New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission (PRC) on Tuesday issued a warning to natural gas consumers about scam artists who have misrepresented themselves as New Mexico Gas Co. representatives offering to restore utility service for a fee. New Mexico was caught in the extreme cold gripping the Southwest earlier this month, causing well freeze-offs and compressor failures due to power outages (see Daily GPI, Feb. 7). As a result, gas deliveries were curtailed to thousands of customers in New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California supplied through El Paso Natural Gas and Transwestern Pipeline. In New Mexico, where 24,000 customers had their gas services cut off, the PRC commissioners reported that scam artists emerged in the Espanola, NM, area. “Sadly, some unsavory individuals use emergency situations like this recent storm to prey on unsuspecting consumers,” said PRC Vice Chairman Jerome Block, who urged gas consumers to contact local law enforcement authorities if they are approached by someone trying to restore gas service for a fee. The PRC said most gas service had been restored in the Taos area, but outages remained in the Espanola area.
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Interior Seeks Nominations for Offshore Safety Advisory Committee
The Interior Department is accepting nominations from federal agencies, industry, academia, national and research organizations for representatives to serve on the newly established Offshore Energy Safety Advisory Committee.
Natural Gas A Focus for New Congress, Says Report
With an incoming Republican-controlled House of Representatives, the United States should expect to see a “significant” change in the approach to domestic energy policy for at least the next two years, with attention likely to focus on expanding the use of natural gas, according to a report last week by Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors (DBCCA).
New Congress Likely to Focus More on Natural Gas, Says Deutsche Report
With an incoming Republican-controlled House of Representatives, the United States should expect to see a “significant” change in the approach to domestic energy policy for at least the next two years, and attention is likely to focus on expanding the use of natural gas, according to a report by Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors (DBCCA).
GOP-Led House Committees Expected to Hit Hard on Obama Policies
The overwhelming Republican takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives last week pasted happy faces on natural gas and oil industry execs and spurred President Obama to mention natural gas as a possible area of compromise with the new Congress. The president, however, appeared to be the only one talking compromise.
Republican Congressmen Take House Committee Leadership
The power shift in the U.S. House of Representatives will result in Republicans being named to chair committees that likely will be more friendly to the oil and natural gas industry, as well as business in general. In the Senate, only Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s, (R-AK) fate is unknown.
Republican-Led House Likely to Block Oil & Gas Taxes
Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the incoming 112th Congress means the Obama administration likely will be unsuccessful in attempting again to prop up the budget with new taxes on the oil and gas industry.
Industry Briefs
State Review of Oil & Natural Gas Environmental Regulations Inc. (STRONGER), a nonprofit organization whose board is composed of state, industry and public interest representatives, will be conducting a review of the hydraulic fracturing portions of the oil and gas regulatory program of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Office of Conservation against guidelines developed by STRONGER. A report containing review team findings will be made available to interested parties. The organization recently conducted a similar review in Pennsylvania (see Daily GPI, Sept. 24).
Arkansas Considering Frack Disclosure Rule
Companies in Arkansas would have to reveal all of the chemicals they will use during hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations at new natural gas wells in the state prior to fracking, according to rule changes being considered by the state’s Oil and Gas Commission (AOGC).
Oil Spill Bill Moves in House; Senate May Punt
The House of Representatives Friday was poised to vote out its oil spill legislation that imposes stiffer financial responsibilities and safety standards on offshore and onshore production and development, but the Senate was not expected to pass its slimmed-down oil spill bill before the August recess.
