Emissions

As the city of Dallas’ Gas Drilling Task Force works to finalize the recommendations it is scheduled to make later this month to city council, members Tuesday came to a decision on a few items.

As perhaps a harbinger of climate change and cap-and-trade efforts aimed at greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Arizona formally pulled out of the regional Western Climate Initiative (WCI), a once-promising multi-state effort involving seven states and four Canadian provinces. California and the provinces now appear to be leading the charge alone.

Energy banker First Reserve Corp. on Tuesday said it has created a joint venture (JV) with Appalachian operator Energy Corp. of America (ECA) initially to build natural gas gathering systems in the Marcellus Shale.

Three federal agencies say they will cooperate on air quality issues for onshore oil and gas projects drilled on public lands and will create a new agency to implement collaborative plans by late September.

Texas state Rep. Tank Parker (R-Flower Mound) has introduced companion bills that would make urban areas with significant oil and gas drilling a priority for inspections by the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and double the potential monetary penalty for violations.

Texas regulators have adopted tougher restrictions on natural gas development-related air emissions in the Barnett Shale of North Texas. Eventually the new rules — which the industry laments as costly — will apply statewide.

Texas regulators have adopted tougher restrictions on natural gas development-related air emissions in the Barnett Shale of North Texas. Eventually the new rules — which the industry laments as costly — will apply statewide.

Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) has filed several natural gas-related bills to potentially be considered during the 82nd session of the Texas Legislature, which begins Jan. 11.

As the federal government moves to cut greenhouse gas emissions, FERC should recognize the critical role of natural gas to provide baseload generation and complement variable energy resources (VER), such as wind and solar energy, because of its ability to quickly and reliably ramp up to meet electric customers’ demand when wind or sun energy is disrupted, said the Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA).