The Senate Energy Committee Thursday approved and sent to the floor the nomination of Cheryl A. LaFleur, a former executive vice president and acting CEO of National Grid USA, to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The committee also approved the renomination of Commissioner Philip D. Moeller for a full term. It may be awhile, however, before they get an okay from the full Senate. Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, OK has put a hold on all Obama nominees. LaFleur, a Democrat, would fill the seat vacated by former Commissioner Suedeen Kelly, who left the agency in late December. LaFleur retired in 2007 from National Grid, which delivers electricity to 3.4 million customers in the Northeast. LaFleur will join Chairman Jon Wellinghoff and Commissioner John Norris in making up a Democratic majority. Moeller and Commissioner Marc Spitzer are Republicans. Moeller has served on the Commission since July 2006, when he assumed the seat of former FERC Chairman Pat Wood. His current term expires June 30.
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Chief Oil & Gas: West Virginia Well Fire Under Control
A natural gas well targeting the Marcellus Shale near Moundsville, WV, which was the site of an explosion Monday that sent seven drilling company employees to a hospital, could be capped in about three days, according to Chief Oil & Gas LLC.
Obama Bill to Raise Oil Spill Liability Cap
President Obama has sent Congress legislation that would raise a producer’s liability for economic damages from an oil spill, administration officials said last Wednesday. The measure calls for the higher cap to take effect retroactively to include damages from the recent well -blowout and the subsequent massive oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico.
Senate Committee Approves FERC Nominees
The Senate Energy Committee Thursday approved and sent to the floor the nomination of Cheryl A. LaFleur, a former executive vice president and acting CEO of National Grid USA, to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The committee also approved the renomination of Commissioner Philip D. Moeller for a full term.
Industry Briefs
Three environmental groups on Monday sent an intent-to-sue letter to the Department of Interior (DOI) for not listing sage grouse as an endangered or threatened species. Sixty days’ notice is required ahead of filing a lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Center for Biological Diversity, Desert Survivors and Western Watersheds Project said the lawsuit would be filed in a still-to-be-determined federal court because DOI classified the sage grouse only as a candidate for protection under the ESA (see Daily GPI, March 8). Around 250 species considered candidates for protection have been on the list for decades, the groups said. DOI declined to comment because of its policy regarding litigation.
Industry Briefs
Three environmental groups on Monday sent an intent-to-sue letter to the Department of Interior (DOI) for not listing sage grouse as an endangered or threatened species. Sixty days’ notice is required ahead of filing a lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Center for Biological Diversity, Desert Survivors and Western Watersheds Project said the lawsuit would be filed in a still-to-be-determined federal court because DOI classified the sage grouse only as a candidate for protection under the ESA (see Daily GPI, March 8). Around 250 species considered candidates for protection have been on the list for decades, the groups said. DOI declined to comment because of its policy regarding litigation.
April Natgas Futures Inch Lower
The natural gas futures market sent mixed signals Tuesday as the April contract failed to record a new low for the larger down move, but still declined overall for the day. The prompt-month contract put in a low of $4.476 before finishing out Tuesday’s regular session at $4.516, down 1.1 cents from Monday’s close.
April Natgas Futures Inch Lower
The natural gas futures market sent mixed signals Tuesday as the April contract failed to record a new low for the larger down move, but still declined overall for the day. The prompt-month contract put in a low of $4.476 before finishing out Tuesday’s regular session at $4.516, down 1.1 cents from Monday’s close.
Industrial Customers: Energy Bill a ‘Potential Fall-Back’ for Climate Change
Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA) sent a letter last Thursday to Senate leaders urging them not to accept legislative language that would give FERC the authority to approve transmission facilities interconnecting with renewable energy sources and to require that the cost of the new facilities be shared with customers system-wide.
Industrial Consumers: Energy Bill a ‘Potential Fall-Back’ for Climate Change
Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA) sent a letter Thursday to Senate leaders urging them not to accept legislative language that would give FERC the authority to approve transmission facilities interconnecting with renewable energy sources and to require that the cost of the new facilities be shared system-wide.