OIL
TransCanada states that Keystone XL pipeline would have minimal environmental impact, adding a new asset to their list of benefits, which includes economic growth and stringent safety measures for construction and operation. At a forum held on February 19, 2013, TransCanada and Keystone XL supporters reiterated the pipeline’s potential to create multiple U.S. economic benefits including energy…...
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…...
On January 22, 2013, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman approved a new Nebraska route for the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline, setting the stage for the Obama administration to make a final decision on the long-drawn-out subject. Following Governor Heineman’s approval, the reroute becomes part of TransCanada’s Presidential Permit application filed with the State Department on…...
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…...
A federal court decision on January 15, 2013 denied petitions challenging an EPA ruling that permits the use of a 15% ethanol fuel blend (E15) for light-duty gasoline-fueled vehicles. The step is a major victory for the biofuels industry, with several facilities just beginning to reach commercial production levels. The decision will also help the industry…...
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) on January 4, 2013 released the Final Evaluation Report of Keystone XL pipeline’s proposed northern leg from Alberta, Canada to Steel City, Nebraska. The report submitted to Governor Dave Heineman states that construction and operation of the rerouted pipeline with adequate mitigation efforts would have minimal environmental impact. It…...
California regulators released the state’s first draft regulations for hydraulic fracturing. The industry views the move as a positive start to drive oil and gas development in California, which has some of the strictest well safety regulations. The move could result in dramatic expansion of drilling activities in the state’s Monterey Shale, a major oil…...
On December 12, 2012, Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced a bill that would amend the Natural Gas Act to place North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies on the same licensing system as free trade agreement (FTA) allies for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export. The bill is an outcome of Lugar’s new report, which highlights the…...
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a revised draft of the state’s hydraulic fracturing regulations, yet again extending the rulemaking period by 90 days. Faced with a November 29, 2012 deadline, DEC sought this extension to allow the health panel to complete its review of the proposed shale drilling regulations. DEC’s effort…...
Congress considered one piece of energy legislation last week and will not vote on legislation again until after Thanksgiving. However, a number of important energy-policy events occurred in Washington in the last week related to biofuels and the oil and gas industries. In biofuels, the Environmental Protection Agency denied the request for waiver from the…...