The Colorado Mining Association (CMA) has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider its challenge to the Clinton-era “roadless rule,” which places restrictions on road-building to carry out energy exploration and production, logging and other commercial activities on forest lands. The CMA petition comes only days after the State of Wyoming petitioned the high court to review the October 2011 decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which had overturned a 2008 U.S. District Court ruling permanently enjoining the enforcement of the roadless rule (see Daily GPI, Oct. 25, 2011). Because the roadless rule violated the National Environmental Policy Act and Wilderness Act. it “must be set aside,” U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer of Wyoming wrote in his 2008 decision (see Daily GPI, Aug. 14, 2008). “If allowed to stand, the roadless rule will effectively prevent future mining operations on roadless lands lead to a decrease in mineral and coal production, job losses and sharp decreases in taxes and revenues,” said attorney Paul Seby, who filed the CMA’s petition with the high court.
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Articles from Asked
Creole Trail Proposes Expansion to Accommodate Sabine Pass Liquefaction
Creole Trail Pipeline Co. LP has asked FERC for the go-ahead to modify its system to accommodate the delivery of raw gas to a liquefaction project that Cheniere Energy affiliates Sabine Pass LNG and Sabine Pass Liquefaction are planning to build in Cameron Parish, LA.
California Legislature Moves One Fracking Bill; Another Idle
While other proposals regarding hydraulic fracturing (fracking) stayed immobile, the California Senate Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday moved on a strictly partisan vote of 5-3 a proposed bill (SB 1054) that would require exploration and production (E&P) companies to notify surrounding property owners of their plans to employ fracking ahead of starting work. The industry is opposed to pre-notification on proprietary grounds.
New Brunswick Ordered Anti-Fracking Signs Taken Down
An investigation by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) has revealed that a political assistant to New Brunswick’s energy minister asked the province’s electric utility, NB Power, to remove anti-shale signs from its utility poles last summer.
Oil & Gas Industry Fires Back on Pennsylvania Act 13 Challenge
A collection of companies and industry groups have asked to intervene in a lawsuit filed by seven Pennsylvania municipalities against recently passed shale legislation.
Southern Seeks to Iron Out ‘Wrinkle Bend’ Hazards on Pipe System
Southern Natural Gas Co. LLC (SNG) has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the green light to abandon nearly 20 miles of pipeline and associated facilities in Alabama to comply with a correction action order issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to address the hazards associated with wrinkle bends, which led to a failure on SNG’s system in 2009.
Industry Brief
El Paso Natural Gas Co. has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to increase the export capacity of the Samalayuca border-crossing line in El Paso County, TX, to 544,500 Mcf/d from 308,000 Mcf/d. El Paso is seeking modification of its existing presidential permit to allow for additional natural gas flows into Mexico for existing El Paso customers on an interruptible basis, an El Paso spokesman said. MGI Supply Ltd., a subsidiary of Pemex Gas y Petroquimica Basica, which supplies natural gas to Pemex, recently approached El Paso requesting an immediate increase in natural gas export capacity for shippers from the U.S. to meet earlier than anticipated load growth in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. El Paso has determined that the 21-mile, 24-inch diameter Samalayuca line is physically capable of flowing a maximum of 544,500 Mcf/d without adding new facilities to the existing upstream facilities.
Poland: Fracking Safe Despite ‘Fearful News’ from the U.S.
As their country dreams of becoming “the second Norway” of natural gas, scientists in Poland asked themselves whether hydraulic fracturing (fracking) stimulation of shale gas wells is safe for the environment. The answer: yes, if done according to “legal regulations.”
Japan to U.S.: Send Us Your LNG
The government of Japan has asked the United States to OK the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) so that it might benefit from greater gas supply security, according to a report in The Daily Yomiuri, which cited unnamed sources.
Cabot Cited for Gas Migration in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania regulators say “improper” construction at Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. wells in northeastern Pennsylvania led to contamination at nearby private water wells.
