Gas prices in the U.S.
The Nord Stream cutoff has forced Europe to shop the global market for gas supplies. Global players have stepped up, including the U.S., which has dramatically increased the amount of liquified natural gas sent to Europe.
Dwindling domestic stocks equals higher prices in the U.S., and eventually, that will be felt by American households. Roughly half of U.S. homes rely on natural gas for heat.
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Travel trials
Travelers headed to Europe this fall or winter should manage their expectations.
In Germany, for instance, energy consumption curbs mean lights will go out earlier in the evenings, pools will go unheated, hot water may be rationed and rail travelers could see increased wait time for trains that will cede to higher-priority transports of coal or oil.
Beer, wine and … fertilizer?
As Europe heads into winter, it may be harder to find pockets of the European economy — including goods normally headed to the U.S. — that won’t be affected.
The continent as a whole is confronting a major energy crisis. This summer’s unprecedented heat conditions affected the output of hydroelectric energy, which curbed nuclear energy output and raised demand for cooling.
Nearly 60% of British manufacturers face the prospect of closure because of higher energy prices, according to a poll from MakeUK, a manufacturer’s organization in the U.K.
In Spain, the price of cement has risen 400%, forcing many factories in that country to cut production or shut down.
One often-missed player in the global economy is fertilizer, and a halt of natural gas supply in Europe will threaten fertilizer stores. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are the most common, and ammonia — which requires heavy amounts of natural gas to make — is a key component of those fertilizers.
Natural gas’ vital role may hit everything from car parts to beer and wine drinkers, as its role in glass production comes into new focus. Making glass relies heavily on natural gas-fueled energy to melt sand, soda ash and limestone.
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