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There has been an “active series” of cyber attacks on natural gas pipeline companies’ computer networks over the past four months, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The department said it is working with the FBI and other federal agencies, as well as pipelines, to bring down the cyber intruders.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Thursday approved four key energy nominations: Tony Clark, former chairman of the North Dakota Public Service Committee, to sit on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; FERC Commissioner John Norris for a full five-year term on the Commission ending mid-2017; Adam Sieminski, former chief energy economist for Deutsche Bank, to be administrator of the Energy Information Administration; and Marcilynn Burke to be assistant secretary of the Department of Interior with oversight of the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement. Burke’s nomination was sent to the Senate floor for confirmation, despite the fact that all Republicans on the committee voted against it, a Republican aide said. He noted that a Republican hold could be placed on Burke’s nomination on the Senate floor.

Even with the intense media coverage of of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), most people haven’t heard about it or are unfamiliar with the practice, according to a nationwide poll conducted in March by the University of Texas at Austin (UT). Of the one-third familiar with fracking “support outweighed opposition, 48% to 36%.”

Tennessee Gas Pipeline said it has proposed a higher scheduling priority for local distribution companies — as opposed to producers and marketers — because they have a “public service obligation to deliver gas to their customers and end-users.”

ConocoPhillips, one of the four partners in the long-planned C$16.2 billion Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP), said Friday the co-venturers have suspended funding because of “a continued decline in market conditions and the lack of acceptable commercial terms.”

Investors apparently approved of Philadelphia-based Atlas Resource Partners LP’s deal to acquire 277 Bcfe of proved reserves, including undeveloped drilling locations, in the Barnett Shale from Carrizo Oil & Gas. Atlas shares closed up 32% Friday following the deal’s announcement.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s (PG&E) four-year, $2.2 billion plan to boost the safety and maintenance of its natural gas pipeline system is being more aggressively defended by executives, who have called for California regulators and major gas utility pipeline operators to work more cooperatively to implement a comprehensive upgrade to the intrastate gas pipeline network.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s (PG&E) four-year, $2.2 billion plan to boost the safety and maintenance of its natural gas pipeline system is being more aggressively defended by executives, who called Tuesday for California regulators and major gas utility pipeline operators to work more cooperatively to implement a comprehensive upgrade to the intrastate gas pipeline network.

As part of one of the four active state proceedings dealing with the aftermath of the San Bruno natural gas pipeline explosion, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) now faces an additional $3 million fine based on a settlement agreement that has been recommended by an administrative law judge (ALJ) at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).