S&P Global Market Intelligence editors' picks for the best stories for the week ended Oct. 12.
1. US power industry largely backing GOP incumbents in 2018 midterms
Power producers and industry trade groups are largely backing incumbent GOP committee leaders in the upcoming 2018 midterm elections as Democrats push to reclaim the majority in at least one chamber of the U.S. Congress.
2. Trump's brashness on trade belies US dependence on global mines
Where other eras of human civilization may have been primarily defined by one element — think the Bronze Age or the Copper Age — today's technology-driven economy depends on a delicate balance of global trade of nearly all of the elements on the periodic table.
3. Reducing permitting obstacles will be key to critical minerals revival in US
Resuscitating U.S. production of critical minerals is beyond any one quick fix, but several mining experts and leaders said reducing permitting timelines will be crucial to any U.S. effort to reboot the industry. President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress are pursuing policies that would achieve that.
4. LNG Canada shows 'proof of concept' in funding large LNG export projects
The financing model that brought the roughly $31 billion LNG Canada project to a final investment decision could signal a shift toward funding the next wave of North American LNG projects with equity investments instead of relying on debt.
5. Exelon makes last push to save Pa. nuclear plant as federal action stalls
With the clock ticking on Exelon Corp.'s Three Mile Island power plant, nuclear energy proponents hope Pennsylvania lawmakers will propose legislation in early 2019 to bolster the state's nuclear fleet as that industry sector grapples with competitive natural gas-fired generation and slack demand growth.
6. GE Energy Financial Services selling stake in Ga. gas-fired portfolio to Carlyle
GE Energy Financial Services is selling its nearly 25% stake in a 3,155.6-MW portfolio of gas-fired projects to The Carlyle Group LLC as part of a broader restructuring which also includes the sale, announced Oct. 8, of a raft of renewable and gas-fired assets to funds managed by Apollo Global Management LLC.