Utilities

Enbridge Gas to Cut Emergency Response Shifts in Toronto, Labor Union Says

Canadian labor union Unifor said on Friday that Enbridge's gas unit wants to cut its emergency response shifts in Toronto, amid an emphasis on curtailing costs.

FBI Warns of Chinese Hackers Targeting U.S. Infrastructure, Including 23 Pipeline Operators

Chinese government-linked hackers have burrowed into U.S. critical infrastructure and are waiting "for just the right moment to deal a devastating blow," FBI Director Christopher Wray said on Thursday.

Erosion Prediction, Prevention in Pipeline Gas Production

According to industrial experts, many causes for erosion include multiphase flow with sand or without sand, droplet impingement, slurry flow, cavitation and droplet flash.

New England Carbon Emissions Spike as Power Plants Turn to Dirtier Fuel

New England’s electric grid delivered a massive blast of greenhouse gas into the air during a recent stretch of cold weather, as power stations switched from natural gas to dirtier but cheaper fuel oil.

Texas Utility Provider Forecasts High Demand for Coming Winter Storm

Texas utility provider ERCOT forecast high energy demand during an approaching a winter storm, warning that frozen precipitation it could cause local electricity outages.

US Plans to Improve Cyber Defenses for Water Utilities Following Natural Gas Model

The White House unveiled a plan to beef up cybersecurity in the nation's water sector, an extension of its efforts to thwart attacks against critical infrastructure including natural gas pipeline operators.

Safety Techniques for Aboveground Natural Gas Pipelines

There are a variety of techniques used to enhance the safety of aboveground natural gas pipelines. Coatings to minimize corrosion are an example of a safety aspect used by natural gas operators.

US Tells Lebanon Not to Fear Sanctions Over Energy Supply Plans, PM's Office Says

Under a plan agreed between Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Syria, Egyptian gas would be piped to Lebanon via Jordan and Syria to help boost Lebanon's power output.

U.S. Awards $98 Million in Grants to Support Pipeline Safety Efforts

PHMSA announced it is awarding $98.8 million in grants to states, territories, and tribes to help enhance pipeline and hazardous materials safety programs at the community level for 11 different safety programs.

Performance Measures Needed to Assess Liquid Pipeline Regulations

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) amended safety regulations in 2019. Several operators said they would need to modify or replace pipelines to accommodate certain inspection tools.

Automated Compliance Management Aids Recordkeeping

Amid growing PHMSA regulation and evolving technology, gas utilities are being called to modernize and improve business processes to meet safety and compliance goals. Going through this process will cause organizations to experience change on many levels.

Spotlight on Utilities

Routine calls for utility workers led to lives being saved due to their proper training and quick thinking.

Construction of Cuxtal Gas Pipeline to Boost Yucatan Economy

With his implementation of a comprehensive energy program for Yucatan, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador hopes to bolster the economic and social development of the state, along with the rest of southeast Mexico.

Duke Energy Begins Replacing Aging Gas Pipeline

Construction got underway on the 12-mile Central Corridor replacement pipeline designed to run though Hamilton County, Ohio, which is in the southeast corner of the state and contains the city of Cincinnati.

Oil Refineries Shut as Texas Energy Industry Reels from Deep Freeze

A deep freeze across Texas took a toll on the energy industry in the largest U.S. crude-producing state, shutting oil refineries and forcing restrictions from natural gas pipeline operators.

LNG Prices Reach 6-Year High as Winter Storm Hits Asia

As an early winter chill grips China, South Korea and Japan, prices for LNG and power are rising due to supply crunches and a surge in demand with more cold weather expected.

APGA Focuses on Industry Safety, Advocacy

In this interview, APGA Chairman John Leary discusses the association's priorities for the coming year, helping members who are coping with the coronavirus and engaging the public concerning natural gas and other topics.

Lacking Pipelines, U.S. Northeast Gas Prices Jump Ahead of Winter Storm

U.S. Northeast power and natural gas prices for Wednesday jumped to their highest level in almost a year as energy companies prepare for what could be the region's biggest winter storm in years.

Omaha House Explosion Likely Not Caused by Natural Gas

An investigation into the cause of an Omaha, Neb., house explosion indicates that it was probably not caused by a natural gas leak, as initially speculated.

Gas Suspected in Fatal Omaha House Explosion

An explosion that leveled a home in Omaha killed two people and left two others critically injured, fire officials said. Crews from the city’s natural gas utility were on the scene, but the cause has not been confirmed.

Limited Pipeline Capacity in North American Regions Raises Winter Fuel Concerns

The United States has enough power generation to meet demand this winter, but extreme weather could challenge reliability in California and New England by putting fuel supplies at risk

Consumers Energy Completes 90-Mile Saginaw Trail Pipeline

Consumers Energy has completed construction of its $610 million Saginaw Trail Pipeline project, which replaced aging natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure across three Michigan counties.

EU Denies Gas Plants a Green Finance Tag

The European Commission on Friday proposed that power plants fueled by natural gas would not be not classed as a sustainable investment in Europe, although plants could possibly gain a green label by burning some hydrogen.

New CO2 Tax Hikes Price of Natural Gas in Germany

Millions of German households will see their gas heating bills rise at the start of 2021 because of a new carbon dioxide tax, price comparison portal Verivox said on Tuesday, citing 7.1% average increases planned by 104 suppliers it surveyed.

Beneath the Bustling City, Pipelines Operate Largely Unnoticed

Within cities, utilities considering pipeline replacement or expansion must have it all, including great communication, a solid plan, the latest technology and a smart public awareness strategy.

Mexico Sets Condition for Sempra LNG Export Permit

Mexico will give the local unit of U.S.-based Sempra Energy an export permit for an LNG facility in northwest Mexico, as long as the company helps offset an oversupply of gas in the area, the president said on Friday.

Callahan Pipeline Completed in Northeast Florida

Affiliates of Chesapeake Utilities and TECO Peoples Gas have completed the 27-mile Callahan Intrastate pipeline, underpinning natural gas service expansion in two Florida counties.

CenterPoint Completes $240 Million Pipeline Modernization Plan, Seeks Cost Recovery

CenterPoint Energy's Southern Indiana Gas and Electric utility has asked regulators for a rate increase to recover the costs of its 7-year, $240 million natural gas pipeline modernization plan.

EU Set to Deny Gas Power Plants a Green Investment Label

Power plants fueled by natural gas will not be classed as a sustainable investment in Europe, unless they meet an emissions limit that none currently comply with, according to draft European Union regulations.

Kleinfelder Completes Acquisition of Gas Transmission Systems

San Diego-based Kleinfelder Group said it has acquired utilities and pipeline services firm Gas Transmission Systems (GTS) for an undisclosed sum.