NATURAL GAS

California Addresses Gas Shortage Risks Following Aliso Canyon Leak

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

On April 5, 2016, California energy agencies released an action plan identifying measures to preserve gas and electric reliability in the greater Los Angeles area following a major leak at the Aliso Canyon underground natural gas storage facility. The plan is expected to reduce the possibility of electric interruptions, although it will not completely eliminate the risk. The incident, which has triggered regulatory efforts at state and federal levels, could bolster the Administration’s plans to curb methane emissions and further regulate underground storage.

PHMSA Proposes Revisions to Expand Scope of Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Regulations

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

On March 17, 2016, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) proposed revisions to safety standards for onshore natural gas transmission and gathering pipelines. The revisions could impose significant regulatory requirements for additional miles of natural gas pipelines, including pre-1970 pipelines previously exempt from PHMSA regulations, and are estimated to cost industry between $39.8 and $47.4 million a year. Regulatory requirements for automatic shut-off valves and underground storage have been postponed for future rulemaking.

California Leak Exposes Risks of Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: The California Department of Conservation (DOC) will issue emergency natural gas storage regulations in response to a persistent leak at the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility in Los Angeles County This incident exposes underground storage risks and regulatory disparity as utilities continue to increase natural gas-fired generation Innovative methane detection technology will…...

Regulators Reconsider Utility Hedging Policies Given Shifts In Natural Gas Flow

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: Florida’s investor-owned utilities will continue to employ current natural gas hedging practices, which have resulted in approximately $6B opportunity costs Evolving supply-demand dynamics of the natural gas market spur utility commissioners to reconsider hedging policy Ongoing state efforts to enhance hedging mechanisms reflect the need for long-term supply contract structures   Insight for…...

New Pipeline Expansions Target Emerging North American Demand Centers

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: Natural gas pipeline expansions will deliver new incremental production from the Marcellus and Utica regions to emerging markets in the Midwest, Southeast and Gulf Coast Cross-border pipelines are increasing natural gas exports to Canada and Mexico Bidirectional pipeline projects will optimize potential excess supply in the Northeast during spring and fall Impending liquefied…...

Senate Energy Package Focuses on Fossil Fuels and Electric Infrastructure

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 contains comprehensive reforms with impacts to gas, electric, and renewables, and it is likely to pass after the August recess The bill would require the Department of Energy (DOE) to issue final decisions on applications to export natural gas to countries that do not have a…...

Rate of Regulatory Approval Key to U.S. Role in Global LNG Market

Coal Power, Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Oil, Power & Utilities

During the 2000s, many companies positioned themselves for a prolonged period of U.S. natural gas import dependence and constructed multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals across the Gulf Coast. However, the shale revolution transformed the domestic energy landscape, with natural gas production increasing from 19 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in 2005 to 27…...

Signed Energy Act Sets Tone for Upcoming Energy Legislation Debates

Biofuels, Carbon Markets, Coal Power, Electric Vehicles, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Hydropower, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power1 Comment

Insight for Industry – Energy Efficiency Improvement Act Will Reduce Energy Demand The Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, which President Obama signed into law on April 30, will add momentum to falling energy consumption per capita in the United States by reducing energy demand from commercial buildings, manufacturing plants, and homes. The relatively uncontroversial…...

U.S. Coal Industry Hurt by Market Conditions; Now Hinges on Regulations

Biofuels, Coal Power, Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Oil, Power & Utilities, Renewables

Coal has long reigned as the leading energy source for U.S. electricity generation, but structural changes in U.S. energy markets, brought on by technological innovations and new regulatory initiatives, have called into question the future of the coal industry. For over a century, the coal industry has provided the lifeblood for American progress, fueling the…...

FERC Advances Oregon LNG Export Facility as Congress Moves to Fast-Track New Trade Legislation

Carbon Markets, Coal Power, Emissions, Energy Storage, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil, Power & Utilities, Renewables1 Comment

Trans-Pacific Partnership would Open New Markets for U.S. LNG Export Projects Key Takeaways: U.S. shale gas boom created opportunities to export surplus natural gas to high price markets in Asia, but lengthy regulatory processes have weakened U.S. natural gas producers’ ability to compete with global markets The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) could facilitate western LNG…...

FERC Ruling Contributes to PJM Market Uncertainty

Coal Power, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Fossil Fuels, Hydropower, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Smart Grid, Wind Power1 Comment

Insight for Industry – PJM Capacity Market Faces Continued Uncertainty Despite ongoing efforts by PJM Interconnection (PJM) to address system reliability issues, regulatory impacts to its capacity market continue to increase uncertainty. The March 31 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruling that requires PJM to provide additional information on its Capacity Performance (CP) proposal could…...