Ruled

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Monday that groundwater used to produce coalbed methane (CBM) is not a waste product, and producers will have to separately obtain water permits if supplies are affected.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has ruled in favor of New York state’s objection to the proposal by Broadwater Energy LLC to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in the middle of Long Island Sound, saying its adverse coastal impacts outweigh the national interest in an increased energy supply.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has ruled in favor of New York state’s objection to the proposal by Broadwater Energy LLC to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in the middle of Long Island Sound, saying its adverse coastal impacts outweigh the national interest in an increased energy supply.

The Bush administration has until May 15 to decide whether polar bears should be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a federal judge has ruled. The listing could impact emerging oil and natural gas development in U.S. Arctic waters. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken of the Northern District of California issued the order in Case No. C 08-1339 (Center for Biological Diversity, et al., v. Dirk Kempthorne, U.S. Secretary of the Interior; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Noting that “timeliness is essential,” the order was issued without oral argument. The lawsuit was filed after the Bush administration missed several deadlines this year to make a decision about the possible ESA listing (see Daily GPI, March 11). The Department of Interior (DOI) had requested a delay until June 30, which Wilken rejected. Environmental groups petitioned to have polar bears listed as an endangered species under the ESA in 2005. In early 2007 the DOI proposed a rule, published in the Federal Register, to list the polar bear as a “threatened” species, and public hearings followed in Alaska and Washington, DC. At DOI’s request, the U.S. Geological Survey completed a report on polar bear habitat in the United States, which included data on arctic climate and sea ice trends. Following additional public hearings on the report, DOI announced on Jan. 7 that final listing would occur within 30 days. The government contends that waiting longer to consider the ESA listing would not pose a threat to the bears because the species is already protected under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). However, Wilken noted that the ESA protections “far surpass” those under the MMPA because the ESA also protects a species habitat. A DOI official said the agency is reviewing Wilken’s decision.

The Bush administration has until May 15 to decide whether polar bears should be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a federal judge has ruled. The listing could impact emerging oil and natural gas development in U.S. Arctic waters.

The U.S. Supreme Court last Monday ruled that the state of Delaware has the authority to block the construction of an off-loading pier that would serve a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal being proposed by BP’s Crown Landing LLC along the Delaware River in Logan Township, NJ. Despite the setback, BP indicated that it intends to move forward with the LNG project.

The U.S. Supreme Court Monday ruled that the state of Delaware has the authority to block the construction of an off-loading pier that would serve a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal being proposed by BP’s Crown Landing LLC along the Delaware River in Logan Township, NJ. Despite the setback, BP indicated that it intends to move forward with the LNG project.

An Alaska Superior Court judge at the end of December ruled that the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was in the right when it rejected the 22nd plan of development for the state’s Point Thomson oil and gas field.

An Alaska Superior Court judge Thursday ruled that the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was in the right when it rejected the 22nd plan of development for the state’s Point Thomson oil and gas field.