Richard Nemec began writing for NGI in 1995 and has 30 years experience in the energy industry. He holds BA from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and a MA in journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; and completed MBA courses at Northwestern's Evening Graduate School of Management.
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Articles from Rich Nemec
Arizona Economic Growth Aided by Natural Gas, Says Southwest Gas
Southwest Gas Corp. officials said they are confident that natural gas has a bright future in Arizona, supported by a law passed last year to prevent local governments from imposing bans on natural gas in new construction. Arizona’s House Bill 2686, effective last August, prohibits local building permits from restricting natural gas. Lawmakers in Oklahoma,…
February 4, 2021
California’s Kern County Oil, Gas Rules Undergoing Further Review
Kern County, CA, has begun a process that could lead to resuming oil and gas well permitting in April if county supervisors approve a draft environmental report prepared after an appellate court last year set aside efforts to streamline the process. The Fifth District Court of Appeals based in Fresno, CA, halted the permitting system…
February 2, 2021
California Oil, Gas Drilling Hits Historic Lows in 2020
New oil and natural gas drilling hit historic lows in California last year while a renewed emphasis on abandoned wells turned up a record high number of permanently sealed wells, the state Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) reported Wednesday. The severe downturn in permitting and new drilling can be seen as a result of the…
January 25, 2021
Southwest Gas Evaluating Impact to Natural Gas Supply from Nevada Climate Initiative
Las Vegas-based Southwest Gas Corp. executives are keeping an eye on the long-term potential of natural gas in light of Nevada’s new State Climate Strategy. The Climate Strategy was issued last month and is designed to reach near-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The series of policy goals include banning the use of gas…
January 22, 2021
Regulators Deny Permit for $2B Methanol Project in Washington
After a third environmental assessment, the Washington Department of Ecology has denied a shoreline permit for a China-backed, $2 billion-plus natural gas-fed methanol plant that would be sited along the Columbia River. Project sponsor Northwest Innovation Works (NWIW) has until Feb. 9 to appeal the ruling made last Tuesday. Chief Development Officer Vee Godley said…
January 21, 2021
NW Natural Taking Partners for More U.S. RNG Production
Portland-based NW Natural is partnering with Idaho-based BioCarbN to invest up to $38 million in four U.S. renewable natural gas (RNG) production projects. The joint projects involve ones with a Tyson Foods Inc. facility in Nebraska to produce biomethane from its wastewater treatment unit, according NW Natural’s Scott Johnson, interim director of Renewable Resources. “These…
January 19, 2021
Bakken Midstream Mulling Ethane-Natural Gas Power Plant
Bakken Midstream Natural Gas LLC is considering developing a dual-fuel electric cooperative power plant in North Dakota that would primarily operate on ethane, with natural gas also in the fuel mix. Bakken Midstream is proposing to build the Williston Basin Energy Center for Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative near Williston, ND, in the heart of the Bakken…
January 19, 2021
North Dakota Well Completions Forecast to Climb in 2021, but Not Rig Count
North Dakota natural gas and oil production declined slightly month/month in November, but more well completions are expected this year on “significantly better” oil prices. Department of Mineral Resources director Lynn Helms noted that recent Bakken Shale sweet crude was trading at around $43.50/bbl, which should spur more well completions, but not high enough to…
January 15, 2021
California Blackouts Said Caused by Poor Planning, Under-Used Natural Gas Supply
A failure for state agencies to conduct integrated planning and miscalculating natural gas supplies contributed to California’s rolling power blackouts during a severe heat storm last August, according to a multi-agency report. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and California Energy Commission (CEC) in the report called for expanded oversight…
January 15, 2021
‘Lapses’ Found in PG&E Wildfire Record Lead Court to Consider More Probation Conditions
A district judge in San Francisco who is overseeing the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) probation for safety violations ordered the combination utility to show cause why it should not have more conditions imposed to better manage power lines in high-risk wildfire areas. PG&E was ordered to respond by Jan. 20 in preparation for…
January 11, 2021