Manufacturing Energy Consumption Surveys (MECS) every four years, and the latest iteration shows the third consecutive increase in energy consumed in the manufacturing sector since a low point in 2010. Natural gas consumption in the manufacturing sector increased by more than all other energy sources combined, as compared with the previous MECS results from 2018.
Two Weeks Left to Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance and Small Business Administration Low Interest Loans
Two Weeks Left to Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance and Small Business Administration Low Interest Loans LOS ANGELES – Homeowners, renters and businesses in Los Angeles County who experienced property damage or losses from the January wildfires have two weeks left to apply for federal disaster assistance. Monday, March 31, is the last day to apply for both FEMA disaster assistance and a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan. This deadline will not impact applications that have already been started. Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance: Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. On the FEMA App. By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay
Low Water Advisory issued March 10 at 4:00AM CDT until March 10 at 12:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
* WHAT...For the Small Craft Advisory, northwest winds 15 to 25 kt. For the Low Water Advisory, abnormally low water levels expected. * WHERE...Sabine Lake, Calcasieu Lake, Vermilion and West Cote Blanche Bays and Atchafalaya and East Cote Blanche Bays. * WHEN...For the Small Craft Advisory, until 7 AM CDT Monday. For the Low Water Advisory, from 3 AM to noon CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft. Below normal water levels will result in hazardous navigating conditions.
Low Water Advisory issued March 9 at 4:42AM CDT until March 9 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
* WHAT...For the Low Water Advisory, abnormally low water levels. For the Small Craft Advisory, northwest winds 15 to 25 kt. * WHERE...Sabine Lake. * WHEN...For the Low Water Advisory, until 1 PM CDT this afternoon. For the Small Craft Advisory, until 1 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft. Below normal water levels will result in hazardous navigating conditions.
Less Than Two Weeks Left to Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance and Small Business Administration Low Interest Loans
Less Than Two Weeks Left to Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance and Small Business Administration Low Interest Loans LOS ANGELES – Homeowners, renters and businesses in Los Angeles County who experienced property damage or losses from the January wildfires have less than two weeks left to apply for federal disaster assistance. Monday, March 10, is the last day to apply for both FEMA disaster assistance and a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan. This deadline will not impact applications that have already been started. Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. On the FEMA App. By calling the FEMA
Low Water Advisory issued March 6 at 3:46AM EST until March 6 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
* WHAT...During the Low Water Advisory, abnormally low water levels. During the Gale Warning, expect sustained winds up to 20 knots from the west with gusts up to 34 knots. The largest significant waves will be 3 feet with a potential maximum wave height of 4 feet. During the Small Craft Advisory, expect sustained winds up to 20 knots from the northwest with gusts up to 32 knots. The largest significant waves will be 3 feet with a potential maximum wave height of 4 feet. * WHERE...Michigan Waters of Lake Erie from Detroit River to North Cape MI. * WHEN...During