Motion

In response to a motion by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. District Court in New Orleans ordered that a security zone be established around the wreckage of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The security zone, which would remain in place until at least Oct. 8, 2011, would extend 750 feet in all directions from the center of mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. The wreckage, which is located in an area known as the Mississippi Canyon, also would extend from the sea floor of the GOM to the sea surface. The federal court ruled that it would be in the interest of the public to protect the search area and any evidence located in the area against intentional or unintentional loss. It directed the DOJ to inform the public and companies about the security zone. DOJ has informed companies, such as oil and natural gas producers, who have the means and equipment to operate in the wreckage site not to enter the security zone. The order will be enforced by the United States using vessels, aircraft or other appropriate means and equipment, the DOJ said. Eleven workers died in the blast aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig, which was owned and operated by Transocean Inc. and leased by BP plc (see NGI, April 26).

In response to a motion by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. District Court in New Orleans has ordered that a security zone be established around the wreckage of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

A motion by Murray Energy Corp. for an immediate stay of construction on a 20-mile stretch of the REX-East Pipeline in eastern Ohio should be denied, according to a response filed at FERC Thursday by Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (REX).

Staff of the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) is expected to file a motion Friday to dismiss rate hike requests from New York State Electric & Gas (NYSE&G) and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E). The utilities have said they face “a significant shortfall in cash needed to make required infrastructure investments,” but Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) appealed to the PSC to deny the increase, which he said “reeks of profit mongering.”

Staff of the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) was expected to file a motion Friday to dismiss rate hike requests from New York State Electric & Gas (NYSE&G) and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E). The utilities have said they face “a significant shortfall in cash needed to make required infrastructure investments,” but Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) appealed to the PSC to deny the increase, which he said “reeks of profit mongering.”

An executive order signed recently by Alaska’s governor is intended to set in motion work on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project that would liquefy gas from the state’s North Slope for tanker export to international markets.

The self-styled “Panhandle complainants” have called on FERC to grant their motion for interim rate relief and to take expedited action in an ongoing complaint case against Southwest Gas Storage. Missouri regulators also urged the agency to take swift action in the case.

The Georgia Public Services Commission (PSC) voted last Tuesday to again delay action on a motion that would forbid energy industry lobbyists and others from participating in ex parte communications with commissioners.

The Georgia Public Services Commission (PSC) has once again voted to delay action on a motion that would forbid energy industry lobbyists and others from participating in ex parte communications with commissioners.