Climate Change

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday signed into law climate change legislation to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. “Climate change is an urgent challenge that requires action, and this legislation will reduce emissions in Massachusetts for decades to come while also ensuring the commonwealth remains economically competitive,” Baker said. The new law, which passed…

The American Petroleum Institute (API) on Thursday unveiled a five-point policy framework for tackling climate change while ensuring U.S. energy needs are met, including an economy-wide price on carbon emissions. The endorsement marked a seismic shift for the oil and gas group, which has lobbied against past attempts to impose carbon pricing in the United…

Anybody hear about hydrogen’s potential in the energy transition? A better question: has anyone not heard about the potential for the ancient element to upend the oil and gas complex? Hydrogen in all its myriad colors has become omnipresent in every conversation about the energy transition. Oil and gas operators of all shapes and sizes…

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, California needs to embrace carbon capture and storage (CCS), according to a study by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Researchers urged the state to develop 10 CCS projects covering capture, transport and storage that would store 125 million tons/year of carbon dioxide (CO2). LLNL’s work dovetails with a…

Oil and natural gas companies can play a vital role in achieving President Biden’s ambitious climate change goals if they choose to embrace it. In remarks delivered at CERAweek by IHS Markit, which was held in early March, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said fossil…

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. and its largest shareholder, Total SE, on Thursday formalized a 50-50 joint venture (JV) to develop U.S. renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities and downstream fueling infrastructure.  The initial commitment is $100 million, which may increase to $400 million as development opportunities progress.  “The finalization of this JV with Total, which…

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) revealed $100 million in funding for its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program, a move applauded by the American Petroleum Institute (API).  The DOE’s newest program is to focus on research and development of new technologies needed to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and effectively combat climate change. …

Two Democratic state senators in California on Wednesday introduced legislation to ban various well stimulation technologies, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking), along with establishing a 2,500-foot setback for wells from the population. Its authors — state Sens. Scott Wiener (San Francisco) and Monique Limon (Santa Barbara) — characterize Senate Bill (SB) 467 as being a boost…

In a move likely to have implications for natural gas infrastructure projects moving forward, FERC is creating a senior position focused on environmental justice and equity issues. Chairman Richard Glick, a Democrat who was handed the gavel by the Biden administration last month, announced the new agency role late last week. While promising more details…