Regulation
FERC Weighs Plan to Build Pacific Connector Pipeline in Oregon
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is set to decide this week on a proposed natural gas pipeline and marine export terminal in Oregon that is likely set up a court battle over state's rights if approved.
U.S. Gives Iraq Sanctions Waiver for Iranian Gas Imports
The United States has granted Iraq a 45-day sanctions waiver enabling the country to continue importing vital Iranian gas and electricity supplies, two Iraqi officials said on Wednesday.
Texas Railroad Commission Adopts New Pipeline Safety Rules
Texas regulators have adopted new safety rules that prohibit natural gas distribution pipeline operators from installing underground cast iron, wrought iron or bare steel pipelines.
FERC Approves Chesapeake Utilities Pipeline Expansion
Chesapeake Utilities has announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued an order approving the Company’s proposed Del-Mar Energy Pathway Project.
FERC Boosts Natural Gas
An order issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in December against state subsidies for nuclear and renewable energy – called “out-of-market subsidies” – apparently gives a big boost to electric utilities using natural gas and the pipelines that feed them.
NPC Offers Improvements to Regulations
The National Petroleum Council (NPC) released a report focusing on pipeline permitting solutions, which suggests the regulatory process for infrastructure needs to be simplified to eliminate redundancies.
New OPA90 PREP Guidelines Bring Flexibility to WCD Response Testing
Oil transfer and storage businesses (onshore), which fall under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90), are familiar with the 2016 National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines.
Canadian Court Dismisses Challenge to Trans Mountain Expansion
Canada's Federal Court of Appeal on Tuesday dismissed a challenge to the approval by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion, clearing some uncertainty from the project.
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.
PennEast Seeks to Start Construction in Pennsylvania
PennEast Pipeline Co LLC said on Friday it has asked federal energy regulators for permission to build the Pennsylvania part of its proposed natural gas pipeline first due to difficulty in gaining approvals in New Jersey.
U.S. FERC Sides with PennEast Pipeline NJ Eminent Domain Case
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday supported the view of companies developing the $1 billion PennEast natural gas pipeline that they can use federal eminent domain to gain access to properties owned by New Jersey.
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.
Germany Makes Legal Changes to Ease Nord Stream 2 Completion
Germany’s parliament approved changes to the law governing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to make it compliant with European Union regulations, removing a hurdle to completion of the Russia-led project.
House Democrats to Approve Tough Pipeline Bill
Democrats in the House are about to pass a new pipeline safety bill that is unlikely to attract any Republican support. The Pipeline Safety Act (H.R. 5120), which passed by two House committees in November with no GOP votes in favor, also clashes with the bi-partisan bill passed last summer by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
Wisconsin Enacts Felony Pipeline Trespass Bill
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed into law a bipartisan proposal making it a felony to trespass or damage oil or gas pipelines in the state, despite saying he had some problems with the bill.
Where PHMSA’s Voluntary Information-Sharing Program Stands
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) officials are apparently still interested in developing a voluntary information sharing (VIS) safety reporting program.
Canada Supreme Court Rejects British Columbia Bid to Regulate Oil Pipeline
The Supreme Court of Canada on Thursday quickly dismissed an attempt by the western province of British Columbia to regulate what can be transported in a major crude oil pipeline crossing its territory.
16 States Oppose PHMSA Proposal for LNG Rail Shipments
Attorneys general from 16 U.S. states have opposed a Trump administration proposal to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail, arguing that any leaks increase safety risks to residents and emergency responders.
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.
Louisiana Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Pipeline Lawsuit
A Louisiana appeals court heard arguments Wednesday on a lawsuit challenging state laws that let oil pipeline operators take private land for construction.
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.
Federal Appeals Court Tosses Permit for Atlantic Coast Pipeline Station
A federal appeals court has thrown out a permit for a natural gas compressor station on Dominion Energy's Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
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.
Enbridge May Re-file Application for U.S. Deepwater Oil Terminal
Enbridge Inc will consider re-filing its application for federal permits to build a crude export terminal off Freeport, Texas, if market demand picks up, a company spokesman said on Friday.
Revolution, Mariner East to Resume after $30 Million Settlement
Pennsylvania fined Energy Transfer more than $30 million on Friday but will allow it to resume construction of its Revolution pipeline. The agreement also lifts a statewide construction ban, enabling work to resume on Mariner East.
U.S. Sanctions Block Hurry-Up Work on Nord Stream 2
Any companies that rush to finish building a Russian natural gas export pipeline to Germany that came under U.S. sanctions this month risk being penalized, senior U.S. officials said on Sunday.
