Introduced

Energy technology breakthroughs introduced in recent weeks are offering a peek at the future of the oil and gas industry, which is less H.G. Wells and more J.J. Abrams.

Energy technology breakthroughs introduced in recent weeks are offering a peek at the future of the oil and gas industry, which is less H.G. Wells and more J.J. Abrams.

Bipartisan legislation (HR 1900) introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) seeks to bring more certainty to the interstate natural gas pipeline permitting process, giving federal agencies up to 90 days after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues a certificate (one-time 30-day extension for unforeseen circumstances) to complete their work. The time line would apply to any federal agency charged with issuing a permit for an interstate gas project, including the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (right-of-way grant) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Endangered Species Act; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Clean Water Act); and the Environmental Protection Agency (emissions permit). Pipeline projects require as many as 10 permits. The time limit would codify existing regulations following the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), which were intended to expedite projects. A study this year by the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America found that the percentage of federal authorizations for interstate pipes that were issued more than 90 days beyond FERC’s issuing environmental impact statements (EIS) or environmental assessments (EA) rose from 7.69% before EPAct became law to 28.05% after implementation (see NGI, Jan. 21). Federal authorizations granted 180 days or longer after FERC issued an EIS or EA rose from 3.42% to 19.51%. Cosponsors of the legislation are Reps. Jim Matheson (D-UT), Pete Olson (R-TX), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Bill Johnson (R-OH).

U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) Friday introduced bipartisan legislation (HR 1900) that seeks to bring more certainty to the interstate natural gas pipeline permitting process.

A bill to require oil and natural gas companies to meet enhanced water and air emissions standards in order to earn streamlined state environmental permitting was introduced Tuesday by the majority leaders of both houses in the Colorado legislature.

Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will participate in an online forum this week to discuss potential Marcellus Shale gas drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest.

Two key legislators in the Pennsylvania General Assembly introduced a pair of bills on Wednesday designed to make natural gas service available to more consumers in the state.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Wednesday introduced an interactive website that allows users to examine information related to the collection and distribution of revenue from the state’s unconventional natural gas well impact fee, which was enacted as part of Act 13, the state’s omnibus Marcellus Shale law.

Two Democratic senators — Dianne Feinstein of California and Bill Nelson of Florida — introduced legislation Monday that would end federal incentives for oil and natural gas producers to drill in the federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).