Social

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated federal law by using an array of social media platforms to promote its controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, and conducted a campaign of “covert propaganda” over an 18-month period.

Investors face an array of social and environmental shareholder resolutions in upcoming annual meetings, according to Proxy Review 2013, which was issued on Thursday.

MSC also released a longer video on social media channels and is asking viewers to submit their questions about natural gas production and use. The video includes a series of clips from a variety of news programs detailing the economic benefits of developing the Marcellus Shale.

An investment manager organization that leads a coalition of shareholder advocacy groups for social and environmental issues says progress has been made in the third year of its quest to convince natural gas operators to be more forthcoming over how they are managing the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

An investment manager organization that leads a coalition of shareholder advocacy groups for social and environmental issues says progress has been made in the third year of its quest to convince natural gas operators to be more forthcoming over how they are managing the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

The United States in 2010 led the world in natural gas production for the second year in a row, boosted by massive shale deposits, according to the latest statistical review by BP plc.

The tax break for high-cost natural gas wells in Texas — which is of particular importance to producers active in the state’s shale plays — continues to draw attention from lawmakers wrangling with a $27 billion budget shortfall.

In responses to pleas it heard earlier in the month from the nonprofit social service sector, the California Public Utilities Commission Thursday approved added protection for qualified low-income utility customers against this winter’s expected high natural gas costs. The CPUC made significant changes to two of the state’s major low-income customer programs.

Kenneth Lay, once an icon of the energy industry and toast of Houston’s social community, on Thursday pleaded innocent to 11 criminal charges in connection with his actions at the failed company that he founded, Enron Corp. Lay, who, if convicted, faces charges that in total carry 175 years in prison and a fine of $5.75 million, also was charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).