Environment
US Natural Gas Groups Oppose Federal Plan to Eliminate Methane Leaks
U.S. natural gas trade groups on Wednesday opposed federal pipeline regulators' proposed methane leak detection rules to address the climate-change crisis. The gas associations said extensive changes needed to be made to PHMSA’s proposal for it to be technically and economically feasible.
Venezuela’s PDVSA Fails to Curb Oil Leaks, Gas Flaring Despite Pledges
Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA has failed to make any dent in its oil spill or gas flaring woes, despite nascent promises of environmental clean-up by President Nicolas Maduro's government, according to people within the company, industry sources and an internal company document seen by Reuters.
Chevron Invests in Lower-Carbon Pilot Projects in Australia
The energy major would provide funding to Carbon Sync, which is leading a soil carbon sequestration pilot project as well as a research project with Deakin University to explore potential carbon dioxide sequestration opportunities in the region's coastal wetlands.
Montana Judge Rules State Policies Must Consider Climate Change in Fossil Fuel Projects
Montana is violating the rights of young people with policies that prohibit the state from considering climate change effects when it reviews coal mining, natural gas extraction and other fossil fuel projects, a state judge said Monday.
Vision RNG, Meridian Waste Launch Landfill Gas to Renewable Natural Gas Project in Missouri
(P&GJ) — Vision RNG has announced that its Landfill Gas to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) project at Meridian Waste’s Eagle Ridge Landfill in Bowling Green, Missouri is now fully operational.
Canada Looking to Sell Trans Mountain Pipeline Stake to Indigenous Groups
Canada is looking to sell a stake in the Trans Mountain oil pipeline to indigenous groups through a special-purpose vehicle that will allow individual communities to buy into the enterprise, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.
Challenges to Biden's Carbon Plan Emerge from U.S. Power Sector
Edison Electric Institute has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for revisions of the proposed power plant standards, which hinge on the widespread commercial availability of carbon capture and storage and low-emissions green hydrogen, adding the agency's vision was "not legally or technically sound."
Williams and Chattanooga Gas Partner to Deliver Certified Low-Emission NextGen Gas
(P&GJ) — Williams has entered into an agreement with Chattanooga Gas, a subsidiary of Southern Company Gas, to provide certified, low-emissions NextGen Gas over a three-year period.
SwRI Tapping into Geothermal Energy Possibilities in Texas
(P&GJ) — Electric power generates the second-largest share of greenhouse gas emissions and includes emissions from electricity production used by end use sectors, such as industry. Nearly 80% of electricity in the U.S. comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.
Pipeline Companies to Pay $12.5 Million in Penalties After Spills in Montana, North Dakota
Belle Fourche Pipeline Company and Bridger Pipeline LLC that own and operate a network of crude oil pipelines in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming have together agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty relating to oil spills.
Venture Global LNG's Calcasieu Pass 2 Project Gets Final U.S. Environmental Nod
Venture Global LNG's proposed Calcasieu Pass 2 project in Louisiana has received FERC's environmental approval, clearing the way for a final vote by the commission on expanding the company's natural gas liquefaction facility.
TC Energy's Columbia Gas Pipeline Explodes Near Virginia's Interstate 81
(P&GJ) — A gas line explosion occurred near Strasburg, Virginia, in rural western Virginia, not far from Interstate 81. The incident took place on Tuesday morning and was promptly responded to by local officials, according to The Associated Press.
Canada Releases Framework to Phase Out Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Climate policy analysts said the framework was an important step forward but fell short in continuing to allow government support for oil and gas projects that plan to reduce emissions through technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS).
US to Spend $700 Million for Oil and Gas Sector to Cut Methane Emissions
The U.S. government will provide up to $700 million in funding to monitor and reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, setting aside half of the amount for grants to states, two agencies said on Monday.
Natural Gas Pipeline at Risk as Wildfire Sweeps Through Washington County
The Newell Road Wildfire has already destroyed several structures in the area and is threatening homes, farms, crops and livestock, solar and wind farms and a natural gas pipeline, county emergency officials said.
Guest Perspective: EJ and Civil Rights in U.S. Construction Projects
(P&GJ) — Since taking office two years ago, the Biden Administration has emphasized efforts to incorporate environmental justice considerations into federal agency permitting, funding and financial support decision-making.
Editor’s Notebook: Alaska’s Long Road Back
(P&GJ) — With the Biden administration’s recent approval of exports from a proposed LNG project and the rejection of a lawsuit challenging construction of related infrastructure, prospects may again be looking up again for the Final Frontier.
World’s Top LNG Players Push for More, But Greener, Gas Investments
Current investments in gas infrastructure are falling short of what is needed, officials at an industry conference in Japan said on Wednesday, citing the role they say the fuel has to play in both global energy security and the transition to net zero.
Riyadh, Tokyo to Cooperate on Energy Security, Hydrogen and Ammonia
Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it remains committed to securing oil supplies for Japan and will continue cooperating with Tokyo on clean hydrogen, ammonia, and recycled carbon fuels.
CPC Adopts New Regulations on Tanker Loadings in Its Marine Terminal
Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) said it has adopted new regulations allowing it to reduce the loading speeds of oil tankers in its marine terminal at times of changing weather conditions to minimize air pollution.
Ohio's Columbiana County Evacuates 450 After Gas Leak at Hilcorp Energy Well
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said on Tuesday that more than 450 people have been evacuated from areas within a mile of a natural gas well in Columbiana County while state authorities responded to a gas leak there.
Jobs in US Energy Grew 3.8% in 2022, Led by Work in Clean Energy
Jobs in the U.S. energy industry rose 3.8% last year, faster than overall employment growth and led by work in clean energy, the Department of Energy said on Wednesday.
TotalEnergies Faces Second Lawsuit Over Uganda Oil Projects
The French and Ugandan groups, led by Friends of the Earth France, accuse the energy company of failing to protect people and the environment from its Tilenga oil development and the $3.5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
TC Energy Shuts Two Compressor Stations on NGTL Due to Alberta Wildfires
TC Energy said it completed the shutdown of two compressor stations on the NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) System and a gas storage facility on Saturday that were near wildfires in Edson, Alberta.
Mexico Energy Regulator Gives Natural Gas 'Clean' Label, Drawing Criticism
A move by Mexico's energy regulator to declare some natural gas-fired power as "clean" drew criticism from environmental groups that say the change will not help the country reach its clean energy targets.
Alaska LNG Project Clears Legal Challenge, Advances 800-Mile Gas Pipeline
A U.S. appeals court has rejected a lawsuit filed by environmental groups that challenged the federal approvals required for a $39 billion project aimed at transporting natural gas across Alaska, starting from the North Slope. According to a spokesperson, construction on the 800-mile pipeline and related infrastructure has not yet commenced.
Biden Administration Clears Mountain Valley Pipeline for Progress Through Jefferson National Forest
(P&GJ) — The Department of Agriculture's Forest Service issued a record of decision Monday afternoon, allowing the Mountain Valley Pipeline project to cut through a 3.5-mile stretch of the Jefferson National Forest along the West Virginia-Virginia border. The determination clears the way for the project — which is 94% complete but has been mired in a lengthy permitting process for years — to finish construction.
Democratic US Senator Manchin Says He Will Oppose All EPA Nominees
Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Manchin said on Wednesday he would oppose all nominees for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posts until President Joe Biden's administration halts what he described as its "radical climate agenda."
Biden's EPA Proposes Crackdown on Power Plant Carbon Emissions
The Biden administration on Thursday unveiled a sweeping plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. power industry, one of the biggest steps so far in its effort to decarbonize the economy to fight climate change.
Pipeline Operator Kinder Morgan Begins Commercial Operations at Renewable Fuels Logistics Hub
(P&GJ) — Kinder Morgan Inc. has announced the commercial in-service of its renewable feedstock storage and logistics hub project with Neste, a leading provider of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
- Phillips 66 to Shut LA Oil Refinery, Ending Major Gasoline Output Amid Supply Concerns
- FERC Sides with Williams in Texas-Louisiana Pipeline Dispute with Energy Transfer
- U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Pipeline Permits
- ConocoPhillips Eyes Sale of $1 Billion Permian Assets Amid Marathon Acquisition
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
- U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Pipeline Permits
- Malaysia’s Oil Exports to China Surge Amid Broader Import Decline
- U.S. LNG Export Growth Faces Uncertainty as Trump’s Tariff Proposal Looms, Analysts Say
- Marathon Oil to Lay Off Over 500 Texas Workers Ahead of ConocoPhillips Merger
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
