FERC should approve a request by Trunkline Gas Co. to abandon by sale 770 miles of its gas transmission system for conversion to crude oil service over the objection of protesters whose “doomsday scenarios [are] designed to lock in the status quo, despite ample demonstration that the status quo is not consistent with the overall public interest,” the pipeline told the Commission in a filing Friday.
Objection
Articles from Objection
BP Accused of ‘Gross Misconduct’ in Macondo Well Blowout
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed an objection to BP plc’s $7.8 billion preliminary settlement to resolve court claims following the blowout of the Macondo well in April 2010, saying that it plans to prove “gross negligence or willful misconduct” on the company’s part.
Industry Brief
The Sierra Club filed a formal objection at the Department of Energy (DOE), challenging the export of Marcellus Shale gas from Cove Point’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facilities in Maryland. The environmental group argued that LNG exports would raise natural gas and electricity prices nationwide and would expand the practice of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Sierra Club called for the department to hold the first-ever full environmental impact statement assessing the effects of increased Marcellus Shale fracking. This is the third LNG export facility that the Sierra Club has opposed, with the other two being facilities in Coos Bay, OR, and Sabine Pass, LA. Sierra Club’s protest comes a week after the group attacked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s environmental review of the proposed Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC facilities (see Daily GPI, Feb. 1).
Calpine Files EPA Objection; Aims to Protect Gas Plants
With one of the nation’s largest natural gas-fired electric generation plant fleets, Calpine Corp. on Friday filed an objection with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its proposed settlement with diesel-powered demand response (DR) operators. The proposed settlement relates to a pending appeal of EPA emissions restrictions.
ALJ Supports NGPL’s Proposed Hydrocarbon Dew Point Level
Over the objection of major producers and other parties, a FERC administrative law judge Tuesday concluded that Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America’s (NGPL) proposed hydrocarbon dew point (HDP) safe harbor of 15 degrees Fahrenheit is “just and reasonable.”
Trailblazer Settlement Triggers Policy Changes
In a major clarification of policy, FERC decided it wasn’tnecessary to address the merits of each objection before approvingcontested pipeline rate settlements. Instead, it said settlementscould be ratified based on the reasonableness of the overallpackage. The policy adjustment was reflected in a rehearing orderthat approved a rate settlement between Trailblazer Pipeline andits customers as being “reasonable as a package” for consentingparties, yet at the same time severed contesting parties, AmocoProduction and Amoco Energy. The action cleared the way forconsenting parties to maintain the benefits of their settlementbargain while giving the Amoco affiliates a chance to litigate the”complex factual issues” that they raised [RP97-408-006].