Backup

U.S. shale gas supplies and pipeline exports have been drafted into playing backup for Canadian energy merchants’ plans to expand into overseas markets.

Even counting higher estimated emissions of methane (CH4) from shale gas production activities, natural gas-fired power generation still beats coal-fired power by a wide margin when it comes to overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to a new study published by the gas-friendly American Clean Skies Foundation (ACSF).

Congress should look to natural gas as a backup if the technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are not fully developed and commercialized in the decades ahead, a report commissioned by the National Gas Council (NGC) said last Wednesday.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. earlier this month decided to pursue construction of a backup pipeline along a different route through the Sacramento Delta to link its major underground storage facility with its backbone transmission pipeline system. If the permitting and construction proceed as planned, the added link could be operational in November 2006, the utility said Friday.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced last weekthat it would require interruptible natural gas customers tomaintain a seven-day supply of alternative fuels on site, orthrough a firm contractual arrangement. The action will help tomake energy prices in New Jersey a little less volatile going intothe heating season, the BPU said.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced yesterdaythat it would require interruptible natural gas customers tomaintain a seven-day supply of their alternative fuel source onsite, or through a firm contractual arrangement. The action willhelp to make energy prices in New Jersey a little less volatilegoing into the heating season.