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.
Archive / Author
SubscribeRich Nemec
Articles from Rich Nemec
North Dakota Reaches 93% Natural Gas Capture Rate Amid Production Increases
North Dakota’s operators have achieved a 93% natural gas capture rate statewide in September, when month/month oil and gas production increased. In the state’s Bakken Shale, home of robust supplies of sweet light crude oil that is rich with associated gas, flaring has been excessive as production growth outpaced efforts to build sufficient midstream takeaway…
November 18, 2020
California NGVs Said to Achieve Carbon Negative Intensity
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said its measurement of renewable natural gas vehicle (NGV) portfolios earlier this year showed their carbon intensity was less than zero under the statewide low carbon fuels standard (LCFS).* In 2Q2020 data recently released, CARB said the renewable NGV fuel mix achieved a carbon negative status, marking a first for…
November 17, 2020
Avista Utilities See Covid-19 Cut into Northwestern Power Demand
Avista Corp. utilities in four northwestern states have committed to helping communities rebuild from the Covid-19 pandemic, but they are getting hit in real time from the loss of demand. CEO Dennis Vermillion during a conference call to discuss third quarter earnings said the safety and health of customers, employees and communities were the top…
November 12, 2020
San Francisco to Ban Natural Gas in New Buildings Starting Next Year
San Francisco’s elected board of supervisors on Tuesday agreed to ban the use of natural gas in new buildings beginning in 2021. The supervisors had imposed a gas ban earlier this year in new and remodeled municipal buildings, following the lead of a growing list of cities in California. At least 15 other cities in…
November 12, 2020
California Resources Expecting No Significant Increase in Capex to Year’s End
California Resources Corp. (CRC) CEO Todd Stevens said the state’s largest independent is not planning any significant increase in capital investment in the fourth quarter after exiting bankruptcy last month.* CRC expects to add a renewable component to its traditional oil and gas business, Stevens said during the third quarter conference call. “This has always…
November 10, 2020
NW Natural Pushes Expanded Hydrogen, RNG Projects Despite Pandemic
While Covid-19 continues to have a financial impact, Portland, OR-based NW Natural is pursuing acquisitions of small water utilities, rolling out hydrogen research projects and expanding its sources of renewable natural gas (RNG). CEO David Anderson and senior executives outlined third quarter results and projects underway during an earnings conference call Thursday. After the initial…
November 10, 2020
Natural Gas Utilities to Play Key Role in Decarbonization, Says Sempra Chief
Natural gas utilities can help lead the transition to a carbonless energy future in the United States, Sempra Energy CEO Jeffrey Martin said last week. California, where two of Sempra’s three major U.S. utilities operate, has a regulatory proceeding to develop a strategy for a phased approach to developing a multi-decade strategy for gas. Martin…
November 9, 2020
Sempra Building ‘Strong’ LNG Franchise in North America, Says CEO
Sempra Energy’s planned portfolio of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities is among the most competitive in North America, according to CEO Jeffrey Martin, who on Thursday outlined progress on the three big projects in Louisiana, Texas and Mexico. “We think we have built a strong franchise in our LNG business, and to fund its…
November 6, 2020
One Northwest Methanol Plant in Washington Gets Positive Assessment
More than seven years after China-backed efforts began to build natural gas-fed methanol manufacturing along the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest, a single site may have been resuscitated in Washington. The Washington Ecology Department issued a draft second supplemental environmental impact statement (SSEIS) for the proposed Northwest Innovation Works (NWIW) methanol facility in Port…
November 5, 2020
Black Hills Sees Natural Gas Continuing as Long-Term Choice for Customers
Natural gas is a long-term player and not a transitional fuel for the eight states in which Rapid City, SD-based Black Hills Corp. operates, CEO Linn Evans said Tuesday. During a 3Q2020 earnings call, Evans said he was not expecting any local lockdowns in the utility service areas, with the worst of the Covid-19 impacts…
November 4, 2020