Activists

Four members of Congress assured the natural gas industry that they are working on a bipartisan basis to create comprehensive energy legislation, and appreciate recent input from some unusual quarters — specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pope Francis. They did not, however, appreciate shouted comments by environmental activists repeatedly interrupting their presentation at the Natural Gas Roundtable session in Washington Thursday.

Four members of Congress assured the natural gas industry that they are working on a bipartisan basis to create comprehensive energy legislation, and appreciate recent input from some unusual quarters — specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency and Pope Francis. They did not, however, appreciate shouted comments by environmental activists repeatedly interrupting their presentation at the Natural Gas Roundtable session in Washington Thursday.

While critics and environmental activists are unhappy, the oil and natural gas industry is celebrating long-awaited changes in New Mexico’s rules for disposal of drilling waste known as the “pit rule.”

While critics and environmental activists are unhappy, the oil and natural gas industry is celebrating long-awaited changes in New Mexico’s rules for disposing drilling waste known as the “pit rule.” Fighting for changes in tougher requirements imposed by a previous governor, the New Mexico Oil/Gas Association (NMOGA) hailed changes made earlier this month.

To the consternation of some environmental activists, the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association at the end of September took two steps aimed at revising a regulation for the handling of waste produced at drilling and production sites. The association alleges that the “pit rule” drives up costs and chases drilling rigs to other states.

To the consternation of some environmental activists, the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association at the end of September took two steps aimed at revising a regulation established in 2008 for the handling of waste produced at drilling and production sites. The association alleges that the “pit rule” drives up costs and chases drilling rigs to other states.

Chevron Corp. CEO John Watson on Wednesday found himself face to face with some rambunctious activists who came to the annual shareholder meeting in San Ramon, CA, to voice their opposition to the oil major’s global drilling practices. In the end, however, the company’s majority shareholders won the day, turning back resolutions that included calling for more disclosure about hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking).

To the consternation of local government officials and community activists in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles, a joint federal-state draft environmental impact report (EIR) released earlier this month minimizes any safety concerns about a proposed offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal 21 miles off of Oxnard, CA, as contemplated by Australian resource giant BHP Billiton.

To the consternation of local government officials and community activists in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles, a joint federal-state draft environmental impact report (EIR) released earlier this month minimizes any safety concerns about a proposed offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal 21 miles off of Oxnard, CA, as contemplated by Australian resource giant BHP Billiton.