Checkin’ the bill… Natural gas ended June costing half as much as it did the same time last year when prices hit a decade+ high as Europe bought US gas after Russia invaded Ukraine. But suppliers on both sides of the Atlantic saved up more than they needed given the unusually warm winter. Now there’s 15% more stored gas than the five-year average, which is setting up households for cheaper electric bills even as scorching heat blankets the US. FYI: last year 41% of the US’s electricity was generated by natural gas.
Can you hear me now?... Last week President Biden announced a $42B plan to make high-speed internet available to every US household by 2030. About 6% of Americans lack broadband, and coverage gaps create hurdles for critical institutions like schools and libraries. The funds’ll be divvied up over the next two years, with each state receiving at least $107M, and up to $3B+ for those that need it most. In rural areas, nearly a quarter of residents (14.5M people) have no reliable broadband. The fresh $$ could be pivotal in closing the digital divide.