Environmental

FERC Friday issued a favorable environmental assessment (EA) to Dominion Transmission Inc.’s proposal to expand its storage system in Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Citing the the recent disclosure of a “crucify them” enforcement approach by a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official and several missteps involving agency investigations into allegations of water contamination from hydraulic fracturing, Congress last Wednesday was called upon to exercise greater oversight over the agency’s regional officials and their activities.

Methane emissions from natural gas wells, particularly those from unconventional wells using hydraulic fracturing (fracking), are 50% lower than the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) estimate in 2010, according to a joint report released by two industry groups last week.

Citing the the recent disclosure of a “crucify them” enforcement mentality of a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official and several agency missteps involving the use of hydraulic fracturing to develop unconventional gas, Congress Wednesday was called upon to exercise greater oversight over EPA’s regional officials and their activities.

Citing the the recent disclosure of a “crucify them” enforcement approach by a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official and several missteps involving the regulation of hydraulic fracturing, Congress Wednesday was called upon to exercise greater oversight over the agency’s regional officials and their activities.

Natural gas from the Marcellus Shale could be the answer to Pennsylvania’s energy problems, “should we choose to embrace it,” according to former Gov. Ed Rendell.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched a natural gas vehicle (NGV) website to help public- and private-sector fleet operators decide if they want to convert part or all of their operations to NGVs. The website offers information on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) options. Inspired by the state’s booming shale gas play, Pennsylvania’s new state law (Act 13) passed earlier this year (see Shale Daily, May 11) authorized DEP to establish the Natural Gas Energy Development Program to distribute $20 million in grants during a three-year period to help pay for the purchase and conversion costs of NGVs. The website (www.dep.state.pa.us) section on the “Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program” offers more details on the grants as well as information on NGV conversions and fueling.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has defended itself against claims made in an industry report that it has overestimated methane emissions from natural gas well activities by more than 50%.

Methane emissions from natural gas wells, particularly those from unconventional wells using hydraulic fracturing (fracking), are 50% lower than what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated in 2010, according to a joint report released by two industry groups Monday.