Environment

Sempra Energy’s two utilities announced their commitment Tuesday to helping California accelerate the state’s transition to a more carbon-free environment by using more low-carbon fuels for the utilities’ transportation needs in addition to their already high-profile, state-mandated efforts in boosting renewable energy use and stepped-up energy efficiency programs.

The National Governors Association (NGA) hit the nation’s capital over the weekend with a decidedly green tint to their proceedings, and the western governors’ branch of the national association announced a new push for alternative energy development and more fuel efficiency. NGA’s winter meeting kicked off with its chairman, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, emphasizing an initiative he calls Securing a Clean Energy Future (SCEF).

Increasing global demand for energy and high prices have created a robust environment for oil and gas producers, but high prices have also driven up the cost of raw materials and impacted refining margins in the downstream sector, Ernst & Young said in a new report.

Increasing global demand for energy and high prices have created a robust environment for oil and gas producers, but high prices have also driven up the cost of raw materials and impacted refining margins in the downstream sector, according to Ernst & Young.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last Wednesday voted out legislation to restrict greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, setting the stage for a major fight between Democrats and Republicans on the floor next year.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee late Wednesday voted out legislation to restrict greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, laying the groundwork for a major fight between Democrats and Republicans on the floor next year.

Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee pledged to finish markup of the Lieberman-Warner climate change bill late Wednesday, even if it meant voting out the remainder of the 180 amendments that were being considered en bloc.

With a worsening technical environment and weather forecasts becoming less supportive, the August natural gas futures contract continued its recent plunge on Tuesday, dropping to a low of $5.830 before closing the day’s regular session at $5.863, down 17.6 cents from Monday’s close. In the three sessions since last Thursday’s $6.706 settle, the prompt month has spiraled 84.3 cents.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a “moderate” approach to protect the environment and allow oil and natural gas development going forward in a draft resource management plan (RMP) for Lincoln, Uinta and Sweetwater counties in southwestern Wyoming’s Green River Basin.