A federal judge has vacated the Trump administration’s attempt to rescind an Obama-era rule governing associated natural gas flaring and venting on public and tribal lands, citing “myriad inadequacies” on which the rescission was based, including violating National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. A coalition of environmental and citizens’ groups had argued that the move…
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Articles from Courts
Energy Transfer Not Yet Shutting Down Dakota Access Crude Pipeline as it Renews Stay Request
Energy Transfer LP has “not yet taken any steps to begin shutting down” the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) in light of an order by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to temporarily halt operations and empty the 1,172-mile crude oil pipeline while an environmental impact statement (EIS) is completed. Instead, lawyers for…
Court Vacates Permits, Orders Dakota Access to Temporarily Shut as Army Corps Prepares EIS
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ordered Energy Transfer LP to temporarily halt operations on the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) within the next 30 days while an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the crude oil line is completed. The stoppage order was handed down on Monday when the court vacated the…
Despite Recent Victories, New York Natural Gas Pipes Still Facing Fierce Opposition
Opponents are once again lining up to challenge long-pending natural gas pipelines in New York after the projects scored recent victories at both FERC and in the courts, signaling that an uphill battle is still ahead to get the infrastructure in service after years of delays.
Democrat to Introduce Bill That Would Change Pennsylvania Stripper Well Definition
A democratic lawmaker in Pennsylvania is drafting legislation that would change state law to more clearly define what constitutes a stripper well, following a ruling last month from the Commonwealth Court that some fear could result in a decline of impact fee revenues.
Pennsylvania PUC Wants Stripper Well Language Changed After Court Ruling
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has sided with state regulators, expressing concern about the Commonwealth Court’s decision last month to reverse a Public Utility Commission (PUC) order that would have required an independent oil and natural gas producer to pay nearly $500,000 in impact fee revenue, interest and penalties.
DOJ Scrambles, Asks Court to Stay Water Rule After Panel Denies Centralization
The Obama administration appears to have started a complex process of asking district courts across the nation — beginning in North Dakota on Tuesday — to halt proceedings over the controversial Clean Water Rule (CWR), thereby giving the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth District in Cincinnati time to decide whether it has jurisdiction over a multitude of legal challenges.
Chesapeake Reneged on Texas Leasehold Contract, Says Fifth Circuit
Chesapeake Energy Corp. failed to persuade a federal appeals court to overturn a lower court’s decision that the operator must pay $121 million after reneging on a transaction in Texas.
FERC Prepared for Possible Government Shutdown
In the event of a potential government shutdown beginning at 12:00 a.m. (EST) on Oct. 1, FERC said the majority of its approximately 1,500 employees would be furloughed, while it would continue to inspect liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, monitor energy markets for manipulation or other violations of Commission rules and potential threats to energy infrastructure.
Controversy Gushes from Reservation in Bakken
Lawsuits have been filed in federal and state courts over a part of North Dakota’s prosperous Bakken Shale that lies under the Fort Berthold Reservation, which according to the state’s latest statistics makes up nearly 20% of the play’s ever-growing oil production.