NATURAL GAS

Alaska Legislature Approves Bill to Facilitate State Partnership in LNG Project

The Alaska Legislature has approved a measure directing negotiations for state partnership in the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline project. On April 20, 2014, Alaska Legislature passed SB 138, allowing negotiations to establish state partnership with the major North Slope producers – BP, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobil – and pipeline company TransCanada in the proposed large-diameter Alaska…...

EPA and Texas Issue First Joint GHG Permit

EPA and Texas have issued the first joint greenhouse gas permit in the State. On April 16, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a final greenhouse gas (GHG) permit to Equistar Chemicals to expand and modify an existing petrochemical plant.  The permit is the first to be drafted…...

ConocoPhillips to Resume Alaska LNG Exports

ConocoPhillips has obtained DOE authorization to export LNG to non-FTA countries from its Kenai Facility in Alaska. On April 14, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued authorization for ConocoPhillips Alaska Natural Gas Corporation (CPANGC) to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its Kenai LNG facility in Alaska to non-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries.  CPANGC…...

LNG Shows Potential for Railroad Fuel

EIA’s 2014 Annual Energy Outlook projects strong potential for fueling freight locomotives with liquefied natural gas. On April 14, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report highlighting the potential of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel freight locomotives.  The report draws on EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2014 (AEO2014) which projects significant appeal to…...

Memoranda of Understanding Aim to Increase Transparency of Energy Market Oversight

On January 2, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission officially entered into two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). The MOUs will provide solutions for overlapping jurisdiction and sharing information of mutual interest. Overview On March 5, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced…...

DOE Releases Strategic Plan 2014-2018

DOE has released a five-year Strategic Plan outlining priorities to address the nation’s energy, security, economic, and environmental challenges. On April 7, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) released its Strategic Plan for 2014-2018 to advance its mission of enhancing U.S. security and economic growth through transformative science, technology, and market solutions to address energy,…...

Pipeline Penalties Highest in 2013

Proposed penalties regarding violation of federal pipeline safety regulations reached a record high of $9.7M in 2013. On April 7, 2014, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced that it proposed more than $9.7M in civil penalties for violations of pipeline safety regulations in 2013, the highest penalty amount proposed…...

California Cap and Trade Program Strong after First Year of Operation

On February 19, 2014, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) held its sixth carbon allowance auction. Auction results over the first year show that compliance entities are becoming more comfortable with program and that investor market confidence is growing. Similarly, a secondary allowance market is also developing as market confidence grows. Overview The California Air…...