Community & Environment
Judge Rules for North Dakota Landowner in Pipeline Dispute
A judge has dismissed Montana-Dakota Utilities' eminent domain lawsuit over a proposed half-mile natural gas pipeline in northern North Dakota, a decision hailed by landowner attorneys as a rare victory.
New Jersey Challenges FERC Approval of PennEast Pipeline
The state of New Jersey has petitioned a federal appeals court in Washington to set aside the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval of the PennEast Pipeline, the latest in a series of moves to stop construction of the $1 billion project. Fi..
Understanding Corps Of Engineers Approach to Pipeline Permit Approvals
Growing U.S. oil and gas production will require billions of dollars in projects that require permit approvals from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Understanding and working with the Corps can help companies avoid construction delays for pipelines and marine export facilities.
A Conversation with Conservation Fund CEO Larry Selzer
In an interview with P&GJ, Conservation Fund CEO Larry Selzer explains the organization's unique, dual-purpose mission to work with business and government to bring environmental protection and economic vitality together.
Pipeline Construction, Environmental Compliance Can Co-Exist
By being aware of all regulatory requirements and implementing a few best practices, companies can construct pipelines while maintaining environmental compliance.
Some Extra-Clean Breaks with Standard Practices
In recent weeks, some innovations in the area of fortifying the environment have been gaining attention and should make those in the pipeline industry, particularly those involved with gas distribution, feel good about what they do for a living.
Gas Utility Customers Show Greater Satisfaction Levels
Pipeline & Gas Journal staff report In a year that saw growing efforts to improve safety through direct customer outreach and residential safety inspections, the latest J.D. Power Gas Utility Business Customers Study found gas utility customers increasingly satisfied. This represents the sixth yea..
Coastal Reclamation Projects Attempt to Protect Pipelines
Coastal reclamation projects are being undertaken across Louisiana in an attempt to protect pipelines.
Energy Regulatory Outlook Stresses Need for Modernization
Gas pipeline companies across both the distribution and transmission segments have undertaken a much-needed modernization effort with one major catalyzing force – regulatory mandates precipitated by a confluence of serious events, political pressures and pragmatic industry imperatives.
Kimberly Harris Sees Future Shaped by Customer Needs as AGA Turns 100
Puget Sound Energy President & CEO Kimberly Harris this year brings her unique combination of environmental sensibility and unabashed love for the energy industry to the international stage as chair of the American Gas Association as it celebrates its 100th year and hosts the World Gas Conference.
FERC Denies Pipeline’s Request for More Time to Cut Trees
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal commission denied a request Wednesday from developers of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline to continue cutting down trees along the project’s route beyond an initial deadline designed to protect birds and bats. Dominion Ene..
Creating Public Trust with Strategic Outreach
Strategic outreach can help companies overcome opposition to pipeline construction projects.
Deadline Looms for Dakota Access Pipeline Protest Camp
Protesters of the Dakota Access pipeline construction project must soon vacate camp in North Dakota.
Army Nod for Dakota Access Pipeline Looms; Tribe Vows Action
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The developer of the stalled Dakota Access oil pipeline could get clearance from the Army as early as Wednesday to finish the $3.8 billion project, though the American Indian tribe that has led the battle against the project for months has vowed to continue the fight. The Army..
Police, Protesters Face Off At Dakota Access Pipeline
Dakota Access Pipeline construction project protesters and law enforcement officials clash again.
Energy-Related CO2 Emissions for First Six Months of 2016 are Lowest Since 1991
U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions totaled 2,530 million metric tons in the first six months of 2016. This was the lowest emissions level for the first six months of the year since 1991, as mild weather and changes in the fuels used to generate electricity contributed to the decline ..
API: EPA Methane Regs Inconsistent with US Success in Emissions Reductions
The dramatic resurgence of the United States as an energy superpower has provided tremendous economic and environmental benefits, API Upstream Director Erik Milito testified during a House Committee hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s methane regulations. “Thanks to industry efforts ov..
Oil Pipelines In Louisiana May Soon Be Buried At Sea
Louisiana’s shrinking coastline is causing headaches for the oil industry in that state, as an eroding coast and rising sea waters are threatening oil infrastructure. The coastline is disappearing at a rate of approximately 20 square miles per year, which could mean that more than 610 miles of pipe..
Alberta’s Cap on Oilsands Emissions Will Cost Billions With Little Effect on Greenhouse Gases
Capping carbon emissions in Alberta’s oilsands will leave hundreds of billions of dollars in the ground while doing very little to reduce greenhouse gases, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute. The study, How Alberta’s Carbon Emission Cap Will Reduce Oil Sands Growth, estimates ..
API Files Suit Against EPA's Final Oil and Natural Gas Sector Rule
API filed a lawsuit Tuesday with the D.C. Circuit Court challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final oil and natural gas sector rule calling for emission standards for new, reconstructed, and modified sources. Specifically, API challenges the EPA’s failure to adhere to the specific ..
GPA Midstream Against EPA Collecting Oil and Gas Emissions Data
The GPA Midstream Association has filed comments with the Environmental Protection Agency on its proposed information collection request for oil and natural gas facilities. The EPA is soliciting comments to develop a rulemaking that would regulate methane emissions from existing oil and natura..
Firm: California Spill Went Undetected Due to Pipeline Work
VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — The operator of a pipeline that spewed tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil into a Southern California ravine said Friday it didn’t detect the leak because the line was undergoing maintenance. Crimson Pipeline said the remotely monitored line was emptied on Wednesday to ..
Cleanup Underway After California Oil Pipeline Spill
VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — Thousands of gallons of crude oil spilled Thursday from a pipeline and flowed down a ravine in Southern California but did not reach the ocean, officials said. As much as 29,400 gallons of oil spilled and flowed a quarter- to half-mile from the spill, fire authorities said. ..
Shell: Pipeline Fixed after California Oil Spill
Officials at Shell Oil Co. say crews have repaired an underground pipeline after it broke and spilled up to 21,000 gallons of oil in rural Northern California. Company spokesman Ray Fisher said Tuesday that workers are running small amounts of oil through the pipeline to test it and are working on ..
Despite Leak, Sempra CEO Gets Hefty Bonus
The same year a broken Sempra Energy storage well created the biggest natural gas leak in U.S. history, CEO Debra Reed earned her largest bonus yet. While Reed received no payout for the part of her 2015 bonus that’s tied to customer satisfaction and pipeline safety at two Sempra utilities, amounti..
Gas Utilities Launch New EPA Program to Reduce Emissions
In their latest effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 37 AGA-member natural gas utilities launched the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program on March 30, whereby oil and gas companies can make and track commitments to reduce emissions and showcase eff..
Enbridge Predicts $62 Million in Fines, Penalties Tied to Oil Spill
MARSHALL, Mich. (AP) — A pipeline company says it expects $62 million in fines and penalties related to a 2010 Michigan oil spill. In a filing Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Enbridge says $55 million represents penalties under federal water law. The Alberta-based company says n..
Methane Studies Guide Provides Fact-based Insight for Policy Decisions, Natural Gas Leaders Say
Leaders of the Natural Gas Council (NGC) today released an independent, objective and fact-based guide to more than 70 different analyses of methane emissions from natural gas systems. The report, ‘Finding the Facts on Methane Emissions: A Guide to the Literature,’was authored by ICF International a..
SoCalGas Finally Able to Plug Leaking Injection Well
A Los Angeles-area injection well was permanently sealed on Feb. 18 and taken out of service, according to Southern California Gas. The leak was temporarily plugged earlier and SoCalGas finished pumping cement into the base of the well. Residents who were relocated to temporary housing because of th..
PHMSA Cites External Corrosion as Cause of Santa Barbara Spill
External corrosion on a pipeline pumping crude was the root cause of the rupture last May that spilled over 140,000 gallons of oil on the Santa Barbara coast, federal regulators reported. The spill occurred after pumps on the Plains All American Pipeline were shut down and restarted, sending a large..
