Community & Environment

Xcel Energy Says Its Facilities Likely Started Texas Fire, Faces Negligence Allegations

The Minneapolis-based utility, which provides power and natural gas to parts of Texas and seven other U.S. states, disputed "claims that it acted negligently in maintaining and operating its infrastructure."

HVO: Fuel for the Future

The advancement of the energy transition is leading to a growing imperative to reduce carbon emissions in challenging-to-transform sectors. Various industries are adopting alternative fuels and embracing increased electrification to promote sustainable practices within the construction and extraction sectors. In this regard, hydrated vegetable oil (HVO) represents a pioneering alternative fuel source.

Sypris Awarded Contract for Gorgon Project's Carbon Capture and Storage Systems

Sypris Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions Inc., has recently received an award to supply specialty high-pressure closures for use in the Gorgon Project to support the optimization of the existing carbon capture and storage facilities.

Chevron Indefinitely Closes Two U.S. Midwest Biodiesel Plants as Profits Slip

Chevron has indefinitely idled two biodiesel production facilities in the U.S. Midwest, the company confirmed on Friday, citing poor market conditions.

EPA Excludes Existing Natural Gas Plants from Proposed Carbon Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday said it will exclude existing natural gas power plants from its proposed carbon regulations that it plans to finalize in April, narrowing the scope of the initial proposal that would have required stringent controls on those facilities.

Trans Mountain Pipeline Expects Q2 Launch, 10% Cost Increase

Trans Mountain Corp., the Canadian government-owned oil pipeline company, continues to target a second-quarter in-service date for its expansion and expects the project's cost to rise 10%, according to a filing.

EU Allocates $402 Million to Italian Energy Groups for Green Hydrogen Project

The European Commission has awarded financing of up to $402 million to set up a 'Green Hydrogen Valley' in Italy's Puglia region, the energy groups involved said.

Denmark Ends Probe Into 'Deliberate' Nord Stream Pipeline Blasts

Denmark has dropped its investigation into the explosions in 2022 on the Nord Stream pipelines carrying Russian gas to Germany, police said on Monday, becoming the second nation to do so after Sweden closed its own inquiry.

DTE Energy Seeks Developers for New Renewable Projects

The energy company, which operates a natural gas company in Michigan, is seeking proposals for renewable energy projects totaling about 1,075 megawatts (MW) to advance its decarbonization efforts.

Venture Global LNG Customers Challenge Permit Extension Request

Three of Venture Global LNG's major customers have asked U.S. energy regulators to address the LNG developer's request for a one-year permit extension to complete a Louisiana export facility, signaling their intention to voice concerns.

Equitrans Delays Mountain Valley Natural Gas Pipeline Again, Increases Projected Cost

U.S. energy firm Equitrans Midstream has delayed the estimated completion of its Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to Virginia to the second quarter from the first quarter due in part to adverse weather in January.

Hydrogen-Blend Pipelines: Fast-Tracking Innovations Leading Fossil Fuel Resurgence

The year 2023 was a time of extremely conflicting messages for the future of fossil fuels and the sundry clean fuel alternatives to meet distance carbon-free climate change goals.

New York Pension Fund Tightens Restrictions on Exxon, Other Oil Companies

The New York State Common Retirement Fund would restrict its investments in eight integrated oil and gas companies including Exxon Mobil, after a review of the companies' readiness to transition to a low-carbon economy.

U.S. Appeals Court Rejects Renewed Challenge to Mountain Valley Pipeline

A federal appeals court has for the second time rejected a challenge by property owners to the Mountain Valley Pipeline's use of eminent domain, finding that a federal law bars the case despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that made it easier to sue federal agencies.

Oil Industry, Environmental Groups Challenge Biden's Offshore Drilling Plan in Court

Oil and gas companies and environmental groups on Monday filed dueling legal challenges to the Biden administration's five-year plan to offer drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico.

Saudi Arabia Attributes Oil Capacity U-turn to Energy Transition, Ensures Ample Spare Capacity

Saudi Arabia's U-turn on its oil capacity expansion plans was because of the energy transition, its energy minister said on Monday, adding that the kingdom has plenty of spare capacity to cushion the oil market.

U.S. Government Plans Funding for Methane Reduction Projects in Oil, Gas Sectors

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) released a notice of intent on Friday to help fund projects aimed at reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sectors.

Pemex Platform in Mexico Leaked Clouds of Methane Even After UN Alert, Data Shows

State energy company Pemex released large volumes of methane from an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico last year, with leaks recurring even after a United Nations agency flagged problems there to the Mexican government, according to a Reuters analysis of previously unreported U.N. data.

Regulator Orders Trans Mountain Expansion Project to Address Deficiencies After B.C. Flooding

The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) has ordered the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project to address environmental deficiencies and noncompliances found following flooding near Abbotsford, British Columbia, the regulator said on Thursday.

Delek's Big Spring Refinery Chosen for $95 Million DOE Carbon Capture Pilot Project

Delek US Holdings said on Friday the U.S. Department of Energy has selected its Big Spring refinery for a pilot carbon capture project and would provide up to $95 million of federal funding to support its development.

Canada Regulator Clears Latest Trans Mountain Pipeline Delay of Environmental or Safety Concerns

The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) said on Wednesday that it has not noted any environmental or safety concerns with the latest construction challenges to plague the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

U.S. Official to Testify on Biden's LNG Export Pause at Senate Hearing

A top U.S. Energy Department official will testify at Feb. 8 Senate Energy Committee hearing looking into President Joe Biden's pause on new approvals for LNG exports, the Energy Department said on Thursday.

Methane Standards Hit Pipelines More Gently Than Proposed

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final methane performance standards for natural gas controllers and compressors, which will require midstream and interstate pipelines to take a new look at their emission controls.

Former Sempra Energy Chief Behind Efforts to Salvage Driftwood LNG Project

U.S. LNG developer Tellurian chose a Lazard Inc. investment banker to right its struggling Driftwood LNG export project, the company's chairman told investors this week.

Phillips 66 Shuts Section of Oklahoma Panhandle Pipeline After Fire

Phillips 66 said it has shut a section of a natural gas pipeline it operates in the Oklahoma Panhandle after fire and rupture that occurred on Tuesday morning.

Environmental Group Unlikely to Challenge Venture Global’s CP2 Construction Permit Approval

Environmentalists are unlikely to challenge in court regulators' expected approval of Venture Global LNG's CP2 export terminal, activist Bill McKibben told Reuters on Tuesday.

POET's U.S. Midwest Ethanol Plants to Join Summit Carbon Pipeline Project

POET LLC said on Monday the world's largest ethanol producer will partner with Summit Carbon Solutions to capture carbon dioxide emissions at 17 of its U.S. Midwest ethanol plants as part of Summit's multi-state pipeline project.

Concerns Mount Among Activist Investors as Exxon Mobil's Lawsuit Sidesteps U.S. Regulator in Shareholder Dispute

Investors that use shareholder resolutions to pressure companies on environmental and social issues said they are worried that an Exxon Mobil lawsuit bypassing the U.S. securities regulator could undermine their influence.

INGAA Warns of 'Devastating Ripple Effects' Amid Biden’s Halting of LNG Export Terminal Approvals

In response to the decision, Amy Andryszak, president and CEO of INGAA, emphasized the potential consequences, stating, “The administration needs to appreciate that even a ‘pause’ on approvals can potentially cause devastating ripple effects on national security, energy investments, the supply chain, and American workers and consumers."

Biden Halts LNG Export Approvals Amid Climate Pressure, Imperils Projects

President Joe Biden has paused approvals for pending and future applications to export LNG from new projects on Friday, a move cheered by climate activists that could delay decisions on new plants until after the Nov. 5 election.