A bi-partisan pair of Alaska lawmakers recently traveled all the way to South Africa to learn about technologies that could lead to commercialization of the state’s vast natural gas resources.
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OCS Legislation Faces ‘Even More Difficult’ Challenge Due to Capitol Hill Turmoil
Citing the continuing fallout from the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, the shake-up in the House leadership, the extreme partisan atmosphere on Capitol Hill and the mid-term elections later this year, natural gas industry and Capitol Hill officials believe it will be extremely challenging during the second session of the 109th Congress to get legislation passed that would expand access to onshore and offshore energy supplies.
Partisan Politics, Energy Task Force Dispute Imperil FERC Nomination
The refusal of the Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee to approve the nomination of Judge Charles Pickering to the federal bench is expected to tie up nominations in the upper chamber for the foreseeable future, including the nomination of Joseph T. Kelliher to fill the vacancy on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Partisan Politics, Energy Task Force Dispute Imperil FERC Nomination
The refusal of the Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee to approve the nomination of Judge Charles Pickering to the federal bench last week is expected to tie up future nominations in the upper chamber for the foreseeable future, including the nomination of Joseph T. Kelliher to fill the vacancy on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
CA Regulators Reject Boost to Gas Core Aggregation
On a strictly partisan 3-2 vote, the California Public Utilities Commission last Wednesday blocked a proposed extension of pipeline capacity allocations to natural gas core aggregators on two western Canadian pipelines feeding Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s affiliate interstate transmission pipeline in the Pacific Northwest. The aggregators were seeking the same assurance of access to reasonably priced supplies that the core customers served by the utility already receive.
CA Regulators Reject Boost to Gas Core Aggregation
On a strictly partisan 3-2 vote, the California Public Utilities Commission Wednesday blocked a proposed extension of pipeline capacity allocations to natural gas core aggregators on two western Canadian pipelines feeding Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s affiliate interstate transmission pipeline in the Pacific Northwest. The aggregators were seeking the same assurance of access to reasonably priced supplies that the core customers served by the utility already receive.
Norton Says U.S. Ready to Expedite North Slope Permitting Process
In a partisan House Resources Committee hearing on President Bush’s proposed National Energy Policy last Wednesday, Republican House members played up the energy crisis and called for more exploration and production, Democrats called for more conservation and research, and Interior Secretary Gale Norton attempted to stay above the fray, offering insights into the proposed North Slope pipeline and controversial Eastern Gulf Lease Sale 181, among other things.
Norton Says U.S. Ready to Expedite North Slope Permitting Process
In a partisan House Resources Committee hearing on President Bush’s proposed National Energy Policy Wednesday, Republican House members played up the energy crisis and called for more exploration and production, Democrats called for more conservation and research, and Interior Secretary Gale Norton Wednesday attempted to stay above the fray, offering insights into the proposed North Slope pipeline and controversial Eastern Gulf Lease Sale 181, among other things.
CPUC Blocks Utility Work Force Cuts
On a strictly partisan 3-2 vote, California regulators Thursdayblocked attempts by the state’s two near-bankrupt investor-ownedutilities to cut their work forces and services in order toconserve cash while awaiting a settlement with the state on theirfuture financial viability. Responding to an emergency request froma coalition of utility workers’ unions, the California PublicUtilities Commission’s (CPUC) action means proposed staffinglayoffs of several thousand regular and contract workers, totalinghundreds of millions of dollars in operating costs, will nothappen.
Southwest Gets CPUC Reprieve
On a straight partisan political vote, California regulatorsyesterday approved rate relief for beleaguered Southwest GasCorp.’s cost-overrun plagued development of a new natural gasdistribution system for the Sierra Nevada foothill town of Truckee,CA, about 50 miles east of Sacramento in the northern third of thestate.