A Congressional subcommittee on Wednesday will question a representative from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others regarding a controversial draft EPA report which concluded that groundwater in Pavillion, WY, contains chemicals that are normally used in natural gas production practices, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
Regarding
Articles from Regarding
Range to Anchor Gulf Coast Ethane Pipeline
Range Resources Corp. is expanding the reach of its Appalachian ethane operation. A subsidiary of the Fort Worth, TX-based company said Thursday it had signed a deal to ship 20,000 b/d on Enterprise Product Partners LP’s proposed Appalachia-to-Texas (Atex Express) ethane pipeline.
Encana Slams EPA Over ‘Not Factual’ Pavillion, WY, Draft Report
Encana Corp. has gone on the offense against Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) findings regarding its Pavillion, WY wells, claiming that many of the EPA’s findings from its recent deep monitoring wells, including those related to any potential connection between fracking and Pavillion groundwater quality, “are conjecture, not factual, and only serve to trigger undue alarm.”
Colorado Regulators Delay Fracking Rules Action
Amid cries for Stronger safeguards regarding the public disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking), the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) on Monday put off for a week or more finalizing the state’s proposed new rules on disclosing fracking chemicals used in oil and gas shale fracking operations. COGCC heard more than 11 hours of testimony in Denver.
Posturing Continues Regarding Federal Frack Rules
Although it is not likely to subside in the months ahead, concern among state officials regarding proposed federal rules on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is creating a lot of posturing from both political and legal standpoints. North Dakota is in the middle of the messy states’ rights public debate.
California Regulators Begin PG&E Pipe Penalty Case
California regulators Thursday began to consider whether Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) violated state or federal rules regarding pipeline classification in the wake of the San Bruno transmission pipeline rupture and explosion last year. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) opened the case at its regular business meeting in San Francisco.
Correction
In the article “Bison Pipeline is Back and Eyeing Growth” (see NGI, Oct. 17), NGI misquoted Todd Johnson, TransCanada’s marketing director for U.S. Pipelines West, in his remarks regarding the company’s restart of the Bison natural gas pipeline following a rupture in July. For the record, TransCanada provided the following statement: “TransCanada worked closely with the Pipeline Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration (PHMSA) in the aftermath of the incident to identify what actions would need to be taken in order to safely return the pipeline to service at its approved maximum allowable operating pressure. Among other things, TransCanada conducted an inline inspection of the entire length of the pipe and provided the data and analysis to PHMSA. PHMSA worked diligently with the TransCanada team and the information provided and concluded that as of noon Saturday, October 8, Bison could safely lift its force majeure condition and return to full service at its original maximum allowable operating pressure.” NGI regrets the error.
Pennsylvania to Review Gas Supplier Licensing Requirements
A proposed rulemaking to examine Pennsylvania’s regulations regarding licensing requirements for natural gas suppliers (NGS) will be issued for comment by mid January, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) said Friday.
Washington Regulatory Staff Reaches Deal on Avista Rates
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission’s (UTC) regulatory staff reached agreement with Avista Utilities on Friday regarding the Spokane, WA-based utility’s proposed increase in retail natural gas and power rates. The three-member UTC still has to review and approve the deal.
PG&E Seeks to Restore Pressure in Southwest Supply Pipe
More doubts arose Thursday regarding Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s (PG&E) transmission pipeline testing as it related to its main link (Line 300) to Southwest natural gas supplies at the Arizona border. A California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) hearing is set for Monday on the utility’s request to restore Line 300’s maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP).