Statement

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) late Monday released its proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) and final environmental impact statement for the Little Snake Field Office in northwestern Colorado, which when implemented would guide federal leasing decisions for almost two decades.

In a move that he said provides a clear statement that Virginia supports oil and natural gas exploration, development and production 50 miles or more off its coast, Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed legislation allocating future offshore royalties and revenues to transportation and the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, which researches and develops renewable energy solutions.

In a move that he said provides a clear statement that Virginia supports oil and natural gas exploration, development and production 50 miles or more off its coast, Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed legislation allocating future offshore royalties and revenues to transportation and the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, which researches and develops renewable energy solutions.

El Paso Corp.’s Ruby Pipeline Project on Friday was issued a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) by FERC and cooperating agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

El Paso Corp.’s Ruby Pipeline Project on Friday was issued a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) by FERC and cooperating agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

A public comment period is open through Aug. 10 on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for El Paso Corp.’s Ruby Pipeline Project, which would carry up to 1.5 million Dth/d of natural gas about 675 miles from Wyoming to Oregon. The draft EIS was issued in June by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) staff (see NGI, June 22) to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It evaluates, analyzes and discloses the direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts of the proposed pipeline. Comments may be submitted electronically at www.ferc.gov or efiling@ferc.gov. Comments by mail, which should include an original and two copies, should be sent to Kimberly D. Bose, secretary, FERC, 888 First St. NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Reference Docket No. CP09-54-000 and label one copy to the attention of the Gas Branch 1, PJ-11.1. Public meetings to discuss the project also are scheduled this month in each of the affected states, which also include Utah and Nevada. For more information contact National Project Manager Mark Mackiewicz at (435) 636-3616, or 125 South 600 West, Price, UT 84501.

A public comment period is open through Aug. 10 on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for El Paso Corp.’s Ruby Pipeline Project, which would carry up to 1.5 million Dth/d of natural gas about 675 miles from Wyoming to Oregon.

The Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service on Monday published a notice of intent in the Federal Register (Vol. 74, No. 118) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) as part of its proposal to enact federal drilling rules within the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. More than 90% of the mineral rights under the national forest land are privately owned, and the Forest Service previously did not require an environmental analysis, as mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act. Pennsylvania’s energy industry and some state officials are suing the Forest Service to prevent the rules from being enacted (see Daily GPI, June 11). The draft EIS is expected in January 2010, with the final EIS expected in April 2010. Comments are due by Aug. 21 and may be sent to comments-eastern-allegheny@fs.fed.us. The subject line should read “Transition EIS.”

FERC staff on Friday issued the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for El Paso Corp.’s proposed Ruby Pipeline Project, which would be capable of transporting up to 1.5 million Dth/d of natural gas about 675 miles from the Rocky Mountains to the West Coast.