Singled

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Friday singled out “energy extraction activities” as one of the agency’s top national enforcement priorities for 2011 to 2013, according to the Washington, DC, law firm of Steptoe & Johnson.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) singled out “energy extraction activities” as one of the agency’s top national enforcement priorities for 2011 to 2013, according to the Washington, DC, law firm of Steptoe & Johnson. The EPA has not had much of an appetite for a producer technique known as hydraulic fracturing — in which fluids injected at high pressure are used to stimulate the production of natural gas from shales — but it did not single out the technique, according to the law firm. The EPA said an “unprecedented acceleration of oil and gas leasing and development” has prompted air pollution concerns, particularly in the West. In addition to oil and gas, the agency said it also will focus on New Source Review compliance among major emitters of air pollution, especially the coal-fired utility, cement, glass and acid sectors. The EPA has not yet developed the specifics of its enforcement strategy for the energy extraction industries, but will be doing so in the near future. In the meantime, increased inspections and enforcement for noncompliance are likely, according to Steptoe & Johnson.

Although all utilities do a certain amount of it, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. was singled out last week for criticism by the California Public Utilities Commission following mounting customer complaints to regulators and adverse publicity the giant San Francisco combination utility has been receiving in local news media concerning its use of delayed and estimated bills. The CPUC Executive Director Steve Larson wrote the PG&E utility CEO last Tuesday, demanding “immediate steps” be taken to address the situation.

Although all utilities do a certain amount of it, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. was singled out last week for criticism by the California Public Utilities Commission following mounting customer complaints to regulators and adverse publicity the giant San Francisco combination utility has been receiving in local news media concerning its use of delayed and estimated bills. The CPUC Executive Director Steve Larson wrote the PG&E utility CEO last Tuesday, demanding “immediate steps” be taken to address the situation.

The Utility Reform Network (TURN), California’s largest utility watchdog group, Friday reached beyond U.S. borders to side with Bolivians revolting against their government, partially in protest to a project designed to export LNG to North America.

Both private and public sector energy titans were singled out for criticism and scrutiny by California state officials Tuesday, adding to the legal and political moves that have become increasing intertwined as summer approaches, patience wears thin and easy solutions seem more distant.

Having been singled out by California’s governor for “price-gouging” during recent rolling blackouts for charging $1,900/MWh for some emergency spot market supplies, Houston-based Reliant Energy’s wholesale businesses President/COO Joe Bob Perkins fought back Friday, crying foul, but drawing short of saying his company would seek any legal action against the confidentiality of its bulk power transactions being apparently violated by state officials.

Having been singled out by California’s governor for “price-gouging” during recent rolling blackouts for charging $1,900/MWh for some emergency spot market supplies, Houston-based Reliant Energy’s wholesale businesses President/COO Joe Bob Perkins fought back Friday, crying foul, but drawing short of saying his company would seek any legal action against the confidentiality of its bulk power transactions being apparently violated by state officials.