Major environmental groups leading opposition to the northern portion of the proposed $7 billion, 1,700-mile Keystone XL oil pipeline project from Alberta to refineries in the Gulf of Mexico region lashed out at the U.S. State Department last Friday for not making public the comments being collected on the project’s draft supplemental environmental impact statement (see Shale Daily, March 4). Effectively, the only way to hear and respond to public comments on the draft study will be at a hearing scheduled for April 18 in Grand Island, NB, said a Friends of the Earth spokesperson, calling the move “unusual.” This is prompting the foes of Keystone XL to claim the State Department is violating public transparency practices followed by other federal agencies regarding draft environmental studies. The stakeholders are in the middle of a 45-day comment period on the proposed northern portion of TransCanada Corp.’s controversial tar sands oil pipeline from Western Canada to Cushing, OK.
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NGV Fugitive Methane Emissions Under Microscope
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and West Virginia University have formed a partnership with eight companies/groups to study the fugitive emissions of methane associated with the routine operation of natural gas fleet vehicles fueled by compressed or liquefied natural gas (LNG).
People
Regina Hopper, president and CEO of America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA), one of the top lobbying groups for natural gas in Washington, DC, has resigned effective Feb. 28 under pressure from the board. “The ANGA board was extremely disappointed with her performance,” and several senior staff members have recently left, a knowledgeable source told NGI. Hopper has been at the helm of ANGA, which represents leading producers, since 2009 (see NGI, March 2, 2009). ANGA Chairman and Apache Corp. CEO G. Steven Farris commended Hopper’s performance and said she had “led ANGA’s growth from its infancy into its becoming an important voice in the discussion around fuel diversity and economic growth for our nation. We are grateful for her service, for the strong organization she leaves behind, and we wish her much success in her future endeavors.” ANGA now is searching for a successor. “I was hired to build an effective and powerful advocacy organization with strong fiscal management,” Hopper said. “By all accounts we have achieved these important objectives.”
ANGA CEO Hopper Pressured to Resign
Regina Hopper, president and CEO of America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA), one of the top lobbying groups for natural gas in Washington, DC, resigned effective Feb. 28 under pressure from the board.
Colorado Drilling Water Tests Draw Mixed Reviews
Colorado on Monday established new mandatory water sampling requirements for oil and natural gas drilling drawing criticism from industry and environmental groups. Sampling of multiple water wells before and after drilling is now required.
Ohio Bill Would Require State Registration of Landmen, Disclosures
Legislators and state government officials in Ohio, as well as industry groups, are discussing a bill that, if enacted, would require oil and natural gas land agents to register with the state and provide homeowners with several disclosure forms.
California OKs Utility-Federal Labs Research
Over opposition from a consumer groups, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized a five-year, $150 million joint research effort between a federal research laboratory and three of the state’s major investor-owned utilities. Natural gas operating advancements are one of four focus areas.
Texas Landowner Gets Restraining Order Against Keystone XL
A Texas landowner who three weeks ago signed an easement agreement with TransCanada Corp. on a part of its Keystone XL oil pipeline project won a county court-ordered temporary restraining order on part of the Keystone southern portion for which work is ongoing in three segments between Cushing, OK, and the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).
XTO Energy ‘Delays’ Dallas Drilling Fight
Less than a month after renewing its fight for the right to drill its leases at Hensley Field in southwest Dallas, ExxonMobil Corp.’s XTO Energy told the Dallas City Planning Commission to strike its request for specific use permits from the agenda for its Dec. 20 meeting.
Senator: Peregrine Raises Questions on Self-Regulatory Groups
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) last Tuesday questioned the effectiveness of self-regulatory watchdog groups, such as the National Futures Association (NFA), as the “first line of defense” against market abuse following the disclosure that Iowa-based Peregrine Financial Group (PFG) and its founder Russell Wasendorf Sr. allegedly defrauded customers of more than $200 million.
