Opposition

In a move that could be seen as retribution for state Senate Republicans’ negotiating tactics and opposition to a proposed natural gas severance tax, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell Tuesday signed an executive order placing an immediate ban on leases for oil and gas development on any land owned and managed by the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

The Ontario government, besieged by opposition community groups, has pulled the plug on plans for a 900 MW natural gas-fired generating station in the Toronto area.

After six years, a heavily conditioned FERC approval and continuing state opposition, NorthernStar Natural Gas Corp. threw in the towel last Tuesday on its proposed $800 million, 1 Bcf Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal along the Columbia River in Oregon after declaring bankruptcy.

After six years, a heavily conditioned FERC approval and continuing state opposition, NorthernStar Natural Gas Corp. threw in the towel Tuesday on its proposed $800 million, 1 Bcf Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal along the Columbia River in Oregon. Company officials cited the extended permitting delays and a “difficult investment environment” as the primary causes.

The board of directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) has adopted a resolution stating its opposition to federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing), saying it would add “burdensome and unnecessary regulatory requirements” for domestic oil and natural gas drilling.

Declaring federally designated energy corridors in 11 western states “coal friendly” and in direct opposition to nine states’ renewable portfolio standards (RPS), 14 environmental groups and San Miguel County, CO, last week filed a lawsuit challenging the Bush-era designations.

Declaring federally designated energy corridors in 11 western states “coal friendly” and in direct opposition to nine states’ renewable portfolio standards (RPS), 14 environmental groups and San Miguel County, CO, on Tuesday filed a lawsuit challenging the Bush-era designations.

Reported growing opposition by House Democrats to controversial climate change legislation isn’t likely to jeopardize passage by the full House later this month, a spokesman for ConocoPhillips said Thursday.

As expected, West Coast officials reiterated strong opposition to any new offshore oil and gas drilling Thursday, citing economic, environmental and “spiritual” reasons for continuing a ban on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) during a fourth and final regional hearing held by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in San Francisco. Voices shouting “no” included U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, and California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi.