Statewide

Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector would benefit from the development of a statewide energy plan, according to a report from Gov. Tom Corbett’s Manufacturing Advisory Council (GMAC).

West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Tuesday signed an executive order creating a statewide natural gas vehicle (NGV) task force to explore the option of creating a state fleet of natural gas vehicles (NGV). Part of the task force’s work will be to identify what is needed to create a compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) unanimously agreed Thursday to create a statewide registry for all nonpublic utility and hazardous liquids pipelines, to assess operators for the costs, and for its inspectors to begin enforcing federal pipeline safety laws on most classifications of pipeline.

Dave Neslin, who has helmed the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) for five years and who helped to shape and then implement more stringent statewide natural gas and oil regulations, is resigning effective March 1 to join Denver law firm Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP. Neslin, who joined the COGCC on an interim basis in late 2007, was instrumental in implementing the controversial drilling regulations that increased scrutiny of gas and oil production in 2009. Neslin was appointed to his current position in April 2009. Prior to joining the commission Neslin, an attorney, had been a partner in Denver law firm Arnold & Porter. No replacement has been named by the commission.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) has found itself in the cross-hairs for statewide criticism regarding a $2.2 billion long-term plan to upgrade its natural gas pipeline system in California.

Dave Neslin, who has headed the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) for five years and who helped to shape and then implement more stringent statewide natural gas and oil regulations, said he is resigning effective March 1 to join Denver law firm Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP. Neslin, who joined the COGCC on an interim basis in late 2007, was instrumental in implementing the controversial regulations that increased scrutiny of gas and oil production in the state in 2009. Neslin was appointed to his current position in April 2009. Prior to joining the commission Neslin, an attorney, had been a partner in Denver law firm Arnold & Porter. No replacement has been named by the commission.

With only a few days left before the Pennsylvania General Assembly recesses for the year, some groups are calling on lawmakers to pass an impact fee on Marcellus Shale development now, while others are criticizing the bills currently on the table.

Pennsylvania’s potential adoption of a statewide impact fee on natural gas wells is poised to take another large step forward Wednesday (Oct. 26) when the state’s Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to vote on Senate Bill (SB) 1100.

After expressing initial reservations, a group representing county governments in Pennsylvania is now supporting a county-level impact fee proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett.