NATURAL GAS
Companies working on the Alaska LNG Export project released a report on pipeline progress, fulfilling another round of benchmarks laid out by Governor Parnell. On February 15, 2013, North Slope energy giants Exxon Mobil, BP, and ConocoPhillips, along with Calgary-based TransCanada, submitted a report to Alaskan Governor Sean Parnell, detailing new developments in their proposed Alaska…...
New York State’s decision to permit hydraulic fracturing faced yet another delay, citing more time needed for the health department to complete its ongoing public health review. On February 12, 2013, New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah wrote to the Department of Environmental Commission (DEC) stating that the ongoing hydraulic fracturing impact review…...
President Obama outlined bold actions to combat climate change, elaborating on his inaugural vow to address the issue. Obama further pledged to use his executive power to tackle climate change challenges if Congress denied action. At his State of the Union (SOTU) speech on February 12, 2013, President Obama cast a bold vision on climate change…...
Divided opinions over climate change issues delayed approval of the draft oversight plan in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Democrats called to amend the draft plan to hold hearings on climate change science, an issue that Republicans have long opposed. On February 6, 2013, democrats in the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced a…...
Recognizing the need to upgrade New York’s energy infrastructure in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Governor Cuomo’s plans would fundamentally redesign the state’s power system. In his 2013 State of the State report, the Governor highlighted increased grid resiliency, renewable power integration, and reduced dependence on centralized power systems. Governor Cuomo’s proposals follow an interim report…...
The California Department of Water Resources (CDWR), the state’s largest power consumer, has decided to terminate its contract with a coal-fueled power plant in Nevada, with the contract set to expire in 2013. CDWR will switch to natural gas-fueled power, as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The decision came as…...
On December 5, 2012, the DOE released its much-awaited study by NERA Economic Consulting on the macroeconomic impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from U.S. The study projects that U.S. will gain net economic benefits from LNG exports. The report demonstrates that the shale gas revolution can provide a much needed economic lift as lawmakers…...
On December 3, 2012 Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a draft Secretarial Order to harness the potash rich reserves of southeast New Mexico for oil and gas extraction alongside potash mining. The new plan intends to put an end to the prolonged legal dispute between the two industries over extraction rights by establishing “drilling islands” and…...
Utica shale has seen two-fold rig count growth over the past year as drillers in the northern U.S. continue moving away from the Marcellus gas play and into the Utica oil play. Key Takeaways: Utica is becoming a preferential play for drillers because of its rich oil and natural gas liquid (NGL) content Oil-rich eastern Ohio prompts…...
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to shale gas extraction are much lower than previously cited estimates and assumptions, according to a new report from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The study, released on November 26, 2012, shows that companies are using green completion technologies to capture most of the emissions rather than vent or flare…...
With the election over, President Obama’s energy priorities will emerge as new rules and regulations are finalized under existing law. The balance of power in Washington is the same as it was prior to the elections– President Barack Obama will serve another four years and Congress will continue to be divided with a Democrat-controlled Senate…...
Under President Obama’s second term, energy industry officials and analysts are keen on the Administration’s priorities for the energy sector, envisioning regulatory reforms and policies to advance the nation’s energy and economic security. Key areas to watch include Keystone XL Pipeline talks, recognizing the primacy of states in regulating oil and natural gas development, and…...
