Restrict

With the legislature looking at adjournment May 8, a bill (HB 1269) that would restrict oil and natural gas representation and participation on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (OGCC) passed out of committee on a partisan 3-2 vote late Monday night, worrying industry backers.

With the legislature looking at adjournment May 8, a bill (HB 1269) that would restrict oil and natural gas representation and participation on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (OGCC) passed out of committee on a partisan 3-2 vote late Monday night, worrying industry backers.

Any action to restrict greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will primarily come at the regulatory level rather than in Congress this year, said an official with the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). The would be the best route for President Obama, who begaun his second term in office last week and indicated one focus would be on climate change.

Any action to restrict greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will primarily come at the regulatory level rather than in Congress this year, said an official with the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). The would likely be the best route for President Obama, who started his second term Monday, to make effective climate changes.

Although Pennsylvania could eventually lease additional state forest land for natural gas drilling, it will likely be in small doses, according to the state’s top land manager.

Barring an intervention by policymakers to restrict hydraulic fracturing, and as long as there is a worldwide economic recovery, steady growth will continue within the natural gas industry through 2030 because of growing worldwide demand, energy experts said last week.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has taken steps to lease the rights to drill for natural gas in the 43,000 acres of waterways that run through the Marcellus Shale region and to grant licenses for access to water.

Interior officials said last week that the department will restrict its use of environmental waivers (categorical exclusions) for offshore oil and natural gas development to activities with limited environmental risk, while it undertakes a comprehensive review of its National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process and the use of categorical exclusions for exploration and drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf.

Interior officials said Monday that the department will restrict its use of environmental waivers (categorical exclusions) for offshore oil and natural gas development to activities with limited environmental risk, while it undertakes a comprehensive review of its National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process and the use of categorical exclusions for exploration and drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf.