Geopolitics & Oil Routes: A new OilPrice.com report says Iran is tightening “de facto control” over the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb, pushing the U.S. and Gulf states to plan a $5B refinery/export hub outside Hormuz plus an overland pipeline to Mediterranean ports. LNG Expansion Under Scrutiny: The Plaquemines LNG terminal near New Orleans is seeking a multi-billion-dollar expansion via Trump-era “emergency” permitting that cuts public review and could weaken wetland protections. Power Reliability: Philippines grid operator NGCP issued a Visayas red alert for Wednesday evening as coal outages and limited Mindanao imports tighten reserves. Renewables & Storage: ACEN is funding wind buildout in Quezon (344.5 MW phase 1, 553 MW total vision), while Malaysia’s NUR Power highlighted a pilot battery storage system at its West Substation. Grid Links: Turkey is pursuing a Saudi-linked electricity corridor through Jordan and Syria, with possible extension toward Lebanon. Nuclear Pipeline: Oklahoma advanced as a finalist for a U.S. DOE Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. Energy Costs Relief: Connecticut lawmakers backed a winter LIHEAP energy-assistance plan, contingent on Congress restoring federal funding. Industrial Efficiency: Pennsylvania’s Standard Bent Glass won $347.5K to replace kilns and cut energy use. Weather Disruptions: Storms left thousands without power in Ohio. Tech for Solar Retrofits: SunEnergyXT launched a retrofit battery adding up to 90 kWh to existing solar systems.