Two members of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Tuesday said they were forming a partnership approach to oversee two remaining natural gas pipeline safety proceedings regarding the aftermath of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s (PG&E) 2010 transmission pipe rupture and explosion in San Bruno, CA.
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Two members of the five-member California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) have been confirmed by the state Senate, preserving their six-year tenures in the regulatory body. Commissioners Mike Florio, a former consumer attorney, and Catherine Sandoval, a former official with the Federal Communications Commission, were appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown and would have had to step down in February if the Senate had failed to act. Both of their terms are to expire Jan. 1, 2017. A third Brown appointee from last year to the CPUC, Mark Ferron, is still unconfirmed, but he has until mid-March to gain confirmation.
New York Lawmakers Mull Frack Ban Until 2013
New York State Assembly members have introduced a flurry of bills on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), including one to extend a moratorium until June 2013.
States, Industry, Congress Put EPA On Defensive
Industry experts told members of Congress that shale gas should be regulated by the states without interference from the federal government, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tried to clarify its plan to develop national pretreatment standards for wastewater.
PA Delegation Wants Feds Out of Shale Regulation
A group of 10 Republican and three Democratic members of Congress from Pennsylvania is calling on the National Economic Council (NEC) to recognize the economic value of the Marcellus Shale to their state and the potential value of shale gas to the nation — and to leave its regulation to state and local authorities.
Superior’s Complete Takeover Adds Leverage in Pressure Pumping
In a merger that would create a formidable onshore oilfield services company, Superior Energy Services Inc. on Monday agreed to pay $2.7 billion in cash and stock to buy Complete Production Services Inc. — a 62% premium to Complete’s closing share price on Friday.
DOE Fracking Panel Urges Cooperation on Best Practices
A cooperative and coordinated effort by state and federal agencies and the industry to develop and promulgate “best practices” is key to winning the public’s trust and to successful development of the nation’s shale gas resources, according to a report issued Thursday by a federal advisory panel.
University to Study Water Wells Contaminated by Methane
Temple University announced Wednesday that three faculty members will investigate the source of methane gas that has contaminated water wells near Marcellus Shale drilling sites in Susquehanna County, PA, and will also study how the debate over hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is affecting public policy.
Repowering of Coastal California Gas Plant Delayed
Despite a recommendation from its presiding members’ committee to approve the project, the California Energy Commission (CEC) on Thursday unanimously agreed to reopen the regulatory process for a long-standing proposal by Princeton, NJ-based NRG Energy Inc. to build a smaller natural gas-fired generation plant on part of its existing 100-acre coastal generation plant site in Carlsbad, CA.
No Plans to Lift Pennsylvania Forest Drilling Moratorium
Removing a moratorium on new drilling in Pennsylvania state forests is not a priority, the acting secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) told a state Senate committee during confirmation hearings earlier this month.