Utilities concerned after New York denies permit for Transco expansion
New York's decision to deny a permit application for a Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC system expansion in the New York City area showed the state's continued resistance to new pipelines, and New York utilities are concerned about their ability to get natural gas. "Time and time again we are seeing politics overrule pragmatism," American Gas Association President and CEO Karen Harbert said in a statement. "Lack of natural gas infrastructure in the Northeast means people are expected to rely on other sources of energy, driving costs and emissions up and denying New York families and businesses, and others across the region, access to the benefits American natural gas can provide."
SoCalGas' plan to build dairy biomethane facilities gets green light
Southern California Gas Co. got approval to move forward with building four new dairy biomethane facilities in California that will be connected to the utility's pipeline system. The California Public Utilities Commission recently approved contracts between the Sempra Energy utility subsidiary and the project developers, allowing SoCalGas to go ahead with the design and engineering phase of the projects, according to a May 16 news release.
Canadian senators give thumbs-down to oil tanker restrictions
In a rare move, a committee of Canadian senators has recommended that the assembly reject a piece of legislation that would ban large crude tankers from parts of the British Columbia coast, which would have effectively blocked crude exports from Alberta at northern ports. In a 6-6 decision, the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications recommended rejection of Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act. Because of the split vote, the law failed to pass committee.
Mountain Valley Pipeline to pay West Virginia $266,000 for environmental issues
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC reached an agreement under which the developer will pay $266,000 in fines for violating environmental regulations in West Virginia on the 2-Bcf/d natural gas transportation project. Natalie Cox, a spokesperson for Mountain Valley Pipeline, said the developer and the regulator entered into the agreement May 6.
Pa. agency orders Energy Transfer to restore waterways along Revolution pipeline
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ordered an Energy Transfer LP unit to restore bodies of water affected by its construction of the Revolution natural gas pipeline, as part of its ongoing investigation of an explosion at the pipeline in September 2018. The environmental regulator found that ETC Northeast Pipeline LLC violated a number of Pennsylvania's laws and regulations, including the Clean Streams Law, Oil and Gas Act of 2012 and erosion and sediment control regulations, according to a May 14 news release.
Texas oil, gas permits in April fall from prior-month, year-ago levels
The Railroad Commission of Texas issued 909 original drilling permits in April, a decrease from the 1,137 permits it issued in March and the 1,221 permits issued in April 2018.