Club

Attorneys for the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania are asking U.S. District Judge Sean McLaughlin to find the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in contempt for refusing to follow his 2009 order to process oil and gas development proposals in the Allegheny National Forest.

Several environmental groups are asking the government of British Columbia to follow the example of Quebec in conducting an environmental assessment of shale gas production.

A “natural gas renaissance” is under way, but the federal government “appears not to have noticed,” ConocoPhillips CEO Jim Mulva said Tuesday.

Three Democratic governors, appearing at a news conference Friday at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, for the Apollo Alliance, called for an ambitious state-directed jobs and energy plan including development of more renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.

“The breach of trust is deep and wide,” Priory said in a speech to the Economic Club of Detroit. “Business today is suffering from a crisis in confidence. This is no wake up call; it’s a screeching red alert.” Shareholder confidence is at an all-time low, he said.

While speaking about the ongoing energy crisis in California on Friday at the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco, Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling was hit in the face with a pie from a protester who was then quickly removed from the building. Skilling reportedly unphased, wiped the pie from his face and commented “People in California are angry, and they should be.” He then continued on with his speech, blaming California’s regulators for the energy crisis in the state. Enron, along with numerous other energy companies have come under the spotlight after recent accusations made by Gov. Gray Davis and state officials implied that the companies forced electricity prices higher by holding back supply.

Commissioners Linda K. Breathitt and Vicky A. Bailey last weekjoined the club of those confused about when, if ever, FERC mightsettle the huge number of gas issues that have been on its platefor more than a year. Much to the chagrin of the industry, whichhas been anticipating some type of FERC action soon, Breathittindicated it would take up to six more months, while Baileypredicted the Commission would be delivering a package of gasdecisions by Christmas.

Commissioners Linda K. Breathitt and Vicky A. Bailey this weekjoined the club of those confused about when, if ever, FERC mightsettle the huge number of gas issues that have been on its platefor more than a year. Early in the week, Breathitt indicated itwould take up to six more months, while Bailey said yesterday theCommission would be delivering a package of gas decisions byChristmas.

Everyone seems to be “joining the slow club,” one sourceremarked Wednesday as the last day of June futures trading onlynudged June baseload and the day-trading markets slightly higherfrom the holding patterns established Tuesday. Today will be muchmore active, he said, because the Nymex closes early Friday due toMemorial Day, and time is running out to get deals done.