Michael

A targeted review by a multi-stakeholder group on Friday said Ohio’s program that regulates hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) of wells is well managed, although some improvements could be made.

Questerre Energy Corp. CEO Michael Binnion has launched a blog on the company website to open a “dialogue on shale gas” and issues relevant to the Calgary-based independent.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Michael R. Bromwich, director of Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEM), announced Monday that the department has issued guidance to offshore oil and natural gas operators clarifying industry requirements with respect to corporate compliance statements and blowout containment resources.

President Obama Tuesday said he picked Michael R. Bromwich, a partner in the law firm of Fried Frank’s in Washington, DC, and New York, to head up reform of the troubled Minerals Management Services (MMS).

Michael Williams, who sits on the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), has asked Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott for a legal opinion on whether the RRC would have authority to halt drilling in the Barnett Shale.

California chief utility regulator Michael Peevey signaled Thursday that he will attempt to have the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) investigate the status of executive compensation at the state’s major private-sector utilities, which are all among the nation’s largest.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission elected Commissioner Michael V. Dunn to serve as acting chairman until President Obama’s nominee, Gary S. Gensler, has been confirmed by the Senate. Dunn succeeds Walter Lukken, who served as acting chairman since June 27, 2007 and announced his resignation effective Jan. 20. Lukken will remain a commissioner.

Michael Peevey, a former utility executive and energy industry entrepreneur, was reappointed Nov. 28 to another six-year term on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and retained as its president. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also reappointed CPUC member Rachelle Chong. The appointments require confirmation by the state Senate. Peevey, 70, was originally appointed by Schwarzenegger predecessor Gray Davis and was later reappointed and made CPUC president by Schwarzenegger, who can select another member of the five-member panel to the top position at any time. Chong, 49, a former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) member, was selected for the CPUC by Schwarzenegger three years ago after the governor tapped then-CPUC member Susan Kennedy to be his chief of staff. Peevey has served as president of the CPUC since 2002 and is a Democrat. Chong, a Republican, has served since 2006 and was originally appointed to the FCC by President Bill Clinton. Peevey is an economist and Chong is one of four lawyers on the CPUC.

Michael Peevey, a former utility executive and energy industry entrepreneur, was reappointed last Friday to another six-year term on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and retained as its president. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also reappointed CPUC member Rachelle Chong.