Chamber

Senate Democrats’ efforts to pass climate change legislation this year came to a screeching halt Friday when the chamber failed to obtain the required 60 votes needed to move forward with the bill. But that’s not the end of the story.

Senate Democrats’ efforts to pass climate change legislation this year came to a screeching halt Friday when the chamber failed to obtain the required 60 votes needed to move forward with the bill.

Senate leaders Thursday signaled that energy will be a priority item for the chamber, but they will move more deliberatively on the issue than House Democrats, who plan to vote on an energy package Jan. 18.

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski told the Alaska Chamber of Commerce this week that he has delivered to the North Slope producers — BP, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips — contract terms for an agreement on the proposed construction of a gas pipeline from the North Slope to the Lower 48 states. He wants a producer response by next week.

Before a packed chamber split about equally between opponents and supporters, the Long Beach, CA, City Council just past midnight Wednesday morning voted 5-4 to continue discussions with proponents of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in the city’s harbor. As a result, the city municipal energy department will resume talks that were cut off more than a year ago for a pipeline and LNG supplies from the proposed plant for the city’s natural gas distribution utility.

Before a packed chamber split about equally between opponents and supporters, the Long Beach, CA, City Council just past midnight Wednesday morning voted 5-4 to continue discussions with proponents of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in the city’s harbor. As a result, the city municipal energy department will resume talks that were cut off more than a year ago for a pipeline and LNG supplies from the proposed plant for the city’s natural gas distribution utility.

If Senate Republicans vote to abolish filibusters for judicial nominations, it will “upset any chance for an energy bill soon” to emerge from the chamber, said a noted Washington, DC journalist and author last Wednesday.

Prices acknowledged the falloff in weekend demand and widespread Chamber of Commerce-like weather by continuing to slump Friday, but late rebounds were strong enough to astound more than one trader. There wasn’t much consistency in the declines, which ranged from about a nickel or less at a few Gulf Coast, Midcontinent/Midwest and Pacific Northwest points to about 35 cents at OFO-plagued PG&E-related points.

Pipeline safety is expected to move to the forefront in theSenate this week, with the chamber due to begin consideration oflegislation on Thursday.