Natural Gas vs Data Centers The Energy Tug of War with Steve Reese and Matthew Hill

In this episode of Energy Newsbeat – Conversations in Energy, Stu Turley hosts Steve Reese (Reese Energy Consulting) and Matthew Hill (fire suppression expert) for a powerful conversation on the future of energy, natural gas demand, AI data center growth, and energy infrastructure. They unpack the collision course between LNG exports and power-hungry data centers, highlight the coming turbine shortage, and explore mobile microgrid and modular refinery innovations. Topics span from CNG applications, geothermal crossover, and battery fire risks, to U.S. refining bottlenecks, regulatory barriers, and California’s energy policies as a national security threat. The episode is a dynamic mix of industry insight, policy critique, and forward-looking solutions—driven by a call for energy dominance, regulatory reform, and American innovation. You will want to connect with Steve Reese on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-reese-185a86/ And Matthew Hill is a must-connect for safety: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhillknightfirespecialists4055682742/ Check out Reese Energy Consulting at https://reeseenergyconsulting.com/ Highlights of the Podcast  00:00 – Intro 00:00 – Intro & Guests 01:03 – Gas Demand: LNG vs. Data Centers 01:53 – Turbine Shortage & Microgrids 02:43 – Big Tech’s Unreal Gas Expectations 04:05 – Mobile Data Centers on Well Pads 05:16 – Frac Firms Becoming Tech Giants 06:41 – ROI of AI Infrastructure 08:20 – CNG & Mobile Midstream 09:42 – Gen Z & ESG Pressure 10:17 – Failed Solar & Gas Reality 10:52 – SMRs & Powering AI Boom 12:20 – Flynn, California, & Business Exodus 15:09 – Regulation Creep & Safety 18:16 – Pipeline Delays & Bottlenecks 20:32 – Illegals & Hydrocarbon Transport Risks 21:30 – CA Imports Dirty Oil While Shutting Local Supply 23:21 – U.S. Refinery Gap 24:57 – NIMBYs & NatSec Risk 26:03 – Gas Price Outlook 27:40 – Geothermal’s Momentum 29:55 – New Modular Refineries 31:38 – Operator vs. Political Disconnect 33:02 – Reese’s AI & LNG Training 33:45 – CNG/LNG Use on Pads 34:52 – Battery Fire Safety & BESS 36:47 – Mobile Power Best Practices 38:34 – Lithium Battery Threats 39:02 – Wrap-Up & Outro Full Transcript at https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/