Advancing

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s recent distribution of $30 million aimed at advancing the natural gas vehicles (NGV), two separate projects are examining breakthroughs in fueling to make the vehicle operator more independent of public refueling stations.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday it was offering another $30 million in grants aimed at advancing the equipment and technology critical to the use of natural gas vehicles (NGV). DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced the new funding under a vehicular category focused on methane’s use in transportation.

Bidweek opened with the cash market advancing over a dime nationwide Monday with the strongest performers in southern California and the Northeast. Traders suggested a long approach to the Northeast cash market but acknowledged whether to buy index and sell physical or sell index and buy physical was a weather call. At the close of futures trading April had fallen 4.9 cents to $2.226 and May had slid 5.4 cents to $2.319. May crude oil gained 16 cents to $107.03/bbl.

A bill advancing through the Kansas Legislature would amend existing regulatory law and give the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) explicit authority over hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

A bill that would extend tax credits and other incentives toward new liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities is advancing in the Alaska State Legislature.

A state official said a bill advancing in the Pennsylvania General Assembly that offers tax breaks to large businesses could also be used to help the state lure an ethane cracker and the thousands of jobs it would provide.

Alaska Republican House Speaker Rep. Mike Chenault of Nikiski on Tuesday introduced legislation aimed at consolidating and advancing efforts to develop an in-state gas pipeline to commercialize North Slope reserves and get much-needed gas to the state’s residents. The project also would support exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG).

September natural gas futures limped lower in dull trading Friday as analysts suggested that the market was not showing signs that it was capable of advancing further. At the close September natural gas had eased 4.8 cents to $4.060 and October had slid 5.6 cents to $4.071. September crude oil dropped 34 cents to $85.38/bbl.

Legislation that would open leasing on all property owned by the state government — including state parks — to oil and gas companies is advancing through the Ohio General Assembly and is expected to pass.