Northern Oil and Gas Inc., which invests in drilling projects in North Dakota, on Tuesday fired CEO Michael Reger after he said he was being investigated by federal regulators for potential violations involving one of his investments, Bakken Shale-focused midstreamer Dakota Plains Holdings Inc.
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Pennsylvania Governor Fires DCNR Secretary Over Email
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett fired Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Richard Allan on Thursday after he reportedly used offensive language in email messages, disparaging another government employee.

Higher U.S. Natural Gas Forecasts Coalesce
Six energy prognosticators over the past week have raised their outlooks for domestic natural gas prices this year, with one indicating that $4.50/MMBtu this summer is “on the table” based on a colder-than-expected end to winter and slowing production in major onshore basins.
Pennsylvania Revamps NatGas Air Permits, Proposes Enviro Controls
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has finalized revisions to general permits for natural gas-fired engines and equipment at compressor stations, which are “75-90%” stricter than current limits for the largest, most common types of engines used at compressor stations. DEP also is suggesting revisions to one section of the air quality permit exemption list governing well drilling sites.
Industry Brief
Sempra Energy’s U.S. power and gas unit has agreed to sell half of its natural gas-fired 1,250 MW Mesquite Power Plant in Arizona to Phoenix-based Salt River Project (SRP) for $371 million. The agreement, which also includes a half-interest in infrastructure shared by the two 625 MW units at Mesquite, requires approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other agencies. San Diego-based Sempra said it expects all the approvals will be received in the first quarter. SRP’s board earlier this year approved its acquisition of a 100% interest in one of Mesquite’s 625 MW units. Sempra U.S. Gas and Power CEO Jeffrey Martin said the sale helps Sempra fulfill its goal of “reducing exposure to the merchant power market, while also allowing us to put greater emphasis on growing our Southeast natural gas portfolio.”
NY-ISO Five-Year Strategy Relies on Gas-Electric Coordination
The New York Independent System Operator (NY-ISO) expects to operate “in an environment of expanded dependency on natural gas-fired generation, renewable generation and retirements of less efficient generation” over the next five years, the electricity grid operator said in its 2013-2017 Strategic Plan.
Pennsylvania DEP Approves First Marcellus Shale Gas Power Plant
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Wednesday approved an air quality plan for construction of a gas-fired power plant, the first to be powered, at least in part, by natural gas harvested from the Marcellus Shale.
Local Marcellus Gas Will Fuel New Pennsylvania Power Plant
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Wednesday approved an air quality plan for construction of a gas-fired power plant, the first to be powered, at least in part, by natural gas harvested from the Marcellus Shale.
Industry Brief
Combined heat and power (CHP), or cogeneration, is advocated for a dozen states heavily dependent on coal-fired power generation as a way to ease off of coal and address global climate change. CHP often relies on natural gas as its fuel source, although biomass, biogas and other fossil fuels also can be used. A report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy predicts that in the next two decades there will be “substantial changes” in the way electricity is produced, and CHP is one of the tools for making the transition smoother and less carbon-intensive. “Energy efficiency, and CHP, in particular, represent significant near-term opportunities to make highly cost-effective investments in new energy resources,” said Anna Chittum, author of the report, “Coal Retirements and the CHP Investment Opportunity.” The report urges states to encourage their utilities to invest more in CHP as a means of meeting future demand.
Panda’s Central Texas Gas-Fired Power Plant Eyes Late 2014 Start-Up
Natural gas continues to be the fuel of choice for new power plant builds. Panda Power Funds’ Affiliate Panda Temple Power LLC has successfully completed financing on its planned 758 MW gas-fired, combined-cycle power plant in Temple, TX.