General

Adding to a list of actions he’s taken or plans to take, Pennsylvania Republican state Sen. Scott Hutchinson intends to introduce legislation that would essentially wrest control of oil and gas violation fees from the Department of Environmental Protection to the General Assembly.

ExxonMobil Corp. won a partial victory Thursday after a Texas district court judge opened the door to allow Massachusetts Attorney (AG) General Maura Healey’s internal phone records and depositions be examined regarding a multi-state investigation into whether the oil major intentionally hid research concerning the impact of its operations on the environment.

Washington state regulators on Thursday approved Cascade Natural Gas Co.’s first general rate case in nearly a decade as part of a $4 million settlement agreement. Higher rates, averaging about $1.39/month more, go into effect Sept. 1, following the action by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). Kennewick, WA-based Cascade originally sought a $10.5 million (4.17%) general increase in rates; the settlement reduced the hike to 1.6%. Cascade’s last general rate hike was in 2007. In addition to the utility and UTC staff, parties to the settlement included Northwest Industrial Gas Users, The Energy Project, and the public counsel unit of the Washington Attorney General’s Office.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is hoping to generate $75 million in extra revenue and additional oil and gas royalties for the state’s general fund by lifting a more than three-year ban on drilling in state-owned forests and allowing exploration and development for the first time ever in state-owned parks.

Maine’sBureau of General Services (BGS) has selectedMaine Natural Gas(MNG) to deliver natural gas to 19 of its 25 facilities in the state’s capital for the next decade, the company said. The facilities consume more than 87% of the gas used by the state in Augusta. The award decision is subject to final approval by theState Procurement Review Committee. MNG said it expects to begin contract discussions with BGS “immediately” since the state plans to begin receiving gas at some Augusta facilities by Nov. 1. MNG in March signed a contract with three companies to begin building the 12-inch diameter steel pipeline backbone of its Augusta gas distribution system (seeDaily GPI,March 11). The 21.4-mile Augusta backbone pipeline is 99% completed and is expected to be ready to start gas delivery to its first Augusta customers by the end of this month, MNG said. MNG andSummit Natural Gas of Mainehave been racing to bring natural gas to the area for some time. Summit on Tuesday said it has signed agreements withInland HospitalandRedington-Fairview Hospitalto supply those central Maine facilities with natural gas line and utility service.

EQT Midstream Partners LP agreed to pay up to $650 million for Appalachian-focused Sunrise Partners LP and a new transportation agreement, the company said Monday.

Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) Chairman Barry Smitherman plans to run for Texas attorney general (AG) next year, but only if current AG and fellow conservative Greg Abbott does not seek re-election.

Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) Chairman Barry Smitherman plans to run for Texas attorney general (AG) next year, but only if current AG and fellow conservative Greg Abbott does not seek re-election. An AG’s office headed by Smitherman would be pro-drilling and a staunch opponent of federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation.

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.