Environment

Energy Transfer, Sunoco Pipelines Rack Up Violations: Analysis

Energy Transfer LP and its Sunoco pipeline subsidiary have racked up more than 800 state and federal permit violations while racing to build two of the nation's largest natural gas pipelines, according to a Reuters analysis.

Dakota Access Protester Injured in Blast Files Lawsuit

A New York woman who was injured while protesting Dakota Access pipeline has filed a lawsuit against several law enforcement officers and a North Dakota county.

Improving Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Transmission, Storage

Interstate natural gas transmission companies are committed to minimizing methane emissions. This article explains methane emission sources for the transmission and storage sector and the basis for emissions commitments that INGAA members have voluntarily adopted.

Nearly 36 Miles of Pipeline Replaced after Mass. Gas Explosions

NiSource subsidiary Columbia Gas said it has replaced nearly 36 miles of main pipeline in the area of last month's explosions and fires near Boston.

West Texas Pipeline to Resume on Schedule after Spill

Energy Transfer Partners said a West Texas pipeline will resume operations on Saturday as planned after it spilled water with nontoxic green dye and residual crude oil near Abilene.

Regulator Ties Pipeline Work to Deadly Massachusetts Gas Explosion

A NiSource Inc. affiliate failed to require contract repair crews to relocate pressure sensors during natural-gas pipeline work, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Thursday, resulting in over-pressured lines that caused explosions and fires in three Massachusetts communities last month.

Australian State Slows AGL LNG Import Project with Environment Review

Plans by Australia’s AGL Energy to start importing LNG from 2021 will be delayed after the state of Victoria called for the company and its pipeline partner to submit a full environmental assessment of their project.

Keystone XL Pipeline Route Would Not Harm Environment: State Dept.

The U.S. State Department on Friday issued an environmental assessment of a revised route for the Keystone XL crude pipeline that concluded it would not harm water or wildlife, clearing a hurdle for the project that has been pending for a decade.

ETP Alleges 'Malicious Criminal Conduct' by Greenpeace

The company that built the Dakota Access oil pipeline says environmental group Greenpeace should be held legally accountable for violating federal racketeering laws.

Insuring Against Liabilities Can Be Tricky

Despite the great overall success of the American energy industry, problems do exist and happen on a near-daily level. While rail accidents occur with more regularity, pipeline spills can actually have more devastating effects.

California Jury Finds Plains All American Guilty in Oil Spill Trial

A California state jury found Plains All American Pipeline guilty of criminally fouling state waters or harming wildlife in a 2015 oil spill along the Pacific Coast.

Dakota Access Protesters Lose Appeals

The first people to be sent to jail for protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota have lost their appeals to the state's Supreme Court.

Dakota Access Protester Injured in Blast Loses Legal Battle

A New York City woman who was injured in an explosion at a Dakota Access pipeline protest lost a legal battle to obtain evidence she wanted to bolster a civil rights lawsuit against law enforcement.

Judge Rules Dakota Access Developer Can't Sue Earth First

A federal judge has dismissed a second defendant from a $1 billion racketeering lawsuit that the developer of the Dakota Access oil pipeline filed against environmental groups, leaving Greenpeace as the only remaining group facing the claim.

More Skin in the Game: New Technology to Find, Fix Leaks

Technology has not only helped re-energize the natural gas sector of the global energy economy, but also led to safety advancements, such as methane-detection systems continuously monitor and alert operators to a significant leak.

Regulators Greenlight Construction of Trans Mountain Segments

Canada's energy regulator said it had given the go-ahead for the construction of a large portion of the Trans Mountain expansion project, which will nearly triple capacity on the oil pipeline from Alberta to a Vancouver area port.

SoCalGas: Aliso Canyon Leak Costs Exceed $1 Billion

SoCalGas raised the estimated cost for the massive leak at its 2015-2016 Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility in Los Angeles to $1.014 billion, warning the "estimate may rise significantly" due to pending lawsuits, possible fines and other costs.

US Court Vacates 2 Permits for EQT Mountain Valley Gas Pipeline

A U.S. appeals court has vacated decisions by two federal agencies that allowed EQT Corp to build its Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to Virginia across federal land.

Top German Court Rejects Bid to Block Gas Pipeline

Germany's highest court has rejected a bid by an environmentalist group to block construction of the planned Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would pump Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

Gun-Firing Protester Gets Prison Term

A Denver woman accused of shooting at officers during protests in North Dakota against the Dakota Access oil pipeline was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison.

Safety Board: Damage During Installation Led to Pipeline Crack

The NTSB said last year’s rupture of the Keystone oil pipeline in South Dakota was due to a fatigue crack that probably resulted from mechanical damage by a metal-tracked vehicle during installation.

Washington Voters Likely to Take Up Carbon Fee Initiative

Washington state voters will likely decide in November whether to charge industrial emitters a fee for their carbon pollution, the latest effort yet to pass a carbon-pricing measure to fight climate change.

Protesting Professor Removed from Mountain Valley Perch

A Virginia Tech professor who locked herself to a piece of construction equipment to protest the Mountain Valley Pipeline has been removed and arrested.

SGA Chair Caron Lawhorn on a Mission to Raise Industry’s Voice

Southern Gas Association Chair Caron Lawhorn is on a mission to give the natural gas industry a bigger voice in the national conversation on energy efficiency and sustainability.

Roadmap to Future Energy Infrastructure

A “new energy realism” based on advancing technologies is replacing “old energy pessimism” as government and industry leaders collaborate on future energy infrastructure.

South Dakota High Court Dismisses Appeal Against Keystone XL

South Dakota’s Supreme Court this week dismissed an appeal from opponents of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, saying a lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear their cases. But an attorney battling the project says the “fight is not over.”

Understanding Corps Of Engineers Approach to Pipeline Permit Approvals

Growing U.S. oil and gas production will require billions of dollars in projects that require permit approvals from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Understanding and working with the Corps can help companies avoid construction delays for pipelines and marine export facilities.

A Conversation with Conservation Fund CEO Larry Selzer

In an interview with P&GJ, Conservation Fund CEO Larry Selzer explains the organization's unique, dual-purpose mission to work with business and government to bring environmental protection and economic vitality together.

Pipeline Construction, Environmental Compliance Can Co-Exist

By being aware of all regulatory requirements and implementing a few best practices, companies can construct pipelines while maintaining environmental compliance.

Some Extra-Clean Breaks with Standard Practices

In recent weeks, some innovations in the area of fortifying the environment have been gaining attention and should make those in the pipeline industry, particularly those involved with gas distribution, feel good about what they do for a living.