Community & Environment

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.

Regulators Ease Storage Rules, Fees for Texas Producers

Texas oil and gas regulators voted to temporarily relax their rules for underground crude storage and waive related fees and surcharges that producers typically pay.

Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Explodes in Kentucky

Enbridge responded to an explosion Monday evening on Line 10 of its Texas Eastern system in Kentucky, and said Tuesday that it has shut-in a section of the pipeline. Gas futures rose on the news.

PHMSA Eases Pipeline Regulations, Enforcement in Response to Pandemic

Responding to the impact Covid-19 on midstream staffing and resources, PHMSA has issued two guidance documents to ease some operating requirements, allow discretion in enforcement and provide flexibility to support the critical needs of state and industry partners.

‘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.

Canada’s Court Rulings Brighten Path for Pipeline Expansion

Canada's efforts to add oil and gas pipeline capacity were stalemated by legal challenges over the past decade, but two important court rulings since the start of the year may break the bottleneck.

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.

Enbridge Applies for Construction of Great Lakes Pipeline Tunnel

Enbridge applied for permission to construct a pipeline tunnel beneath a waterway connecting two Great Lakes to replace an aging 4-mile stretch of its aging Line 5.

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.

Energy Recommendations for Michigan's Upper Peninsula Readied for Governor

After months of speculation Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy posted the Task Force’s Draft Recommendations for Line 5, the 30-inch, light crude and natural gas liquids pipeline owned by Enbridge.

EnLink Midstream Lays off 20% of Workforce

EnLink Midstream said it has laid off about 300 employees, or 20% of its workforce, to cut costs amid an unprecedented crash in oil prices because of the coronavirus outbreak and a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

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.

Ameren Illinois Continues to Modernize With $8.5 Million Gas System Projects

Ameren Illinois announced additional updates to its natural gas system with $8.5 million in replacement projects scheduled for completion by late October in Springfield and San Jose.

Canadian Police Clear Indigenous Blockade of Rail Line

Police moved in on Monday morning to clear a rail blockade by an indigenous group in eastern Canada that had been stopping freight and passenger traffic for more than two weeks on one of the country's busiest lines.

Canada Demands Rail Barricades Come Down as Farmers, Businesses Feel Pain

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday demanded aboriginal groups lift damaging rail blockades but the protesters at the heart of the standoff remained defiant, saying their conditions had not yet been met.

South Dakota Tribes Speak Against 'Riot-Boosting' Penalties

Native American groups opposed to the Keystone XL oil pipeline told South Dakota lawmakers Wednesday that Gov. Kristi Noem's plan to restore criminal penalties for urging riots would result in peaceful protesters being silenced.

Recalling Past Violence, Police Use Caution in Canadian Rail Blockade

As a blockade of Canada's rail lines drags on and the economic impact deepens, police aware of the bitter legacy created by past fatal clashes with indigenous protesters have chosen not to clear the tracks by force.

Canadian Railway Closes Key Routes Due to Pipeline Protester Blockades

Canadian National Railway said it is shutting down its Eastern Canadian operations because of illegal blockades by indigenous protesters opposing the construction of Coastal GasLink pipeline.

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.

Canadian Police Arrest Six at Coastal GasLink Site

Canadian police arrested six people on Thursday in a remote area of northern British Columbia where indigenous protesters have blocked construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

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.