Environment

U.S. Federal Appeals Court Rules Enbridge Line 5 Spill Plan Adequate

A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that an oil-spill response plan for Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline was adequate, reversing a previous decision from a lower court.

Illinois Rejects Bid to Delay Decision on Dakota Access Expansion

Regulators in Illinois have unanimously rejected an attempt by environmental groups to delay the expansion of TC Energy's Dakota Access Pipeline due to the coronavirus.

Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project Faces New Delay Over Water Concerns

Enbridge's Line 3 replacement project is facing months of further delays after Minnesota regulators agreed to hold a public hearing this summer to discuss environmental concerns about the project.

U.S. Congressional Democrats Back Opposition to Dakota Access Pipeline

More than thirty U.S. congressmen and women have lent their support to an attempt by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to shut down the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline while the Army Corps of Engineers conducts and environmental review.

U.S. EPA Moves to Curb State Powers to Deny Permits for Energy Projects

The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed a new rule on Monday that will limit the ability of state governments to deny a critical permit to infrastructure projects in their states.

Court Ruling in Keystone XL Case Will Affect Other Major U.S. Pipelines

A U.S. appeals court ruling on Thursday in a case against the Keystone XL pipeline will likely have large effects on other major pipeline projects in the country.

Experts: Data, Flexibility Key in Crafting Methane Rules

Regulators in New Mexico are working with several groups, including oil and gas experts, to craft rules to help the industry to reduce methane emissions.

EQM Sees U.S. Mountain Valley Pipeline Service in 2020, Analysts Unconvinced

Equitrans Midstream is still optimistic that its Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline can be in service by the end of 2020. Industry analysts are not as confident.

Michigan Regulators Request More Detail on Enbridge Tunnel Proposal

Energy regulators in Michigan have rejected a proposal submitted by Enbridge for its Line 5 tunnel project requesting revised and updated information.

‘Greener’ Energy in Europe Points to Global Production Gap

The European Union is set to ratchet up its climate ambition, overhauling continent-wide regulation aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions.

Subsea UK Partners Team with Non-Profit to Protect Oceans

Subsea UK teamed up with one of the world’s leading non-profit ocean protection organizations to promote and support initiatives to prevent pollution of our oceans.

Crews Tackle Oil Spill at Alaskan TAPS Pipeline Terminal

Clean-up crews are working to contain and clean up an oil spill at the Valdez Marine Terminal on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, officials said on Wednesday.

Ecuador Scrambles to Contain Oil Spill in Amazon Region

Authorities in Ecuador are struggling to contain an oil spill after a landslide ruptured two oil pipelines earlier this week.

AGA Chair Diane Leopold Brings Positive Outlook to Challenging Period for Industry

Diane Leopold became chair of the American Gas Association just in time for an unprecedented economic shutdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The executive vice president and co-chief operating officer of Dominion Energy, talked to P&GJ about the challenges and opportunities facing the natural gas industry.

North Dakota, Tribe to Develop Pipeline Spill Plan

North Dakota will work with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to help develop a response plan for a potential spill of the Dakota Access pipeline, a state official said.

Lawyer for Indigenous Contends Government Delayed Spill Reports

A Squamish Nation lawyer told a Canadian Court that the government delayed sharing critical documents about spill risks related to expanding its oil pipeline, in some cases waiting until after the conclusion of consultations with indigenous communities.

U.S. Flared, Vented More Natural Gas Again in 2019 - Data

The U.S. drilling industry flared or vented more natural gas in 2019 for the third year in a row, as soaring production in Texas, New Mexico, and North Dakota overwhelmed regulatory efforts to curb the practice, according to state data and independent research estimates.

Enbridge Line 3 Receives Minnesota Regulator Approval

A Minnesota regulator ruled on Monday that a revised environmental impact statement for Enbridge Inc’s Line 3 oil pipeline replacement is adequate, helping to clear a significant hurdle for the long-delayed project .

Prospects Advance for Canada's Oil Pipelines, Challenges Still Remain

Prospects for expanding pipelines to move Canadian oil to markets have brightened, but plenty of hurdles remain for the Canadian sector, which has struggled for years with low prices and a glut in storage due to long project delays.

Pembina Withdraws Jordan Cove Application, Holds Out for Federal Approval

Pembina Pipeline Corporation (Pembina) has withdrawn its application for a state permit for the Jordan Cover natural gas pipeline and export terminal in Oregon.

North Dakota Signals No New Conditions on Dakota Access Expansion

North Dakota regulators signaled Thursday that the state would not impose conditions beyond those required by the federal government on a proposal to double the capacity of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

South Dakota Board Approves Keystone XL Water Permits

The South Dakota Water Management Board on Tuesday approved five water permit applications for Keystone XL pipeline construction.

Michigan Officials Request Line 5 Records from Enbridge

Michigan officials requested records from Enbridge Inc. on Monday in an investigation of the company's oil pipeline that runs beneath a channel linking two of the Great Lakes.

NOAA: Jordan Cove LNG Project Would Have Minimal Environmental Impact

Federal authorities have suggested the environmental impact of the proposed Jordan Cove LNG terminal and pipeline in southern Oregon would be minimal, saying the contentious project wouldn’t jeopardize protected species or adversely change their critical habitat.

White House Unveils Plan to Speed Big Projects Permits

The Trump administration on Thursday unveiled a plan to speed permitting for major infrastructure projects like oil pipelines, road expansions and bridges, one of the biggest deregulatory actions of the president's tenure.

U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Dip on Power Switch to Gas

U.S. emissions linked to climate change fell last year on a record drop in coal-fired power generation, but further declines are unlikely without rapid policy changes, according to an estimate released on Tuesday.

FERC Rules Clean Energy Sources Must Pay Higher Market Price

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday directed the largest U.S. power grid operator to force state-subsidized solar and wind electricity providers to raise prices, a move that opponents called a partisan attempt to protect fossil fuels.

Leviathan Gas Field to Start Up Monday; Court Lifts Injunction

Israel's energy ministry gave its final approval for the start of production at the giant Leviathan gas field and said the wells will open early on Monday after a court lifted a temporary injunction granted over environmental concerns.

Energy Firms Fight Surprise Court Order Blocking Leviathan Gas Output

Companies developing the huge natural gas field Leviathan will try to convince an Israeli court to remove an injunction that threatens to delay production due to environmental concerns.

Dominion Energy Partnership to Convert Manure to Natural Gas

Richmond-based Dominion Energy announced that it is launching a $200 million effort to convert methane from cow manure into natural gas.